New League Leaders This Year?

So I was being an NBA junkie tonight and noticed a peculiar statistic. I was checking out the main statistical leaders(ppg, rpg, apg) from past seasons, and noticed that last season, the same players - Kobe in scoring, KG in rebounding, and Nash in assists -led in each category that they led the previous season. Then I noticed that this was the first time this occurred in 14 years! In fact, over the past 30 years, this has only happened 3 times,2007 beingone of them. The others were 1993(Michael Jordan in scoring, Dennis Rodman in rebounding, and John Stockton in assists), and 1990(Jordan in scoring, Hakeem Olajuwon in rebounding, and Stockton in assists). </p>

The fact that it occurred only 3 times seems even more amazing when you consider some of the dominant stretches players have had in each category. During this period, Jordan had 10 scoring titles, in runs of 7 and 3. Stockton had a run of 9 straight assists titles. Rodman won 7 straight rebounding crowns. Other guys that have had solid stretches include Moses Malone(5 straight rebounding titles), KG(4 straight rebounding titles and counting), Jason Kidd(5 assists titles, including runs of 3 and 2), George Gervin(4 scoring titles, including 3 consecutive), Magic Johnson(4 assists, in two runs of 2), and Allen Iverson(4 scoring titles, including 2 consecutive). Other guys who had consecutive stats crowns during these years include Kevin Porter(assists), Deke(rebounds), Big Ben(rebounds), and TMac(scoring). </p>

As a caveat, Jordan, Rodman and Stockton concurrently led in their respective categories in 1996, as they did in both 1992 and 1993, but obviously this wasn't the following year. </p>

So my question is, do you think that any or all of the guys who led last year will lead in their respective categories again this year? If not, who do you think has the best chance of dethroning them? Also, which of these guys do you think will continue their streak the longest(from now, so not including the 2 Garnett won and the 1 Nash won before Kobe started his streak)?</p>

Anyway, just a little food for thought I'd share. I only traced the titles back 30 years, but I'm sure someone else can see how often this happened in the past. I'm sure it happened when Wilt was winning scoring/rebounding titles each year and O was winning assists titles, and maybe even in the 50's and 70's too.</p>

 

For the most part, I don't see any big changes being made to the League Leaders. I expect Nash and Kobe to remain as the league leaders for assists/scoring but for Dwight Howard to give Garnett a run for his money ont hos boards.

 

i could see Howard or Chandler taking the Rebounding title. </p>

I see the possibility of Paul taking the assist title, although it's more realistic for Nash to take that title.</p>

 

I think Dwight Howard will lead the league in rebounding, Emeka Okafor will lead the league in blocks if he puts together a healthy season, and I think Rajon Rondo has a serious shot at leading the league in steals. I will also guarantee that Jason Kapono won't shoot as efficiently as he did last season.

 

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Interesting stats there, nice discovery Starman85. I imagine these 3 players are the frontrunners again in their respective categories. </p>

Kobe Bryant - Lakers did not address the scoring issue in the offseason. The Lakers could potentially improve on defense (can't get much worse can they?), but the bulk scoring will be done by employee #24 again this season. To be honest I have no problem watching Kobe go off for 40 and 50 point nights, it's entertaining as hell to watch. </p>

Biggest threat to Kobe Bryant's scoring title will be Gilbert Arenas. He's spent all summer working on his 3 point range and other "unconcious" baskets from weird angles on the court. It's a contract year for Arenas and he's been hyping himself up for another career season. He's still hurt he wasn't invited to the Team USA tryouts, so the Gilbert Arenas vendetta tour will be on again this season. </p>

Kevin Garnett might not have many rebounds to grab with All Star players next to him. Both Ray Allen and Paul Pierce can fill it up and Rajon Rondo rebounds well at the guard position. KG won't be able to grab the offensive glass like he did with Ricky Davis and Mike James chucking away.</p>

Biggest threat is Dwight Howard. He almost became the youngest player to win it last season and I wouldn't be surprised to see him push his average up to 13 or 14 RPG this season. </p>

Steve Nash - Unless the Suns cut back on his minutes to save him for a playoff run, I don't anyone averaging more assists. The Suns pace and high percentage fast break baskets allow Nash to rack up on the assists. Last year Nash had 884 total assists, the next closest player was Deron Williams at 745. The previous year Nash had a total of 826 assists, with Chauncey Billups a distant second at 699 total. </p>

Bottomline Nash dominates this category. </p>

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</p> ah, touche on Gil. Didn't even think about him. But with Caron and Antawn, to go along with the pickup of Nick Young, and more minutes for Andray...i'd say Kobe will still take the scoring title, because nobody else on the team is a consistent scorer.

 

Considering PJ wants use Bryant as a defacto pg (terrible move) i can see his scoring plummeting.</p>

 

Some people seem to be forgetting that Carmelo Anthony and Lebron James both improved their offensive skills in the FIBAs this summer. Both guys will probably be at least 28 per game. If he stays healthy all season, Camby could be the leader in rebounds and blocked shots, making him the defensive player of the year for the second year in a row.</p>

 

kobe and Nash have a very good chance of repeating. KG maybe - it depends on what his role will be - if he takes a back seat in scoring to the other guys he could dominate on the boards and on Defense! Actually thinking about it thats prob eactly how he will be used. 16 -19 ppg and 13 -14 rpg sounds about right to me.</p>

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