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The players who are set to star in the 2021/2022 NBA season

2021-11-16T11:28:00.136Z



The NBA season is well and truly underway, and it has already been full of highlight showcases from players up and down the league. With fans now being welcomed back into basketball venues the atmosphere has finally returned and they have enjoyed every last pass, rebound and shot from downtown. The action has been nonstop from the seasons commencement with several games taking place per night. The NBA odds are shifting with every game, due to the unpredictable nature of the league. 

There have been several teams so far, whose performances have lived up to expectations that were set during preseason and there have also been a few teams who are perhaps overperforming, such as the Charlotte Hornets. There have also been some underwhelming performances from teams who were expected to be battling for a playoff place at least. Last year’s finals champion the Milwaukee Bucks have been relatively disappointing so far in their quest to defend the title, currently sitting 10th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 4-4. The Los Angeles Lakers started the season disastrously, losing to the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns in their opening two games. Having entered the season as one of the favourites to make it to the playoffs, their back-to-back losses came as a surprise to fans. However, their experience has started to shine through, and they seem to have overcome their difficulties at the start of the season, losing just one game since they welcomed the Suns and winning four. 

What has been really special this season so far, however, is the standout performances of some players in the league. Here we will profile the players set to star in the NBA in 2021-2022.

Nikola Jokic

The reigning MVP is probably the best big man in the league right now and his performances so far have all but supported that. The absence of Jamal Murray whilst he recovers from his ACL injury means that Jokic has had a larger offensive role so far, one he has settled into comfortably, currently averaging 18.6 PPG. Whilst this total will need to be upped to cover Murray, if anyone is capable it is Jokic. The Serbian Center nearly averaged a 30-point triple-double per 36 minutes with 29.7 points, 11.2 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.1 steals and a 55.1 percent shooting mark when playing without him last season. Whilst the Denver Nuggets have had a bit of a stop-start beginning to the season (their current record is 4-4), Jokic will be integral to any success they hope to have this year.

Kevin Durant

Brookyln Nets fans everywhere should worship the ground that Durant walks on, and to be honest they probably do. The absence of Kyrie Irving this season and the struggles of James Harden have seen the Nets put in some underwhelming performances so far, but without Durant it would be a whole lot worse. He has essentially been a One-Man Band so far putting up 28.5 points on 56% shooting from the field, 10.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. Durant has shone through so far in a Nets team that is performing below expectations and he is must-see in every game he plays in. If Harden can get his groove back, the Nets can finally prove to be a true title contender in the NBA and if they do, the efforts of Durant should earn him the key to the borough.

Luka Doncic

There’s a reason he’s the favourite to win this seasons MVP award. At 22 years old, Doncic’s performances so far this season have earmarked the Dallas Mavericks as serious playoff contenders. Whilst his talent and potential have never been in question (the 2019 Rookie of the Year has been putting up numbers not seen since Lebron burst onto the scene) his performances this season have been taken to another level. In fact, when healthy, an argument could be made that Doncic is the best player in the league. He is one of the league's best passers and was the only player last season to finish in the top six in both regular season scoring and assists. The Slovenian wonderkid was destined for greatness before he ever stepped foot on an NBA court and his performances this season will prove that.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

After leading the Bucks to glory last year in one of the greatest finals’ performances of all time, The Greek Freak is showing no signs of letting up. He is averaging a double-double so far this season (27.4 PPG and 10.8 RPG) and whilst the Bucks have not exactly set the league alight in their campaign to defend their title so far, Anetokounmpo’s performances are even better than they were in that unprecedented season. It does not end there though, because what is the most frightening about him is that he has probably not even reached his peak yet. His free throws have greatly improved since his showing in the finals, and he has shot 70% from the line so far this campaign. His arsenal of weapons continues to grow, and he truly is a defences worst nightmare. His performances each season outdo the last and this year is no different, making him the most exciting player to watch this season and I fully expect him to appear near the top of these lists for years to come.




Source: limnews

All sports articles on 2021-11-16

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