This week we look at NBA statistics and try to understand what the numbers may indicate as the season plays out.
Make sure to listen to and add the 13 Rules: NBA Random Thoughts podcast to your list! Steve and Jose elaborate on these articles, discuss former greats and interview NBA champions and a current NBA referee!
NBA Statistics – Western Conference
- Thus far Oklahoma City has allowed 99.4 points per game. That number is 5.9 less points per game than the second best team Golden State. If you believe that defense wins championships then OKC looks like the favorite right now.
- The Golden State Warriors are proving to be a pretty good team in the early going. They are well coached, have a plan and can defend. The most interesting statistic that exemplifies this is their point differential of plus 15 points per game.
NBA Statistics – Eastern Conference
- One of the enjoyable things to watch in the NBA is a team that doesn’t have a great deal of talent but plays hard and they usually make it tough on their opponent before losing in entertaining games. This years Detroit Pistons are that team. The Pistons have only three wins while losing six but the numbers indicate they aren’t that bad. They are second in the Eastern Conference in points allowed per game. The problem is they are scoring the second least points per game. Offensively is where talent takes over and the Pistons need more scorers.
- One of the least enjoyable things to watch in the NBA is a bad team that doesn’t seem to play hard. Statistically that team is the Washington Wizards. The Wizards are only 2-4 however they allow the second most points per game in the league. Their loses have all been by 13 or more points and three of them 19 or better. I know they are not the most talented team in the league but a young team needs to show they will compete.
- The Miami Heat are an interesting team. If I told you scoring would be their problem you would be surprised, but it is. Thus far this year Jimmy Butler is 2.7 points per game below last season’s average, Terry Rozier 1.7 below and Bam Adebayo 4.4 below. The only key player scoring above last years average is Tyler Herro at 1.9 points per game. This on a team that’s allowing the least points per game in the Eastern Conference.
- The Orlando Magic have a problem. We know they lost Paolo Banchero for at least a month. Banchero in the first five games this year averaged over 29 points a game and is rapidly becoming one of the best players in the league. The Magic have lost every game since Banchero’s injury. The burden falls on Franz Wagner to pick up his scoring as Orlando without Banchero is offensively challenged. Their defense is their strong suit. Wagner is scoring 18.8 points per game, if he doesn’t up that number Orlando is going to have a tough time climbing out of the hole they will be in when Banchero returns.
- Finally something not related to statistics is the sad case of Joel Embiid. After suffering a knee injury last year he came back and though hobbled played in the playoffs. He then won a Gold Medal in the Olympics this summer while playing for the US team. As of today he hasn’t played in a game this season with the Philadelphia 76ers. Philadelphia has been cryptic about why he is out. The media believes it’s either he was out of shape or his knee was acting up. This begs the question – what was he doing after the Olympics. What makes the issue crazier is he was suspended for three games by the NBA for shoving a reporter the other day. BTW Embiid signed a three year contract extension that doesn’t kick in until next season this summer for over $192 million dollars. In the 28-29 season he has a player option for over $69 million.
