The #1 guy
on this list will no longer see action this season, while #s 2, 3, and 4 will
all ply their trade in the postseason. As for #5, well, let’s just say he’ll
hit you from your blindside.
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 April 16, 2013 (Manila time).
5. Will Barton (POR) - 15.0ppg, 7.2rpg,
3.4apg, 1.4spg, .900 FT%, 18.6 EFF
Who? Yes.
Will Barton. Still don’t know? He was a former Memphis Tiger drafted mid-second
round by the Blazers in 2012. He hasn’t started an NBA game till last April 10
against Kobe and the Lakers. He has also scored at least 17 points in 3 of his
last 4 games.
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| Ladies and gents, please welcome Mr. Will Barton. (image by David Zalubowski/AP) |
4. James Harden (HOU) - 24.4ppg, 5.0rpg,
5.6apg, 1.8spg, 1.0bpg, 19.0 EFF
The Rockets
have gone up-and-down in their last five, and their drive for the 6th
seed has taken a significant hit because of it. Their last game is against a
Kobe-less Laker quintet that, if they can win, might just push them ahead of
the Warriors. Of course, I’m expecting Harden to hog all the spotlight.
3. Monta Ellis (MIL) - 22.0ppg, 4.8rpg,
7.6apg, 3.0spg, 20.4 EFF
Milwaukee
has gone 2-7 this month – certainly NOT the best way to march into the
Playoffs, but, hey, we cannot find fault in Ellis’s play. The former Golden
State standout has scored in double figures in all but one game in April, and
he should be the focal point of the offense when the Bucks take on the Heat in
the first round.
2. JR Smith (NYK) - 22.8ppg, 7.3rpg,
1.0spg, .521 FG%, .462 3pt%, 22.0 EFF
A lot has
been said about the great play of Carmelo Anthony propelling a streaking New York
five, but JR Smith has been a solid force, too. I mean, look at his shooting
percentages! He has been unconscious out there.
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| JR Smith has looked every bit a superstar down in NYC. (image by Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images) |
1. Kobe Bryant (LAL) - 34.0ppg, 6.5rpg,
6.3apg, 2.0spg, 1.3bpg, .881 FT%, 32.8 EFF
It goes without
saying that Kobe’s injury is a pity. I would’ve loved to see him march to the Playoffs
all the way to the Finals and kick LBJ five ways till Sunday, but, alas, the
Fates had other plans. He might still end up, statistically speaking, as the
best SG of the season, though.
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