Best player in the league so far this season?
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Steve Aschburner: Giannis Antetokounmpo. The reigning MVP has gotten better or more productive in pretty much every category, and his willingness to hoist 3-pointers is more important at this point than his 30.4% success rate. Meanwhile, his leadership, spoken and unspoken, is unsurpassed. I get the craving for variety that voters for the major awards often feel, but intentionally looking for an alternative MVP — even at this early stage — strikes me as a mistake.
Shaun Powell: It’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, but it’s also closer than you might think. He remains a handful each night and seems to take great pride in being the best player on the floor at all times. Still, by the All-Star break, he’ll be overtaken by Luka Doncic if the youngster keeps this up. And if we’re grading this on the best player based on age, then obviously it’s LeBron here on the verge of turning 35.
John Schuhmann: Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s the driving force on both ends of the floor for a team that ranks in the top two in both offensive and defensive efficiency. His jumper remains a weakness, but keeping him away from the basket remains impossible; His 18.7 points in the paint per game are up from 17.5 last season, which was the most since Shaquille O’Neal in 2002-03. He plays every night and he doesn’t take possessions off.
Sekou Smith: Giannis Antetokounmpo has been every bit as unstoppable to date this season as he was all last season, a remarkable thing to see from a young player with so much room to improve certain aspects of his game. The fact that he’s as good as he is on both ends of the floor only serves to cement his claim to the top spot. There’s a robust crowd on his heels (LeBron, Harden, Luka and more) but I’ve got “The Greek Freak” out front.
Michael C. Wright: As eye-popping as his performances have been this season, it’s still too early for me to put Luka Doncic in this conversation, as I’d like to see more. And you’ve got to show some love for what ‘Washed King’ LeBron James is doing. But let’s give Giannis Antetokounmpo his due here. The man is following up his Kia MVP season with a higher usage rate, and a better player-efficiency rating, while averaging more points and rebounds. You can also see that Antetokounmpo is trying to expand his game, taking nearly five 3-point attempts (4.9) per game after averaging 2.8 in his MVP season.
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Best duo in the league so far this season?
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Steve Aschburner: LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The sample size for Kawhi Leonard and Paul George down the hall at Staples Center is too small. Besides, I’m more a fan of complementary players than I am of matched sets. It’s been interesting to see James defer to and serve another superstar’s game the way he has so far (while still serving his own game just fine).
Shaun Powell: LeBron James and Anthony Davis are the new Shaq and Kobe in L.A., a pair of generational players doing a tag-team number most nights. They’re taking turns throwing haymakers at the opposition and becoming tough to contain. Basically, they’ve been just as advertised and obviously the main reason the Lakers are looking down at the rest of the West in the standings.
John Schuhmann: That LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been the best duo so far is not a surprise, especially because Paul George and Kawhi Leonard have played in only seven games together. What is somewhat surprising is that James and Davis have been as much of a force defensively as they have offensively. James has been more active on that end of the floor than he’s been over the last few years and Davis has been fulfilling his potential as a Kia Defensive Player of the Year candidate. The Lakers have allowed less than a point per possession with their two stars on the floor, and building those defensive habits early on will pay off come April and May.
Sekou Smith: As good as LeBron and Anthony Davis have been together and could potentially be, the sight of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George teaming up on both ends for the Clippers has me wondering how crazy an all-L.A. playoff series would. Daydreaming aside, the length, athleticism and versatility of the Clippers’ duo just feels like it has more mileage you can get out of them long-term. Longevity, and the health status of both guys, are the only things that give me cause for pause.
Michael C. Wright: I’m really excited to see Jrue Holliday and Zion Williamson or Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry, but right now, the best duo for me is Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. This duo just combined for 65 points in a win over the Wizards, and in Leonard and George you’ve got a pair of dogs that are not just bona fide closers, but defensive stoppers. The Clippers have scored 150 points twice this season, and what’s scary is that coach Doc Rivers said before Sunday’s game that Leonard and George haven’t even yet practiced together in the same lineup.
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The best acquisition from the offseason is clearly _______________.
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Steve Aschburner: Well, we all know that Carmelo Anthony is the best acquisition of the early season … so I’m sticking with Anthony Davis. Look, I loathed the disruption that he and his reps caused not just for the Pelicans but for the entire NBA last winter. I would have preferred he languish another season in New Orleans and learn to act like a professional before moving only in free agency. But there is no denying that what they tried to force then has proven to be a insta-contender now.
