Everything
tapers off after James Harden. He has become the new standard for shooting
guards the world over. I mean, what can you expect, especially when guys like Kobe,
Wade, and Joe Johnson aren’t on this list?
Note: All of the following stats are based
on the last five games of each player’s team as computed by HoopsStats.com.
They were taken on March 27, 2013 (Manila time).
5. Tyreke Evans (SAC) - 14.8ppg, 3.6rpg,
5.4apg, 1.4spg, .882 FT%, 16.8 EFF
He doesn’t
do anything particularly well, but he’s been good enough to break into the top
five. Either that, or the NBA’s off-guards just haven’t been setting high
standards this past week or so.
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| Tyreke Evans is no superstar, but his numbers were enough to land him in the top five. (image by Rich Pedroncelli/AP) |
4. Monta Ellis (MIL) - 21.4ppg, 4.6rpg,
4.8apg, 1.4spg, .565 3pt%, 18.0 EFF
The Bucks
are just coasting, content with the eighth seed, but that doesn’t mean Ellis
has been “just okay.” He’s turned it up of late, just don't mention anything
about his 5-point, 2-of-14 night against ATL a week ago.
3. Gerald Henderson (CHA) - 19.4ppg,
4.4rpg, 3.8apg, 1.0spg, 1.2bpg, 19.6 EFF
Charlotte
has actually won 2 of its last 5. For them, that’s already tantamount to
barging into the Playoffs. Henderson’s recent best was an impressive 27-point
and 8-assist outing against the streaking Wizards. I’m not sure if he’s a great
player stuck on a bad team, or if he’s great only because he’s on a bad team.
2. JR Smith (NYK) - 22.6ppg, 5.8rpg,
1.4spg, .506 FG%, 21.2 EFF EFF
Smith has
been known to shoot his teams out of games, but lately he’s been a big reason
have won their last five. Even when he scored only 14 points at Toronto, he
still did so with 50% FG shooting. If he’s peaking, then this could mean the
world for NYK’s Playoff prospects.
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| JR Smith has been draining those buckets big time for the boys from the Big Apple. (image by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) |
1. James Harden (HOU) - 27.2ppg, 5.8rpg,
5.4apg, 1.8spg, .455 3pt%, .897 FT%, 28.0 EFF
Houston hasn’t
locked the seventh seed yet, but with Harden playing so splendidly, coach Kevin
McHale shouldn’t look over his shoulder too often. The Rockets have gone 8-3 in
March so far, and it looks like they’re already preparing for a first round
date with the (drum roll please) Oklahoma City Thunder. No better script than
that.
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