NBA Sinking Stats: Four Superstars Hurting from Trade/Personnel Changes
With some teams improving thanks to deadline changes (Denver—thanks to improved defense) and some teams struggling (New York—we'll discuss this in a minute), there are players that have, for better or worse, taken a big hit statistically.
These drops in numbers have been no more important than in the relatively meaningless world of fantasy basketball. For that reason, I will not be pinpointing these statistical fall-outs as a negative consequence for the players' teams as a whole (although, there is some mild criticism to be had).
Blake Griffin
1 of 3I simply had to add the above video. If you haven't seen it, take a moment to recognize the ridiculous.
Thanks (in part) to the arrival of Mo Williams/loss of Baron Davis, Griffin's numbers have taken a pretty serious hit.
A slightly smaller hit was seen when Eric Gordon went down with his wrist injury (amongst others).
With teams realizing that it was easier to double Griffin without the Clippers' sharpshooter, Griffin was forced to do slightly more facilitating than facialing (it's not a word but it should be). Once Randy Foye made a new name (and probably a new contract) for himself, Griffin returned to form.
Now, there is no doubt that the Clippers needed to make the Sir Baron trade. Davis' nagging contract could only hurt the future of the young team (hint, hint, Cleveland). Regardless of Williams' inconsistencies, the Clippers got away with murder on this one.
However, without Davis there to provide the rejuvenated spark that put doubters back in their seats, the Clippers offense looks much less dynamic.
Griffin seemed to be only slightly impacted by Williams' arrival but has now gone seven straight games without registering a double-double and has only gone for over 20 points four times in 15 games with Williams.
Williams, a score-first point-guard, has only topped 10 assists once.
The explanation for Griffin's slight lapse, however, can't be put on Williams alone.
The return of Chris “Cave Man” Kaman (along with Williams) has put a serious dent in both Griffin's attempts and rebounds.
Kaman is versed in ball-hogging in the post, and Griffin has only gone over 20 attempts once since Kaman returned.
One more route of reason is that Griffin is merely exhausted after a long rookie campaign. Griffin goes harder than almost any player in the league, and even he has admitted, the long stretches of games have caught up to him from time to time.
LaMarcus Aldridge
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Aldridge rose to the occasion, averaging over 21 points, nine rebounds, a steal and a block per game with the likes of Brandon Roy and Marcus Camby sitting on the bench. Aldridge's MVP (yes, MVP) play kept the Blazers in the playoff race while keeping him out of the All-Star game.
Worst. Snub. Ever.
I have already written an article depicting my rage on this subject in organized fashion, so I won't harp on this travesty more than to say: screw the NBA All-Star voting process.
The acquisition of Gerald Wallace, along with the return of Roy and Camby has given a previously thin Blazers team the type of depth to make some noise come playoff time.
Only five years out of Texas, Aldridge still hasn't hit his ceiling. Moreover, Aldridge has already taken the philosophy to his game in the right direction.
Though Aldridge was strong past the All-Star break, he has seen a moderate decline since Wallace arrived, and there were places to go with the ball. Aldridge has scored over 22 points once in the last six games and has only made double-digits in boards three times in the last 12 games.
But to Aldridge, it doesn't matter. He has been working within a system all year.
It was the system that relied upon him past the first half of the season and now, with a progressively more competitive squad, it is a system that he can take advantage of to maximize his efficiency.
This is the kind of guy you want on your team.
Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire
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There is no choice but to include both players here.
While the trio in Miami has increasingly kept a reasonable pace with their career numbers, Anthony, in particular, is taking a serious hit.
Anthony and Stoudemire both seem confused about who is supposed to do what and how much of it they are supposed to do. Naturally, Chauncey Billups is the only new member that hasn't seemed to skip a beat.
Anthony has had only one 30-point game since joining the Knicks and saw his worst shooting night of the season with 2-for-12, six-point posting against the Pistons on March 18th.
Anthony has shot over 50 percent only twice, and his recent attempts to turn over a new leaf as a team player has yet to pay dues.
While Stoudemire hasn't had nearly the dip that Anthony has incurred, the new formation has led to a decrease in attempts as he strives to find his place beside another superstar (I bet he is missing Nash's pick-n-roll these days).
While coupling together to of the most explosive offensive players in the league together, the Knicks also acquired one league's most defensively inept players with an already suspect one.
After a win against Miami in only their fourth game together, the Knicks are now 7-9 since joining the two superstars together.
It is officially a work in progress in New York, dashing the over-the-top hopes of the Knick faithful (with the MSG crowd inevitably turning on their team at some point during the playoffs).
