It's been a month since teams were allowed to sign available free agents to a playoff-hoping roster, and five weeks since last February's trade deadline. That's a good enough sample size, for us at least, to check in with the more significant movers to see how they've acclimated.
Understand that most of these breakdowns come predicated on per-minute, and pace-adjusted stats, which allow us to more easily compare players switching to teams with disparate styles of play, or roles that either pump up their ability to add stats, or dull their per game offerings. So don't get after me with the, "his assists have actually gone down, genius"-comments. Per-minute, pace-adjusted. Percentages, and all that.
Also, watching heaps of games.
Click the jump for the Eastern Conference.
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
After accounting for pace, and per-minute, Anthony has been a mirror image of his Denver self in New York over the past month. His 3-point shooting has gone up, as have his attempts, but he's shooting about the same amount of shots overall and playing the same way. Clearly, the Knicks have adjusted to him rather than the other way around, and with New York running up a 9-12 record with Anthony on board (the team was 27-26 on his arrival), this might not be a good thing.
Murphy is only averaging just over 10 minutes per game in Boston, but his shooting percentages have popped up as he's worked his way into shape. With Nenad Krstic potentially hurt, the C's are going to have to rely on Murphy to improve his game and stroke and potentially play long stretches at center.
Chauncey Billups, New York Knicks
As with his travel partner in Carmelo Anthony, Billups' overall stats have been about the same in New York as they were in Denver. The on-paper difference lies in his decreased 3-point percentage (in the low 30s, after registering in the 40s in Colorado). The on-court difference is coming in his increased reliance on late-game threes early in the shot clock. This had been a problem in Denver and Detroit over the last few years, but this isn't just a case of the big stage shining a big light on a big problem. Billups has gotten worse with his shot selection late in games, and it may have cost New York a few close wins.
Anthony Carter, New York Knicks
Carter's play has improved slightly in New York and he remains a good enough defender. But he's still the sort of player who has commentators gushing over his every supposedly heady play while they ignore his skyrocketing amount of turnovers and terrible shooting.
What's shocking is that Hinrich as a Hawk has almost completely mirrored Mike Bibby's 2010-11 production when he was in Atlanta. The one thing that Bibby was supposed to have on Hinrich, outside shooting, hasn't fallen off -- both have shot 44 percent as Hawks. The same goes for turnover and assist rates. Hinrich's defense is far superior to Bibby's as well, so if his shooting keeps up, this will have been a good deal for Atlanta.
Mike Bibby, Miami Heat
Stepped right in, and stepped it up. Bibby isn't using up as many possessions with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade running the show in Miami, but he's taking care of the ball, giving the Heat options on the break, and he's still shooting the heck out of the ball. Bibby is making over 49 percent of his 3-pointers in Miami.
Jordan Crawford, Washington Wizards
Crawford was an afterthought in Atlanta, but while his per game stats might be impressive as a member of the Wizards (15.9 points per game), this is where per-minute stats need to be brought into the equation. We admire his hustle and spark, especially in comparison to his laconic Wizards teammates, but Crawford has used 15.8 shots per game to get his 15.9 points per game, shooting 38 percent along the way. These stats aren't far off from the per-minute stats he came through with as a benchwarmer in Atlanta. Still, the talent and drive is there. When Crawford has it going, he's fun to watch
Baron Davis, Cleveland Cavaliers
In limited spurts, Davis has played at an All-Star level for Cleveland, mainly because his 3-point stroke (at nearly 47 percent with the Cavaliers) has risen to the amount of treys he's been shooting for years. Should Davis' long range stroke return to its career level of 32 percent, don't expect those 5.6 attempts per game to be looked upon so kindly. Davis has missed time due to a lingering knee injury, along with some unfortunate personal commitments, but here's hoping he's turned a corner in Ohio.
Deron Williams, New Jersey Nets
It was a whirlwind first few weeks as a member of the Nets for Williams as he embarked on a Western trip soon after his deal, and then a trip to London for a pair of games against the Raptors. Williams hasn't been healthy, his shooting has suffered, and he's averaging just 39 percent from the floor. Worse, he hasn't been able to turn Francisco Elson into Carlos Boozer. Silly him.
Jeff Green, Boston Celtics
The former Thunder forward has raised his 3-point shooting to a 40 percent mark, which is nice, but his rebounding has fallen even further off. Green is pulling in just 6.6 percent of all available rebounds as a Celtic, and that's a terrible mark for a shooting guard -- much less a combo forward like Green. By comparison, John Wall and Derrick Rose are averaging a percentage along those lines this season. I suppose he's a good enough defender should the Celtics find themselves matched up against LeBron James in a few months, but this remains a curious trade for Boston.
Nenad Krstic, Boston Celtics
Before going down with what is looking more and more like a season-ending knee injury on Thursday, Krstic was enjoying a typical season as a new member of the Celtics. Ten points and six rebounds for the veteran, and his defense (to these eyes) was good.
Jared Jeffries, New York Knicks
Nothing. Jared Jeffries has done absolutely nothing.
Later Friday afternoon? The Western Conference.
Charles Barkley Rick Barry Elgin Baylor Dave Bing Larry Bird
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