Ten Gator Alumni Open the 2015-16 NBA Season
Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Men's Basketball
By Ashley Milchman
UAA Communications
Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
Bradley Beal and the Washington Wizards opened the 2015-2016 season by going 2-1, winning on the road at Orlando and Milwaukee, and losing by seven at home to the New York Knicks. Beal scored an impressive 26 points in the games against New York and Milwaukee, and 24 against Orlando, beating his 2014-2015 season average of 17 points. Beal lead the Wizards in opening week with an average 25.3 points per game.
10/31 vs. Knicks (L 110-117): 26 PTS, 5-5 FTM/FTA, 4 REB, 2 STLS
10/30 vs. Bucks (W 118-113): 26 PTS, 3-4 FTM/FTA, 3 REB, 3 AST
10/28 vs. Magic (W 88-87): 24 PTS, 6 REB
Watch @RealDealBeal23 address the crowd before the home opener (VIDEO): https://t.co/FwVy9f6M3E #WizKnicks pic.twitter.com/JVPjBl3X7w
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) October 31, 2015 Watch @RealDealBeal23 catch absolute FIRE in the 4th quarter! https://t.co/RCUFiggMw3 #WizBucks pic.twitter.com/qcuy71cO5U
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) October 31, 2015 For more on Beal, follow: @WashWizards, @RealDealBeal23
Matt Bonner, San Antonio Spurs
Matt Bonner didn't see any playing time during opening week. In the 2014-2015 season, Bonner played in 72 games, averaging 13 minutes and 3.1 points. Bonner played in 7 of the Spurs' post season games, averaging 5 minutes of play.
For more on Bonner, follow: @spurs
Corey Brewer, Houston Rockets
Corey Brewer and the Houston Rockets opened the season with a 0-3 start, losing to Miami, Denver, and reigning NBA Champions Golden State. The Rockets bounced back and defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder on Nov. 2nd. Brewer had been on a day-to-day evaluation due to an undisclosed injury.
11/2 vs. Thunder (W 110-105): 12 PTS, 2 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL
11/1 vs. Heat (L 89-109): 10 PTS, 1 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL
10/30 vs. Warriors (L 92-112): 11 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST
That moment Brewer helped us take the lead. pic.twitter.com/dxsyJxKGEk
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 3, 2015 Brewer with the first quarter block! pic.twitter.com/abQjLGWTFh
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 29, 2015 For more on Brewer, follow: @HoustonRockets, @TheCoreyBrewer
Udonis Haslem, Miami Heat
Udonis Haslem and the Miami Heat opened the 2015-2016 season with a 2-2 start. While Haslem didn't see any action during the games against Houston, Atlanta and Cleveland, he played 11 minutes in the Heat's Oct. 28th win over Charlotte with four rebounds, six points, one steal and one assist.
For more on Haslem, follow: @MiamiHEAT, @ThisIsUD
Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks
Al Horford has started the 2015-2016 season with a big bang, averaging over 30 minutes and more than 15 points a game. Horford picked up his first double-double of the season Sunday against Charlotte. Horford boasted an impressive 12 rebounds in Sunday's win against the Hawks. Horford posted another double-double during the Hawks' win over Miami on Nov. 3.
11/3 vs. Heat (W 98-92): 17 PTS, 13 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL
11/1 vs. Charlotte (W 94-92): 16 PTS, 12 REB, 1 AST, 3 BLK
10/30 vs. Charlotte (W 97-94): 18 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST, 1 BLK
10/29 vs. Knicks (112-101): 21 PTS, 9 REB, 1 AST, 3 BLK, 2 STL
And I just found out I played my 500th game in the NBA. It's a dream come true for me to be a part of this league! https://t.co/DG3Ja9OSxU
— Al Horford (@Al_Horford) November 1, 2015 Great Win on the road vs the Hornets. We fought back and made plays in the 4th quarter. Go Hawks! #ATLvsCHA #TrueToAtlanta
— Al Horford (@Al_Horford) November 1, 2015 For more on Horford, follow: @ATLHawks, @Al_Horford
David Lee, Boston Celtics
David Lee averaged 20 minutes of playing time over the first three games of the 2015-2016 season, also posting over 5 rebounds a game. Lee went 4-4 on free throws during the Celtics's win over the 76ers, and 2-2 on free throws in the game against the Raptors.
