NBA Big Man Preview

So, this is the important position. The defending champion Spurs had an excellent big man. The champs before them, the Heat, had an aging yet very good big man. One question on the horizon is who has a more promising future: Amare Stoudemire or Dwight Howard? Maybe some of this will help. But, as always, stats are courtesy of 82games.com.

1. Tim Duncan - I want someone to convince me that this guy is not the best big man in the game today. Yes, he is boring, has no flash, and leads the "dirtiest" team in the NBA. BUT he is still quite good. His team gets 14 more points offensively every 100 possessions with him on the court rather than him off it.
Stats: Scoring per game- 20.0
Rebounding Rating- 32.8
Block Rating- 11.3
Clutch Scoring per 48 min.- 33.2
Clutch Rebounding- 39.1
Clutch Block- 6.1

2. Dwight Howard - I'm a little more sold on this guy than I am on Amare right now. I really don't know how well his knee will hold up (it will forever be a question). Also, if Howard will be cutting down on his turnovers like the Magic are saying he will then I will be scared for the other team every time he steps on the court.
Stats: Scoring per game- 17.6
Rebounding Rating- 36.2
Block Rating- 8.3
Clutch Scoring per 48 min.- 17.6
Clutch Rebounding- 32.9
Clutch Block- 9.3

3. Amare Stoudemire - 20 points and 10 rebounds a game. Pretty difficult to argue with that. This guy helped the Suns tremendously. He is a force to be reckoned with and should be racking up the awards sometime soon. Another good thing, last year he played all 82 games after playing only three the previous year.
Stats: Scoring per game- 20.3
Rebounding Rating- 29.8
Block Rating- 6.5
Clutch Scoring per 48 min.- 31.6
Clutch Rebounding- 28.0
Clutch Block- 10.0

4. Dirk Nowitzki - Okay, so he pretty much looked like he didn't deserve to be on the court last time we all saw him play (if that's what you'd call it) BUT he still had a crazy-good regular season last year while taking home MVP honors (although it was very controversial).
Stats: Scoring per game- 24.6
Rebounding Rating- 26.7
Block Rating- 3.5
Clutch Scoring per 48 min.- 46.1
Clutch Rebounding- 30.3
Clutch Block- 6.3

5. Kevin Garnett - I know this may be a tad bit low for some of you Boston Blowhards but he'll have to develop a team game and get used to having good teammates, something he hasn't experienced in quite a while. Here's something for you though: no Celtic has grabbed 900 rebounds in a season since 1989 yet Garnett has grabbed 900 each of the last eight seasons.
Stats: Scoring per game- 22.4
Rebounding Rating- 34.6
Block Rating- 7.0
Clutch Scoring per 48 min.- 25.2
Clutch Rebounding- 26.7
Clutch Block- 4.5

6. Yao Ming - This guy is injury-plagued. I'm not really sold on his holding up for an entire season. He played in 48 games last year. In those games, he averaged 25 points and 9 rebounds per contest. What amazes me though was his 86% FT percentage last year. Unheard of from big interior player.
Stats: Scoring per game- 25.1
Rebounding Rating- 28.2
Block Rating- 8.9
Clutch Scoring per 48 min.- 30.4
Clutch Rebounding- 26.5
Clutch Block- 13.2

7. Chris Bosh - 23 points. 11 rebounds. 3 assists. 1 steal and 1 block. He was putting up great all-around numbers like that all season long last year and I do NOT expect it to stop anytime soon. This guy could be the League's next great power forward. He definitely has the potential.
Stats: Scoring per game- 22.6
Rebounding Rating- 29.5
Block Rating- 5.3
Clutch Scoring per 48 min.- 38.9
Clutch Rebounding- 28.8
Clutch Block- 12.3

8. Pau Gasol - He would be higher if I didn't have to worry about injuries with this guy. Although he missed the first couple months of the season last year, he still put up some pretty good stats. 21 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks per game. Also, the Grizzlies added SOME talent to the team this year.
Stats: Scoring per game- 20.8
Rebounding Rating- 28.9
Block Rating- 8.5
Clutch Scoring per 48 min.- 19.0
Clutch Rebounding- 25.6
Clutch Block- 7.7

Blogger's Note: I can't believe I did it but I just had to leave Marion out of the top nine. However, he is the number nine big man in the League. The problem with him is his confidence and attitude he'll have in Phoenix this year.

