Like many players, restricted free-agent forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute didn't pay much attention to advanced statistics.
"I never have looked at the stats, not beyond looking at a stat sheet after the game," Mbah a Moute said. "I don't try to get caught up in the numbers."
But shown advanced stats that spotlight his contribution to the Milwaukee Bucks, Mbah a Moute had a new perspective.

"The advanced stats ... were surprising to some extent on how impactful I was defensively," Mbah a Moute said.
That could differentiate him in free agency, as sound financial roster decisions will be at a premium for team executives under the new collective bargaining agreement.

According to Synergy Sports, one of the premier statistical analysis tools used by NBA teams, Mbah a Moute:

•Allowed fewer points per play than Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Tony Allen and Andre Iguodala.
• Forced a higher number of turnovers while guarding an opponent in isolation than any of those four players.
• Helped the Bucks give up fewer points with him on the court than the previous season (and Milwaukee's defensive efficiency improved in each of his three seasons).
• Is one of 13 players with at least 400 rebounds, 60 steals and 25 blocks in each of the last three seasons.
• Averaged 6.7 points and 5.3 rebounds last season but got the most rebounds per 40 minutes of any small forward and had the fifth-most free throws per field goal attempted among small forwards (behind such stalwarts as James and Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce).

Finding productive players for a value could emerge as one of the hallmarks of the new CBA.

"Free agency can be a little stressful because you never know what the situation is going to be," Mbah a Moute said of his status with the Bucks. " But it's also exciting to be in this position. I've put in the work and have a future where teams can use my service."

His work ethic and ability to guard multiple positions make Mbah a Moute more attractive. The Bucks extended a one-year, roughly $1.1 million qualifying offer before the lockout.

Other teams can make offers once free agency opens Dec. 9. If Mbah a Moute signs another team's offer sheet, the Bucks have three days to match that offer and retain him. It was seven days under the previous CBA.

The Bucks, who missed the playoffs after an injury-plagued season, want to keep him.
"We appreciate Luc and what he's done for us as an organization and what he stands for," Bucks General Manager John Hammond told news reporters Thursday. "We have every intention of bringing Luc back."

Mbah a Moute worked on his outside jump shot during the lockout, and he feels he can help spread the court off his range and score more.
He also visited his native Cameroon and hosted his second basketball camp for some of the top teens in the country. Five were selected to represent Cameroon at the NBA's Basketball Without Borders, a global development program focused on sport and social change.

Center Landry Nnoko, who participated in the camp in 2010, attends Montverde (Fla.) Academy and recently signed a letter of intent at Clemson.
Mbah a Moute said seven players from Cameroon are attending high schools and playing basketball in the USA.

"Who knows, one of them may have a chance to become a professional basketball player," he said. "As a player representing Cameroon, it was an obligation to help grow the sport and give kids a chance to get an education through sports."

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