MARCH 2014: PLAYERS STATISTICS. NBA REGULAR SEASON.

Most impressive "ATTACK / EFFICIENCY / DEFENSE" players statistics in NBA regular season: March 2014.

 

A. ATTACK/EFFICIENCY.

The most exciting part of the year in “planet basket” is coming soon with the playoffs in NBA. But before, let’s see the final most impressive statistics on “attack, efficiency and defense” for the month of March 2014 (link to the article for the month of February).

As usual, I begin with (a) my benchmark of "all around/versatile player" (a similar benchmark to the one used to determine my G.O.A.T/per decade, while less focused on defense and efficiency; see my article: What do the statistics say about who should be the Greatest Of All Time (G.O.A.T)? PART 1.).

I then screen (b) efficiency in term of plus/minus net points for players while there are on the floor, (c) most plus/minus points per 48 minutes while the player is on the floor, (d) the triple-double of the month, and I end with a focus on (e) the most efficient shooters in March (see my article on the most efficient shooters ever in NBA history in the regular season).  

As in February, it's no surprise that the 2 players widely recognized as the best in the game today are found in this list: Lebron James & Kevin Durant. 

A special mention must be made to Tim Duncan, who, at age 38 (in a few days), is adding another record to his already long list of own records in NBA. So, with another 2 games reaching my benchmark of "all around/versatile player" in March, he is on his way to pass Grant Hill to reach place N°4 of 37 and above year old players who attained it in regular season (only behind Karl Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Jordan: link to the statistics).

a. In 2013-14, in the regular season, game played in March, requiring Points >= 18 and Total Rebounds >= 6 and Assists >= 2.5 and Field Goal Pct >= 0.50, sorted by most games matching criteria. RESULTS for at least 3.

Rk	Player	Count
1	LeBron James	8
2	DeMarcus Cousins	7
3	Blake Griffin	7
4	Zach Randolph	6
5	Kevin Love	5
6	Anthony Davis	4
7	Kevin Durant	4
8	Al Jefferson	4
9	David Lee	4
10	Marc Gasol	3
11	Joakim Noah	3
12	Nikola Vucevic	3

b. In 2013-14, in the regular season, game played in March, requiring Net Points >= 20 and Minutes Played >= 24, sorted by most games in season matching criteria. RESULTS for at least 4.

Rk	Player	Count
1	Kevin Durant	6
2	Matt Barnes	5
3	Joe Johnson	5
4	Blake Griffin	4
5	James Harden	4
6	Serge Ibaka	4
7	DeAndre Jordan	4
8	Joakim Noah	4
9	Chris Paul	4

c. In 2013-14, per 48 minutes, in the regular season, game played in March, requiring Points >= 120 and Minutes Played >= 24, sorted by most games in season matching criteria. RESULTS for at least 4.

Rk	Player	Count
1	Kevin Durant	6
2	Serge Ibaka	6
3	Goran Dragic	5
4	Kenneth Faried	5
5	Kawhi Leonard	5
6	Jodie Meeks	5
7	Chandler Parsons	5
8	Ricky Rubio	5
9	Matt Barnes	4
10	Jose Calderon	4
11	Wilson Chandler	4
12	Randy Foye	4
13	James Harden	4
14	Dwight Howard	4
15	Kevin Love	4
16	Kevin Martin	4
17	Markieff Morris	4
18	Chris Paul	4
19	P.J. Tucker	4

d. In 2013-14, in the regular season, game played in March, requiring player recorded triple-double, sorted by most games in season matching criteria.

Rk	Player	Count
1	Joakim Noah	2
2	Michael Carter-Williams	1
3	Kevin Durant	1
4	Paul George	1
5	James Harden	1
6	LeBron James	1
7	Kevin Love	1
8	Kyle Lowry	1
9	Paul Millsap	1
10	Ricky Rubio	1
11	Isaiah Thomas	1
12	Russell Westbrook	1

e. In 2013-14, in the regular season, game played in March, requiring 2-PT Field Goal Pct >= 0.5 and 3-Pt Field Goal Pct >= 0.4 and Free Throw Pct >= 0.9 and Minutes Played >= 24, sorted by most games matching criteria. RESULTS for at least 3.

Rk	Player	Count
1	Ray Allen	4
2	Kevin Durant	4
3	James Harden	4
4	Kyle Korver	4
5	Terrence Ross	4
6	Trevor Ariza	3
7	D.J. Augustin	3
8	Mike Conley	3
9	Stephen Curry	3
10	Randy Foye	3
11	Joe Johnson	3
12	Kawhi Leonard	3
13	Josh McRoberts	3
14	Markieff Morris	3
15	Gary Neal	3
16	Chris Paul	3
17	Rodney Stuckey	3
18	Jeff Teague	3
19	P.J. Tucker	3

B. DEFENSE.

On defense, I focus on 3 different sets of data. The first one (a) looks at player impact on opponents points (a global view of the impact of the defense). The second one (b) focuses on defensive player impact on opponents’ offensive rebounds (the fewer offensive rebounds, the less second chance points by opponents) and field goal % (a good defense imply a lower field goal %). Finally, I screen (c) individual statistics specific to defense (defensive rebounds, steals and blocks).

Here to, as in February, I found, among others, the name of Joakim Noah who is considered for the title of defensive player of the year.

a. In 2013-14, per 48 minutes, in the regular season, game played in March, requiring Opponent Points <= 80 and Minutes Played >= 24, sorted by most games in season matching criteria. RESULTS for at least 4.

Rk	Player	Count
1	Kirk Hinrich	6
2	D.J. Augustin	5
3	Chris Bosh	4
4	Taj Gibson	4
5	LeBron James	4
6	Courtney Lee	4
7	Joakim Noah	4
8	Zach Randolph	4

b. In 2013-14, in the regular season, game played in March, requiring Opponent Offensive Rebounds <= 10 and Opponent Field Goal Pct <= 0.35 and Minutes Played >= 24, sorted by most games in season matching criteria. RESULTS for at least 2.

Rk	Player	Count
1	David West	4
2	Pero Antic	2
3	Matt Barnes	2
4	Mike Conley	2
5	Reggie Jackson	2
6	Damian Lillard	2
7	Wesley Matthews	2
8	Joakim Noah	2
9	Russell Westbrook	2

c. In 2013-14, in the regular season, game played in March, requiring Defensive Rebounds >= 6 and Blocks >= 1 and Steals >= 1, sorted by most games matching criteria. RESULTS for at least 5.

Rk	Player	Count
1	Anthony Davis	9
2	Joakim Noah	9
3	DeMarcus Cousins	7
4	Chris Bosh	6
5	Al Jefferson	6
6	Carmelo Anthony	5
7	Nicolas Batum	5
8	Michael Carter-Williams	5
9	Kenneth Faried	5
10	Derrick Favors	5
11	Marcin Gortat	5
12	DeAndre Jordan	5
13	Kawhi Leonard	5
14	Greg Monroe	5

Source: www.basketball-reference.com. 

COMING SOON: PART 4: THE G.O.A.T of the 90's...