gold star for USAHOF

37. Tom Burleson

37. Tom Burleson
Tom Burleson was not in the NBA for long and he only spent three seasons (his first) with the Seattle SuperSonics, however he quietly put together some very good traditional and advanced numbers while he was there.  The Center from North Carolina State (he would help the Wolfpack win the NCAA Title) would make the All Rookie Team and in his second year would average 15.6 Points and 9 Rebounds per Game while posting a healthy PER of 16.9.  He would also finish in the top ten in Blocks twice.  Burleson would be at his best for Seattle in the playoffs where in his fifteen games he averaged 20.7 Points and 10.2 Rebounds per Game.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Center
  • Acquired: Drafted in the 1st Round, 3rd Overall 5/28/74.
  • Departed: Traded to the Denver Nuggets with Bob Wilkerson and a 1977 2nd Round Pick (which would be Steve Sheppard) for Paul Silas, Marvin Webster and Willie Wise 5/24/77.
  • Games Played: 246
  • Per Game Averages: 25.8 MP
    .450 eFG%
    .726 FT%
    11.8 PTS
    7.6 RB
    1.6 AST
    0.8 STL
    1.7 BLK

    15 Playoff Games
    38.1 MP
    .542 eFG%
    .756 FT%
    20.7 PTS
    10.2 RB
    1.5 AST
    0.9 STL
    1.7 BLK
  • Advanced Stats: 16.9 PER
    .505 TS%
    4.7 VORP
    15.9 WS

    15 Playoff Games
    19.6 PER
    .587 TS%
    0.6 VORP
    1.9 WS
  • Major Accolades and Awards: First Team All-Rookie (1974-75)

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