Players Trending In The Right and Wrong Directions
Disclaimer: If the quality of this blog is below average, blame Seattle hotel Wi-fi
Despite there being four games last night, we had some crazy performances. From don’t google me once again cooking Boston to the emergence of Jalen Smith in Phoenix, I think it’s a good time to look at some trends.
Trends tell us why a player is either struggling or booming. It’s fun to investigate such trends, trying to crack the case as to why this is happening. Since it’s so fun, that’s the whole topic of today’s article. Here are five players trending in the right/wrong directions.
Honorable Mention
Evan “Don’t Google Me” Fournier (One Game)
41.0 points / 8.0 rebounds / 60% FG / 10.0 3-PM / still don’t google him
Evan Fournier is averaging 35.0 points on 54% 3-PT shooting against the Celtics this season. The Knicks have to find a way to trick Fournier into thinking he’s playing the Celtics every night.
Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry’s 2021 season was the stuff of legends. That combination of scoring, shooting, and efficiency is something that only Curry can do. To expect Curry to have that type of season again would be unrealistic. It’s just not possible for someone to be that good.
However, for the past month, Steph Curry has been slumping. His brand of basketball is supposed to attract more inefficiency than it does. When you shoot 10+ 3’s per game, you should be turning into Michael Adams, not the greatest shooter ever.
We can’t blame Curry’s recent struggles on his chase for Ray Allen’s 3-PT record anymore. Over the last 15 games, Curry has looked human;
15 games / 25.5 points / 3.7 TO / 13.5 3-PTA / 36% 3-PT / 55% TS / 10-5 Record
The Warriors are still winning, but Curry’s struggles haven’t been the reason for their success. He’s shot 50%+ from the field just twice over the past month. He hasn’t been himself in a while. The biggest reason for his struggles is simple;
Curry Isn’t As Good With Defenders Around Him
NBA.com defines tight defense as when a defender is 2-4 feet away. Curry has been good in tight coverage this season. That same can’t be said over his last 15 games;
| Stephen Curry In Tight Coverage In 2022 | Stephen Curry In Tight Coverage Over The Last 15 Games |
| 47% FG (8.0 FGA) 43% 3-PT (3.2 3PA) | 42% FG (8.1 FGA) 32% 3-PT (3.9 3PA) |
We’ve become used to what Curry can do with a hand in his face. His ability to make tough, contested shots is like no other. It’s only normal to see a slight dip in these numbers. I don’t think it’s something to be concerned about, but I think it’s something to monitor.
I don’t think Curry’s slump is anything to worry about. Not only are the Warriors still winning, Curry is one of the best players the game has ever seen. Expect a stretch of 40+ point games soon.
Curry’s 2022 has been a drop in production, but his numbers are still superb for mere mortals. Curry has redefined what it means to be a great shooter, so to see him in a slump is weird. His standard of greatness makes an All-NBA caliber season look like a drop in production.
This slump shows us all how good Steph Curry has been over the past seven years.
Jalen Smith
Jalen Smith was the 10th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. With the Suns needing a backup center, they took a reach on the Maryland big guy. Smith’s rookie season was catastrophic for numerous reasons.
For one, the Suns became contenders. Smith’s development became far less important as the Suns ended up being two wins away from the franchise’s first title.
For another, Smith was overtaken by veterans. Namely, Dario Saric was more consistent and dependable. That all culminated with Smith playing just 27 games as a rookie. To make matters worse, with the 11th pick, the Kings took Tyrese Haliburton. Ouch.
Through Covid and injuries, the Suns have been razor-thin down low this season. Dario Saric remains out recovering from his ACL tear in the Finals. Deandre Ayton has missed considerable time with numerous ailments. Javale McGee and Frank Kaminsky have been good, but both are currently out.
Enter Jalen Smith. The second-year forward has gotten the first meaningful minutes of his career. He’s making sure they’re not the last.
