2012-13 NBA Preseason Reviews: Who’s For Real?
The 2012-13 NBA preseason is fully underway, and everybody’s talking about how good this player looks, and how good that team looks. We’re going to take a look at some statistical leaders so far to determine who’s for real, and who’s a fraud.
For Real
Nick Young – 4G, 19.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.8 APG, 51.1 FG%, 57.1 3P%, 87.0 FT%
Young has always been a volume shooter that isn’t shy about his desire to score. While he’s not going to be shooting 51.1% from the fields and 57.1% from three this season, he is going to be a score-or-do-nothing sort of player. He’ll contribute greatly off the bench for the Philadelphia 76ers and will fill Louis Williams‘ previous role quite well.
Paul George – 3G, 18.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, 38.1 FG%, 37.5 3P%, 90.9 FT%
This is an important season for George and the rest of the Indiana Pacers. They need a player to step up and become a go-to scorer in the late minutes of games. George has shown his willingness to score and his hard work on the glass has been admirable. He’s 6’8″, can get his shot off against most anyone who will guard him, and is definitely in line for a breakout year.
The Frauds
Omer Asik – 5G, 8.2 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.2 APG, 46.9 FG%, 73.3 FT%
There’s no question that the Houston Rockets will be a team in transition this year and won’t shoot for a high percentage, at least early in the year. One would think Asik would gobble up a ton of rebounds because of that, and you’d be right. But, it’s more a function of watching shots clang off of the rim as opposed to rebounding skill. As a center, shooting 46.9% is horrible, and will severely hurt the Rockets down the line.
Jermaine O’Neal – 2G, 5.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 2.5 BPG, 36.4 FG%
A quick look at the production by O’Neal might make the Phoenix Suns happy. If he averaged 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in a reserve role, they’d be tickled. However, a deeper look at the numbers show an alarming trend. He’s also averaging 3.5 fouls in just 17 minutes of play and his 36.4% from the field is horrid. If O’Neal plays overly aggressive, he’ll get some blocks, but he’ll hurt his team by putting them in the penalty early with all those fouls.
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