Hassan Whiteside’s Historic Double-Double

Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside is doing some incredible things this year.  Not the least of which is averaging a double-double.  “Lots of guys can post ‘ten and ten’ over the course of a season” you say.  Well that’s true but can they accomplish the feat while playing part-time?

No.

Except for Whiteside.  He is attempting to become the first NBA player in more than a half-century to average 10 points and 10 rebounds while playing less than 24 minutes per night.

Player                           Season       Tm     G     Mins     PTS     REB    MPG

Hassan Whiteside   2014-15   MIA  38    860     11.0      9.9      22.6

Johnny Green           1960-61   NYK  78 1784     10.2    10.7     22.9

Ray Felix                     1957-58   NYK  72 1709     12.2    10.4     23.7

Chuck Share              1954-55   MLH  69 1685     11.9    9.9       24.4

James Johnson’s Throwback Dunk

My love of James Johnson highlights has not been a secret.  After filling up the video tape reel (and the box score) in Memphis last year he has brought his talents to Toronto.

In the Raptors win over the Pistons last night Johnson threw one down on Andre Drummond.  I couldn’t resist adding this to JJ’s budding archive resembling David Thompson & Dominique Wilkins.

 

The Blazers Sticky Fingers Big Man

The Portland Trail Blazers edged out the Denver Nuggets Tuesday night by just two points.   Coach Terry Stotts’ team won the possession battle by forcing two more turnovers than Denver.   He can thank big man LaMarcus Aldridge for his team keeping the rock.

LMA became the first NBA player since Carmelo Anthony to take 30 shots while committing zero turnovers.

His ability to get a shot up before fumbling the ball away is a prime reason why he is a valuable piece of the Blazers.  Aldridge’s career turnover rate of 8.2% is one of the three lowest of all-time.

Here is the complete list of games with 30+ FGA’s and Zero turns (since 2010):

Player                    Date  Tm   FGA TOV
LaMarcus  Aldridge   2014-12-02 POR W  30   0
Carmelo  Anthony     2014-01-24 NYK W  35   0
Kevin  Durant        2014-01-07 OKC L  34   0
LaMarcus  Aldridge   2013-12-26 POR W  31   0
Kevin  Durant        2013-01-14 OKC W  30   0

Why OKC Misses Durant and Westbrook

The OKC Thunder display Friday highlighted why they miss Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook so much.  In a home loss to the Pistons Scott Brooks‘ team made one free throw.

Over 53 minutes and nearly one-hundred shot attempts only Steven Adams would make a foul shot for the home team.

See KD has led the NBA in made free throws for five years straight.  In addition Russ has been among the top-five league wide in each of his last three healthy seasons.  Getting to the foul line and converting has been the primary advantage for OKC during their five year run of success.

Sans their stars the Thunder have become the first team in at least three decades to make fewer than two foul shots in an overtime game.

Only the expansion Toronto Raptors featuring rookie Damon Stoudamire played an entire NBA game while not hitting a freebie.

 

                                       Team
Date          Tm  Opp       Result  MP  FGA FT FTA   
2014-11-14   OKC  DET L 89-96 (OT) 265   96  1   6  
2014-02-08   MEM  ATL      W 79-76 240   90  1   1 
2013-11-24   PHO  ORL     W 104-96 240   95  1   3 
2012-01-14   TOR  CHI      L 64-77 240   86  1   7 
2004-02-25   NJN  MIN      L 68-81 240   83  1   5 
1996-01-09   TOR  CHH      L 91-92 240   84  0   3 

Video: Dirk’s Rookie Year

A short interview & highlight package featuring Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash and Don Nelson, circa Dallas 1998.