Who Are the NBA’s Best ‘And One’ Players?

 

Which NBA players from last season proved to be the best at stuffing the rock, while getting fouled, in an attempt to convert the ever popular, “And One” play? This is a list of players who are not only the best at drawing a foul, but those who are physically and mentally the strongest to be able to finish with the basketball, have the dunk attempt go in, and step to the charity stripe for an opportunity to put another point on the scoreboard. The requirements to make the list are that a player must have had at least 100 dunks and during the ’08-’09 season. The stats include players who had an “And One” attempt but may or may not have made the accompanying free throw.

Chumps, who’s best offensive move is the finger-roll off of a breakaway, need to step aside, only real players who take it to the rack in traffic make the list. These players either go strong or go home!

 

NBA’s Best “And One” Players(min 100 blocks)

******************# of And One Plays******Dunks***********************

1. Lebron James(CLE)               97                           128
2. Dwight Howard(ORL)            95                           202
3. Dwayne Wade(MIA)              83                           126
4. Shaq O’Neal(PHO)                 67                            180
5. Hilario Nene(DEN)                 54                            142
6. Ameka Okafor(CHA)             49                            135
7. Ronnie Brewer(UTA)            48                             148
8. David Lee(NYK)                    46                             103
9. Kevin Durant(OKC)              44                             114
10. Amare Stoudemire(PHO)     42                             109

Although most of the usual suspects appear on this list like Lebron, Howard, and Shaq, I was surprised to see Ronnie Brewer of the Jazz make the list. He along with Kevin Durant of the Thunder, and Wade, at 6’4, are probably more thought of as perimeter oriented. Additionally, one would also think that Durant has a hard time finishing with his thin, twig like arms against the stronger defenders of the NBA. Some notable players who didn’t make the list with more than 100 dunks were Josh Smith, Andre Iguodala, and Pau Gasol.

Jameer Nelson Shows the Magic Some Brotherly Love

If anyone had any doubts about Jameer Nelson’s injured shoulder, he proved them wrong last week by making an appearance at a Phillies home game vs the Diamondbacks,and throwing out the first pitch. Many of his Magic teammates were along to witness their point guard’s appearance and even took in some pregame batting practice and watched the game from a luxury box at the stadium.

That wasn’t the only reason that the former St. Joe’s product and National Player of the Year in ’04, was back in his hometown. He annually runs his own training camp with his Magic teammates like Vince Carter, Matt Barnes, Rashard Lewis and Philly natives and current players like Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, Mo Speights, Kyle Lowery(Philly native and former Villanova pg), and Dionte Christmas(Temple). Since making it out of the crime infested Philadelphia suburb of Chester, Nelson has been a model teammate while in the NBA.

Nelson also spoke to his former Chester High coach, Fred Pickett, whom with he won 2 PA State Championships, about getting a Chester AAU basketball program under way. The Chester area has produced many Division 1 and NBA caliber talents like Tyreke Evans with the Sacramento Kings, Nasir Robinson at Pitt, Darren Govens at St. Joe’s, and Nelson with the Magic.

Most teams encourage players to work on their game during the offseason but very few actually follow through. They savor the time off and rest their aching knees and other ailments from the rigors and pounding of an NBA season. Nelson is one of the few who organize a training camp of their own to improve and get acclimated with new teammates.

The Magic need a healthy Nelson, who averaged 16.7 points and 5.4 assists and named to the All-Star Team before the injury, to compete in an ever improving Eastern Conference and get back to the Finals.