Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Rudy Gobert, Kawhi Leonard and Draymond Green are among the first that come to mind when discussing the NBA’s best defenders. But you might want to add Brook Lopez into the mix. The Milwaukee Bucks center primarily is known for scoring as an effective stretch-5, while his twin (Robin) is usually…
From The Numbers
The Numbers: Hassan Whiteside Leads NBA in Blocks, Rebounds
Hassan Whiteside experienced some ups and downs with the Miami Heat. He had turned in a couple of statistically dominant seasons from 2015-17, especially, but the athletic 7’0”, 265-pounder was moved to the Portland Trail Blazers in a trade last summer after both parties needed a change of scenery. He promptly turned back the clock,…
The Numbers: Zach LaVine’s Increased Range
The Chicago Bulls don’t have much going for them the past couple seasons, but at least they can always count on Zach LaVine getting buckets. LaVine added to his game this past offseason after the front office told him to start taking more threes instead of long twos. The 6’6” high-flier already could jam and…
The Numbers: Vince Carter Plays Most NBA Seasons, Third-Most Games
When a 21-year-old Vince Carter joined the NBA in 1998 as an athletic wonder, the Toronto Raptors knew they were getting a great player. Little did they know that VC would play a record-breaking 22 years and the third-most games (1,541). Only Robert Parish (1,611) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1,560) logged more NBA appearances. Vinsanity changed…
By The Numbers: Mitchell Robinson’s 3-Point Shot Blocking
New York Knicks fans haven’t had much to cheer about the last couple years, but young center Mitchell Robinson has been a joy to watch. The 2nd year player is already a master shot-blocker, routinely putting his 7’0 frame, 7’4” wingspan and 9’3” standing reach to good use. Mesh that with athleticism and great ball…
The Numbers: Isiah Thomas’ 25-Point 3rd Quarter
On June 19, 1988, Isiah Thomas went off, dropping 25 points during the third quarter of the Detroit Pistons’ NBA Finals Game 6 with the Los Angeles Lakers. He actually put down 43 for the game, but it was the third quarter that was the most amazing, not just because of what he did, but…
The Numbers: That Big 3 for Ray Allen
Sometimes it’s the big numbers that shape NBA history. Other times, it’s the big moments. Such was the case when Ray Allen hit only one three-point shot in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals. But you already know which shot it was: “The one” that sent the contest between his Miami Heat and the…
The Numbers: Michael Jordan & Charles Barkley Drop 40s
Today marks the 27th anniversary of one of the greatest mano-a-mano Finals games in history, including the only one where opponents both topped 40. Charles Barkley was the MVP in 1993 and believe himself to be better than Michael Jordan at the time. But he had a poor shooting performance in Game 1 (9-25) and…
The Numbers: Larry Bird’s 31.6 Game Score
Despite being during the range of NBA Finals dates, June 10th hasn’t been the kind of landmark historic day in the history of basketball that we’ve previously featured in this series. But that doesn’t mean it’s completely shabby. The best game any player had on this day was Larry Bird, who had a Game Score…
The Numbers: Clyde Drexler & Hakeem Olajuwon Go for 40
On May 5, 1995, Clyde Drexler (41) and Hakeem Olajuwon (40), both grilled up 40 burgers in beating the Utah Jazz during Game 4 of their first-round series. It was just the third time in NBA history that teammates went for 40 in a playoff game. Drexler added six assists and nine rebounds; Hakeem added…