In this Position Battle post, we will
focus on the top five power forwards at this point in the season. We will take
into account just the players’ stats for the latest five games of their respective teams. This will, hopefully,
give us a more current picture of each player’s production.
At the very top of this list is a guy
who has really come into his own this season, even making a solid case for Most
Improved Player. With him are two of the deadliest three-point shooters in the
Association and two underrated veterans who have been able to lead their
respective clubs back to the postseason.
Note:
All of the following stats are based on each player’s stats as computed by HoopsStats.com. They were taken on April 15, 2014 (Manila
time).
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| The Top 4s in the NBA are led by the Clippers' own Blake Griffin. |
5.
Dirk Nowitzki (DAL) - 21.0ppg, 6.0rpg, 3.0apg, .577 FG%, 1.6 triples per game,
.471 3pt%, 23.0 EFF
The Mavs have won 7 of their last 10 to
seal their entry to the postseason, and Dirk has, not surprisingly, been the
focal point of that big windup. He has scored 19 or more in all but one of
those games, including dropping 33 on fellow Playoff team Golden State. With a
first round meeting with either San Antonio or Oklahoma City looming, the Mavs
will surely lean on the Dunking Deutschman once again.
4.
David West (IND) - 18.3ppg, 6.8rpg, 3.0apg, 1.0bpg, .600 FG%, .867 FT%, 23.0
EFF
The Pacers have hit a slump at the
worst time this season, but they cannot really pin the blame on West, who has
been quite efficient of late. In Indy’s huge win over OKC yesterday, West
poured in 21 points on 9/11 FG shooting while also grabbing 6 rebounds and
blocking 1 shot. He’ll have to continue playing well, though, since a first
round match-up with the Hawks means he’ll square off against the next guy on
this list.
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| David West and the Pacers are in a slump. Will they be able to turn things around in the Playoffs? (image by Issac Baldizon/Getty Images) |
3.
Paul
Millsap (ATL) - 18.6ppg, 10.8rpg, 3.4apg, 1.2spg, 1.2bpg, .507 FG%, 23.8 EFF
Millsap has led the Hawks in having a
sensational April. They needed to win a ton of games to steal eighth spot from
New York and Cleveland, and Millsap’s strong play has surely been a critical
factor in that run. His best this month? A 27-10-2-1-2 monster of a game as the
Hawks won on the road against the fifth-seeded Brooklyn Nets. Suddenly, the
slumping Pacers seem more vulnerable
against the streaking Hawks.
2.
Kevin
Love (MIN) - 26.3ppg, 11.0rpg, 2.7apg, 2.7 triples per game, .920 FT%, 25.3 EFF
Love and his T-Wolves started April
strong, winning over Playoff-bound squads Memphis, Miami, and San Antonio, but
they lost back-to-back afterwards to the Bulls and Kings. Still, Love has been
putting up very good numbers, which will serve to only increase his stock in
what might be a very interesting offseason. And, well, dropping 43 and 11 on
the Kings is always fun, eh?
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| Will Kevin Love stay in Minnesota, or will he leave? (image by Rocky Widner/Getty Images) |
1.
Blake Griffin (LAC) - 25.6ppg, 7.8rpg, 5.8apg, 1.4spg, 27.4 EFF
It sure looks like the days of
describing Griffin as a one-trick-Clipper are gone. He has become more
explosive than before, and he has definitely become more effective on both ends
of the floor. Will he be able to channel this to the postseason, though? Ah,
that is the big question right there. Remember 2013 when he was a flop against
Memphis? I’m sure Zach Randolph still does.
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| Blake Griffin soars as the best NBA PF right now. (image by Noah Graham/Getty Images) |
Outside
looking in:
Kenneth Faried (DEN) - 23.0 EFF
LaMarcus Aldridge (POR) - 22.4 EFF
Jeff Adrien (MIL) - 19.2 EFF
2 Comment
Ummm... where is Lamarcus Aldrige?
BalasGriffin and Novitski just barely qualify to be in the top 5, #'s 4 and 5 at best.
Balas