Friday Roundtable: NBA Playoff's Most Surprising Player

Nate Robinson has stepped up into the spotlight and has taken full advantage of added minutes, but is he the most surprising player of the NBA postseason? (chicagotribune.com)

BDD's Friday Roundtable is a weekly discussion among a group of our writers on a trending NBA or college basketball topic.

This week's question: Who has been the most surprising player of the NBA Playoffs thus far?

Alex:
Klay Thompson.

His 34 points and 14 rebounds in game two of the Golden State Warriors' series against San Antonio was unexpected, to say the least. Thompson was a known shooter going into it, but hitting eight of nine 3-point attempts as the secondary guard to the NBA's current top long bomber makes waves. Thompson's singularly spectacular performance will garner him more defensive attention from a Spurs team already struggling to find solutions for the matchup problems presented by the younger Warriors. The problems are only going to increase exponentially when the teams meet in Oracle Arena and the Oakland crowd adds to a game of traded baskets with a downpour of rising decibels.

The Spurs have played from behind for the vast majority of two games in San Antonio, one in which Thompson exploded. They now have to deal with a passionate fan base, which Greg Popovich will ensure his veteran-laden team will do. But will they find an answer for Thompson, let alone Stephen Curry? Maybe one, but probably not the other, and Thompson is just as able to fill the bucket if need be.

Kyle:
Nate Robinson has been grabbing a lot of the headlines during the Chicago Bulls' injury-riddled playoff run, and for a good reason. He is the Bulls MVP of the postseason thus far. Robinson is accruing major minutes somewhat by default, with Derrick Rose and Kirk Hinrich both out, but he has taken full advantage.

Yet while he is playing better offensively than usual, this is somewhat expected of Robinson, whose athleticism and scoring ability has been proven before, which is why he has been able to stay in the league, as undersized as he is, for seven years.

He has a teammate whose contribution has been much needed and more surprising: Jimmy Butler. Butler, only in his second year in the league, has been a role player all season, averaging 8.6 points per game and four rebounds. But Butler has turned it up in the postseason, especially after a few bad games in game two and three of the Brooklyn series. Butler has averaged 12.4 ppg this postseason (a better postseason average than both Marco Belinelli and Joakim Noah), scoring in double figures in five of the nine games. Butler had the best game of the postseason in game one against the Heat, scoring 21 points and grabbing 14 rebounds (he's only 6-foot-7). The Bulls have shown their trust in Butler, extending his minutes from 26 per game in the regular season to 38.7 this postseason, and Butler has not disappointed.


Shawn: 
The most surprising performance for me in this postseason for my money has come in a very, very small package.

Nate Robinson, in the absence of Derrick Rose, has helped lead the Bulls to a totally unpredictable matchup with the hands-down favorite Miami Heat. His performance against the Brooklyn Nets (34 points, 23 in the fourth quarter) was as clutch as it could get for the Bulls, who, while they have several very strong role players, are in need of having a guy they can go to down the stretch when the need a big shot. In the first game against the Heat, Robinson had another stellar performance, racking up 27 points and nine assists.

The Bulls are going to need him again, especially after getting run over in their last match up with Miami. It should be fun to see if Robinson can step up and keep on surprising.

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Chicago Bulls Keep Finding A Way Around Injury Obstacles

Injuries have completely changed the look of the Bulls since November, but it hasn't stopped Chicago's winning as the Bulls steal game one from Miami Monday. (usatoday.com)

A team defeated the Miami Heat in game one of the Eastern Conference semifinals Monday. It looked like the 2012-13 Chicago Bulls only because of the red "Chicago" uniform donned by the players, but this isn't the same Bulls team that has played most of the season.

Forget about the injury bug, the Bulls look like they've been attacked by a swarm of injury-inducing bees. It was thought of as a surprise that Chicago made it out of the first round. Now, this team wearing those uniforms beat the best team in the league, in Miami, by seven points. No Derrick Rose, no Luol Deng, no Kirk Hinrich, and apparently no problem.

How bad have the injuries been? Just take a look at the box scores from Monday's game against Miami and the first game of the regular season against Sacramento on Oct. 31. Both Bulls teams scored 93 points and held the opponent to 86 and 87 points, respectfully, but it was a completely different squad getting the job done.

Monday:

ESPN.com

October 31:

ESPN.com

Only Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer remain from what was the starting lineup of the regular season opener. The rest is a cast of role players called upon to fill a void left by spinal taps and bruised calves. Credit these players, the Marco Belinelli's, Nate Robinson's and the Jimmy Butler's who are on the team to provide an extra boost off the bench when needed. They were needed more than ever and delivered once again, Butler with a double-double of 21 points and 14 rebounds, Robinson with a team high 27 points and Belinelli with 10 points and seven rebounds.

Credit is also due to Tom Thibodeau and the Bulls' front office for signing and developing these players for situations like these. No one would have faulted Thibodeau for being ousted in the first round with all the personnel problems he has had to deal with this season. No one also would have seen these injuries coming, which is why a team works so hard on it's roster in the offseason. Just in case.

The Bulls have talent, which is why if Rose and the other normal starters were healthy, many would consider Chicago the best chance to upset the Heat. But there is a reason an NBA team has 15 players on the roster. The superstars won't always be in the game, and the bench is often called on to keep the team alive.

