As usual, let's look at three players who look a little different than what we thought they'd be and ask: Is this sustainable? Or, if the pattern is bad: Is this reversible?
Joe Johnson, Miami Heat
Why is this happening?
Johnson has found himself as the starting 3 for Miami, breaking away of a dismal season in Brooklyn to become part of an old man version of Golden State's death lineup. With Johnson playing next to Amare Stoudemire for the first time in over a decade, and fellow veteran Luol Deng, Miami went 5-0 before losing in Milwaukee on Wednesday. Johnson has averaged 13.5 points on a ridiculous .689 true shooting percentage since changing teams.
Why is this happening?
Erik Spoelstra has found something in his new lineup, which before Wednesday had outscored opponents by 34.9 points per 100 possessions, per basketball-reference.com. Johnson isn't carrying any more of a load in Miami than he did in Brooklyn, as his usage rate for the Heat (17.0) is similar to what it was for the Nets (17.9). The shots have been better though and he's taken advantage of his opportunities.
Is this a thing?
Kind of. Johnson should continue to be more efficient than he was with the Nets. It would be hard for him not to be. However, his usage rate tells the story: Johnson's days as a bedrock scorer are over. He's a solid contributor and a nice piece for a veteran team in Miami. But he's not a 64-percent 3-point shooter, as he's been in his first six games for the Heat. The new Miami lineup will be a valuable tool for Spoelstra but even in the short term, the configuration gets limited run because of the presence of Hassan Whiteside. Meanwhile, no one knows when or if Chris Bosh will get back in the lineup. If he does, that juggles the rotation once again. Hopefully in a good way, but it might be yet another hit on Johnson's usage.
Verdict
This is the late-career phase for Johnson and his numbers are cresting. Your league has to be pretty deep for him to be useful.
Alex Len, Phoenix Suns
Why is this happening?
It figured that Len's production this season would be hampered by the Suns' offseason signing of veteran center Tyson Chandler. That's been kind of true, as Len is averaging slightly fewer minutes than he did last season, his second in the NBA. Without Chandler around, you figure Len would have averaged in the upper 20s this season. Of course, Chandler tends to get hurt a lot and, indeed, Len has started 27 times this season, during which he has averaged 11.9 points and 8.9 boards in 26.6 minutes per outing. Lately though, Len's development has picked up momentum.
Why is this happening?
Suns interim coach Earl Watson, eschewing league trends towards small-ball, has started Len and Chandler together during Phoenix's last six games. Whether or not that's a long-term solution for Phoenix in the wake of the trade of former starting power forward Markieff Morris, the move has at least worked out nicely for Len. During the five games prior to Wednesday's loss to New York, three of which the lowly Suns won, Len averaged 20.4 points, 14.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 35.7 minutes per game.
Is this a thing?
You bet. One of Watson's first tweaks when he took over for Jeff Hornacek was to put Morris in the featured scorer's role, a decision which now looks a lot like a move to showcase a player the team wanted to move. That's certainly not the case with Len, who has punished opponents down low in getting to the line over 10 times per game as a starting power forward. Len may not be ready to be a featured scorer -- or co-featured scorer to be more accurate, as Phoenix rookie Devin Booker has been on a scoring binge as well. Len has shot just 42 percent in his new role. However, the latest positive sign came on Sunday, when Len passed out a career-best six assists in a win over Memphis.
Verdict
Len's game is blossoming all over, and the Suns have no better use for the rest of the season than to ride the production by him and Booker, win or lose. Beware efficiency though. Len has a nice touch, but he's taking some shots that are not yet a dependable part of his arsenal.
Jabari Parker, Milwaukee Bucks
Why is this happening?
It's been a tale of two seasons for Parker, cleaved nicely along the All-Star break. Up to that point, you could argue that Parker was merely completing his rookie season, which was interrupted so unpleasantly by a torn ACL. Parker has his moments, but mostly just served as one of the ensemble during Milwaukee's disappointing start to the season. The Bucks started a traditional lineup during that stretch for the most part, featuring a high-usage center in Greg Monroe and a pure point guard in Michael Carter-Williams.
That changed in early February when Miles Plumlee and O.J. Mayo replaced Monroe and Carter-Williams in the starting lineup. More importantly, the focus of the Bucks' attack was shifted to the triumvirate of Parker, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. Gradually, Antetokounmpo assumed the role of point forward and Parker took his place as the Bucks' feature scorer, a role he's likely to hold down for a long time. Since the break, Parker has averaged 21.6 points, 7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, shot 51 percent and logged 39 minutes per outing.
Why is this happening?
Basically, the future has arrived for the Bucks. Their playoff chase wasn't getting anywhere with the traditional configuration and egalitarian approach. Parker, Antetokounmpo and Middleton have been the foundation pieces all along and it was only a matter of time before opportunities began to shift in their direction.
Is this a thing?
Yes and no. The results have been terrific, both on the individual and team levels, for Milwaukee's big three. Since the All-Star break, the Bucks' new (and seemingly temporary) starting lineup averaged a little over 110 points per 100 possessions and outscored opponents by 8.5 points. But the Bucks' won-lost record continues to fluctuate and Bucks coach Jason Kidd shook things up again on Wednesday, re-inserting Monroe into the starting unit and replacing Mayo (who was sick) with Jerryd Bayless. The Bucks then went out and beat a red-hot Miami squad.
Verdict
It's hard to say how Kidd is going to use Monroe the rest of the way, as he's shown a penchant for experimentation. However, the horse is out of the barn for Parker and his young fellow core-mates. With Monroe back in the middle, the Bucks' offense still tilted heavily toward the young trio, and Parker scored 23 points on 7-for-13 shooting. That said, Parker only had three boards and didn't register an assist, and those may be the areas most impacted by Monroe's presence. But the future is arriving for Parker, and fast. As he improves his midrange shooting, it's only going to get better from here.