There’ve been so many superstars this NBA season, with some breaking through as new superstars.
But here’s what I think is the best team of the season so far (including three bench players).
PG: Luka Doncic
In only his second season in the NBA, the former Real Madrid star has gone up a level after a superb rookie year. He’s averaging 28.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game (first in rebounds for guards, fourth in assists, sixth in scoring).
He also has the most triple-doubles this season with 14. That’s a whole lot higher than his 21.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 6.0 apg and eight triple-doubles last year (despite only being a rookie). The question is though, can he sustain it through the rest of the season and into the playoffs?
SG: James Harden
Now, this was a hard one considering how good a season Bradley Beal is having, but Harden continues to be dominant offensively against nearly every team. Despite his numbers being lower than last season’s, he’s still averaging 34.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game, as well as 1.7 steals and 0.9 blocks (an increase from 0.7 last year) per game.
The big questions now is can he beat Giannis Antetokounmpo, Doncic and LeBron James this year to the MVP award once the season comes back and get Houston to the finals for the first time this century?
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
SF: LeBron James
After having missed the playoffs for the first time since his second year and the finals for the first time since 2011, LBJ has bounced back strongly this year with an MVP-esque season. Despite only scoring around 25.7 points per game at 49.8 per cent from the field, he has the most assists in the NBA at 10.6 per game, as well as 7.9 rebounds per game.
He also has the second-most triple-doubles this year with 13, the most he’s had since his miraculous 2017-18 season. But can he manage to get the Lakers to the finals for the first time in ten years?
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
This man just keeps getting better and better every season. And he hasn’t even hit his prime yet. He just keeps adding to his game and is now averaging a career-high 29.6 points (54.7 per cent from the field), 13.7 rebounds (third in the NBA), 5.8 assists, a steal and a block per game (with the latter three being lower than last season).
He’s also averaging 30.6 per cent from three, with all of this only in 31 minutes per game. If he can keep this up, he can go all the way again. But can he get Milwaukee to the finals this year and win an NBA championship?
C: Anthony Davis
In his first season at the Staples Center, Davis has been super impressive in the purple and gold. Improving from a decent last season, he’s averaging 26.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.4 blocks (equal second in the NBA), 1.5 steals (second among PFs/Cs), 3.1 assists, and is shooting 51.1 per cent from the field as well as 33. 5per cent from three.
He’s also shooting a career-high 84.5 per cent from the free-throw line, including a historic 26/27 from the line against Memphis back in October. But can he finally get into the finals and also win an NBA championship?
(AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Bench: Bradley Beal
Another player that keeps on improving every year, Beal has shone this season without the presence of John Wall and continues to add more to his game. He’s averaging 30.5 points (second-best in the NBA), 4.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game, with points and assists a career-high as well for him.
He’s also shooting at 45.5 per cent from the field, as well as 35.3 per cent from deep. But, as with Doncic, can he still sustain it when Wall comes back from his torn Achilles?
Bench: Trae Young
Young is another one who’s had an impressive second year, dramatically improving from last year. He’s equal third in scoring, averaging 29.6 points per game, and is second in assists, averaging 9.3 assists per game as well as 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals. He’s also shooting 43.7 per cent from the field and 36.1 per cent from deep.
His rookie season’s averages were 19.1 ppg, 8.1 apg, 3.7 rpg, 41.8 per cent from the field and 32.4 per cent from three. The only way is up for Young, but can he, along with Doncic and Beal, continue to endure more pressure when the season comes back?
Bench: Ben Simmons
It could’ve been Karl-Anthony Towns or teammate Joel Embiid here, but fellow Australian Simmons has again been impressive in his third season, further pushing his case he’s a future MVP. He’s averaging 16.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists (career-high), 2.1 steals (career-high), and is shooting 58.5 per cent from the field.
He also has the fifth-most triple-doubles this season with six as well as a career-high 35.7 minutes per game. But can he, along with Embiid, help the 76ers with a late-season push and into the finals?
Jacob Browne
Roar Rookie
The starting five is perfect, but I would be picking Kawhi, Siakam, Embiid, Jokic, Lillard and maybe even Tatum or CP, definitely before Young and probably Simmons/Beal.
JGK
Roar Guru
Starting 5 looks right. I think Embiid has to be on the bench.
ojp
Guest
Congrats on your first article ! Like Sarge I’m totally good with your starting 5, although I must say that despite being a Houston fan, I detest the manner in which Harden plays, but it is certainly effective. Unlike Sarge I’ve got no problem with Beal or Simmons, but I’m my humble opinion, Trae Young can’t be realistically considered until he becomes less of a sieve on defence. Great passer, good shooter, terrible defender, but the same was said about Harden until very recently and Harden did eventually get better on that end (it helps to actually try). It’s still early days for Young (Young is young!) but whereas with Harden, he had the tools (ie size / strength) Trae doesnt so it’s got to be about technique and effort from him... both lacking on defence currently. Plus, he’s liable to get clobbered by nutmegging the wrong dude at some point (eg Ariza!) ... lucky for him guys like Oak, Z-Bo, Zo (the original one, not the Big Baller) Mad Max, X-Man etc are long since retired, let alone Mahorn and / or Lambieer.... can you image how Mahorn would respond to someone trying to nutmeg him ? Ouch So, everyone else yes, but Trae, no. I’d take Kawhi or Spicy P, maybe even Tatum, you know, if he didn’t play for the Celts and all ! Cheers ojp
Josh Ward
Roar Guru
I do watch the NBA definitely. I love watching it. There were some tough choices yeah, but from what I've seen and from the stats, I think these were the best three options from the bench
Josh Ward
Roar Guru
Yeah definitely not, but I do watch the NBA and had a look at nba.com stats and no one really stood out more than the three bench players
Josh Ward
Roar Guru
Oh I watch the NBA. I’m a huge fan of it. It was a pretty tough choice though for the bench, but yeah I still think they’ve done good
sarge
Guest
Can't argue with your starting five, although I wouldn't pick anyone from your bench. Do you watch basketball or did you pick this list by looking at players stats?