NBA 2007-08 Season's First-Half Studs
Everyone knows how much Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Tim Duncan, Steve Nash, and other superstars make an impact to their respective teams.
But what about the other emerging stars this season?
In Monta Ellis's rookie season, he averaged 6.8 ppg, on 41.5 percent shooting, 1.6 apg, and 0.7 spg in his rookie season.
Last season, Ellis was awarded the NBA's Most Improved Player, by averaging 16.5 ppg on 47.5 percent shooting, 4.1 apg, and adding 1.7 spg, which made him a premiere stud last season.
So with the All-Star break approaching, who are this season's Top 12 Studs? The Studs are players that have shown the most improvement from last season or have the most impact on their team.
Top 12 Studs
12. Derek Fisher (Los Angeles Lakers) - Other than Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum, has there been anyone that has more impact than Fisher? Although the numbers may not tell the whole story, Fisher's leadership and experience has helped build a championship calibur Laker team. Still, Fisher's line is still solid, posting 12.7 ppg on 47 percent shooting, 1.3 threes, 88 percent FT, a steal and only 1.2 turnovers.
11. Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies) - While the Memphis Grizzlies may not be good, Rudy Gay has been stellar. Gay has nearly doubled his offensive output from a season ago, increasing his scoring average from 10.9 ppg to 19.8 ppg. He also shoots a high FG percent at 47 percent while also contributing 1.8 threes, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.5 steals. Those numbers should increase with the departure of Pau Gasol.
10. Danny Granger (Indiana Pacers) - Danny Granger has become a mini-Marion in just his 3rd season. Granger is an very versatile and athletic player, and can contribute at both ends of the floor. Like Dirk Nowitzki, Granger can put the ball on the floor and shoot the ball like a guard, but can also play the post with his 6' 9" frame. While Granger there's still much to improve in his game, his stat line includes 17.8 ppg, 1.8 threes on 38.6 percent shooting, 84.6 percent FT, 5.8 rpg, 1 steal and 1 block per game.
9. Chris Kaman (Los Angeles Clippers) - With the injury to Elton Brand, Chris Kaman has emerged as one of the elite centers in the NBA. And although Kaman has been dealing with constant double teams and fatigue, he is still in line to win this year's Most Improved Player Award. Kaman currently is shooting 48 percent and averaging career bests of 17.0 ppg, 13.7 rpg (3rd in the NBA), and 3.1 bpg (3rd in the NBA). Those numbers may drop slightly once Brand returns, but Kaman has no doubt made a big name for himself.
8. Hedo Turkoglu (Orlando Magic) - Hedo Turkoglu has finally emerged as one of the premiere small forwards in the league. Turkoglu had always been considered to be a very talented player, standing at 6' 10" who can shoot the three and drive to the basket, but has also been criticized for being very soft. But this season Turkoglu has become more aggressive, looking to drive to the basket and get to the free throw line more often. Along with averaging a career best 19.5 ppg, he has also improved his rebounding and passing, and has hit several clutch shots - just ask the Celtics.
7. Caron Butler (Washington Wizards) - How are the Wizards holding the 6th playoff seed without Gilbert Arenas? Well being in the Eastern Conference helps, but having Caron Butler helps too. But Washington is on a 5-game losing streak, with Butler unavailable in three of those games, and ailing with injuries in the other two. And in games that Butler hasn't played, the Wizards are 1-4. Butler is averaging career-bests in almost every category, including 21.4 ppg on 47.6 percent FG, 4.5 apg, 91.3 percent FT, and 2.4 spg. You bet the Wizards would've loved to have him in their recent 85-77 loss to the Spurs.
6. Andrew Bynum (Los Angeles Lakers) - This was before Bynum went down with the knee injury that would sideline him for 8 weeks. In the 14 games prior to his injury, Bynum was averaging 17 ppg on a ridiculous 70 percent shooting, 12 rpg, and 2.4 blocks per game. You better believe that Kobe was missing the Big Guy before acquiring Pau Gasol. The Lakers were riding a 6-game winning streak that led to a Western Conference best 25-11. Since Bynum's injury, the Lakers have only been 6-6 in the last 12 games, and have fallen to the 6th seed in a very difficult Western Conference. Bynum was particularly spectacular finishing at the rim, whether it was a dunk, and alley-oop, or a putback dunk, things that Kwame Brown could not do. Now that the Lakers have Gasol, imagine a pair of Twin Towers in Los Angeles with Gasol and Bynum guarding the paint.
