Looking at a box score is something anyone can do. Who lead my team in scoring? How'd we shoot from the field? And while that knowledge is useful, does it really earn you bonus points around the water cooler?
That's why I'm here. Sure, you know that Kevin Durant had a historic January and you might even be able to recall the number of consecutive 30-plus performances, but that's not "new" information. It is the same information that is broadcast on TV and radio shows across the globe. But did you know KD had more 30 point, five assist, five rebound games in the month of January than Paul George and LeBron James had combined for up to that point http://www.hickory-high.com/?p=11937 ? Tid bits like have the ability to separate you from the pack and make you the smartest fan in every room you enter.
It is that reason why I'm bringing you S.W.I.M: Statistics Worth Increased Media. Let Joe from accounting regurgitate what he heard on the way in this morning; you're better than that. Use these nuggets to gain further insight to your favorite team and amaze those you discuss the NBA with. Without further adieu, here is your morning SWIM for last night's Mavericks/Pelicans game.
Anthony Davis departed last night's loss to the Mavericks with a shoulder sprain, but not before he attempted nine shots from the field. His 0.69 shots per minute were of his NBA career.
The Pelicans have dropped of three of the last four road games in which Brian Roberts has made at least six field goals, but they have won three straight home games in which the reserve guard has done so.
Despite ranking 18th in first quarter points, the Pelicans managed to beat the Mavericks (the second highest scoring first quarter team and fourth best in terms of first quarter scoring margin) by seven points. It was the second quarter once again (only Cleveland, Sacramento, and Philadelphia have a worse scoring differential in the second stanza) that doomed the road team, as they trailed by six heading into the locker rooms.
Blind resume: both sets of numbers include all February games in which the player logged at least 12 minutes of action.
Player A: 27.8 points per 48 minutes on 52.2% shooting from the field and 13.4 rebounds per 48 minutes
Player B: 20.5 points per 48 minutes on 63.8% shooting from the field and 15.8 rebounds per 48 minutes
Austin Rivers didn't miss his fifth free throw of this season until December 11th, the Pelicans 20th game. He misfired on five of his six attempts last night in Dallas.
Dirk Nowitzki recorded two steals, his 18th multi steal effort since November 2nd. He recorded a total of 18 such games over the previous 30 months.
After going three months without winning a game in which Jose Calderon tallied at least five assists and no turnovers (0-4), the Mavericks have won two such games in three days.
Monta Ellis receives some criticism for his shoot first mentality, but there is no denying that the team does better when he feels comfortable taking every open look, even if the shots aren't falling. The Mavericks are 11-2 in 2014 when Ellis takes at least 15 shots, and he has shot over 50% from the field only once during that stretch (and it was in a losing effort).
Brandon Wright has two games over the last 14 months in which he has blocked multiple shots in the same game in which he was credited with multiple steals: both came in victories over the Pelicans.
Vince Carter scored 17 points in the 108-89 victory over New Orleans, giving him a season high 58 in the past three games. The last time he recorded at least 58 points in a three game stretch? April of last season, a run that included a 16 point effort in a 107-89 win over New Orleans.
Player A from above was rising star Anthony Davis. Player B? Alexis Ajinca, a player who has thrived as a result of an increased workload.