Also, here's a video for you to watch:


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NBA Wing Preview

So, to follow up my NBA Point Guard Preview this is the NBA Wing Preview which will consist of the top 8 players at the shooting guard and small forward positions. A big question mark is how healthy Dwyane Wade can stay throughout the season. Anyways, without further delay...

1. Kobe Bryant - This was a tough decision putting him ahead of LeBron. He may not have the best personality but he can flat-out play the game of basketball. You can only wonder how long he can keep up his scoring averages but is projected to average 32 a game this year.
Stats: Scoring per game- 31.6
Rebounding Rating- 14.5
Foul Drawing- 14.3%
Clutch Scoring per 48 min.- 47.4
Clutch Rebounding- 15.3
Clutch Foul Drawing- 14.8%

2. LeBron James - This is the player that everyone loves and is obviously destined for greatness. However, it sure as hell ain't happening in Cleveland. But this is not about his team, it's about him. Last year, he averaged 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists a game, which really shows how good of an all-around game he plays.
Stats: Scoring per game- 27.3
Rebounding Rating- 17.4
Foul Drawing- 16.3%
Clutch Scoring per 48 min.- 42.4
Clutch Rebounding- 16.0
Clutch Foul Drawing- 16.9%

3. Dwyane Wade - Okay, I know this is a bit of a gamble putting him all the way up at number three but I think it could work out. Along with his 27 points a game, he produced 5 rebounds and 8 assists a game for his team. If he can bring those numbers back the rest of the League better watch out.
Stats: Scoring per game- 27.4
Rebounding Rating- 12.6
Foul Drawing- 19.4%
Clutch Scoring per 48 min.- 52.1
Clutch Rebounding- 7.7
Clutch Foul Drawing- 15.4%

4. Carmelo Anthony - He seems to keep getting better and I was thoroughly impressed with his play in the FIBA Americas. Melo's game is maturing and is turning into a perennial superstar in the League. Not only can he score, but he also is a good rebounder and his field goal percentage is up there.
Stats: Scoring per game- 29.0
Rebounding Rating- 16.1
Foul Drawing- 12.6%
Clutch Scoring per 48 min.- 38.5
Clutch Rebounding- 13.6
Clutch Foul Drawing- 18.2%

5. Tracy McGrady - The one gripe about this guy? He can't get his team far in the playoffs. You may want to recheck that because he's definitely doing his part. Last postseason, he averaged 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists. His 'Hands' Rating was higher than most point guards. This guy is a straight-up baller.
Stats: Scoring per game- 24.6
Rebounding Rating- 15.2
Foul Drawing- 12.7%
Clutch Scoring per 48 min.- 40.6
Clutch Rebounding- 15.6
Clutch Foul Drawing- 6.2%

6. Paul Pierce - His scoring average dropping this year is to be expected but everything else should go up with his new all-star teammates: Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. My only concern is if his body can hold up the entire season. He isn't getting any younger and missed 35 games due to injury last year.
Stats: Scoring per game- 25.0
Rebounding Rating- 16.7
Foul Drawing- 14.1%
Clutch Scoring per 48 min.- 40.6
Clutch Rebounding- 15.3
Clutch Foul Drawing- 15.7%

7. Luol Deng - I know many of you will disagree with my putting him this high. However, he was a complete beast in the postseason last year. He averaged 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists a game helping his team blow by the defending champion Heat in the first round. Luol is only getting better.
Stats: Scoring per game- 18.8
Rebounding Rating- 19.3
Foul Drawing- 11.4%
Clutch Scoring per 48 min.- 16.3
Clutch Rebounding- 17.1
Clutch Foul Drawing- 14.0%

8. Michael Redd - This guy can score but other than that he is quite limited. He averages 27 a game yet only averages 4 rebounds and 2 assists each night. Redd, however, did up his stock greatly in the FIBA Americas where he made 29 of 64 threes in only 199 minutes.
Stats: Scoring per game- 26.7
Rebounding Rating- 10.5
Foul Drawing- 14.0%
Clutch Scoring per 48 min.- 36.4
Clutch Rebounding- 11.2
Clutch Foul Drawing- 14.8%

There you have it. I hope you like them and you can expect the Big Man Preview to be rolling out in the next couple of days. Here's a video of our number two wing to pass the time:


Stats are courtesy of 82games.com.

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