2nd best player left in the NBA Playoffs
Right now the best player left in the NBA playoffs is quite clear, it’s the world’s greatest player, 4 time MVP Lebron James. This cannot be debated and anyone who wants to debate this is in over their head. However the question who the 2nd best player left in these playoffs is quite an interesting one. Really every team has 2 candidate who could fit the qualifications: (stats courtesy of Basketball Reference)
Dwyane Wade
Regular Season Stats: 69 Games, 34.7 MPG, 21.2 PPG, 5 RPG, 5.1 APG, 1.9 SPG, .9 BPG, 2.9 TOPG, .521/.258/.725 FG/3PT/FT%, 24.0 PER, 9.6 Win Shares, .192 WS/48
Post Season Stats: 11 Games 34.5 MPG, 14.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, .9 BPG, 2.7 TOPG, .478/.000/.676 FG/3PT/FT%, 18.5 PER, 1.1 WS, .138 WS/48
Chris Bosh
Regular Season Stats: 74 Games, 33.2 MPG, 16.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.7 APG, .9 SPG, 1.4 BPG, 1.7 TOPG, .535/.284/.798 FG/3PT/FT%, 20.0 PER, 9 WS, .175 WS/48
Post Season Stats: 12 Games, 32.2 MPG, 14 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.3 APG, .7 SPG, 1.7 BPG, 1.3 TOPG, .516/.458/.676 FG/3PT/FT%, 18.6 PER, 1.5 WS, .186 WS/48
Paul George
Regular Season Stats: 79 Games, 37.6 MPG, 17.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.8 SPG, .6 BPG, 2.9 TOPG, .419/.362/.807 FG/3PT/FT%, 16.8 PER, 9 WS, .145 WS/48
Post Season Stats: 15 Games, 41.7 MPG, 19.4 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 5.3 APG, 1.4 SPG, .5 BPG, 3.7 TOPG, .414/.301/.730 FG/3PT/FT%, 16.7 PER, 1.6 WS, .126 WS/48
Roy Hibbert
Regular Season Stats: 79 Games, 28.7 MPG, 11.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.4 APG, .5 SPG, 2.6 BPG, 2.1 TOPG, .448/.250*/.741 FG/3PT/FT%, 17.3 PER, 6.1 WS, .129 WS/48
*Hibbert shot 1-4 from 3, so the number isn’t representative of his ability*
Post Season Stats: 15 Games, 35.7 MPG, 15.7 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 1.6 APG, .1 SPG, 2.3 BPG, 2.2 TOPG, .483/.000/.810 FG/3PT/FT%, 20.9 PER, 2.1 WS, .186 WS/48
Tim Duncan
Regular Season Stats: 69 Games. 30.1 MPG, 17.8 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, .7 SPG, 2.7 BPG, 2.1 TOPG, .502/.286*/.817 FG/3PT/FT%, 24.4 PER, 8.3 WS, .191 WS/48
*Was 2-7 from 3, not a representative sample*
Post Season Stats: 14 Games, 34.4 MPG, 17.8 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 2.1 APG, .9 SPG, 1.7 BPG, 1.9 TOPG, .461/.000/.797 FG/3PT/FT%, 20.3 PER, 1.5 WS, .154 WS/48
Tony Parker
Regular Season Stats: 66 Games, 32.9 MPG, 20.3 PPG, 3 RPG, 7.6 APG, .8 SPG, .1 BPG, 2.6 TOPG, .522/.353/.845 FG/3PT/FT%, 23.0 PER, 9.3 WS, .206 WS/48
Post Season Stats: 14 Games, 37 MPG, 23 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, .1 BPG, 2.7 TOPG, .475/.375/.797 FG/3PT/FT%, 24.1 PER, 2.1 WS, .194 WS/48
So looking at all of these candidates statistically a few things stand out:
· Basing this on regular season statistics alone this would lead us to suggest that either Wade, Parker or Duncan is the best player of the bunch probably with a slight lead given to Parker
· Basing only on post season statistics the lead would be given to Parker while Chris Bosh and Roy Hibbert offer compelling cases
However trying to piece together a case for all these players based on statistics alone isn’t smart, so what else do each of these players offer
Wade
Pros: An aggressive and efficient scorer, reliable option, able to provide above average defense, rebounding and passing at the shooting guard position
Cons: Clearly injured now and it is effecting his play, has an unreliable jumpshot that he relies on too frequently, and is known to play lazy transition defense
Bosh
Pros: One of the NBA’s great mid-range jump shooters who is able to provide important spacing. Has adjusted well to playing out of position and is basically an irreplaceable component to Miami’s unique style. Numbers would likely be better if he was on a worse team.
Cons: Could be a better rebounder for his position and can be pushed around by bigger players on defense.
George
Pros: Athletically a marvel who defends the other team’s best offensive player and is his team’s primary offensive weapon. Can penetrate and shoot the 3 point shot and shoot the 3 point shot an important combination. Has guarded Carmelo Anthony, Josh Smith and Lebron James about as well as they can be guarded
Cons: Way to turnover friendly offensively, something he is working on but still needs to adjust to, and while a good offensive option his efficiency could be better.
Hibbert
Pros: Arguably the league’s best interior defender, something that statistics don’t signify fully. A strong post option and since recovering from injury has been a completely different player offensively.
Cons: Offensively his game still needs some work, has to improve as a pick and roll player, passer, and has limited offensive range.
Duncan
Pros: Still one of the NBA’s best all-around bigs, has a solid post game, great mid-range shooter, very good passer, a very good rebounder, solid post defense and really good help defense.
Cons: Age has limited his minutes this season and has slowed him down defensively while his post-game isn’t the automatic double team it once was.
Parker
Pros: Elite offensive player, who can score at the rim efficiently, is an elite mid-range jumpshooter and great passer. As shown in the Memphis series can take over the game scoring, 37 points in Game 4 or by passing, 18 assists in Game 2.
Cons: Limited 3 point shooter, makes them at a fairly high percentage but low volume, and defensively can be targeted.
Basically every player has their strengths and weaknesses and has at least a small case for this spot.
Rankings:
1. Lebron James
In case anyone forgot Lebron has this spot on cruise control, he is significantly better than any of these players and it is a waist to compare them.
2. Tony Parker
Though he can be a liability defensively, his offensive ability more than makes up for it. He has been consistent throughout the regular season and playoffs and is truly one of the game’s elite players.
3. Roy Hibbert
His impact defensively can’t be understated and offensively he is no slouch either. His early season slump seems likely to be because of injuries and if post season play is any indication he is likely getting better from here.
4. Tim Duncan
Would be ranked higher but age and minute limits weaken his arguments. Still per minute is the best guy on the list.
5. Paul George
One of the NBA’s best young players, and has really broken out this post season. However his inconsistent play prevents him from being ranked higher, though he might be closer to Lebron on this list soon.
6. Chris Bosh
Great offensive weapon and has embraced his role completely on this elite Heat team. However his weaknesses are still obvious and thus can’t be ranked higher.
7. Dwyane Wade
The only reason Wade is this low is injuries, if it was just based on regular season production he would have as strong a case as anyone for the top spot. However injuries have clearly limited him and he is not playing near his superstar level.
Stay Hungry My Friends
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