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 Spurs/Pistons game.
The Spurs are a perfect 3-0 and averaging 114.7 points over the last eight days when Danny Green makes shots outside the three point line than inside it. They lost the lone game in which he made more deuces, scoring only 85 points in that game.
Damian Lillard and Klay Thompson are two of the three players with at least 150 3PM this season. Marco Belinelli has more games with at least three made triples over the last 16 days (four) than Lillard and Thompson have combined for (three).
For the first time in nearly six weeks, the Spurs won a game in which Tim Duncan failed to reach his season average in points (16) and rebounds (10).
Speaking of The Big Fundamental, he has now made eight consecutive free throws, not missing a free throw in either of his last two games. It's been more than 13 months since he went at least two games with more than eight free throws made without a miss.
Patty Mills is averaging 19.5 points in the Spurs last eight wins, but only 8.3 points in their last eight losses.
Boris Diaw has totaled at least four rebounds or four assists in seven straight games on the heels of not doing so in eight of his previous ten games.
The Pistons are averaging 118 points in 2014 when Andre Drummond makes all of his free throw attempts, nearly 18 more points than they are averaging when he misses or does not attempt a free throw. Unfortunately, there have been fewer games of free throw perfection (two) than 20 rebound efforts (three).
Kyle Singler has made 25 three pointers in February, a huge improvement for a player who made only seven during the first month of the season.
Will Bynum is averaging 0.52 shots per minute over his last three games, a rate that is nearly Durant-ian (0.54 over that stretch).
The Pistons beat the Spurs on February 10th, then lost three in a row. They then beat Atlanta, and have currently lost three in a row. The theme? Greg Monroe had an efficient night from the field in the victory and followed it with three straight games in which his FG% declined.
The Pistons rank fourth in the league in total rebounds while the Spurs rank 25th, yet both teams totaled 37 in last night's contest.
