(Continued from the previous article: NBA 16-17 mid-season player ability evaluation: Power forward No. 6-10)
5. Paul Millsap (Atlanta Hawks)
- Age: 31
- Statistics for the season: 17.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.9 blocks
- Advanced stats: 18.2 PER, 72.33 TPA, 5.41 RPM
Paul Millsap, who has been caught up in the recent trade turmoil, being ranked among the top five may be a surprise to many fans, but when you look at the data, you find that he is almost omnipotent: he can deceive defenders with fake moves and find players in the penalty area. He has open teammates on the outside; in addition, at only 6 feet 8 inches tall, his defense is enough to compete for "Player of the Year".
Beyond that, let the numbers tell you how the Eagles will stall out without Paul Millsap (no exaggeration):
Although his influence on the team is simply earth-shaking, Millsap in his prime is still one of the most overlooked players in the league. Even the most recent news about him was only a few days ago. It's just a trading surface; but maybe Millsap himself likes to play low-key, at least the content of his game will not be affected by this.
4. Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers)
- Age: 27
- Statistics for this season: 21.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.5 blocks
- Advanced stats: 22.2 PER, 70.15 TPA, 2.87 RPM
Blake Griffin finally returned from injury this season before undergoing upper-joint surgery on his right knee.
Different from previous seasons where he relied more on mid-range jump shots, this season we finally saw Griffin actively attacking the basket, showing his beast-like explosive power; his low-post singles may not look very graceful, but "two points" "The cutest", Griffin can always get the ball into the basket.
There is no doubt that the Clippers are at their best when Griffin can attack the basket with his previous style of play. Whether it is taking the initiative to score, or relying on cutting and breaking the ball to tear apart the opponent's formation, they are quite effective against the opponent. Destructive, defensively, relying on excellent physical fitness, or leaving it to DAJ.
However, the good times did not last forever. In mid-December last year, news came out that Griffin's knee was uncomfortable. He immediately went to the factory for repairs and is expected to return in January this year. A question worthy of concern is, will his playing style change when he returns to the field? The uncertainty will determine his career and how far the Clippers can go this season.
3. Kevin Love (Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Age: 28
- Statistics for the season: 21.5 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.4 blocks
- Advanced stats: 23.6 PER, 53.32 TPA, 5.17 RPM
In the third year of running in with the other two giants, this season's "God of Love" finally harmonizes with the Cavaliers!
He fully integrates into the Cavaliers' defensive system and plays his role well, and relies on his physical strength and quick hands to make up for his lack of height. According to ESPN's real plus-minus calculation, "Eros"'s defense ranks 8th among power forwards in the league. Compared with 14th and 25th in the past two years, there is a considerable improvement.
Offensively, Love has also improved significantly as a catch-and-shoot shooter. He always quietly waits for opportunities on the wing, taking advantage of the opponent being attracted by LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, waiting for the opportunity to release a three-pointer; this season, Love's three-point shooting percentage continues to improve, reaching an outstanding level of 38.2% , and can even shoot close to 7 long shots per game. Even though he is only the Cavaliers' third offensive option, for Cleveland fans, what a happy luxury!
2. Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)
Age: 26
Statistics for this season: 10.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 2.1 steals, 1.2 blocks
Advanced stats: 17.9 PER, 158.87 TPA, 6.37 RPM
"This is the award I most want to win."
In an exclusive interview with ESPN last November, Draymond Green directly set his goal for this season at the "Defensive Player of the Year" award. "And if there is anything that I selfishly want to get, I think it's probably to win." This is the prize."
Even if the candidates competing with him are Rudy Gobert and others, to be honest, it would not be a surprise for this "green-mouthed" man who has to deal with people both on and off the court to win.
Also based on ESPN's real plus-minus calculations, Green is the most influential defender in the league, no one, and is even a long way ahead of the second place player regardless of position. NBA Math also agrees with Green's defensive skills. If it weren't for Russell Westbrook's defensive data, which is also too abnormal, otherwise the gap between Green and other players in the league might be even greater.
Green's defensive prowess is not alone, as he has led the Golden State Warriors to one of the best defenses in the league. Not only did the shooting percentage of the offensive players he faced drop by 4% during the game, but with him on the court, the Warriors' defense made it even more difficult for opponents to take a step beyond their reach.
But do you think "Green Mouth" is just a defensive player? wrong!
After KD joined the Warriors this season, Green may have declined in scoring, but he can still do a lot on the offensive end, such as widening the space and using his height and passing vision to find teammates. He is called the Warriors' leader. "Shadow MVP" is not an exaggeration.
1. Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors)
- Age: 28
- Statistics for the season: 26.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.7 blocks
- Advanced stats: 27.2 PER, 214.6 TPA, 5.49 RPM
What? The first place is actually Kevin Durant? Is there any mistake? Isn't he the Warriors' starting small forward?
Since the Warriors often move out of small-ball lineups, with one player and four small players, KD often has to "go to the sea" to guard the power forward position and carry the opponent's power forward. According to estimates from Basketball Reference.com, Kevin Durant has had as many as 57% timePlaying the 4th position, the Warriors' 4th position has also been promoted to the level of dominating the entire league. They have KD on offense and a green tongue on defense. Other teams should simply stop playing~
Just as the entire league is looking at the most abnormal starting lineup in recent years as the "Evil Warriors", the annual MVP did not have much time to adapt, but still averaged 25.8 points, shot 53.4%, and three-pointers. Terrible results of 39.4% and 86.2% that are close to the “180 Club”. Although KD's time in isolation with the ball is not as long as in the Thunder, his style of play has gradually transformed into a terrible catch and shoot shooter, which can save energy in other aspects.
Since winning the league's annual MVP, Durant's passing has always been good. After "leaving his comfort zone" this season, his turnovers have not increased but decreased. His assists have remained flat, and he seems to be more comfortable (laughs) , in addition, what is more worth mentioning is that he played the best defensive season, taking on the role of defender of the basket for the first time in the small ball lineup of the Warriors, and often made achievements!
When he won the annual MVP in 2014, he still imagined how far he could evolve in the future. Now KD finally allows us to see it!(Bleacher Report)
