2011-2012 stats: 62 gms, 35 mpg, 48% FG, 75% FT, 11 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.2 bpg, 1.9 to, 13.8 ppg.
The last two years have each been breakout seasons for Humphries, a lottery pick in the 2004 NBA draft. In 2011, Humphries surprised all his critics by averaging a double-double, and in 2012, he improved on that, and was even a scoring weapon for the Nets at times. 2012 was The Hump’s best statistical season in nearly every category including points, rebounds, blocks, assists, and free throw percentage. He also showed that he can score outside the paint on short-to-midrange jumpers. On defense, he was not great, although he does have an ability to block shots. He is an undersized power forward at only 6’9, so he struggles to guard the taller forwards or centers he plays against. Last season, Humphries proved that he is one of the best rebounders in the league and is one of only a very small handful of players to average a double-double in each of the past two seasons. Without Brook Lopez to help Kris rebound for most of the season, he was often the only real option for the Nets when it came to rebounding. The Hump will have more help this season, which may lead to a slight drop-off in his stats.
Offseason report: Signed 2 year, $24 million contract with Brooklyn. Dealt with a number of issues in his very publicized personal life.
Kris has to be happy with the contract he received from the Nets this offseason. Brooklyn reportedly had a choice between offering him a 2 year/$24 million contract or a 3 year/$24 million contract and went with the first option to give them more flexibility in 2014. However, this is a lot of money to pay a guy who only averaged more than 10 ppg twice in his nine seasons. If the Nets don’t want to keep Kris past this season, he could become a valuable trade asset as an expiring contract. Humphries was one of the last big pieces signed by the Nets, after Gerald Wallace, Joe Johnson, Deron Williams, and Brook Lopez. They really had no option other than to sign him because they did not have a power forward. Unrelated to basketball, Humphries had a busy offseason dealing with his divorce situation. Kris has become famous more for his marriage and divorce to reality TV star Kim Kardashian than he has by playing basketball. Normally, one would be worried about something like this getting in the way of basketball, but Kris had these things going on before last season, too, and he had the best statistical season of his career last year.
Predictions for 2012-13: Humphries will become a smaller part of the offense, but will step up on defense and continue his strong rebounding.
Even though Humphries will be paid more this year than last year, the Nets will not need him nearly as much. After being a valuable scoring option for the team last season, the Nets will not ask nearly as much from Humphries this season because they have so many players capable of scoring now. However, unless Brook Lopez has improved his rebounding, Humphries will be asked to do a lot on the glass. The Nets may have one of the weakest rebounding teams in the NBA this season unless Humphries can do something about it. On offense, his focus should not be about scoring, but instead be about collecting offensive rebounds. On defense, he needs to box out and prevent offensive boards. The Nets don’t have a true backup center, which means that Humphries may have to play the position at certain times during the game like when Brook Lopez gets into foul trouble. He will probably struggle against defending against the bigger, more athletic centers in the east, like Andrew Bynum and Al Horford.
Projections for 2012-13: 11 ppg, 11 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1 bpg, 1.5 to.