Shaun Powell: If we’re talking about a singular player, then Anthony Davis is the answer if only because the Lakers are winning big because of him. But remember, Kawhi Leonard came with Paul George attached. Meanwhile, here’s the team that’s done the most under the radar with its additions: Indiana, with Malcolm Brogdon, TJ Warren and Jeremy Lamb all doing well and holding it down until Victor Oladipo suits up.
John Schuhmann: It’s not clearly anybody. It’s either Anthony Davis or Kawhi Leonard, but it’s too early to make that determination. Leonard brought Paul George with him, but his efficiency is way down from last season, the Clippers are still in the early stages, and Davis gets similar points for helping LeBron James become more engaged defensively.
Sekou Smith: Kawhi Leonard (with Paul George, too). This is potentially the sort of game-changer in the vein of the 2007-08 Celtics (when Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joined Paul Pierce), the 2010-11 Heat (when LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined Dwyane Wade) and the 2016-17 Warriors (when Kevin Durant joined Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson). If the Clippers turn this combo into just one championship, it’ll be worth whatever price the Clippers paid to make it happen.
Michael C. Wright: Kawhi Leonard, easily. The man has won a championship every team he’s been on, and there’s a good chance he grabs another title with team No. 3. Leonard has low-key improved a facet of his game nearly every year he’s been in the league. The lockdown defense is a given, but Leonard has really made strides as a playmaker over the past couple of seasons. He’s currently averaging career-highs in assists (5.3) and rebounds (7.9), and he leads in a quiet, hardworking way that inspires others to match his work ethic.
Taking everything into consideration (injuries, schedule strength, etc.), who are the Top 5 teams in the league right now, ranked from 1 to 5?
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Steve Aschburner: The Bucks have played a tougher schedule than most of the top contenders, weathered Khris Middleton’s injury without a hiccup and are thriving with continuity and depth. My Top 5: 1. Milwaukee. 2. L.A. Lakers. 3. LA Clippers. 4. Toronto. 5. Boston.
Shaun Powell: No. 1 is the Bucks. Greatest point differential, a superstar in Giannis, quality wins vs. the Rockets, Raptors, Clippers and Pacers and consecutive blowouts by 40-plus points. Lost one game by three points and another in overtime. No. 2 is the Clippers. Didn’t have Paul George for 11 games and Kawhi Leonard for six and still lurk in the attic of the West. They’re just getting started. No. 3 is the Lakers. Ripped through a record month (albeit against a batch of inferior teams) and LeBron James and Anthony Davis are both playing at a Kia MVP level. No. 4 is the Raptors. The heart of a champion beats without Kawhi and while missing Serge Ibaka and Kyle Lowry for chunks of games. Pascal Siakam is for real, folks. No. 5 is the Celtics. Currently playing through the loss of Gordon Hayward, who had just started to sparkle before his injury, and own a convincing win over the Bucks. Sorry, Nuggets … you just missed the cut.
John Schuhmann: I typically only rank teams on Mondays, but I’ll make this exception … No. 1 is Milwaukee. Their 12-game winning streak lacks a signature win, but they’re 16-1 since Nov. 1 with only a three-point loss in Utah. No. 2 is the L.A. Lakers. They have played a relatively weak schedule as well, but it’s hard to argue with 18-3, with how well they’ve been able to close games out, or how good they’ve been defensively. No. 3 is the LA Clippers. They haven’t been as consistent as the teams above, but last week’s win in Dallas was a display of just how good they can be, especially defensively. No. 4 is the Dallas Mavericks. That loss to the Clippers is the only setback in an 8-1 stretch in which they’ve beat the Raptors and Lakers (in L.A.). No. 5 is the Toronto Raptors. They’re the only team without a loss that wasn’t within five points in the last five minutes, but now are just 3-5 against the other 12 teams that are currently over .500.
