An old year has ended, and we welcome the new one by
looking back at the best December 2013 had to offer. Kevin Love remains the
most productive player of the lot, though his team still has a long way to go.
Kevin Durant and the Thunder rebounded from an “okay” opening month, while
Dwyane Wade seems to have rediscovered his prime. Also, look at those boring
old Spurs quietly racking up the Ws. Again.
 |
| D-Wade was at his best last month. (image by Lynne Sladky/AP) |
This is the second in a series of “Best of the Month”
citations based on the Efficiency Recap ratings on HoopsStats.com. Team citations will be based on Efficiency Recap
Difference (Team Efficiency – Opponents’ Efficiency), while Player citations
will be based on Player Efficiency. You can check out the Stats Glossary here.
Team Citations:
Best
Backcourt: LA Clippers - 53.9ppg, 10.6rpg, 15.1apg, 4.8spg, .418 FG%, .332
3pt%, .821 FT%, 14.5 DEFF
With their frontline continuing to go up and down
(quite literally), the Clippers have had to rely on their guards to carry much
of the load.
Best
Frontcourt: Oklahoma City Thunder - 60.2ppg, 33.2rpg, 9.7apg, 4.2spg, 6.1bpg,
.518 FG%, .424 3pt%, .785 FT%, 18.6 DEFF
Durant’s evolution into all-around awesomeness had a
profound effect on OKC’s frontline last month. Here’s to hoping he remains
consistent.
 |
| OKC on the rise in the West. (image by Layne Murdoch/Getty Images) |
Best Bench:
San Antonio Spurs - 49.9ppg, 16.1rpg, 11.9apg, 3.6spg, 1.3bpg, .509 FG%, .417
3pt%, .825 FT%, 29.3 DEFF
The “most international” team in the league boasts of
the “most international” bench, too. And, well, with guys like Manu Ginobili,
Marco Belinelli, Boris Diaw, and even Patty Mills all contributing, coach Pop
is grinning inside.
Best Starting
Five: Indiana Pacers - 75.5ppg, 29.9rpg, 17.8apg, 4.9spg, 2.6bpg, .490 FG%,
.376 3pt%, .832 FT%, 23.2 DEFF
We all know that PG24, David West, and Roy Hibbert
are near, or at, the elite level already, but the real revelation this past
month has been Lance Stephenson, whose all-around brilliance has made him jump
up the SG ladder considerably. Born ready? Think so.
East: Indiana
Pacers (10-4 in December) - 98.1ppg, 43.8rpg, 20.9apg, 7.6spg, 6.0bpg, .458
FG%, .363 3pt%, .787 FT%, 21.8 DEFF
December was a little tougher than November for the
Hoosier State, but, hey, the Pacers still have the league’s best record, right?
West: Oklahoma
City Thunder (14-3 in December) - 105.3ppg, 47.1rpg, 21.9apg, 7.8spg, 6.2bpg,
.471 FG%, .352 3pt%, .815 FT%, 22.7 DEFF
OKC took care of business in December and gained much
ground. They overtook San Antonio for second spot and are gaining on the
Blazers. Oh, but with Westbrook out…
Player Citations:
Best Point
Guard: Chris Paul (LAC) - 20.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 10.3apg, 2.7spg, .464 FG%, .354
3pt%, 26.2 EFF
Ever so slightly, CP3 got the edge over Steph Curry
in December.
Best
Shooting Guard: Dwyane Wade (MIA) - 20.7ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.1apg, 1.7spg, .562 FG%,
.375 3pt%, 21.2 EFF
After a long time, finally someone NOT named James
Harden. Oh, but it’s a Heat player. Ugh.
Best Small
Forward: Kevin Durant (OKC) - 29.4ppg, 9.0rpg, 4.5apg, 1.7spg, 1.1bpg, .535
FG%, .481 3pt%, .880 FT%, 33.4 EFF
Durantula was ultra-efficient in December, filling
the sheets and taking names like crazy.
 |
| Is KD evolving into an all-around world-beater? (image by Streeter Lecka/AP) |
Best Power
Forward: Kevin Love (MIN) - 30.0ppg, 13.7rpg, 4.2apg, .500 FG%, .442 3pt%, .851
FT%, 35.8 EFF
Out of this world numbers. Still the best baller on a
middling (at best) team. Well, maybe things will pick up now that the Derrick
Williams thing (distraction) is done.
Best
Center: DeMarcus Cousins (SAC) - 23.8ppg, 12.3rpg, 3.6apg, 2.1spg, .521 FG%,
28.1 EFF
A guy nicknamed “Boogie” was the world’s best center
in December. Amazing, eh? Also, he’s still the NBA’s most technical-foul-prone
player. They should make pills for pills like Boogie.
Best East
Rookie: Michael Carter-Williams (PHI) - 19.3ppg, 5.8rpg, 8.2apg, 3.5spg, .449
FG%, 23.3 EFF
I was tempted to pick the Greek kid from Milwaukee
whose name was just too long, mainly because MCW played just 6 games in
December. But, man, his EFF jumped 6 points up from November! Still the best
freshie out there.
Best West
Rookie: Trey Burke (UTA) - 14.8ppg, 3.1rpg, 5.9apg, .368 3pt%, .919 FT%, 14.4
EFF
Slim pickings out West, yes, but it’s all still Burke’s
to own.
Best East
Player: LeBron James (MIA) - 24.6ppg, 8.1rpg, 6.9apg, 1.6spg, .581 FG%, .351
3pt%, 29.6 EFF
Bron-bron continues to set the pace in the East. I
hate it.
Best West
Player: Kevin Love (MIN) - 30.0ppg, 13.7rpg, 4.2apg, .500 FG%, .442 3pt%, .851
FT%, 35.8 EFF
Everyone loves Love, but we cannot really say the
same thing for the Wolves. Oh, but they’re at ninth right now in the
conference!!! A strong push in January might just get them out of the red!
0 Comment