The Microscope: Monta Ellis' Hard Look in the Mirror (and More)

The Microscope is your recurring look at the NBA's small-scale developments—the rotational curiosities, skill showcases, coaching decisions, notable performances and changes in approach that make the league go 'round. 

Monta Ellis and the New Struggle

The criticisms of Monta Ellis (ball domination, volume shooting, problematic defense) have only been as consistent as they've been consistently justifiable. Although Ellis plays a particularly electric brand of basketball, he has a way of making his limitations incredibly obvious, and in the process, virtually demands that his critics pick apart his game with particular vigor and volume. He's polarizing to say the least, but based on his performance thus far in Milwaukee, some of his incredibly fervent fans may be coming to a quiet.

It's one thing to appreciate Ellis for his stylistic wonder, but another entirely to trumpet his high-volume skills as being conducive to winning basketball. There's certainly an appropriate destination, role and context for Ellis' considerable skills, but it's fairly clear that Ellis as we came to know him in Golden State—as the focal-point of the post-"We Believe" Warriors—was a bit too uninhibited.

Predictably, Milwaukee has offered Ellis a trip to the other extreme of offensive construction, albeit one that has been no more beneficial to his unique talents; through 14 games as a Buck, Ellis is playing the most inefficient basketball of his career and put an unfortunate strain on one of the league's most weirdly successful offenses.

The Bucks aren't exactly loaded with scoring talent, but Brandon Jennings, Ersan Ilyasova and a nice collection of role players had established a productive chemistry prior to Ellis' arrival.

But while Milwaukee theoretically acquired a shot creator and ball-handler to complement Jennings, the on-court result has been a fair bit more depressing. According to NBA.com, the Bucks are scoring 13.1 more points per 100 possessions with Ellis off the court than with him on it thus far, a significant mark posted over an admittedly insignificant sample. Nothing obstructs Ellis from leveling out once he gains a familiarity with his teammates and Scott Skiles' system, but for the moment, he's doing the Bucks a bit more harm than good—a costly reality for a team clawing to stay in the playoff picture.

J.J. Hickson and the Blazers' Auditions

Hickson was waived by the Sacramento Kings and subsequently signed by a team with a struggling playmaker, a lack of diversionary talent and a seemingly apparent tanking agenda. So naturally, Hickson has put together one of the most productive basketball stretches of his career to the tune of 17.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per 36 minutes with minimal turnovers and strong shooting marks. 

It's hard to imagine how Hickson might successfully fit into a vision of the Blazers' future as a frontcourt mate of LaMarcus Aldridge (one can almost see the rebounding limitations of that duo begin to fester), but for a rebuilding team looking to collect talented pieces, he makes plenty of sense. Portland was able to pick up Hickson's deal on the cheap to take a closer look, and based on the success of the arrangement thus far, could have the inside track to re-sign him if the Blazers' GM-to-be deems it appropriate.

Hickson could make for a nice big off the bench if nothing else, but in a different sense, he currently embodies the direction by trial of the Trail Blazers organization. Whether with Hickson, Hasheem Thabeet, Jonny Flynn, Luke Babbitt or Nolan Smith, Portland is cobbling together prospects (or finally giving them legitimate playing time) and taking stock.

James Singleton's Grand Return to the States

For the uninitiated: James Singleton has managed to make it onto his fair share of teams since going undrafted out of Murray State in 2003 and is just barrels of fun. He sits at an intersection of the hard-working, blue-collar player archetype and the kind of per-minute wonder that typically galvanizes fanbases.

Although, try as Singleton might, fans haven't often clamored for him to step into bigger minutes or a larger role. He just sprints and leaps and boxes out his way into big-rebound outings and surprisingly athletic dunks, and then returns to the bench once a player higher on the depth chart is out of foul trouble or garbage time runs its course.

We'd been denied all that is James Singleton thus far this season by his commitment to the Guangdong Southern Tigers, but the conclusion of the CBA's season opened the door for Singleton to make his long-awaited return to the US by signing with the esteemed Washington Wizards. Thus is the red carpet of the NBA's fringe players: graced by little fanfare, few suitors and the singular glory of a guaranteed contract. 

Even without making much of a splash with his signing, Singleton did what he so often does: produce when given the opportunity in a way that's both undeniable and fitted with reasonable doubt. He dropped 18 points and 12 rebounds on the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday, and while that trend of production has generally held when teams have given him minutes (even against opponents that aren't the Bobcats, mind you), there is just enough hesitation based on Singleton's limitations and tweener status to keep him a deep reserve. 

Singleton's lack of outside shooting and comparably short stature make him a tough sell for anything more than spot duty, but that doesn't mean his efforts in those instances can't be appreciated, as they surely have been by the handful of coaches that have chosen to keep him around as a focused reserve and energetic practice player.