duncan228
04-10-2008, 10:08 AM
Something positive among the doom and gloom. :)
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=8206
Five Hottest Power Forwards
By: Yannis Koutroupis
It's almost necessary to put a disclaimer on this article because some feelings are surely to be hurt as there are so many power forwards playing great basketball right now in the closing stretch of the regular season. In this list we'll highlight five power forwards who are playing a big role as their teams make the final push for positioning in the playoffs. Being absent from this list isn't an indication of poor play; it simply means that the power forward position is the deepest in the league right now. To illustrate our point, here are the five hottest power forwards in the league right now:
Carlos Boozer, Utah Jazz
Nobody is really talking about the Jazz right now, and they wouldn't have it any other way as Stephen Litel points out. In the ultra-tight west the Jazz are currently in fourth and are coming off a complete drumming of the San Antonio Spurs, who were on an eight game winning streak, and the even hotter New Orleans Hornets. March was Boozer's most efficient month of the season as he shot 60% from the field while averaging 22 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists a game. His numbers have tailed off in the beginning of April, but Boozer's consistent production of 20 and 10 this season is one of the main reason's why the Jazz are a team nobody wants to play come later this month.
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
He's not going to get very much consideration for MVP this year, but the Spurs are once again near the top of the Western Conference and Tim Duncan has put together yet another huge year with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and just under two blocks a game. The steady, silent leader of the Spurs role has not changed a bit and going into the playoffs the Spurs are still widely considered the favorite thanks to the experience they have and the big fundamental. The debacle against Utah aside, Duncan and the Spurs as a whole look geared up and ready to get the repeat championship that has eluded them in years past.
Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
You cannot say enough about the change in mentality that occurred with this Boston team when Kevin Garnett became a Celtic. The impact he has had on this team goes beyond anything that any statistics or awards could ever show. Garnett's numbers are down a bit from where they were in Minnesota, but the Celtics have the best record in the NBA and look poised to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. A championship is the only thing missing from Garnett's impressive resume. He knows this is his best chance to win it all and he isn't going to let it pass by without giving it everything he has, while getting the best out of him teammates as well.
David West, New Orleans Hornets
Rafer Alston, are you a believer yet? David West's play has continued to turn everyone into believers and make it impossible not to mention his name when talking about the best power forwards in the NBA. Everyone has waited for West, along with the New Orleans team as a whole, to come down from the incredible level that they are playing at, but it simply has not happened and West is a big reason why. The Xavier product was good for 23 points and nine boards a game in March thanks to his reliable offensive arsenal that doesn't just consist of that smooth, automatic mid-range jumper. David West didn't come to mind immediately when thinking of the best power forwards in the league before this year, but he certainly does now – and will for years to come.
Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns
Everyone has benefitted from playing with Shaquille O'Neal throughout his career, but probably none more than Amare Stoudemire has in their short time together. Since the arrival of O'Neal and being moved back to his natural position Amare has been a flat-out terror offensively. With teams still being forced to double down on O'Neal at times Amare has found himself more open than he has ever been in his career – and that's really saying something considering that he's been teammates with Steve Nash for four seasons now. The Suns are far from a championship team defensively, but behind Amare's and the rest of the Suns explosive offensive capabilities they will be in every game.
Honorable mentions have to go out to Chris Bosh, Antawn Jamison, and Lamar Odom. No power forward averaged more rebounds a game in March than Odom did. His play since Pau Gasol has been simply inspired. Because the Raptors and Wizards are not viewed as championship contenders their star forwards tend to go overlooked, but their numbers are close, if not better to every player on the list above.