Except for the uniforms, this is not the same Chicago Bulls team from the beginning of the year, but the role players have done more than expected and Wednesday a team wearing that Chicago jersey will face Miami with a 1-0 series lead.


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Jamal Crawford Is Using Street Ball-Style Play to Succeed in NBA

Jamal Crawford is playing his best basketball right now for the Clippers. (nba.com)

Jamal Crawford is having a coming out party for the Clippers in LA.

His numbers are up across the board. His field goal percentage is the highest it’s ever been in his 13-year career. He’s been lethal from behind the arc and at the charity stripe. The only time he averaged more points per game, he also averaged 12 more minutes per game. And he only averaged one measly point more per contest.

Crawford has had six games where he’s scored 20 or more points off the bench this year for the Clippers. However, the most impressive aspect of Crawford’s exploits this season is how he’s achieved these numbers; playing a street ball-style of basketball that has left some of the NBA’s elite icing sore ankles and egos.

On November 7, The Clippers were taking on a then-undefeated San Antonio Spurs team. Crawford had been quiet throughout the night, shooting just 3-7 from the floor and finishing with 10 points for the game. However, while the match did feature impressive highlight reel dunks from Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, Crawford would have the most memorable moment in the contest.

With 30 seconds left in the game and LA looking to run out the clock, Crawford took the ball out to the right wing, guarded closely by Spurs rookie guard Nando de Colo. Colo acted aggressively towards Crawford, seemingly wanting to prove himself as a good defender who plays till the final horn.

Bad idea. Admirable, but still a bad idea.

Crawford took a few steps back, drawing Colo to him. Then, in a “watch what I can do” moment, Crawford bounced the ball between Colo’s legs, drove to the hoop, took the foul and headed to the free throw line. Colo stumbled, backpedaled, threw his arms back, searching for an imaginary support, and fell to the court.

Ankles twisted? Check. Tailbone sore? Check. Ego bruised? Absolutely. Lesson learned? Without question.

Crawford has always had a street ball-style of play and broken many more accomplished ankles in the NBA than Colo’s. Proficient defenders such as Kirk Hinrich, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Metta World Peace, Rudy Gay and many more have fallen to Crawford’s handles. However, because of his increased efficiency shooting the ball (practice, anyone?) and his overall numbers at career highs, Crawford’s been more effective and exciting than ever before. 

However, Crawford is not the first street baller to excel at the professional level. For years, fans of basketball have been enthralled with the exaggerated crossovers, the no-look passes, and general showmanship that comes from a street-ball style. The NBA has been fortunate enough to have a few players translate their game from the playground to the court and there are a few notable names that have come through the league.

Let’s go down the list:

First up, Jason “White Chocolate” Williams. His numbers, while not overwhelming, are those of a solid point guard in the NBA. Williams finished up his career with 10 points and six assists per game and a knack for finding himself on the highlight reel for either a crazy crossover or a no-look pass. Williams consistently gave crowds and opponents exhibitions on ball handling. Even famed defender Gary “The Glove” Payton fell to the handles of Williams. While he was healthy, Williams was certainly an above average player in the league.

Next, Stephon “Starbury” Marbury. At the peak of his career, Marbury was one of the better point guards in the NBA, putting up 20 points and eight assists per game. Marbury was known for a devastating crossover and array of moves that left many opponents scratching their heads, wondering if what they’d seen had actually occurred or was simply a figment of their imaginations. There’s no denying that during his time in the league, Marbury was a true spectacle of street-style basketball.

Who could forget Rafer “Skip to my Lou” Alston? While his time on the court was inconsistent, Alston still managed to have solid career, putting up decent numbers and spectacular highlights. Unfortunately, Alston is probably best known for taking a shot at sharpshooter Eddie House. However, Alston also had the ability to break a defender down and leave them in the dust on his way to the hoop.  Don’t believe me? Ask Dwayne Wade.

Then there’s always J.R. Smith. While his defense leaves something to be desired, Smith has shown to be a very good offensive threat off the bench. He has incredible athleticism, as displayed through his participation in the 2005 dunk contest. While he's been criticized at times for shooting too much, when he’s on, Smith has the ability to really pour it on from downtown. His crossover is nothing to sneer at either.

I couldn’t overlook Nate Robinson, could I? (It’s a height joke.) A 5’9" sparkplug of energy off the bench, Robinson has stunned audiences over the years with his athletic ability, primarily in the dunk contest. No one will ever forget Robinson’s aerial assaults on the hoop over fellow little man Spud Webb and big man Dwight Howard en route to two dunk contest championships. He can also give defenses headaches with his jump shot and ball handling ability.

Who’s number one, you ask? Well here’s “The Answer.” Despite being an undersized guard, Allen “The Answer” Iverson was one of the most prolific scorers the NBA has ever had, putting up 27 points per game. He also affected the game in a big way on defense; collecting two steals a game for his career. While no one will accuse Iverson of being unselfish, he did manage to put up good assist numbers (six per game) along with his scoring. While, unlike Crawford, Iverson never learned the importance of practice, he did make the greatest player to ever walk on an NBA court look like Chevy Chase opening for SNL with his devastating crossover.


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