Injuries Continue to Pile Up For Former Florida Gators in the NBA

Dec 7, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) sits on the bench during the first half against the Detroit Pistons at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Add former Gator great, Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah to the list of the walking wounded in the NBA. Noah joins the Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal, Houston Rockets’ Chandler Parsons, and Udonis Haslem as the latest former Florida players to be hobbled by injury and miss time. There are 12 total Gators in the NBA. Here’s how the other eight fared this week.

Bradley Beal (2011-2012), Washington Wizards
Beal has been sidelined with a stress injury in his right leg, missing the last seven games. Even with the missed time, Beal still leads the Wizards with 20.6 points per game.

Matt Bonner (1999-2003),  San Antonio Spurs
Bonner saw action in all three games this week, averaging 15.3 minutes per game, which is nearly 3 minutes more than his season average. Bonner more than doubled his season average in scoring with 7.6 points and had at least two assists in two of the games.

Corey Brewer (2004-2007),  Minnesota Timberwolves
Brewer continued his streak of double-digit scoring for the ‘Wolves, adding three more games this week. Brewer averaged 11.3 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.

Nick Calathes (2007-2009),  Memphis Grizzlies
Calathes is finally starting to get more minutes this week, playing in at least 17 minutes in all three games. He had a career-high 6 points and 8 assists against the Orlando Magic Monday night and averaged 4.6 points and 4 assists while averaging 20 minutes a game.

Mike Miller (1998-2000), Memphis Grizzles
Miller put up a season-high 16 points on 7-9 shooting, including 2-3 from three-point range in Saturday’s loss to the Golden State Warriors. He’s proven to be a key contributor for the Grizzlies, averaging 11 points, 4.6 boards, and 60% (6-10) from beyond the arc in 27 minutes per game this past week.

Udonis Haslem (1998-2002), Miami Heat
Haslem returned from his back injury last Thursday against the Chicago Bulls and played a season-high 26 minutes. He had limited minutes in the two games the Heat played this week and did not play in one. Haslem didn’t have a great week on the stat sheet, totaling only 3 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block over three games.

Al Horford (2004-2007),  Atlanta Hawks
Horford played a complete game versus the Cleveland Cavaliers with his line reading 22 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. Horford leads Atlanta with 17.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg, and 1.6 bpg.

David Lee (2001-2005), Golden State Warriors
Lee had a double-double in three of the four games played this past week, averaging 15.8 points and 10.3 rebounds. He had a superb game at Memphis when he scored 23 points, 11 boards, 3 steals, and 1 block.

Marreese Speights (2006-2008), Golden State Warriors
Speights played a season-high 21 minutes against Houston Friday and tallied 9 points and 7 rebounds. He averaged 4 points and 2.8 rebounds over the past week.

Erik Murphy (2009-2013), Chicago Bulls
Murphy played in two of three games this past week, scoring 2 points with 1 rebound in 10 minutes against the Milwaukee Bucks. Murphy could begin to see more minutes in the coming days with the injury to fellow Gator, Joakim Noah.

Joakim Noah (2004-2007), Chicago Bulls
Noah ended up played two out of three games after injuring his thigh versus the Detroit Pistons. In his first game back from the injury, Noah notched a double-double, scoring 12 with 11 boards, 4 assists, and 3 blocks in 37 minutes against the New York Knicks.

Chandler Parsons (2007-2011), Houston Rockets
Parsons is receiving treatment, including acupuncture, for back spasms that sidelined him the previous week. He still ended up playing in both the Rockets’ games this past week, averaging 36.5 minutes, 13 points, 4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.5 steals.

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