by At this point in the NBA season, it becomes clear which teams and players are truly established.
Some of these established players seem to fail to get the recognition they deserve, such as Charlotte Hornets center Moussa Diabaté, Cleveland Cavaliers wing Jaylon Tyson, and Memphis Grizzlies guard Cam Spencer.
Diabaté Dominating With Supreme Athleticism
Moussa Diabaté has been a key factor in the Hornets’ six-game winning streak. The fourth-year big man is having career-highs across the board, specifically in points (8.5), rebounds (8.5), and field goal percentage (64.1%).
With his monstrous athleticism, he has been unstoppable on the offensive glass, averaging the fifth-most offensive rebounds per game among qualified players with 3.6.
Although his rim deterrence still has room to grow, he is phenomenal in open space, leaving himself as a tremendous defensive option against other athletic centers and forwards.
Moussa Diabaté’s spectacular play has been a revelation for the red-hot Charlotte Hornets.
Tyson Has Turned Into a Two-Way Stud
Tyson’s recent remarks after the Cavs’ win over the Los Angeles Lakers have overshadowed his stellar play this year. The sophomore phenom has continuously stepped up during Cleveland’s injury stretches.
He has become an elite shot maker, hitting over 46% of his threes. In his drastically increased role, he has been responsible for guarding many teams’ elite offensive players. He does a good job as the Cavs’ premier perimeter defender, holding opponents 3.6% under their average field goal percentage.
(Defensive stats via databallr.com)
Jaylon Tyson has taken full advantage of his increased role, becoming a future building block for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Spencer’s Stability Vital for Grizzlies
The second-year guard has been a bright spot for Memphis. Spencer’s excellent shooting has been the headline of his superb play.
Spencer’s shot efficiency is among the league’s best: 98th percentile at the three-point line, 83rd percentile at the mid-range, and 98th percentile in effective field goal percentage. Many of his shots come from off-ball movement or a pick-and-roll.
His incredible jumper is not the only thing Spencer has; he is also a great passer, averaging 8.4 assists per 36 minutes. It’s not very flashy, but his reliable decision-making leads to numerous good shots for his teammates.
In a disappointing season for the Memphis Grizzlies, Cam Spencer has shown he has an exciting future.