Sekou Smith: I’m going with the Bucks (No. 1), Lakers (No. 2), Clippers (No. 3), Raptors (No. 4) and the Nuggets (No. 5) edging out the Celtics. The Bucks ran through the competition with their second-best player missing and Giannis Antetokounmpo destroying everything in sight. The Lakers are off to a championship start and playing at an elite level on both ends of the floor. The Clippers have the league’s best bench and the best perimeter defensive personnel we’ve seen in years. The Raptors are still in a championship groove even without Kawhi Leonard. They’ve been the most impressive team given the circumstances. The Nuggets got off to a slow start but I believe in what coach Mike Malone has built. Losing Gordon Hayward was yet another cruel injury blow for the Celtics but they remain the most dangerous group outside of the obvious top five teams.
Michael C. Wright: My Top 5: 1. Lakers 2. Bucks 3. Clippers 4. Raptors 5. Rockets. I was waffling some on No. 5 between the Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets, but the Rockets get the nod here simply because the franchise is so desperate, knowing the championship window is closing quickly. The Lakers hold the top spot for me, and it’ll be revealing to see how they hold up playing such a brutal schedule this month. Milwaukee is hot right now at No. 2, but it isn’t defending the 3-point line the way it needs to at this point. The Clippers and Raptors hold the next two spots at Nos. 3 and 4. The Clippers’ defense is nasty, they’re battle-tested and deep. But the Raptors are getting it done on both ends of the floor (Top 5 in offensive and defensive rating).
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What is the biggest surprise of the season so far?
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Steve Aschburner: That the Toronto Raptors haven’t curled up in the fetal position that so many expected of them. Maybe playing those 22 load management games without Kawhi Leonard — along with the experience so many of their players gained in The Finals run — did wonders for what was considered a supporting cast.
Shaun Powell: Luka Doncic already being in the Kia MVP conversation means he’s wearing skates on his path to development. Wasn’t he supposed to be merely an All-Star first? Him taking the baton from Dirk Nowitzki could be similar to Tim Duncan taking it from David Robinson. Or is that basketball sacrilege? Not sure if it is. Luka is that good, that quickly. Doing it nightly means you’re no fluke.
John Schuhmann: The Indiana Pacers winning 13 of their first 20 games is a surprise. They’ve played a very easy schedule and have just one win over a team that’s currently over .500. But good teams take care of business against the teams at the bottom of the standings, and they’ve been better than they were without Victor Oladipo last season. Malcolm Brogdon has been great, but the Pacers were without Myles Turner for eight games, they lost six guys from their rotation last season, and they had a rough first week, losing to Detroit (twice) and Cleveland. I wasn’t sure they were a playoff team if they weren’t going to get Oladipo back early in the season, but they’re clearly that and maybe more.
Sekou Smith: As surprising as Luka Doncic’s breakout season has been, I’m more surprised at how well Pascal Siakam and the Toronto Raptors have performed in the aftermath of Kawhi Leonard’s departure. I wasn’t sure what to expect from him or them. But it’s obvious they’re more than just one-hit wonders. Siakam has elevated his game in ways I didn’t imagine would be possible until he went bonkers in the 2019 Finals. Now, I don’t know what his ceiling might be. And kudos to coach Nick Nurse and his staff for keeping it going, even without the services of some of his veteran stars this season.
Michael C. Wright: If this question was asked a couple weeks ago, Phoenix’s rise would’ve been the surprise for me. The Suns started off 7-4, then dropped six of the next seven. So, let’s go with the Miami Heat here. They’re legit. Back in the summer when Miami signed Jimmy Butler, nobody around the league expected him to make this significant of an impact. But here he is, a playmaker, at age 30, averaging a career-best 6.7 assists as youngsters such as Bam Adebayo and Kendrick Nunn (a Kia NBA Rookie of the Year candidate) blossom around him along with Tyler Herro. Butler brings an intensity and competitiveness that will be locked into this young squad’s DNA for a while, thus setting up the Heat for a bright future with all these young, budding stars.
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What is the biggest disappointment of the season so far?
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Steve Aschburner: This was the season — finally! — that the Chicago Bulls were going to actually try to win some games. Two years of tanking, er, rebuilding was supposed to pay off in a roster full of young talent, assisted in 2019-20 by some carefully selected vets (Thaddeus Young, Tomas Satoransky). But neither Zach LaVine nor Lauri Markkanen has taken the big step up expected of him, injuries on the wing (Otto Porter Jr., Chandler Hutchison) have intruded and there’s still too much tension surrounding coach Jim Boylen and his acceptance by the players. The Bulls have face-planted so far.
