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NBA Week 8 Rewind: Don’t overlook the Spurs and Cavaliers

By Tom West

Dec 17, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) guards Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) guards Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 15, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams (52) collide during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams (52) collide during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Under-the-radar Players to Watch Next Week

Both these players have a huge part in the success of their respective teams, and both have been elevating their game lately.

Avery Bradley has quietly been having the best season of his career, and he’s been an integral part of the Celtics’ emergence as a top defensive team. As well as ranking 4th in the NBA in defensive efficiency (98), they have come up with multiple wins over contending teams, taken the Warriors to double overtime, and been a challenge to some of the best teams around the league. They’re better than their 14-13 record suggests, and Bradley is an important reason why.

With career-highs in points (15.4), field goal percentage (45), three point percentage (40.8), steals (1.6), and PER (14.5), he’s improved his game across the board. In terms of his defensive ability, he’s been a major piece in allowing the Celtics to rank second in steals per game (10) and challenge opposing shooters so well. Bradley forces opponents to shoot 5.6 percent worse from three and 4.5 percent worse from the floor overall (per NBA.com), and is easily one of the best defenders Boston have.

When Bradley’s shot is falling and he’s hitting shots off the dribble, he’s one of their best go-to scorers. He isn’t at that level in terms of shot creation or consistency, but besides Isaiah Thomas, he’s one of the Celtics’ best options on the wing when they need a basket. That improvement and his defense can play a key role in the team’s development going forward.

DeMar DeRozan has seriously started to heat up recently. His Toronto Raptors have still been inconsistent, yet they’ve been able to count on DeRozan to help carry the offense with his improved mid-range game and constant trips to the free throw line. Over his last seven games, DeRozan has averaged 27 points on 48.5 percent shooting. He had back-to-back 30-points games against the Hornets and Heat last week, and is now up to 22.6 points per game for the season.

The problem with DeRozan’s offensive game has always been his shot selection and limited range, which is certainly still an issue at times. He’s made a mere 9 three pointers this season, which just so happens to be even less than rookie center Karl-Anthony Towns (10). It’s only 1 three less, but still. A three point game is almost absent from DeRozan’s skill set, and he’s often taken too many long twos. That being said, this season he’s improving. He’s taking less shots from 16 feet than ever and is shooting a career-high 43.4 percent from 10-16 feet. Add on another career-high of 7.1 made free throws per game, and it’s clear he’s making a real impact alongside All-Star Kyle Lowry.

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