One thing we know is the task won’t be as daunting with Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Amar’e Stoudemire all deciding to hang up their NBA sneakers (Stoudemire is currently playing in the Israeli Basketball Premier League).
One thing we also know: Gasol will certainly have to pick up his play if he hopes to go back-to-back. Of course you’ll see from the statistics below that Gasol was far from the only player to mightily struggle last week.
Notes: Season statistics are through games of Nov. 3
Any player who turns 33 during the regular season can be added to the rankings.
1. Dwyane Wade (34 years old), Chicago Bulls
Last week’s stats: 3 games, 13.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.3 apg
Season stats: 15.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.8 apg
You know it’s a week to forget when our early leader averaged less than 14 points and still sits atop the mountain. On the bright side, Wade did go for double-figure scoring in all three games and chipped in 2.3 steals for the week. As Wade gets more comfortable with his new surroundings, we fully expect all the stats to head north.
2. Zach Randolph (35), Memphis Grizzlies
Last week’s stats: 4 games, 11.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 0.8 apg
Season stats: 13.2 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 0.8 apg
Coming off the bench this season, Randolph could see a dip in minutes, though he’ll remain one of the focal points on offense. Last week, the big man averaged just 19 minutes (including 10 in Tuesday’s loss) and an ugly 39.6 from the field. If not for Sunday’s 22-point performance on 10-for-16 shooting, Randolph would’ve fallen to the bottom of the list.
3. Tyson Chandler (33), Phoenix Suns
Last week’s stats: 4 games, 5.8 ppg, 13.3 rpg, 0.8 apg
Season stats: 6.2 ppg, 12.6 rpg, 0.6 apg
When it comes to Chandler, what you see is what you get: elite rebounding and a sub-par offensive game. In fact, in his two 18-rebound games last week (you read that right), Chandler did it each time playing just 28 minutes. If he can stay healthy, Chandler may blow away last season’s 8.7 rebounds per game.
4. Kyle Korver (35), Atlanta Hawks
Last week’s stats: 3 games, 11.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.7 apg
Season stats: 10.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.3 apg
Korver was on track for an even higher spot after going for 15 and 17 points. But then came Wednesday’s clanker in which he managed just three points on 1-for-6 shooting (all from beyond the arc) in a loss to the Lakers. Before that effort, Korver had shot 12-for-19 from the field and 8-for-12 on 3-pointers.
5. Jameer Nelson (34), Denver Nuggets
Last week’s stats: 3 games, 11.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.3 apg
Season stats: 10.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3.3 apg
After starting the week with a pedestrian six points in 15 minutes, Nelson picked it up with back-to-back double-figure scoring efforts while seeing the court for at least 22 minutes in both games. Nelson’s success (like most players) is tied to playing time, which will likely be sporadic this season.
6. Pau Gasol (36), San Antonio Spurs
Last week’s stats: 3 games, 12.3 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 3.3 apg
Season stats: 9.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.4 apg
Like Wade, Gasol may still be getting used to his new surroundings in San Antonio. In fact, the big man probably turned in the best game of anyone on the list with his 20 and 11 showing Sunday. His title defense may have started sluggish, but we fully expect Gasol to be in the top three by Thanksgiving.
7. Nene (34), Houston Rockets
Last week’s stats: 3 games, 10.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.3 apg
Season stats: 9.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.5 apg
Averaging just under 22 minutes a game, Nene scored in double figures in two of three games. In those two games, the veteran missed just one shot, going 9-for-10. Of course we’d like to see more work on the boards, as Nene has yet to snatch more than five rebounds in a game.
8. Joe Johnson (35), Utah Jazz
Last week’s stats: 4 games, 9.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.5 apg
Season stats: 13.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.4 apg
Shooting from the field was a bit off (38.5), but Johnson was on target from beyond the arc (42.9), connecting on at least two treys in two of his four games. For good measure, Johnson has added at least one steal in three consecutive games. He’s also chipped in with four or more assists in two straight.
9. Jamal Crawford (36), LA Clippers
Last week’s stats: 3 games, 10.7 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 2.3 apg
Season stats: 11.8 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.0 apg
After turning in three straight double-figuring scoring efforts, Crawford managed just six points on 3-for-11 shooting, including 0-for-4 from beyond the arc. In fact, for the season, Crawford is just 1-for-13 on 3-pointers. Considering he’s a career 34.8 shooter from long range, we expect that to turn around quick.
10. Matt Barnes (36), Sacramento Kings
Last week’s stats: 4 games, 7.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.8 apg
Season stats: 7.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.2 apg
Barnes started the week looking like a shoo-in for top-five inclusion with back-to-back double-figure scoring games. But he quickly hit the skids. Equally surprising was the fact that after four straight games of 23 or more minutes, Barnes got on the court for just nine minutes in Thursday’s loss to Orlando.
Just missed the cut: Beno Udrih, Vince Carter, Channing Frye, Dirk Nowitzki
Will turn 33 this season: Andre Iguodala (Jan. 28), Zaza Pachulia (Feb. 10), Marcin Gortat (Feb. 17), Sasha Vujacic (March 8), Chris Bosh (March 24), C.J. Watson (April 17)
