Well, he actually had only 5 starts for the whole season (@LAL, vs PHX, @ PHX, vs GSW, @TOR) against 57 appearances off the bench, but anyway, I checked the numbers:
Stats as starter: 44% FG, 37% 3PT, 19.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 1.4 TO in 36 mins
Off the bench: 40% FG, 33% 3PT, 11.8PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 1.1 TO in 23 mins.
As well as shooting a better percentage, adjusting his per-game stats to a per-minute basis, he is (marginally) better in every category except Blocks as a starter. Also, his scores/rebounds/assists in these five games: 14/4/5, 19/6/2, 19/3/2, 20/6/1, 23/7/4. Even his shooting is much the same - 5-11, 9-19, 8-19, 7-18, 9-17. It's a small sample size, which I am loathe to draw too many conclusions from, but these games are relatively consistent, which is interesting. Perhaps starting him is the key to getting him to perform well and consistently? Given what we are getting out of Raja, could it hurt any to switch their roles?
