SURVEY SAYS: DAN'S THE AVERAGE MAN

It's become an annual rite of spring -- Gregg Popovich reminding media, as the San Antonio Spurs quietly march through the playoffs, how many times he cut Danny Green before realizing he could become an integral piece of a championship outfit. Two is the official number, though in the life of a player on the fringes of the NBA, it probably felt like seven or eight. Numbers probably won't ever define Green's game, especially on a balanced team like the Spurs. He's expected to defend wings, keep the ball moving and knock down open threes. Today, however, numbers do tell a particular story, that of Green being selected as this year's Mr. Average, according to the 2014-15 NBA Roster Survey. Like he does alongside Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard and Manu Ginobili, Green fits the distinction like a glove. The average height of an NBA player is a shade over 6-7. Green is listed at 6-6. The average weight of an NBA player is 219.5 pounds. Green's average listed weight is somewhere in the neighborhood of 215. The average experience for an NBA player is 5.03 seasons. Green has played exactly five seasons in the NBA. The average age of an NBA player is 26.89. Green is 27. Though it's unlikely such an honor as being named Mr. Average will earn him a victory boat ride down the Riverwalk, it's a testament to Green's work ethic and dedication that he was able to survive on the fringes and eventually flourish with the Spurs. Other players considered based on the four criteria were Memphis' Quincy Pondexter, Minnesota's Chase Budinger, New Orleans' Tyreke Evans and Toronto's DeMar DeRozan. Click here for a more comprehensive look at the 2014-15 NBA Roster Survey.

Stats & Stuff

·  Dirk Nowitzki ranks 10th all-time in career scoring with 26,804 points. He needs 143 points to pass Hakeem Olajuwon (26,946) for ninth place on the NBA's all-time scoring list. Olajuwon (Nigeria) is the only player born outside of the United States with more career points than Nowitzki (Germany).

·  The Cavaliers were not outrebounded in any game during the preseason and averaged 46.6 rebounds (third-highest in preseason) to the opponents' 38.0. Cleveland also ranked first in offensive rebounds (13.4 rpg), third in three-point percentage (.381), third in free throw percentage (.800), third in turnovers per game (15.7), tied for third in points per game (104.9) and eighth in assists per game (22.9) this past preseason.

·  In 754 career games, Detroit's Josh Smith has averaged 15.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.3 steals. According to Elias, Smith is the only player in NBA history to boast career averages over 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per game for his career.

·  From Elias: Roy Hibbert scored 22 points and blocked seven shots in the Pacers' 103-91 season-opening victory against the 76ers. Hibbert is the seventh player with at least 20 points and seven blocks in his team's first game of a season since the NBA first recorded blocks in 1973-74. He joins a list that includes Anthony Davis (who did so on Tuesday), Elton Brand (2003 Clippers), Patrick Ewing (1990 Knicks), Artis Gilmore (1982 Spurs), Bob McAdoo (1975 Braves), and Nate Thurmond (1974 Bulls).

·  From Elias: Chris Bosh scored 26 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in the Heat's 107-95 victory over the Wizards. It's the 19th game of Bosh's career in which he had at least 25 points and 15 rebounds, and all of the previous 18 instances came as a member of the Raptors. His most recent game of this type was on February 2, 2010, in a Raptors' loss against the Pacers (35 points, 15 rebounds).

·  From Elias: DeMar DeRozan scored 15 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and had six steals in the Raptors' season-opening win over the Hawks. The last guard with at least 10 rebounds and five steals in his team's first game of the season was Jason Kidd for the Suns on October 31, 2000, against the Warriors (10 rebounds, five steals). Kidd posted a triple double in that game, netting 24 points and dishing out 11 assists.

·  From Elias: Marc Gasol scored a game-high 32 points as the Grizzlies defeated the Timberwolves, 105-101. Prior to this win, Memphis had lost each of its last 13 season-opening games dating back to 2001, the longest streak of this type in NBA history. In fact, no other team has had such a streak in 10 or more consecutive seasons.

Malcolm Turner Named NBA Development League President
The NBA has named longtime sports executive Malcolm Turner President of the NBA Development League (NBA D-League) effective Nov. 12, NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum announced today. Turner will report to Tatum and oversee the business and basketball operations for the NBA D-League and its 18 teams. Turner joins the NBA family from sports marketing and management agency Wasserman Media Group, where he has worked since 2007, most recently as the managing director of the golf division. Prior to his role in the golf division, Turner helped build Wasserman's consulting division as its managing director, where he created and managed sports, entertainment, venue and new product launch strategies for leading corporate brands and properties. More>>

2014-15 NBA Pronunciation Guide
Based on his rookie campaign in 2013-14, it won't be long before Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes a household name in the NBA. For now, those who need a little help with this tongue twister can refer to this year's pronunciation guide. For the record, it's YAHN-iss ah-deh-toh-KOON-boh. This year, in the absence of Chandler Parsons, the Houston Rockets will rely heavily on third-year pro Donatas Motiejunas and rookie Kostas Papanikolaou. Correct pronunciations are: doh-NAH-tahs moe-tee-YOU-nus and KOE-stahs PAPA-nick-o-lao. More>>

Today's Quote
DWYANE WADE, on the record number of international players dotting opening night NBA rosters this season:
"I think the world's perspective...I think international players used to be -- used to be -- looked at as soft. They used to think international players were soft, but now I don’t even think you look at guys as 'international' players. You look at them as...he's a hooper. He's just like the rest of us."
Miami Herald Oct. 30, 2014