Jalen Smith In The Last 6 Games
15.8 points / 10.2 rebounds / 1.0 blocks / 64% TS
Smith has been great for the Suns. He’s worked well with Chris Paul in the pick-and-roll. He’s displayed some semblance of an outside shot, hitting five threes in six games. The Suns’ starting lineup of Paul, Booker, Cam Johnson, Bridges, and Smith has been a +4.3 over the last four games.
Smith is making an impact, a reason for him to be on the floor. When Chris Paul is posting your posterizing dunks on Instagram, you’re doing something right.
The Suns have been hit hard with Covid, but Smith has helped keep the ship afloat. He’s done everything the Suns have asked him to do. He’s showing why they drafted him, making the pick seem more defensible by the day.
(Tyrese Haliburton coming off the bench would have been nice, though)
Kevin Love
Kevin Love’s career looked dead just last season. After Lebron left, Love was the last piece from a team that won the 2016 title. Love was getting paid like he was in his prime when he was entering his thirties. The Cavs were looking to rebuild, but they couldn’t move Love’s massive contract.
Love was indifferent. He would show his attitude on the bench and even on the court. It was a far cry from the Love that was an All-Star just a few seasons ago. This season was supposed to be no different than the last. While the Cavs continued to build for the future, Love would collect dust on the side.
Fortunately, that has not been true. The Cavs’ surprise season has coincided with Kevin Love turning back the clock.
Kevin Love Over The Past 14 Games
19.2 points – 8.0 rebounds – 48% 3-PT – 8.4 3PA – +4.9 plus/minus
Love fits into the Cavs’ love for size. He’s on pace for the best shooting season of his long career. Not even fat, Minnesota Kevin Love could fathom these numbers.
On a Cavs team with a weak bench, Love has been a consistent option. He’s great as a trailer in transition. He’s been shooting 4.4 free throws per game over this 14 game heater, a sign of more aggressiveness. He looks happy, happy that his Cavs are breaking through once more.
Is this sustainable? Probably not. Is this fun? Yes.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
If inconsistency were a player, it would be NAW. Alexander-Walker is a talented scoring guard who gets consistent minutes for the Pelicans in his third season. But the part-time starter, for the life of him, can’t find a steady level of play.
For someone as talented as he is, it’s surprising. Walker can score at all three levels well. Even with a career-high in minutes and shots this season, the production has been disappointing.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over The Last 4 Games
9.5 points / 11.8 FGA / 32% FG / 7.0 3PA / 25% 3-PT
It’s safe to say those aren’t good numbers. Like all flame throwers, Walker is going through a tough stretch. Unlike other flamethrowers, he can’t seem to have good games more often than bad ones. Even after three years in the league (albeit with two coaches), Walker hasn’t found a great rhythm.
I’m not sure if he’s going to be with the Pelicans past his rookie contract. He’s talented but remains an enigma.
Brandon Clarke
After an amazing rookie season, the Gonzaga forward became an afterthought to Memphis during their playoff run. There is no denying his talent, but he fell out of a stacked rotation towards the end of the season. There were doubts in my mind if he’d ever recapture that rookie magic.
My doubts have been subdued. Similar to K-Love in Cleveland, Clarke’s quick rise has matched that of the Grizzlies, the surprise team of the season. Clarke has been getting consistent minutes, proving that Taylor Jenkins needs to give him more minutes.
Brandon Clarke Over The Last 7 Games
11.6 points / 5.7 rebounds / 70% FG / +1.3 plus/minus
Clarke’s athleticism and versatility make him a great partner to Ja Morant. He’s a lob threat, someone who can roam the baseline or play in the pick-and-roll. He has a Richuan Holmes-like floater that he pulls out from time to time.
Over the past 7 games, Morant and Clarke have played in 51 minutes together. The duo is a +34 in those minutes.
Clarke’s talent is undeniable. The defense leaves some to be desired, but I think he gives Memphis more spark than the sturdy Xavier Tillman. He works well with Morant, provides some energy, and is a key piece to a loaded Memphis bench. There’s no reason Clarke should struggle for minutes the rest of the way.
Do You Think These Trends Will Continue? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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