Hoops Habit
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NBA: November’s Most Pleasant Surprises

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 16, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard C.J. McCollum (3) warms up before the game against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard C.J. McCollum (3) warms up before the game against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 22, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) reacts after making a basket while being fouled during the first half against the Golden State Warriors at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) reacts after making a basket while being fouled during the first half against the Golden State Warriors at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Will Barton, Denver Nuggets

Position: Guard/Forward

Age: 24

Experience: 4th Season

Slash Line: .468/.429/.872

Season Averages: 26.8 MPG, 13.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.3 3PM

When the Portland Trail Blazers traded for shooting guard Arron Afflalo, most focused on the first-round draft pick that the Denver Nuggets received. Not enough attention went to the player who now serves as Afflalo’s offensive replacement.

After quietly thriving with Denver in 2014-15, Will Barton is starting to make noise in 2015-16.

The 24-year-old averaged 11.0 points in 24.4 minutes during his 30 appearances with the Nuggets in 2014-15. A season later, his scoring numbers have jumped in the per game, per 48, and efficiency metrics.

Most intriguing of all is the fact that Barton, long heralded for his slashing and athleticism, has added a legitimately solid jump shot.

Barton has made 24 3-point field goals in 18 games, shooting 42.9 percent from beyond the arc. By comparison, he made 23 in 58 games in 2014-15 while converting just 27.1 percent of his attempts.

For those who have been watching him, Barton’s rise has been a long time coming. The wait appears to be over.

Next: Double-Double Machine