11/1 vs. Spurs (L 87-95): 8 REB, 1 AST
10/30 vs. Raptors (L 103-113): 6 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL
10/28 vs. 76ers (W 112-95): 5 REB, 5 AST, 1 BLK
The C's starting lineup has been in need of an offensive jolt & David Lee believes he can fill that void this season https://t.co/Cinn5u1gX7
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 27, 2015 For more on Lee, follow: @Celtics, @Dlee042
Mike Miller, Denver Nuggets
Mike Miller made a brief appearance during Denver's opening week, averaging about 5.5 minutes per game. During his 2014-2015 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miller averaged 13.5 minutes and 2.3 points for game.
The vet! Mike Miller always has the feathery touch. 9pts on 3/3 from 3 for @denvernuggets on @NBATV #NBARapidReplay https://t.co/BorOo9PHDN
— NBA (@NBA) November 4, 2015 For more on Miller, follow: @nuggets, @MikeMiller_13
Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls
The 2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, kicked off the season with a slow start after spending the preseason being evaluated on a day-to-day basis for a knee injury. In the first 5 games of the season, Noah averaged 18.8 minutes a game, as well as posting an impressive 32 total rebounds.
11/3 vs. Hornets (L 105-130): 5 REB, 2 AST
11/1 vs. Magic (W 92-87): 9 REB, 4 AST, 1 BLK, 1 STL
10/30 vs. Pistons (L 94-98): 3 REB, 2 AST, 1 BLK
10/28 vs. Nets (W 115-100): 6 REB, 2 AST, 1 BLK
10/27 vs. Cavaliers (W 97-95): 9 REB, 4 AST
The Noah steal leads to the Taj 🔨! (WGN) https://t.co/e1IoWqlx4l
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 2, 2015 With a block in the 1st Qtr, @JoakimNoah has surpassed @ScottiePippen as #2 in #Bulls history in blocks (775 total) pic.twitter.com/6A1lwSghaj
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 29, 2015 For more on Noah, follow: @chicagobulls, @JoakimNoah
Chandler Parsons, Dallas Mavericks
Chandler Parsons has been out of the Mavericks rotation after undergoing surgery for a knee injury six months ago. ESPN reports that the team is working to bring Parsons back into the rotation this upcoming Sunday versus the Los Angeles Lakers, limiting him to the first half.
Coach Carlisle shares Parsons progression into the regular season. #DALvsTOR https://t.co/J7Hz9P2owB
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) November 3, 2015 .@ChandlerParsons speaks to the media after morning shootaround. #DALvsTOR https://t.co/JNI5O6Xt0s
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) November 3, 2015 For more on Parsons, follow: @dallasmavs, @ChandlerParsons
Marreese Speights, Golden State Warriors
Marreese Speights and the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors opened the 2015-2016 season with a 4-0 start, defeating the Pelicans, Rockets, and Grizzlies. Speights averaged 14.3 minutes a game and posted 8 rebounds on the Warriors Nov. 2 game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
11/2 vs. Grizzlies (W 119-69): 8 REB, 1 AST
10/31 vs. Pelicans (W 134-120): 1 REB, 2 AST, 1 BLK
10/30 vs. Rockets (W 112-92): 4 REB, 1 AST, 1 BLK
10/27 vs. Pelicans (W 111-95): 5 REB, 1 AST, 1 BLK
Woow fun game ... #4-0 great to be back n @OracleArena with the best fans!! #DubNation #onamission
— Marreese Speights (@Mospeights16) November 3, 2015 Take a closer look at the #Warriors Championship rings » https://t.co/22OfEs7dwM pic.twitter.com/47Mz42EzH6
— Golden St. Warriors (@warriors) October 28, 2015 Follow: @warriors, @Mospeights16
Billy Donovan makes his NBA Debut:
Not a past Forida player, but forever a Gator. Billy Donovan made his NBA coaching debut with the Oklahoma City Thunder, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in the opener and leading the Thunder to a 3-1 start for the season.
Coach Donovan wins Thunder debut. Kevin Durant scores 22 including clutch free throws late. Next: @ Orlando Friday pic.twitter.com/sLzcmUaSy5
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) October 29, 2015 
