Reggie Evans, Wow!

The Brooklyn Nets power forward Reggie Evans accomplished something totally historic this year.  His 38% Defensive Rebound Percentage is the highest in NBA history.

Unfortunately we don’t have Off/Def rebound breakdowns for Bill Russell.  The Celtics great may very well have the all-time DRB% record, perhaps one day we will find the answer.

Here is the top-20 Def Reb Pct in a single season since 1974 when the NBA began tracking D. Rebounds:

				Totals
Rk	Player	Season	Tm	G	DRB	DRB%
1	Reggie Evans	2012-13	BRK	80	628	38.0
2	Dennis Rodman*	1994-95	SAS	49	549	37.8
3	Dennis Rodman*	1992-93	DET	62	765	36.8
4	Marcus Camby	2010-11	POR	59	424	35.2
5	Ben Wallace	2002-03	DET	73	833	34.9
6	Reggie Evans	2010-11	TOR	30	226	34.4
7	Kevin Love	2010-11	MIN	73	782	34.2
8	Bill Walton*	1977-78	POR	58	648	34.2
9	Dennis Rodman*	1991-92	DET	82	1007	34.1
10	Swen Nater	1979-80	SDC	81	864	33.8
11	Alton Lister	1995-96	TOT	64	213	33.6
12	Marcus Camby	2005-06	DEN	56	536	33.3
13	Dennis Rodman*	1995-96	CHI	64	596	33.2
14	Dwight Howard	2011-12	ORL	54	585	33.1
15	Joel Przybilla	2008-09	POR	82	513	33.1
16	Dennis Rodman*	1993-94	SAS	79	914	32.8
17	Marcus Camby	2008-09	LAC	62	529	32.7
18	Marcus Camby	2011-12	TOT	59	373	32.7
19	Bill Walton*	1975-76	POR	51	549	32.4
20	Bill Walton*	1976-77	POR	65	723	32.3

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Evans and Dennis Rodman have 4 of the top-6 all-time Defensive Rebounding seasons.  Hats off to the Nets for picking up Evans.

2012 NBA, defense

Bill Russell, Brooklyn Nets, Dennis Rodman, Reggie Evans

April 26, 2013

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The Craig Hodges Game

Twenty-seven years ago today the Milwaukee Bucks handed the New Jersey Nets a game one defeat in the opening playoff round.  The Bucks sharpshooter Craig Hodges was “enfuego”*.

In just 30 minutes of floor time Hodges scored 25 points on 10-of-11 shooting.  Don Nelson‘s Bucks went on to win the series and their next before losing to the 1986 world champs Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals.

Though don’t feel bad for Craig, he would get two championship rings with the Chicago Bulls and this….

*courtesy Dan Patrick

1980s NBA

Craig Hodges, Dan Patrick, Don Nelson, Milwaukee Bucks

April 17, 2013

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Scoring, How We Love Thee

Exactly 10 players have scored 1,500 points in the 2013 NBA season.  Ranked by True Shooting Percentage we can see a few interesting outliers.

The much improved 56% posted by volume scoring champ Carmelo Anthony should be favored by Knickerbocker fans.

			Totals
Rk	Player	Tm	G	PTS	TS%
1	Kevin Durant	OKC	81	2280	.647
2	LeBron James	MIA	76	2036	.640
3	James Harden	HOU	77	1993	.602
4	Stephen Curry	GSW	77	1771	.590
5	Kobe Bryant	LAL	78	2133	.570
6	Carmelo Anthony	NYK	67	1920	.560
7	Damian Lillard	POR	80	1529	.546
8	Russell Westbrook	OKC	81	1899	.533
9	LaMarcus Aldridge	POR	73	1530	.529
10	Monta Ellis	MIL	81	1575	.493

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/16/2013.

2012 NBA, Top 10 Players in the NBA

Carmelo Anthony, James Harden, Kevin Durant, LeBron James

April 16, 2013

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Atlanta Hawks: Devin Harris or Jeff Teague?

The Atlanta Hawks strength is their defense.  The second place Hawks arw led by their big guys Josh Smith and Al Horford but they are a solid all-around defensive team.  This post will focus on their point guards.

Jeff Teague plays 33 minutes/game compared to just 25 minutes for backup Devin Harris.  Should this be the case?

Jeff Teague shoots and allows opposing point guards a 50% effective Field Goal Percentage.   Teague who ranks 8th in the NBA in steals forces his opposition point into 3.6 turnovers/game.

Devin Harris shoots 53% eFG as a point guard and allows just 48% eFG.  Harris is a better shooter than Teague and is a little better at preventing made baskets by opposing PGs.  Teague has a slight advantage in free throws made.  He has improved a lot at the foul line this season (2.6 FTM/game and 88% FT Pct).

Back to the defensive end, Harris forces 4.4 turnovers/game.  The former 5th overall draft pick also out-rebounds the starter Teague.

So far it seems that coach Drew could consider a switch for the playoff run.  Let’s check their on/off stats to be sure.

Team Points Scored/100 Possessions: Harris 108, Teague 106

Team Points Allowed/100 Possessions: Harris 102, Teague 105.

I will admit that Teague being 5 years younger has more long-run upside than Harris but if the Hawks want to win a playoff series or two this year they may want get Devin Harris on the court some more.

2012 NBA, player comparison

Atlanta Hawks, Devin Harris, Jeff Teague

April 6, 2013

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The Upside of Jonas Valanciunas

Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas has been on a bit of a hot streak as of late.  The 20-year old Lithuanian was picked just behind Tristan Thompson in the NBA Draft two years ago.

Here are his numbers over the last 14 games with the Raptors:

• 14 Points/game
• 8 Rebounds/game
• 66% Field Goals
• 84% Free Throws

2012 NBA, value of draft picks

Jonas Valančiūnas, Toronto Raptors

April 4, 2013

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How I Love My Wizards, and John Wall

The Washington Wizards are my team to watch for the next 3 years.  The next OKC Thunder.

This season, point guard John Wall is posting a career high for scoring at nearly 20 points/36 minutes.

He ranks above some big names in scoring…

		Totals
Player	Tm	G	TS%	PTS
Russell Westbrook	OKC	74	.531	23.6
Tony Parker	SAS	62	.593	22.7
Stephen Curry	GSW	70	.587	21.3
John Wall	WAS	41	.528	19.7
Nate Robinson	CHI	73	.538	18.3
Chris Paul	LAC	63	.596	18.2
Kemba Walker	CHA	74	.516	18.2

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/3/2013.

2012 NBA, player comparison

John Wall, Point guard, Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry, Tony Parker, Washington Wizards

April 3, 2013

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The Emergence of Bradley Beal

Washington Wizards 19-year old rookie Bradley Beal has been “on fire“* as of late.

First 42 games average:

39% FG, 36% 3PT FG, 79% FT, 13 Points

Last 13 games average:

49% FG, 48% 3PT FG, 80% FT, 18 Points

Beal has been shooting better in the past few months than he had during his only year at the University of Florida.  This is legitimate improvement that should excite Wizards fans.

*courtesy Marv Albert

2012 NBA

Bradley Beal, Marv Albert, Washington Wizards

April 1, 2013

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