In the end, it was one rung too many, or one rung just enough depending on how you look at it.
As it turns out, Dwyane Wade did enough solid work in 57 games to claim our 2016-17 OSPR title.
Others certainly had a chance at bumping Wade from the perch, but none had the big finishing kick to get the job done. For a while it looked like Tyson Chandler would be that guy before the Suns decided to go with a youth movement. Pau Gasol, Zach Randolph and Dirk Nowitzki had big moments, but not quite big enough.
Notes: Season statistics are through games of April 6
Any player who turns 33 during regular season can be added to rankings.
1. Dwyane Wade (35), Chicago Bulls
Last week’s rank: 1
Last week’s stats: NA
Season stats: 18.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.9 apg
Hey Mr. Wade, you didn’t have to rush back from an elbow injury to ensure the 2016-17 OSPR crown would be yours. Of course it helped that none of the guys below did quite enough to make that last jump. Despite missing the last 11 games, Wade did just enough this season to stay at the top of the mountain. Is it too early to think about back-to-back titles for Wade? Best of season: 35 points, 10 rebounds, 5-for-7 3-pointers on Nov. 4.
2. Zach Randolph (35), Memphis Grizzlies
Last week’s rank: 4
Last week’s stats: 7 games, 17.4 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2.1 apg
Season stats: 14.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.7 apg
He only shot 43 percent from the field, but Randolph did land three double-doubles. But the stat that popped out was that he actually played better with less rest. In two games with no rest, Randolph averaged 18.5 points and 12.0 rebounds. In four games with one day rest: 17.5 points and 10.0 rebounds. In one game with two days rest: 15.0 points and 5.0 rebounds. Best of season: 27 points, 11 rebounds, six assists on Jan. 6.
3. Pau Gasol (36), San Antonio Spurs
Last week’s rank: 3
Last week’s stats: 7 games, 14.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.6 apg
Season stats: 12.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.4 apg
Gasol went for double-figure scoring in six of seven games, shot 51.4 from the field, 66.7 from beyond the arc (12-for-18) and even added 1.3 blocks. The big fella, who has connected on at least one trey in 10 straight, has been fairly consistent in the scoring department, going for 12 or more in six of the last eight. Best of season: 21 points, nine rebounds, six assists on Nov. 11.
4. Dirk Nowitzki (38), Dallas Mavericks
Last week’s rank: 2
Last week’s stats: 6 games, 13.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.2 apg
Season stats: 14.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.5 apg
After going for double-figure scoring in 12 consecutive games, Nowitzki stalled, managing 10 or more points in just three of the next six games. Maybe that explains the 38.4 FG% compared to 43.6 for the season. It was still a strong final push from Nowitzki after a sluggish start to the season. Best of season: 25 points, 11 rebounds, 3-for-4 3-pointers on March 7.
5. Nene (34), Houston Rockets
Last week’s rank: 6
Last week’s stats: 6 games, 13.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.2 apg
Season stats: 9.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.0 apg
Nene finished on a high note, notching three straight games with at least 14 points for the first time all season while shooting 65.4 from the field. He was also consistent in any arena, going for 12.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in four home games compared to 15.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in two road games. Best of season: 21 points, six rebounds, 10-for-13 shooting on Jan. 27.
6. Marcin Gortat (33), Washington Wizards
Last week’s rank: 5
Last week’s stats: 8 games, 8.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.4 apg
Season stats: 10.7 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 1.4 apg
Gortat may have shot 63.3 from the field, but he only scored 10 or more points in two games. On the positive side of the ledger, the Polish Hammer is one of just 12 players to average 10 or more rebounds this season. In fact, the 10.4 rebounds is a career high, besting his 10.0 mark in 2011-12. Best of season: 21 points, 18 rebounds on Dec. 2.
7. Joe Johnson (35), Utah Jazz
Last week’s rank: 8
Last week’s stats: 6 games, 11.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.0 apg
Season stats: 8.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.8 apg
Johnson started strong with two games of 14 or more points while hitting two or more 3-pointers in both. But the next two games left much to be desired, combining for 13 points on 5-for-18 shooting. He also played better in defeat, averaging 15.0 points and 47.8 FG% in two losses compared to 10.0 points and 36.8 FG% in four wins. Best of season: 27 points, 10-for-14 shooting, 6-for-8 3s on Feb. 8.
8. Jameer Nelson (35), Denver Nuggets
Last week’s rank: 7
Last week’s stats: 5 games, 10.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 5.8 apg
Season stats: 9.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 5.1 apg
Following a semi-productive February, Nelson hit the skids a bit, going for double-figure scoring in just four of his last 15 games. During that span, he also managed to hand out seven or more assists just three times. On the bright side, Nelson connected on two or more treys in three consecutive games. Best of season: 21 points, 13 assists, four rebounds on Nov. 25.
9. Tony Allen (35), Memphis Grizzlies
Last week’s rank: 9
Last week’s stats: 6 games, 8.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.8 apg
Season stats: 9.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.4 apg
In two wins, Allen averaged 5.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 21.1 FG%. in four losses, he averaged 10.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 60.6 FG%. When judging Allen, you always need to look beyond just the points and rebounds. He does so many different things (namely steals, where he’s gotten two or more four of the last seven games. Best of season: 19 points, 13 rebounds, 9-for-14 shooting on Dec. 5.
10. Jamal Crawford (36), LA Clippers
Last week’s rank: Just missed
Last week’s stats: 6 games, 12.8 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 2.0 apg
Season stats: 12.2 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 2.6 apg
Look who’s back, despite poor shooting (40.0 FG% and 32.0 3PT%). That says something about the rest of the OSPR-eligible players’ performances over the last two weeks. There may not be a more inconsistent player than Crawford, who has 14 games of 20 or more points as well as 10 games with three or fewer points. Best of season: 28 points, 8-for-12 shooting, 3-for-6 3-pointers on March 25.
Just missed the cut: Andre Iguodala, Tony Parker, Vince Carter
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