5. Jamal Crawford – Clippers Guard – 2012-13 Stats: 16.5 ppg, 37.6 3 pt percentage
Crawford is another one of the many exciting highlight inducing players on the Clippers roster. Unlike Griffinand Jordan, Crawford will amaze audiences below the rim with his array of isolations moves and flashy dribbling. Crawford is the ideal 6th man as he can heat up fast on the offensive end and carry an offense for stretches. He is definitely streaky but throughout his career, he has been more hot than cold. Can play both guard positions, but best suited as a scorer not a playmaker. Not the best defender, especially if he has to guard the bigger 2 guards in the league.
Apr 28, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol (16) shoots the ball during the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in game four of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
4. Pau Gasol – Lakers Forward/Center – 2012-13 Stats: 13.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.2 blocks per game
Ranking Pau was very tough because of the un-Pau like year that he just completed. A career 18 point and almost 52 percent shooter, Pau logged career lows in scoring at 13.7 per game and field goal percentage at 46.6 percent.
Much of the difficulties this season can be explained with him being riddled with injuries and trying to adapt to D’Antoni’s system that early on relegated Pau to shooting primarily from the perimeter and at one point coming in off the bench.
Some of Gasol’s reduced production is related to the fact that he is aging and as such, is in decline as a player. Even so, Gasol when being used properly is still a highly skilled post player, incredible passer and possess one of the highest IQs in basketball. Expect a significant jump in production from Pau this season with his return as the primary post option for the Lakers.
Tally
Lakers: 5 players
Clippers: 3 players