Shaun Powell: There are nights when the Spurs aren’t even competitive. The last time anyone said that about a Gregg Popovich team was right before this epic two-plus decade run started, when David Robinson was hurt and the Spurs collapsed their way to the Draft lottery and the No. 1 pick — and you know how that went. They’ve lost to the Pistons by 34, the Celtics by 20, the Wolves twice by double digits. And they’re relatively healthy, too.
John Schuhmann: We’re going on seven weeks without Zion Williamson, and the disappointment is as much about the impact that he could be making on the Western Conference playoff race as it is about the highlights. The big takeaway from the preseason was that the most-hyped No. 1 pick in a long time was ready to make a real impact on the Pelicans right away. There’s still plenty of season left, but a knee injury at this point in his career is a scary proposition and the Pelicans should obviously take all precautions going forward. Hopefully, when we’re looking back five years from now, this delayed start was just a blip on the radar.
Sekou Smith: They might be in the midst of turning things around right now with the aid of Carmelo Anthony, but I expected so much more from the Portland Trail Blazers. That trip to the 2019 Western Conference finals was supposed to be the start of something special. And instead, it felt (early on this season) like the Blazers had exhaled and maybe settled for a fate that would not include any sustained contention in a brutal West playoff chase. Anthony has a chance to resurrect his image and career this season — and he might just help save the season in Portland, too.
Michael C. Wright: There are plenty: Golden State’s demise, the Zion Williamson injury, and the struggles of the Sacramento Kings. But the biggest for me is what’s going on in San Antonio. Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry once joked that for the last 20 years people have been trying to slam shut the Spurs’ championship window. It’s closed now, it appears, and San Antonio likely won’t extend its playoff streak to 23 years in a row. That’s confounding considering the Spurs should actually be in better shape than they were a year ago given the return of Dejounte Murray, DeMar DeRozan getting comfortable in his second season there and Derrick White’s ascension (not to mention the expected emergence of Lonnie Walker IV). The Spurs produced their worst defensive season in 22 years last season, and 2019-20 so far is shaping up to be even worse. You have to wonder how much more of this Gregg Popovich can take.
Most incredible thing you’ve seen or heard this season?
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Steve Aschburner: I’m agog — agog, I tell ya! — over Luka Doncic’s mastery of this sport and league at age 20. It’s remarkable to see him play at his own pace, sometimes snappy but often methodical and almost slo-mo smooth, and get the results he has gotten. I get it that he had a basketball in his hands from the time he could walk or whatever. If ever there was a perfect human lab for author Malcolm Gladwell’s “Outliers” theory regarding 10,000 repetitions leading to “overnight success,” this young man would seem to be it. Note: I have to admit, I wonder if the league’s obsession with 3-point shots has fueled his 9.9 rpg, a nosebleed number for a 6-7 wing.
Shaun Powell: Eric Bledsoe taking the ball out of bounds by himself, and doing so very casually without even the slightest bit of “oops” is something no basketball fan has ever seen before on any level. It’s now known as “Pulling A Bledsoe” although there are serious doubts if anyone’s brain will actually lock like that again.
John Schuhmann: It’s Luka Doncic’s combination of youth, usage and efficiency. He’s 20 years old and less than 100 games into his NBA career. And not only does he rank third in the league in usage rate, he’s carrying that load for the league’s No. 1 offense. His true shooting percentage (which measures scoring efficiency) ranks fourth among the 39 players with a usage rate of 25% or higher, and his assist/turnover ratio (2.04) is higher than those of the three guys ahead of him. It’s absolutely legit to think of him as an MVP candidate, and that’s pretty incredible.
Sekou Smith: This is where I think Luka Doncic’s sensational sophomore season takes over the early narrative of this season. He’s on a pace for a historic season for a second-year player and he’s doing it with a blend of physical and mental dominance that belies his years. I don’t think we can put enough stock into how crucial his professional training overseas was in preparing him for what we’re seeing now. If he’s just getting started at 20, it’s frightening for the rest of league when you consider how good he could be in another season or two (when he’s better in every facet of the game).
