As usual, let's look at three players who seem a little different from what we thought they'd be and ask: Is this sustainable? Or, if the pattern is bad: Is this reversible?
Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
What's up?
After a slow start to the season, Gasol has taken on more offensive responsibility for the Grizzlies since the beginning of December. Mostly that's been a good thing, though his shooting over two games to start the new year has been off.
Why is this happening?
While it's probably an oversimplification, the most likely reason for Gasol's heightened usage rate (21.3 percent through Nov. 30, 25.1 percent since) is a lightening of the load for longtime frontcourt mate Zach Randolph. Randolph's minutes have dropped since he went to the bench, as have his possessions when he is on the floor. The decreases correlate tightly with Gasol's uptick.