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NBA: 4 bizarre results thanks to advanced statistics

By Jake Peterson

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 26: A detailed view of the NBA logo painted on the wooden floor boards of the court prior to the start of the Toronto Raptors NBA game against the Dallas Mavericks at Scotiabank Arena on October 26, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 26: A detailed view of the NBA logo painted on the wooden floor boards of the court prior to the start of the Toronto Raptors NBA game against the Dallas Mavericks at Scotiabank Arena on October 26, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. The league’s best defensive player

Here’s a rundown of the winners of the Defensive Player of the Year award for the last five seasons:

Each of these star defenders provided something unique to their teams. Noah and Gobert provided stellar interior defense and led one of the league’s best defensive teams. Leonard swallowed up any offensive player he was matched with, making it impossible to score. Green was one of the league’s all-time best team defenders, someone who can switch and guard all five positions.

Defensive stats don’t always show up on the stat sheet and the eye test is quite necessary to see the defensive impact one can have on the game.

But this year’s best defender is none of the above, nor is it a newcomer like Myles Turner. It is Vincent Edwards, forward for the Houston Rockets.

While people often laud Gobert’s defensive field goal percentage, those same people overlook the contribution Edwards has to a team. So far this season, zero people have scored on Edwards. Every shot they have taken against the mighty forward has come up empty.

What would this look like in a real game?

After a long season, the Rockets and Golden State Warriors have battled their way back to the Western Conference Finals. The Warriors have overcome another Stephen Curry playoff injury and Kevin Durant sulk session, while James Harden‘s streak of 30-point games is at 65 after refusing to pass the ball during the Western Conference semifinals.

Pundits and casual fans agree this contest will be an offensive explosion, with games going way into the double digits and 3s raining down from the heavens.

They’re all wrong.

Head coach Mike D’Antoni has kept his secret weapon, Vincent Edwards, on the bench until this series. It’s time to unleash the beast. Edwards’ first assignment is Curry, who goes 0-for-19, somehow just slightly worse than his All-Star game performance.

But the other Rockets need help! Chris Paul is old and James Harden has literally turned into a beautiful marble statue on the defensive end of the court. Whoever Edwards switches onto just tosses up bricks.

But alas, Edwards can’t be everywhere at once and the Rockets lose to the Warriors in four games anyway.