The Top 10 Players in the 2014 NBA Playoffs (May 5, 2014) Part 1

The 2014 NBA Playoffs have given us, arguably, the best first round so far, what with five series going the full seven games and the lower seeded or “weaker” teams surprising fans and quashing experts’ predictions left and right. Simply put, the past few weeks of postseason action have been nothing short of awesome.

In this first of two parts, I will present five of the current Top 10 players in the 2014 NBA Playoffs. This will be based on the players’ stats for their first round games. They are ranked according to Player Efficiency for that duration of time only.

In this list, we will find the sixth till tenth-best players so far in the postseason. It’s a pretty interesting bunch, highlighted by a sweet shooting PF, two explosive PGs, a center who has come into his own, and the league’s would-be MVP.

All these guys have given us reason to feel giddy in the Playoffs.

Note: All of the following stats are based on each player’s stats as computed by HoopsStats.com. They were taken on May 5, 2014 (Manila time).

The NBA: April 2014 Position Battle – The Top 5 Power Forwards Right Now

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).

The Top 4s in the NBA are led by the Clippers' own Blake Griffin.

The NBA: The Deadline – Who’ll Switch and Who’ll Sit?

As the NBA closes in on the 2013 trade deadline, we take a look at which names are being floated in the biggest musical chairs game of the pro hoops scene. Who will switch teams, and who will sit out the unpredictability of the deadline? Find out now.

Josh Smith will SWITCH

J-Smoove is the biggest name of the lot, and it’ll be plenty interesting to see where he ends up. We might see a reunion with JJ at Brooklyn, or have Smith go West all the way to Phoenix. It’s all up in the air, but I’m pretty sure he’s out of his ATL jersey by the deadline’s expiration.

Josh Smith is ready to leave Georgia behind.
(image by John Raoux/AP)

Paul Millsap/Al Jefferson will SWITCH

Destination: Los Angeles (Clippers that is). Utah HAS to let either (or both) go, or risk losing either (or both) for nothing when the season ends. I’m sure Vinny Del Negro would love to have another big who can do more than hop (bye bye DeAndre Jordan). I’d pick Jefferson, coach Vinny.

The NBA: January 2013 Position Battle – The Top 5 Power Forwards Right Now

With both Kevin Love and Dirk Nowitzki playing hurt this year and Tim Duncan chugging along in his near-40 body, the opportunity for any average Joe to rise up and become one of the best 4s in the league has hardly ever been more open. What we have in this post is a curious set of vets and young guns, a strange combo of athletes and workhorses. And, nope, there’s no David Lee, LaMarcus Aldridge, or Pau Gasol anywhere here.

5. Paul Millsap (UTA) - 17.0ppg, 8.2rpg, 3.2apg, 1.6spg, 1.4bpg, 21.4 EFF

Millsap’s FG% is not as gaudy as his PF peers, but he makes up for it with an all-around effectiveness usually seen in the league’s top swingmen (see previous position battle post for reference). The undersized 47^th pick in the 2006 NBA Draft leads his team both in steals and FG accuracy, which, at 48%, isn’t exactly eye-popping. Still, he’s a big reason the Jazz are still above .500 and are very much in the thick of the playoff hunt.

4. Kenneth Faried    (DEN) - 13.0ppg, 10.4rpg, 1.0spg, .684 FG%, 21.6 EFF

The Manimal is just 24 years old. TWENTY FOUR. That’s about three to four years away from his physical peak, and then probably he’ll still be going at it just as strong well into his early 30s. Not bad for a guy picked after Derrick Williams, Enes Kanter, and the Morris twins. I mean, look at his field goal shooting! It should be illegal for a 6’8 guy to shoot that well. Yes, EVEN if all he does is throw down that rubber ball. Wondering how Denver has gone undefeated in its last five, including Ws over the Lakers and Warriors? Look no further than Faried.

The Manimal has been eating the competition alive
in the 2012-2013 NBA season.
(image by Barry Gutierrez/AP)

3. Blake Griffin (LAC) - 19.8ppg, 7.4rpg, 3.8apg, 2.0spg, .541 FG%, 22.4 EFF

The Clippers are the second-best team in the NBA mainly because of Chris Paul, but Chris Paul has been so good in no small part because of Blake Griffin. Griffin isn’t a nightly double-double juggernaut like Faried, but he’s a highlight-reel phenomenon who sells tickets and jams maybe stronger than anyone else outside of LeBron. Check that, maybe even stronger than the King himself! Griffin continues to be the Clips’ most reliable post presence despite his occasional risky turnaround J.

2. Tristan Thompson (CLE) - 14.8ppg, 11.6rpg, 1.2spg, .561 FG%, 22.6 EFF

And from out of nowhere comes Tristan Thompson! He has been a double-double churner for Cleveland for the past week or so. And look at those steals and that FG stat! Man, if this guy can find some consistency, then the Cavs might be playoff contenders as early as next season. Yes, NEXT SEASON. Remember the quip about average Joes taking advantage? This guy is a prime example.

1. Carlos Boozer (CHI) - 21.0ppg, 10.0rpg, 2.4apg, .526 FG%, 24.0 EFF

Now when we talk about a veteran campaigner, this is the guy we have in mind. The 31-year old bruiser who was the biggest steal of the 2002 Draft (#35 pick!) continues to have his dominant moments interspersed with bouts of I-want-to-do-too-much moments. Still, Boozer’s strong play, coupled with the continued emergence of Joakim Noah, has given Chicago a really solid frontline – a frontline that has been able to keep the Bulls relatively in step with the East’s powerhouse squads. And when Rose returns, well, things should be even more interesting!