Top Ten NBA Players in Los Angeles
By Fern Rea
7. Steve Nash – Lakers Point Guard – 2012-13 Stats: 12.7 ppg, 6.7 assist per game, 49.7 FG percentage
Nash will be 40 years old in February and his very slow decline in his ability is what drops him to 7th on this list. Despite his age, Nash was still productive and efficient when on the floor last year. Nash shot 49.7 percent from the field, 43.8 percent from 3 and 92.2 percent from the free throw line. Nash’s shooting efficiency last year would have been great for any perimeter player regardless of their stage in their career; they were outright amazing for a guy that just completed his 17th season in the league.
Another reason Nash drops on the list is his porous defense. Even in his younger days Nash was a poor perimeter defender; at his advanced age, his defense is abominable. In order for Nash to continue to be a factor and help the Lakers, he must continue to be the efficient offensive machine that he has been his whole career to offset his defensive shortcomings.
6. J.J. Reddick – Clippers Guard – 2012-13 Stats: 14.1 ppg, 3.8 assist per game, 36.6 3pt percentage
The Clippers significantly improved their spacing by picking up one of the best shooters in basketball in JJ Reddick this off-season. Reddick’s numbers came down a bit after he was traded last season to Milwaukee from Orlando; however, Reddick’s decline was due more to being in a bad situation with the gluttony of high volume shooters in Milwaukee than any type of regression in his game.
Reddick has one of the most fundamentally sound shots and quickest releases in the game. Reddick is a below average NBA athlete, but has improved his ball handling skills and his ability to create separation off the dribble since coming into the league. Still, Reddick isn’t a player that will see many isolation plays drawn up for him. Reddick will make his living and flourish coming off screens or spotting up which he will see a lot of playing along side Chris Paul.
Tally
Lakers: 4 players
Clippers: 2 players