David West's Coming Out Party

It’s becoming amazing how much home court has seemingly turned each and every one of these playoff series on a dime. After looking and playing like the defending champions in the Alamo City, the Spurs were blown out for the third consecutive game in New Orleans, losing 101-79 to the Hornets. Gregg Popovich’s team has been hit hard coming out of the break in New Orleans, being outscored 93-46 in the third quarter during the three games there, despite holding the lead at halftime of Games 2 and 5.

Chris Paul was back to his MVP-like self, scoring 23 and accounting for a series-high 14 assists. But, it was David West who stole the show, dominating Tim Duncan for a career playoff-high 38 points and 14 rebounds. When the Hornets were struggling for baskets in the early stages of the game, it was West who they leaned on to stay in contact with the champions. In the biggest stage of his life, the fifth year man from Xavier shot 16-25 from the field, outscored Duncan by 28 points, blocked five shots with his hounding defense, and even was responsible for five assists. With everything that was at stake, it was arguably the best game of West’s life.

The story of West displays what incessant practice and dedication can do for someone. Coming out of college, there wasn’t a lot of expectation in David West and his prospective NBA career. He was a man without a proper position, too small to body up with the rugged power forwards, and not quick enough to deal with small forwards. His rookie season with the Hornets demonstrated that, and he struggled to score 3.9 points and grab 4.2 rebounds in 71 games. Big men have the toughest time in adjusting at the pro level, and West was no different. The sheer speed and size of life in the paint as a big man in the NBA was too much to overcome. It was evident that changes would need to be made if West wanted to stay around in the league. Over the course of the last four years, tireless work in the offseason to build his frame and expand his game has been responsible for a meteoric rise to All-Star, where he was named as a reserve for the first, and probably not last time in his career.

Since that unimpressive rookie season, West has improved his point production and rebounds each year, finding his niche as an all-around power forward. He has turned into a beast at 6-9, 240, and has become a reliable jump shooter from anywhere inside the three-point line. The last three years have seen West average double digit points and at least seven rebounds in each season. This past year, he put together an average of over 20 points a game (20.6) for the first time in his career, and nearly pulled down nine rebounds. Together with Tyson Chandler, the continued improvement of the two youngsters in the middle has made New Orleans a load to deal with. Not even the Spurs have been able to hold down the duo.

After a tremendous regular season, West has faced off with two of the game’s best power forwards in the first two rounds of the playoffs and more than held his own. He’s averaging 20.7 points and 8.1 rebounds in the postseason, right on par with his career-high playoff numbers. West has been able to do this night after night while facing Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan, members of the All-NBA Second Team. Chris Paul’s gaudy assist numbers have been a product of the wonderful season West has put together.