Michael C. Wright: The season is still young, but I’ve enjoyed watching the whole buildup and return of Carmelo Anthony. This man belongs in the NBA, and it was nice to see him return after more than a year away and win Western Conference Player of the Week just two weeks into his comeback. Having now played six games for the Blazers, Anthony is averaging 17.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 30.7 minutes per game. But more importantly, he’s helping Portland — which struggled out of the gates — to win ballgames. In hip-hop, you always hear about your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper. Well, in a way, that’s what Anthony is to NBA players, and it’s heartwarming to see the reception he’s gotten around the league and from his teammates.
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Most annoying thing you’ve seen or heard this season?
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Steve Aschburner: The Knicks. ‘Nuff said.
Shaun Powell: I’m annoyed by the proposed in-season tournament. While recognizing the need to make the regular season more meaningful if only to appease the TV networks and therefore keep the money flowing, it seems very gimmicky. The best way to put pop in the regular season is to reduce the number of playoff teams, therefore reducing the number of load management games, and perhaps start the season on Christmas Day.
John Schuhmann: “Annoying” isn’t the right word, but it bothers me that Dejounte Murray and Derrick White have played only eight minutes together this season. I think that the explanation is that Murray’s minutes are limited and neither guy spaces the floor for the other. But not much has worked for the Spurs and it’s not like DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge complement each other. The Spurs have tinkered with the starting lineup, but three guys have started every game that they’ve played in and the team has been outscored by 7.3 points per 100 possessions in the 446 minutes those three guys – Bryn Forbes, DeRozan and Aldridge – have been on the floor together. When is it time to turn the keys over to (what we thought was) the backcourt of the future?
Sekou Smith: This relentless scrutiny of Kyrie Irving’s every move has subsided recently. But it was bordering on complete foolishness for a few days and threatened so many other stories that should have been in the spotlight. We’ll have plenty of time to litigate Kyrie’s game and reputation when the Nets are much closer to full strength. Dissecting Kyrie’s every word right now, though, is a trivial pursuit I’ll gladly avoid. I’m with Marcus Smart: enough talk about Kyrie with his former teammates and coaches. Everybody else got a chance to start fresh this season, so should Kyrie and the Nets.
Michael C. Wright: Load management, and all the hot takes and opinions associated with it. Let’s face it: load management isn’t going away. It’s a part of the modern NBA, and it’s here to stay. I get it, it’s not ideal for the fans paying their hard-earned money to watch their favorite players. But surely those same fans would take a few missed games here and there to see their teams flourish with healthier players. The NBA hasn’t gone soft. It’s just a different game with bigger, faster players and teams now embracing science to ensure their best players can perform optimally for as long as possible. Without load management, we don’t get to enjoy watching Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili perform at such a high level for as long as they did.
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Your thoughts on the coach’s challenge: Continue after this season or pull the plug?
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Steve Aschburner: Well, we all know that Carmelo Anthony is the best acquisition of the early season … so I’m sticking with Anthony Davis. Look, I loathed the disruption that he and his reps caused not just for the Pelicans but for the entire NBA last winter. I would have preferred he languish another season in New Orleans and learn to act like a professional before moving only in free agency. But there is no denying that what they tried to force then has proven to be a insta-contender now.
Shaun Powell: Pull. The. Plug. Can’t yank it quickly enough. But if you must, confine it to just the final four minutes of the game, when every possession counts just a bit more.
John Schuhmann: Pull the plug, or at least limit it to the last five minutes of the game. The coaches don’t appear to like it (even when it works for them) and there’s just too much review time in certain games. The clear path rule needs to go too. (Just give the offense two shots and the ball for any intentional foul in the first 12 seconds of the shot clock.)
Sekou Smith: I remain a huge proponent for the continued evolution of the game, in any way that seems reasonable. So I say continue it. The coaches are making their adjustments to the change and how to manage it. I realize most of the coaches seem ready to scrap the whole thing, but give it time, fellas. As the season progresses, we’ll have a better idea of how the challenge impacts the game and whether or not it’s working for the greater good.
Michael C. Wright: Let’s continue it because, to me, it adds another strategic layer to the game that coaches are still trying to get a handle on, and ultimately the goal of the challenge in a way is to ensure fairness in competition. That can only be viewed as a positive. The early returns from challenges haven’t yielded terribly high success rates so far, but coaches will find a better feel for it once there’s a larger sample size from which to draw data. The fact that you get only one challenge is what makes this intriguing.
