As the NBA season races towards the playoffs, more and more
players are stepping up their game to get their teams locked in. The West is
far from decided, and there's still a fight for the last spot in the East. The
players I'm about to mention have had excellent seasons, but last week went
above and beyond anyone at their position. This week's top small forwards are:
Gold
Richard Jefferson, NJN: Richard Jefferson is joining teammate Vince
Carter get the Nets into the playoffs. Last week he averaged 23.5 points, 2.8
assists, 3.5 rebounds, one steal and three turnovers in 38.8 minutes. The Nets
are just 1.5 games back from the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference, right
behind the Atlanta Hawks. Jefferson has spent his entire career in New Jersey,
so he has yet to get a win. He wants it just as bad as Carter, so expect his
play to continue at this level. He will do whatever it takes to get the Nets in
the playoffs this season.
Silver
Carmelo Anthony, DEN: With Allen Iverson injured, Carmelo Anthony is
picking up the slack. Last week he averaged 24 points, 4.3 assists, 3.3
rebounds, 0.8 steals and 2.3 turnovers in 33.8 minutes. The Western Conference
is nowhere near decided for the playoffs, and Anthony is trying to make sure
the Nuggets get in. He has played excellent basketball all season, and that
won't change anytime soon. Iverson's finger is still on the mend, so Denver
will rely a lot on Melo to get them through, and he will deliver.
Bronze
LeBron James, CLE: Cleveland is pretty safely in the playoffs this
season, so Lebron is trying to make a statement. The Cavs were swept by the
Spurs in last season's NBA Championship, and he is not about to let that happen
again. Last week he averaged 30.2 points, 6.2 assists, 9.2 rebounds, one steal
and 2.6 turnovers in 41 minutes. He has been on this list all season, even when
I went looking for new faces and changed the way I looked at the stats. His
phenomenal play is not about to change. Ever.
That's it for this week; make sure you come back next week to see who else is
playing at the top of their position.
Center | Point Guard | Shooting Guard | Small Forward | Power Forward