The First Eighth
Sept 2, 2016 3:18:46 GMT
Post by ranger74 on Sept 2, 2016 3:18:46 GMT
With every team having played about 10 games and my DDS finally working again, I thought I'd take a look around the league at the strong early performers, particularly those putting up career high stats.
ATLANTIC
For the division leading Nets, Fat Lever is in career best form, averaging 17.4ppg (62% from the field) and 6.1apg. Sean Kemp also having a break out year with 17.0ppg 9.5rpg and 2.0bpg. For the Heat, Elden Campbell is among the rebounding and block leaders at 10.7 and 3.5 respectively. In Philly, Rod Strickland is averaging 17.4ppg and 10.4apg and in Boston, Loy Vaught's 10.2rpg is among the best in the league. For the Knicks, Mark Aguirre is putting up scoring numbers he hasn't seen since the mid-80s plus some career best stats elsewhere: 21.8ppg 8.2rpg and 4.6apg. Ron Harper's 19.0ppg 5.3rpg 4.7apg and 1.6spg has been a rare positive for the Bullets.
CENTRAL
Michael Jordan is on record setting pace at 37.8ppg for the Bulls and Vlade Divac is stepping up for the Hawks with 16.9ppg (at a league leading 65%) and 8.4rpg. Roy Tarpley is beasting in Cleveland with 20.2ppg 12.8rpg (#1) 2.1bpg and 1.3spg. For a former 2nd rounder with 89 games in the three previous years, Detroit's Randy White looks good with 11.0ppg and 9.1rpg but is shooting just 30% from the field. For the expansion Hornets, Ricky Pierce is taking advantage of his first opportunity in five years with 17.4ppg.
MIDWEST
The inspiration for this brief article, Doug Smith of Dallas, is averaging 21.8ppg 7.9rpg and more than a steal and block in his 2nd season. Rik Smits is looking like an all-GAH candidate at 23.5ppg 10.2rpg and 2.5bpg for the Nuggets and Winston Garland is putting up 14.7ppg at two guard for the Suns. The expansion Wolves have Reggie Williams contributing 16.5ppg and career bests everywhere, and Jose Ortiz with 14.0ppg and 7.5rpg. For Houston, Kevin Duckworth has seized on his opportunity after a year in the D-League, putting up 16.4ppg and 8.2rpg. Eddie Johnson has also resurrected his career with 19.6ppg.
PACIFIC
Portland's Cliff Robinson is averaging 18.3ppg and shooting a league leading 67% from beyond the arc (12/18). For the Warriors, Dana Barros is averaging 22.2ppg and 7.6apg as the starter after not recording in a single start in his first 3 years. Lionel Simmons has exploded for the Grizzles, lifting his scoring to 19.5ppg and Mookie Blaylock has benefited as well with his 10.8apg leading the league. Drazen Petrovic has been more of a focal point for the Sonics, with 23.3ppg including 54% from long range. Charles Smith is also doing well at 19.4ppg.
I've probably missed a lot, so please add more.
ATLANTIC
For the division leading Nets, Fat Lever is in career best form, averaging 17.4ppg (62% from the field) and 6.1apg. Sean Kemp also having a break out year with 17.0ppg 9.5rpg and 2.0bpg. For the Heat, Elden Campbell is among the rebounding and block leaders at 10.7 and 3.5 respectively. In Philly, Rod Strickland is averaging 17.4ppg and 10.4apg and in Boston, Loy Vaught's 10.2rpg is among the best in the league. For the Knicks, Mark Aguirre is putting up scoring numbers he hasn't seen since the mid-80s plus some career best stats elsewhere: 21.8ppg 8.2rpg and 4.6apg. Ron Harper's 19.0ppg 5.3rpg 4.7apg and 1.6spg has been a rare positive for the Bullets.
CENTRAL
Michael Jordan is on record setting pace at 37.8ppg for the Bulls and Vlade Divac is stepping up for the Hawks with 16.9ppg (at a league leading 65%) and 8.4rpg. Roy Tarpley is beasting in Cleveland with 20.2ppg 12.8rpg (#1) 2.1bpg and 1.3spg. For a former 2nd rounder with 89 games in the three previous years, Detroit's Randy White looks good with 11.0ppg and 9.1rpg but is shooting just 30% from the field. For the expansion Hornets, Ricky Pierce is taking advantage of his first opportunity in five years with 17.4ppg.
MIDWEST
The inspiration for this brief article, Doug Smith of Dallas, is averaging 21.8ppg 7.9rpg and more than a steal and block in his 2nd season. Rik Smits is looking like an all-GAH candidate at 23.5ppg 10.2rpg and 2.5bpg for the Nuggets and Winston Garland is putting up 14.7ppg at two guard for the Suns. The expansion Wolves have Reggie Williams contributing 16.5ppg and career bests everywhere, and Jose Ortiz with 14.0ppg and 7.5rpg. For Houston, Kevin Duckworth has seized on his opportunity after a year in the D-League, putting up 16.4ppg and 8.2rpg. Eddie Johnson has also resurrected his career with 19.6ppg.
PACIFIC
Portland's Cliff Robinson is averaging 18.3ppg and shooting a league leading 67% from beyond the arc (12/18). For the Warriors, Dana Barros is averaging 22.2ppg and 7.6apg as the starter after not recording in a single start in his first 3 years. Lionel Simmons has exploded for the Grizzles, lifting his scoring to 19.5ppg and Mookie Blaylock has benefited as well with his 10.8apg leading the league. Drazen Petrovic has been more of a focal point for the Sonics, with 23.3ppg including 54% from long range. Charles Smith is also doing well at 19.4ppg.
I've probably missed a lot, so please add more.