NBA Preseason 2012: Veterans in Danger of Losing Their Jobs
Fans do not enjoy the preseason, but it is a vital part of the process for making roster decisions and starting lineups.
It is also a good chance for rookies and players new to teams to prove to coaches what they can do in a game atmosphere.
These veterans have already shown what they are made of, but they must play to their best abilities to keep their own starting jobs.
Jason Maxiell, Detroit Pistons
Maxiell started the majority of games last season at power forward for the Pistons. Unfortunately, the career backup only managed 6.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in just over 22 minutes of play.
Andre Drummond has been impressive in the preseason so far, displaying the athleticism that made him a lottery pick.
In addition, Jonas Jerebko has continued to play well off the bench and should eventually take over the position for good.
Maxiell will need to have an impressive finish to the preseason in order to even remain an integral part of the rotation for Detroit.
Richard Hamilton, Chicago Bulls
Few players in the NBA have been as consistent of scorers as Rip Hamilton over the past decade. However, it seems that his time as a go-to player has come to an end.
The Bulls brought in Marco Belinelli from the New Orleans Hornets after the guard totaled almost 12 points per game last year.
Belinelli is an excellent three-point shooter, making 39.3 percent of his shots from deep in his career. He would be very useful in spreading the floor for the talented low post players on the team, and he would be a better fit than Hamilton.
Jason Thompson, Sacramento Kings
Thompson was the weakest part of a young Sacramento Kings starting lineup last season. He averaged 9.1 points per game and 6.9 rebounds alongside DeMarcus Cousins and company.
In response, the team drafted Thomas Robinson out of Kansas with the fifth overall pick.
Robinson was one of the most NBA-ready talents in the class and is already averaging over 20 minutes per game in the preseason. The staff wants to get a good look at the rookie, and so far he is passing the test.
Thompson better step up his game if he does not want to ride the bench this season.
Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando Magic
Turkoglu and his large contract will be one of the things that holds Orlando back this season and next.
The wing has had a dramatic drop in production since his impressive 2007-2008 season. In four years, his points per game dropped over eight points, he had almost two fewer rebounds per game and his three-point percentage lowered from 40 to 35.3 percent.
Maurice Harkless has not stepped on the floor yet in the preseason due to a sports hernia, but the rookie was a big part of the return from the Dwight Howard trade. The Magic will certainly do what they can to get him on the floor sooner than later.
That means Turkoglu's time as a starter on this team is coming to an end unless he can regain some of the magic he lost over the last few years.
