Gani Lawal and Derrick Favors had almost identical numbers at Georgia Tech. Favors went #3 to the Nets. Lawal went in the second round to Phoenix. This week in China, Lawal (an unrestricted free agent) did "player of the week" well.

Gani Lawall is 23 years old and 6.9". He got injured in Phoenix and was waived. He signed with the Spurs in December 2011, but was cut in this shortened pre-season. The Spurs would sign veteran Ike Diogu for this spot.

Lawall played in the D-League in 2010-11 and got of to a slow start, but then started doing well. He signed in the NBA lockout fall of 2011 with a Polish team played well (16.5 ppg, 11.7 rpg); Nets draft pick Jordan Williams was minutes away from joining him.

Lawal has now replaced Kenyon Martin in China. In Lawal's first game on January 1st, he had 27 points, 24 rebounds, 3 blocks, and made player of the week honors.

Some Spurs talk about Lawal is here (December 12, 2011, when he was signed) and here (December 22, 2011, when he was waived). One comment: "Kind of sad to see that, as you could tell he badly wanted to make the roster when he kept going after turning his ankle last night."

Today, January 4th, was Gani Lawal's second game in China. Again, this is with no training camp, playing in a foreign country. Lawal had 38 points, 19 rebounds, and 3 blocks in a win.

For the two games in China, Gani Lawal is averaging 32.5 points, 21.5 rebounds, and 3 blocks a game.

SUMMARY

The Nets can sign Gani Lawal in March and see if he can play. He has an NBA body and he's a high-motor guy. OK, maybe he's not Derrick Favors.

Still, isn't he much better than Dennis Horner?