Understudies take center stage

Sporting News, The, Feb 4, 2005 by Sean Deveney

It seems to happen every year when the calendar turns over--just as your team looks ready to get geared up for the second half playoff push, one of the key guys in the rotation goes down and brings the team with him. For four teams, there are players to watch as they try to provide injury relief.

Jarvis Hayes, filling in for shooting guard Larry Hughes. Hughes could be out until March, putting a damper on the Wizards' surprise early-season run. Hayes has flashed talent in his second season, but his 36.5 percent shooting reflects his inconsistency.

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Lamar Odom, filling in for leading scorer Kobe Bryant. The Lakers have started Sasha Vujacic and Jumaine Jones in place of Bryant, but it's Odom who has been tentative offensively and who needs to carry the load in L.A. the way he did in Miami.

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Maurice Evans, filling in for sixth man Bobby Jackson. Evans, a journeyman, has buoyed the Kings' extremely thin bench with his smart play, defense and consistent shooting. He does not play at Jackson's tempo, but he fits the Kings' system well.

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Rodney Buford, filling in for small forward Richard Jefferson. Buford's talent level is not close to Jefferson's, but Buford is a decent defender who is capable of being a reliable scorer. He has shown that only in flashes this season, though, and is shooting 38.5 percent from the field.

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