Preseason stat leaders

Preseason numbers are unreliable.  Let’s get that out of the way at the top . . .

It’s still interesting to take a look around the league where many players have four to six exhibition games in the books to see which players stand out.

Minutes and roles change once the regular season gets underway but some outliers may stand:

Amar’e Stoudemire of the New York Knicks is the leading scorer at 22.8 points a game (four played).  He’s shot an impressive 56.6% from the field and while the Knicks are just 2-3, there’s some hope out of New York that this season will be different than the last one, two or five.

Given that Amar’e is a regular All-Star starter, his rank may not be a surprise but number two is Arron Afflalo of the Denver Nuggets at 20.6 points a game.  Afflalo has been doing most of his damage from behind the arc at 44.4% through five contests.

The Nuggets are still trying to work through the Carmelo Anthony situation.  Arron’s numbers will probably fall as he settles into a complementary role but if Anthony is dealt, Afflalo may become a featured part of Denver’s offense.

Regardless, Coach George Karl said recently he anticipated Afflalo staying at above 40% from three throughout the course of his career.

Third in scoring is Brook Lopez at 20.5 points a game on 55.8% shooting.  Lopez was a bright spot for the New Jersey Nets last season in the midst of one of the all-time worst years for a franchise in NBA history.

Lopez may end up an All-Star in February.

Rounding out the top 10 are Monta Ellis (18.2), LaMarcus Aldridge (18.0), Pau Gasol (18.0), Kevin Love (17.7), Blake Griffin (17.3), Chris Bosh (17.2) and Derrick Rose (16.8).

Love has begun to assert himself on a Minnesota Timberwolves team that needs leadership.  Griffin remains the hope for Los Angeles Clippers fans, especially after last year’s 29-win season with Blake sidelined with a knee injury.

Atlanta Hawks’ rookie Jordan Crawford has shown his ability to score, 11th on the list at 16.8.  DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings is 13th (16.4) while his ex-Kentucky teammate John Wall is 15th with 16.2 a night.

Once the season starts, the usuals will assert themselves (Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, etc.) but for now it’s good to see some of the league’s best young players give just a glimpse before opening night.

As far as rebounding, Griffin is on top at 12.3 a night.  Love is right behind him at 11.5.

Lamar Odom, actually in shape thanks to Team USA, is third overall at 10.8 a night for the Los Angeles Lakers.

David Lee, new to the Golden State Warriors, has been his usual steady self at 10.2.

The top 10 include Cousins (9.6), Joakim Noah (9.3), DeJuan Blair (8.8), J.J. Hickson (8.5), Roy Hibbert (8.4) and Jason Thompson (8.0).

The Philadelphia 76ers have a couple of surprises on the list with guard Jrue Holiday at 15 (7.0) followed by guard/forward rookie Evan Turner at 17 (6.8).

Top pick Wall has led all passers with 8.0 assists a game.  John will be a top candidate for Rookie of the Year this coming season with Griffin and Cousins likely in the mix.

After Wall is Boston Celtic point guard Rajon Rondo (7.0).

MORE BY ERIC PINCUS

Arron Afflalo: “I’m ready.”: Denver Nuggets guard Arron Afflalo says he’s ready for a bigger role, not…
Melo and the Kobe Scenario: With the NBA regular season starting up in less than two weeks, where do…
Notebook: Nuggets Edge Clippers: The Denver Nuggets edged out the Los Angeles Clippers in a close battle…
View Eric Pincus Archive 
Stalwarts Steve Nash (6.7) and Chris Paul (6.6) are third and fourth – followed by Raymond Felton (6.2), Ty Lawson (6.0), Stephen Curry (5.8), Jose Calderon (5.5), Jameer Nelson (5.4) and Jrue Holiday (5.2).
Holiday is someone to keep an eye on as a triple-double threat, although his shooting must improve (38.9% through five games) and his turnovers are high (4.0).

It’s no surprise that Dwight Howard is the leading shot-blocker (3.0) but Channing Frye second at 2.5 tied with Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder and JaVale McGee of the Washington Wizards?

Frye’s reputation has more of an offensive bent.

Thunder guard James Harden has been the preseason thief at 3.8 steals a night.  Wall is second at 2.1.

With seven guys tied at third, the name that stands-out on the list is Blake Griffin at 10 notching 1.83.

The top three-point shooter?  Jarrett Jack at 83.3% (5-6).  Sample size here seems like more of an issue than many of the other categories.  It’s worth nothing that Love is eighth on the list at 61.1% with 11 makes in 18 tries.

Two Clippers rank as top volume three-shooters with Eric Gordon at 13-40 (32.5%) and Rasual Butler third at 11-34 (32.4%).  Sandwiched at second is the far more efficient Afflalo with 16 makes in 36 tries (44.4%).

New York’s Danilo Gallinari has struggled, hitting 9-31 (29.0%) while Portland’s Rudy Fernandez has been on fire at 18-30 (60.0%).

Free throw shooting percentage doesn’t seem to be significant but volume is worth a look.  Brook Lopez has taken the most with 52 attempts (making 37, 71.2%).  Second is an interesting name – Nate Robinson of the Boston Celtics at 36-47 (76.6%).

After Pau Gasol (44 attempts at 68.2%) and Carmelo Anthony (43 in just three games, 90.7% accuracy), Griffin is fifth with 41 attempts but only 23 makes (56.1%).

Field-goal percentage tends to favor size with Amir Johnson (65.0%), Marc Gasol (63.2%) and Brandon Bass (61.3%) on top.

Forward Linas Kleiza has been effective for the Toronto Raptors at 61.3%. 

L.A.’s Griffin has a higher field-goal percentage (59.7%) than his number at the line.

Two guards stand out in the top-10, Jack in the sixth spot at 57.4% and Mike Conley of the Memphis Grizzlies tied with Dwight Howard at 56.4%.

Again, once the season kicks in, the numbers may favor the big name players but don’t overlook some of the mentions above.  Star power fluctuates regularly in the NBA as players work to establish their legacies.

Of course individual stats are rarely indicative of franchise ranking . . . but understanding the numbers certainly helps when drafting a fantasy team.-Eric pincus