- There are a variety of ways to quantify a player’s worth to his team, with a myriad of variables with which to play. One way is by utilizing NBA.com/Stats’ PIE (Player Impact Estimate)*, which measures a player’s overall contribution to his team. Perhaps not surprisingly, the Miami Heat’s LeBron James leads the league in PIE at 23.2 percent, and is the lone player in the league with a PIE above 20 percent. James is on pace to set new career highs in both field goal percentage (.552) and three-point field goal percentage (.400). Despite averaging a career-low 37.2 minutes, James ranks third in the league in scoring (27.7 ppg) while adding 8.4 rpg, 6.6 apg, and 1.6 spg to his stat sheet. His Usage Percentage (the percentage of team plays used by a player when he is on the floor), however, is slightly below that of his teammate, Dwyane Wade — 36.8 and 36.2, respectively. Wade ranks seventh in PIE (16.9 percent), making Miami the only team with two players in the top 10. The Heat is 31-9, marking its best 40-game start in franchise history. The previous best was a 30-10 record last season.
- The Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant ranks second in PIE (18.9 percent)and owns a Usage Percentage of 36.7 percent. Durant’s positive impact while on the court for the Western Conference-leading Thunder (32-9) is perhaps best evidenced when compared with teammate Russell Westbrook. Westbrook has a higher Usage Rating (38.0 precent) than Durant, but an inferior PIE (15.0 precent).
Below are the top 10 players ranked by PIE for games played through March 11:
Name (Team)
PIE
LeBron James (Mia.)
23.2
Kevin Durant (OKC)
18.9
Chris Paul (LAC)
18.4
Kevin Love (Minn.)
17.9
Dwight Howard (Orl.)
17.5
Andrew Bynum (LAL)
17.1
Dwyane Wade (Mia.)
16.9
Kevin Garnett (Bos.)
16.8
Derrick Rose (Chi.)
16.1
Steve Nash (Phoe.)
16.1
lyasova, Ellis Earn Weekly Honors
The Milwaukee Bucks’ Ersan Ilyasova and the Golden State Warriors’ Monta Ellis today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, March 5, through Sunday, March 11. Ilyasova led the Bucks to a 3-1 week, including wins over the 76ers and Knicks. Ilyasova averaged 25.0 points while shooting .638 from the field, .900 from the foul line, and .667 from distance, to go along with 10.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists. Ellis helped the Warriors to a 3-1 week behind averages of 20.5 points, 7.5 assists and 2.0 steals. Ellis knocked down 8-of-12 (.667) three-point field goals on the week. More
Rumors
- Rick Bonnell: I hear from multiple sources Nets expressed interest in Boris Diaw’s expiring contract. The hitch is what #Bobcats would have to take back. Twitter
- Tommy Beer: FWIW, Stephen A Smith on ESPN radio just now: “I know Phil Jackson wants to be here (New York)… If Dolan wants Phil, he can have him.” Twitter
- Jarrod Rudolph: Sources say Magic, Warriors & Hornets are discussing 3-team deal that would send Ellis and others to Magic. Nothing imminent at this point Twitter
Stats & Stuff:
Detroit’s Rodney Stuckey has picked up his game during the Pistons’ last 17 games, averaging 18.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 steals and shooting .479 during the stretch.
Houston’s Kyle Lowry stands as the only player in the NBA averaging at least 15.0 points (15.9 ppg), 5.0 rebounds (5.3 rpg), 7.0 assists (7.2 apg) and 1.75 steals (1.82 spg).
According to NBA.com/Stats, in five games this month, Minnesota’s Kevin Love is averaging 32.8 points and 13.8 rebounds while shooting .444 from beyond the arc.
Phoenix’s Marcin Gortat (16.2 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 1.6 bpg) is one of three NBA players averaging at least 15.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. Gortat joins the Los Angeles Lakers’ Andrew Bynum and the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard.
San Antonio’s Tim Duncan (22,193) is three points away from surpassing Clyde Drexler (22,195) for 25th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
Today’s Quote
DOUG COLLINS, whose Philadelphia 76ers are atop the Atlantic Division despite not having a player averaging more than 17 points :
“There’s going to be teams we play against that have more talent, but we have to hope at the end of the day that our numbers make us a better team. That’s been our whole emphasis. As a coach, you can preach it all you want, but it doesn’t do you any good if your players don?t believe it.”
New York Times March 12, 2012