Also excluded from this list due to the lack of games played in April is Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki's toughness throughout his entire career has been questioned but with the Mavericks on the verge of missing the playoffs Dirk returned earlier than advised from a knee/ankle injury to help secure their spot in the playoffs. The Maverick's leader has stepped up in a big way in the last push, making it hard for even his biggest doubters to question his durability and desire to win.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=8206
Five Hottest Power Forwards
By: Yannis Koutroupis
It's almost necessary to put a disclaimer on this article because some feelings are surely to be hurt as there are so many power forwards playing great basketball right now in the closing stretch of the regular season. In this list we'll highlight five power forwards who are playing a big role as their teams make the final push for positioning in the playoffs. Being absent from this list isn't an indication of poor play; it simply means that the power forward position is the deepest in the league right now. To illustrate our point, here are the five hottest power forwards in the league right now:
Carlos Boozer, Utah Jazz
Nobody is really talking about the Jazz right now, and they wouldn't have it any other way as Stephen Litel points out. In the ultra-tight west the Jazz are currently in fourth and are coming off a complete drumming of the San Antonio Spurs, who were on an eight game winning streak, and the even hotter New Orleans Hornets. March was Boozer's most efficient month of the season as he shot 60% from the field while averaging 22 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists a game. His numbers have tailed off in the beginning of April, but Boozer's consistent production of 20 and 10 this season is one of the main reason's why the Jazz are a team nobody wants to play come later this month.
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
He's not going to get very much consideration for MVP this year, but the Spurs are once again near the top of the Western Conference and Tim Duncan has put together yet another huge year with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and just under two blocks a game. The steady, silent leader of the Spurs role has not changed a bit and going into the playoffs the Spurs are still widely considered the favorite thanks to the experience they have and the big fundamental. The debacle against Utah aside, Duncan and the Spurs as a whole look geared up and ready to get the repeat championship that has eluded them in years past.
Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
You cannot say enough about the change in mentality that occurred with this Boston team when Kevin Garnett became a Celtic. The impact he has had on this team goes beyond anything that any statistics or awards could ever show. Garnett's numbers are down a bit from where they were in Minnesota, but the Celtics have the best record in the NBA and look poised to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. A championship is the only thing missing from Garnett's impressive resume. He knows this is his best chance to win it all and he isn't going to let it pass by without giving it everything he has, while getting the best out of him teammates as well.
David West, New Orleans Hornets
Rafer Alston, are you a believer yet? David West's play has continued to turn everyone into believers and make it impossible not to mention his name when talking about the best power forwards in the NBA. Everyone has waited for West, along with the New Orleans team as a whole, to come down from the incredible level that they are playing at, but it simply has not happened and West is a big reason why. The Xavier product was good for 23 points and nine boards a game in March thanks to his reliable offensive arsenal that doesn't just consist of that smooth, automatic mid-range jumper. David West didn't come to mind immediately when thinking of the best power forwards in the league before this year, but he certainly does now – and will for years to come.
Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns
Everyone has benefitted from playing with Shaquille O'Neal throughout his career, but probably none more than Amare Stoudemire has in their short time together. Since the arrival of O'Neal and being moved back to his natural position Amare has been a flat-out terror offensively. With teams still being forced to double down on O'Neal at times Amare has found himself more open than he has ever been in his career – and that's really saying something considering that he's been teammates with Steve Nash for four seasons now. The Suns are far from a championship team defensively, but behind Amare's and the rest of the Suns explosive offensive capabilities they will be in every game.
Honorable mentions have to go out to Chris Bosh, Antawn Jamison, and Lamar Odom. No power forward averaged more rebounds a game in March than Odom did. His play since Pau Gasol has been simply inspired. Because the Raptors and Wizards are not viewed as championship contenders their star forwards tend to go overlooked, but their numbers are close, if not better to every player on the list above.
Also excluded from this list due to the lack of games played in April is Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki's toughness throughout his entire career has been questioned but with the Mavericks on the verge of missing the playoffs Dirk returned earlier than advised from a knee/ankle injury to help secure their spot in the playoffs. The Maverick's leader has stepped up in a big way in the last push, making it hard for even his biggest doubters to question his durability and desire to win.