Welcome back to NBA Stat Central! During the regular season, we come to you every week with a new theme as we delve deeper into the world of NBA stats.
On this week’s version of NBA Stat Central, we’re going to look at the 2012-13 playoffs so far and take a look at some statistical oddities. Sit back and enjoy!
Carmelo Anthony In Rare Air
Anthony got a first-place MVP vote, but he’s not playing anything like it right now. Photo Credit: Bridget Samuels, Flickr.com
Not to pick on one of the best players in the NBA, but, he’s been horrible in the playoffs as of late. In fact, he’s in some elite company with his ineptitude. How bad has he been? Since 1950-51, only two players (minimum eight games played) have attempted more than 25 shots per game and shot worse than 40 percent.
| Totals | Per Game | Shooting | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Season | G | MP | FG | FGA | 3P | 3PA | FT | FTA | TRB | AST | STL | TOV | PF | PTS | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
| Allen Iverson | 2000-01 | 22 | 46.2 | 11.7 | 30.0 | 2.2 | 6.5 | 7.3 | 9.5 | 4.7 | 6.1 | 2.4 | 2.9 | 2.5 | 32.9 | .389 | .338 | .774 |
| Carmelo Anthony | 2012-13 | 8 | 39.9 | 10.5 | 26.8 | 1.5 | 5.4 | 6.8 | 7.4 | 6.5 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 2.3 | 3.3 | 29.3 | .393 | .279 | .915 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/12/2013.
Yikes. That Allen Iverson-led Philadelphia 76ers team made it to the NBA Finals, remember? This New York Knicks squad is now down 2-1 to the Indiana Pacers and Anthony is a big reason why.
Jason Kidd Prolific At Being Not Prolific
Jason Kidd was a nightly triple-double threat in his prime. Photo Credit: Bridgetds, Flickr.com
To say that Kidd is struggling a bit would be a bit of an understatement. My previous sentence is understating the understatement. Kidd has been historically bad, as in all-time horrible.
Kidd has now played 220 minutes in the 2012-13 playoffs. He has made three shots. THREE SHOTS. THREE SHOTS!
At least he isn’t chucking it up at the rate Anthony is, as Kidd has taken 22 shots, which equates to a shooting percentage of .136. How historically bad is this? I’m glad you asked. Below, we’re going to show you the list of players since 1946-47 that have made only three shots or fewer in the playoffs, broken down by minutes played.
At least 200 minutes played: Jason Kidd
At least 180 minutes played: Jason Kidd
At least 160 minutes played: Jason Kidd
At least 140 minutes played: Jason Kidd
Kevin Durant Doing All That He Can
There shouldn’t be a question who the second-best player in the NBA is. Photo Credit: GameFaces (Flickr.com)
For those that point to the Russell Westbrook injury as the reason that the Oklahoma City Thunder are down 2-1 to the Memphis Grizzlies, you’re correct. However, it isn’t because Durant can’t do it on his own. Westbrook does make it easier for Durant, but even sans Westbrook, Durant is putting up a historically terrific playoff.
No player has ever averaged 32 points, nine rebounds and six assists during the playoffs. LeBron James came close in 2008-09, as did Oscar Robertson in 1962-63. Still, Durant stands above all of them, averaging 32.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.0 blocks and a ludicrous 34.0 PER.
Danny Green Will Not Be Attending The Charity Event
Danny Green would rather not go to the free-throw line, apparently. (Photo: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule).
Or the charity stripe, for that matter. In fact, Green hasn’t been to the free-throw line yet during these playoffs. In 202 minutes spanning the San Antonio Spurs seven games, he’s taken 58 shots, but none from the charity stripe. We shouldn’t be THAT surprised, though.
As it turns out, Green just doesn’t create a whole lot of contact. He played 80 games this season (2,201 minutes) and went to the free-throw line 79 times, or just once per game. While that sounds amazing, it’s actually more common than you’d think. Players have logged 2,200 minutes or more and taken less than 80 free-throws 22 times in NBA history.
Want to be impressed? Try doing that as a center. Rasho Nesterovic (2001-02) and Bill Laimbeer (1991-92) did it.