Regular Season Ant vs. Playoff Ant

[Q-is-here]

Of all the incredible things we've witnessed since Ant was drafted, one of the big themes is how he performs in the regular season versus how he performs in the playoffs. I'm not sure I recall a player that has such a big difference.

'21-22 regular season vs. playoffs
PER - 16.5 vs. 17.8
WS/48 - .084 vs. .102
BPM - -.4 vs. 3.5

'22-23 regular season vs. playoffs
PER - 17.4 vs. 27.5
WS/48 - .064 vs. .190
BPM - 1.0 vs. 10.4

'23-24 regular season vs. playoffs (through 5 games)
PER - 19.7 vs. 30.2
WS/48 - .130 vs. .308
BPM - 3.3 vs. 11.8

[Q-is-here]

Look at the last two years (including this one). That is an incredible delta. He goes from being a top 15-25 regular season player to putting up numbers that are in the Jordan/Kobe/Wade/LeBron territory - or close to it.

My question for the board is what the hell is going on in the regular season!? He's obviously capable of putting on the cape and putting up superstar numbers in the most intense of environments, so why not the regular season?

Obviously all of the great superstars had an ability to elevate their games in the most critical moments, but sorry, Jordan, et al have a LOT better numbers than Ant in their regular seasons. Their regular season "floors" were a lot higher than Ant's.

[Wolvesfan21]

Look at the last two years (including this one). That is an incredible delta. He goes from being a top 15-25 regular season player to putting up numbers that are in the Jordan/Kobe/Wade/LeBron territory - or close to it.

My question for the board is what the hell is going on in the regular season!? He's obviously capable of putting on the cape and putting up superstar numbers in the most intense of environments, so why not the regular season?

Obviously all of the great superstars had an ability to elevate their games in the most critical moments, but sorry, Jordan, et al have a LOT better numbers than Ant in their regular seasons. Their regular season "floors" were a lot higher than Ant's.

To me and I see it as a game to game thing too. The games are simply not important enough to him to bring the fury.

[BloopOracle]

He's got that Baron Davis gene, trouble staying focused during the regular season only to go super nova every playoff game. The one thing that I can't understand is how much better he shoots in the midrange once the playoffs hit, I've got nothing for that.

[Q-is-here]

He's got that Baron Davis gene, trouble staying focused during the regular season only to go super nova every playoff game. The one thing that I can't understand is how much better he shoots in the midrange once the playoffs hit, I've got nothing for that.

So if what you and Wolvesfan are saying is true - that Ant simply isn't focused that much during the regular season - I'm debating if I should be kinda pissed or not. We could have used a few more wins against those mediocre teams last year so we didn't end up in the play in tournament against the #1 seed!

Baron Davis is not a name that has crossed my radar in a long time. Interesting comparison, because I haven't found any legit star with nearly as big of a delta between regular season and playoff numbers than Ant.

[Wolvesfan21]

He's got that Baron Davis gene, trouble staying focused during the regular season only to go super nova every playoff game. The one thing that I can't understand is how much better he shoots in the midrange once the playoffs hit, I've got nothing for that.

So if what you and Wolvesfan are saying is true - that Ant simply isn't focused that much during the regular season - I'm debating if I should be kinda pissed or not. We could have used a few more wins against those mediocre teams last year so we didn't end up in the play in tournament against the #1 seed!

Baron Davis is not a name that has crossed my radar in a long time. Interesting comparison, because I haven't found any legit star with nearly as big of a delta between regular season and playoff numbers than Ant.

I think it is focus and simply wanting to win those playoff games more. They DO mean more. He can't be that interested in a Monday night 6 PM tip at Charlotte in late December, we've seen it. I think that he just has a much higher level he can achieve and that even in these playoffs he is elevating his game even more, maybe a couple levels. I would expect his numbers in the regular season to bump up next year due to his advancement in playmaking and overall skill level too. I see it as a positive when a guy can elevate when the games matter most. You want that.

I know Shaq was pretty meh in a lot of regular season games, he came in out of shape especially in the 2000-2004 years. I would be interested to see how his numbers jumped from reg season to post during that time.

He just keeps taking steps forward. His hot recent shooting could be more of an outlier though too. He likely won't be this good like he was last game in all of this series. I think we could even see a better game possibly, but I think a cold game could come in too. We need more data I think (it's only 5 games). Denver will start to throw more doubles and different defenders on him. We'll see if he is up to the challenge. Denver is also favored by 5.5 tonight. I would be a little surprised if the Wolves can go in and come out 2-0 against the defending champs.

[rapsuperstar31]

I think Ants kind of worn down as the season goes on the past few season. A few years ago he had knee issues and he slowed down, this season it seemed like he lost his legs on his shot and was shooting everything short. It didn't help that when Kat got hurt Ant started getting double, tripled, and even quadrupled teamed which did help him learn how to be a better passer but didn't help him offensively score. He doe have a few games against bad teams where he coasts and is really just trying to pass the basketball to his teammates. He's still playing defense in those games, just not looking to score. Some players are just risers when it comes to the playoffs. This playoffs Ant got a week off before Phoenix and another week off before Denver. He was able to get his legs back, and Kat is here to help take some of the defense off of him.

[60WinTim]

Well, he has been improving each regular season as well...

You have to consider his age as -- he is learning and refining his game so much. And most notably during the end of this season after KAT went down. Another factor is in the playoffs you are playing the same team over and and over, and I think that is a big benefit to ANT who is far from his prime in terms of experience. He can focus on the things that work against one team.

I think as ANT gains more and more experience, we'll see the regular season stats increase quite a bit.

[AbeVigodaLive]

He's got that Baron Davis gene, trouble staying focused during the regular season only to go super nova every playoff game. The one thing that I can't understand is how much better he shoots in the midrange once the playoffs hit, I've got nothing for that.

Please... I beg you... PLEASE... never compare the Timberwolves ascending superstar, face of the future, and our collective fandom enjoyment... with Baron Davis again.

I beg you on the soul-less soul of Rashad McCants to take it back.

[Q-is-here]

I think Ants kind of worn down as the season goes on the past few season. A few years ago he had knee issues and he slowed down, this season it seemed like he lost his legs on his shot and was shooting everything short. It didn't help that when Kat got hurt Ant started getting double, tripled, and even quadrupled teamed which did help him learn how to be a better passer but didn't help him offensively score. He doe have a few games against bad teams where he coasts and is really just trying to pass the basketball to his teammates. He's still playing defense in those games, just not looking to score. Some players are just risers when it comes to the playoffs. This playoffs Ant got a week off before Phoenix and another week off before Denver. He was able to get his legs back, and Kat is here to help take some of the defense off of him.

...but the degree to which he rises for the playoffs is unprecedented in my opinion. No one goes from all-star caliber to superstar/face of the league in the one week between regular season and playoffs. Jordan, Kobe, Jokic, Giannis...those guys were superstars in the regular season too and their numbers back it up.

You brought up a few points that somewhat explain the delta. I do think he's had some nagging injuries/fatigue that he plays through and clearly affected him for extended lulls in the last couple of regular seasons. Cool has pointed out that Ant is probably not in peak physical condition, so that one week off before Phoenix and the lack of back-to-backs and 2-3 days off between games in the playoffs certainly help.

The other thing to note is that Ant actually has help on this team. During the regular season other guys can step up and help with the scoring and play making. He was drafted into a team that had a #1 guy in KAT that Ant has since displaced. But most #1 picks don't get drafted into a team with a top offensive option already in place.