The NBA season is about halfway through and it has been extremely entertaining. Players continue to amaze with exceptional displays of athleticism, but who has been the best? That is what I will analyze right now.
For a player to make it into this top 10 list he does not simply need impressive numbers. Team success also plays an extremely high factor into the rankings, because at the end of the day winning is what really matters most. As well, if a player has missed significant time then they will be absent from this list. Looking at you Kyrie Irving. This list does not show who I think are the best players overall, simply who have been the best so far this season.
10. DeMarcus Cousins
Per Game Stats: 26.1 PTS, 11 TRB, 2.8 AST, 1.4 BLK, 43.8 FG%, 33.6 3P%, 73.9 FT%, 23.7 PER
Boogie has been a beast in the paint since he was drafted, but now he can shoot threes. It almost seems unheard of for a center with this kind of size to also hit shots from beyond the arch. Cousins did miss some time due to injury, now that he is back his numbers continue to climb.
9. Andre Drummond
Per Game Stats: 17.8 PTS, 15.3 TRB, 1.5 BLK, 52.9 FG%, 35.6 FT%, 23.3 PER
Greg Monroe is gone from the Motor City and Drummond has thrived in his absence. The NBA’s leading rebounder has put up games 20 points and 20 rebounds on a regular basis. He still needs to work on his free throws if he wants to move higher on this list by the end of the season.
8. Paul George
Per Game Stats: 24.2 PTS, 7.6 TRB, 4 AST, 1.9 STL, 41.1 FG%, 38.1 3P%, 84.8 FT%, 20.8 PER
After a gruesome injury in the summer of 2014 it looked like George could be in for a long recovery. He played six games last year, but now he looks better than ever. The Pacers rely on him heavily and their faith has paid off well so far this season.
7. Anthony Davis
Per Game Stats: 22.8 PTS, 10.6 TRB, 2.4 BLK, 48.6 FG%, 27.6 3P%, 75.8 FT%, 24.3 PER
The next coming of LeBron has not had the type of year many expected of him. Some of that is due to the fact that the Pelicans have been riddled with injuries. Davis is the only reason they still have a shot to make the Western Conference Playoffs.
6. Kevin Durant
Per Game Stats: 26.5 PTS, 7.7 TRB, 4.4 AST, 51.7 FG%, 40.4 3P%, 89.5 FT%, 28.4 PER
The Slim Reaper has already played more games this season than he did in all of last year. So far he has been solid coming off his foot injury, reminding us how remarkable it is watch a guy this tall with handles like he has. Looking forward to watching his second half of the season.
5. Draymond Green
Per Game Stats: 15 PTS, 9.7 TRB, 7.3 AST, 1.3 BLK, 47.2 FG%, 41.7 3P%, 68.7 FT%, 20.4 PER
Green is in every sense of the word a stat sheet stuffer. Anything the team needs of him he does and that is a major reason why the Warriors are off to a historic 36-3 start. After being drafted in the second round, Green has come a long way and he should get his first All-Star nod.
4. Kawhi Leonard
Per Game Stats: 20.2 PTS, 7.1 TRB, 1.9 STL, 50.7 FG%, 48.3 3P%, 88.2 FT%, 25.9 PER
Even with the Warriors amazing start to the season the Spurs are just 2.5 games back. That is largely due to the play of Leonard. This season he has played at an elite level, leading the NBA in three-point percentage. Do not be surprised if he a top three MVP candidate by season’s end.
3. Russell Westbrook
Per Game Stats: 24.4 PTS, 7.1 TRB, 9.5 AST, 2.4 STL, 45.8 FG%, 30.2 3P%, 82 FT%, 29.6 PER
After winning the NBA scoring title last season, Westbrook’s encore is just as good. He can take over a game in a variety of ways, making him one of the most dangerous players in the league. This Thunder team will be very interesting as the season progresses.
2. LeBron James
Per Game Stats: 25.5 PTS, 7.4 TRB, 6.1 AST, 1.4 STL, 50.2 FG%, 30.0 3P%, 71.8 FT%, 26.9 PER
The King had a cold start to the season, however now it feels like he is back to form. He is still filling up the box score in a variety of different categories, making him still an elite level talent. His team success has been solid too, as the Cavaliers have a four game lead for first place in the East.
1. Stephen Curry
Per Game Stats: 29.7 PTS, 5.2 TRB, 6.4 AST, 2.1 STL, 50.7 FG%, 44.6 3P%, 90.5 FT%, 31.6 PER
There is no question who has been the best in NBA this season and his name is Stephen Curry. He is shooting the ball at an unbelievable clip so far and that is why many say he is the best shooter of all time. At this rate it is just a matter of time until he wins his second MVP trophy.
The beauty about all of this is that the season is just halfway through, meaning these 10 guys still have plenty of time to prove why they should be number one.