5. Jose Calderon (Toronto Raptors) - Ok, maybe this placement might be too high out of all the players, mostly because Calderon got the starting job from T.J. Ford's injury and the Raptors play in the East, but I absolutely love Calderon's game. Calderon has been putting up very strong numbers in the starter's roll, averaging 15 ppg and 11 assists. But he is also very efficient, shooting an incredible 52.8 percent, which is best among point guards, and hits 91.6 percent of his FTs, which is third best in the league. He also hits 44.6 percent of his three-point attempts while adding a steal and only commiting 1.6 turnovers. Calderon's play thus far has allowed the Raptors to hold the 5th seed in the East and are looking to claw into the top 4.
4. Baron Davis (Golden State Warriors) - How good has Davis been for the Golden State Warriors? Fresh off their monumental postseason upset over the Dallas Mavericks, Davis finally look healthy, and the Golden State Warriors look as good as ever. The only reason I didn't put Davis in the top 3 is because the Warriors were 0-6 without Stephen Jackson, and he has low FG percent and FT percent. But Davis has made clutch plays late in close games and also creates matchup problems because he is much bigger and stronger than other guards. And how about these impressive numbers: 21.9 ppg, 2.3 ppg, 8.1 apg, and 2.5 spg. His aggressive style of play is perfect for the Warriors' offense, which has vaulted them into playoff contention in the competitive West.
3. Deron Williams (Utah Jazz) - Deron Williams to Carlos Boozer is the new John Stockton to Karl Malone. Williams has elevated his play and has put the Jazz in position to take the next step in winning a championship. The Jazz are the hottest team in the NBA with a 10 game-winning streak with Williams putting up 11 or more assists in all but one of those games. Williams is also averging a career-best 19.2 ppg on an incredible 51.9 percent FG. Doug Collins mentioned in last season's playoffs said that Deron Williams would be Baron Davis in the next five years, but I don't see the Jazz needing Davis anytime soon.
2. Brandon Roy (Portland Trail Blazers) - No Greg Oden? No problem? Not unless you're in the Western Conference. Despite winning 13-straight games and holding a 28-20 record, the Blazersare tied for the 9th and one game out of the 8th and final playoff spot. Tough to be in the west, but at least they have a chance with Roy. Roy is playing like a veteran, and is trying to take a young inexperienced team to the playoffs. The former Rookie of the Year is not a true point guard, but he has been able to run the offense by dishing out 5.8 assists while increasing his scoring to 19.7 ppg, and averaging a respectable 1.9 turnovers. Although his numbers are not as flashy as Baron Davis or Deron Williams, Roy's impact on his team is just as, if not, more important. Imagine where the Blazers could be if they had a healthy Greg Oden, but the Blazers would be awful without Roy.
1. Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets) - If there wasn't a Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Steve Nash, or Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Paul would've been the sure thing for this year's MVP Award. Now that the New Orleans are finally healthy, Paul has thrusted his team as one of the Western Conference elite teams. The Hornets currently hold a 33-15 record, which is good for 2nd in the West. But it has been Paul's stellar all-around play that has given the Hornets a strong balanced offense that averages 100 ppg and a solid defense that holds opponents to 94.5 ppg. Paul is averaging career-highs in points (20.8), assists (10.8, behind Steve Nash), steals (2.6, leads the NBA), while shooting 48.0 percent from the field and 87.6 percent at the line and adding a three per game. And did you see Paul's 42 point, 9 assist, 8 steal, and ONE turnover performance in the Hornets double OT win over the Suns? While Nash posted solid numbers with 32 points and 12 assists, he only had 1 steal and 10 turnovers, while consistently getting beat off the dribble by Paul. And one more thing: while Phoenix has the West's best record at 34-15 they are only 14-12 against conference opponents, while the Hornets are 3-0 against the Suns and are 24-11 against conference opponents. Paul and the Hornets are creating some serious buzz in the NBA and are poised to make a run at the championship.
