NaismithLives.com statistical analyst Jesse Arendt presents five stats that will probably stun even the most avid NBA fan...

1. The most efficient point guard in the NBA was enjoying retirement last season.
Basing the term “efficiency” on assist-to-turnover ratio, the best in the NBA is not Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo, Jason Kidd, or Steve Nash. It’s a member of the Orlando Magic and it isn’t Jameer Nelson. It’s Jason Williams. White Chocolate announced his retirement on September 26, 2008, but signed on with Orlando in August and has aided the Magic in Nelson’s absence. He’s guided them to wins in nine of the eleven games he’s started. WIlliams has a league-best assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.7:1, turning the ball over only 23 times in 22 games.

2. The Rockets lost Ron Artest and gained the worst shooter in the NBA.
While some thought the Rockets came out on the positive end of the small forward switch involving Artest to the Lakers, but Houston’s Trevor Ariza, has taken his new green light responsibilities a bit too far. Ariza is shooting 39.2% from the field this season, currently the second-lowest field goal percentage among eligible shooters (on pace to make 300 FG this season). Ironically, here’s a list of former all-stars who are currently worse than Ariza, but below eligible-pace due to missed time/not enough attempts: Rasheed Wallace (38.5%), Josh Howard (38%), Manu Ginobili (37.5%), Devin Harris (35.4%), and Michael Redd (30.2%).

3. A small forward is leading the NBA in rebounding.
Gerald Wallace, a 6-foot-7 small forward who hasn't averaged more than 7.8 rebounds a game in his career, leads the league in rebounding. Coming into this season, Wallace had just nine games with at least 15 rebounds in his first eight years, but has somehow had five such games in the last six weeks (including his first two 20-rebound games). The next best rebounder not playing power forward or center? Luol Deng, at 8.1 rebounds a game, more than four fewer than Wallace.

4. San Antonio’s not a playoff team right now, thanks to the Northwest Division.
The Spurs have actually had a fine season against 5/6 of the league, going 10-3 against teams from all divisions outside of the Northwest. Yet, for reasons unknown, the Spurs are 0-6 against the Northwest, including three defeats already to the Utah Jazz and other losses to Denver, Portland, and Oklahoma City. The Spurs will not have to deal with the Northwest again until December 23rd, when they host Portland, but won’t test their mettle against the division’s doormat, Minnesota, until December 29th.

5. The 2009 NBA Draft is better than advertised because of the amount of talented players taken between picks 35 and 44.
Everyone now knows about the impact lottery picks Tyreke Evans and Brandon Jennings have had in the NBA this season, but few realize how successful a sliver of the second round picks has been. Specifically between picks 35 and 44, there is a fill-in starter (Jonas Jerebko), All-Rookie Team quality rotation players (DeJuan Blair, Chase Budinger, and Marcus Thornton), consistent role players (Sam Young, Jodie Meeks, and Derrick Brown), and players finding their way onto the court more than anyone predicted (DaJuan Summers and Jon Brockman).