'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The 2021-22 NBA season has been every bit as exciting as it promised to be before it started just over half a month ago. Several factors have played a role in fans experiencing this belter of a campaign so far.
For starters, underdog teams have shown a lot of potential, while some of the heavyweights have surprisingly taken some time to find their rhythm. The story hasn't been any different when it comes to individual performances.
Young talent is taking over center stage, while the renowned names are struggling to deliver the goods. These young stars have capitalized on the extended roles they have been asked to carry out this term. That said, let's take a look at the top five players who have had breakout campaigns so far.
Trending
#5 Cole Anthony
Cole Anthony is quietly making one of the best sophomore year leaps in the NBA this season. The Orlando Magic point guard averaged 12.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game last campaign, shooting only 39% from the floor. He has improved on all fronts this time around.
Anthony is averaging 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game across ten appearances this NBA campaign. He is shooting 42.1% from the floor, including 40.3% from the three-point range on 7.7 attempts per contest. He has also recorded a couple of double-doubles.
Cole Anthony had just four 20-point games last campaign. In just ten appearances this season, the 21-year-old has five 20-point games already, two of which eventually turned out to be 30-point games. He has been waging lone battles for his team so far and has reacted well to the pressure of doing that. It will be interesting to see if he can consistently put up these numbers moving forward.
#4 OG Anunoby
OG Anunoby has shown steady improvements with each passing year in his four-year NBA career. He has maintained that progress in his fifth year as well. The Toronto Raptors forward has had to take up a leading role in the absence of the injured Pascal Siakam, the team's new leader post the Kyle Lowry era.
Anunoby has been unfazed by the challenge and is averaging 20.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.7 steals per game across ten appearances so far. He averaged 15.9 points per game last campaign. His performances have helped the Raptors achieve a respectable start to this NBA season. They have a 6-4 record as of now.
Anunoby has had a rough start to the season but has managed to record six 20-point games in his last eight games. That includes a match-winning 36-point performance against the in-form New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
#3 Tyler Herro
Tyler Herro received a lot of criticism last campaign after failing to live up to his expectations based on the kind of rookie year he had when the Miami Heat made it to the NBA Finals.
Herro didn't make the leap he was expected to in his sophomore year as he averaged 15.1 points, five rebounds and 3.4 assists per contest. His inconsistent showings led many to believe that the Heat could look to trade him away in the 2021 offseason.
Miami was reluctant to do so, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions they made ahead of the 2021-22 campaign. Herro is now one of the strongest contenders to win the sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player because of his breakthrough campaign.
He is averaging 20.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and four assists per game across eight games. He is shooting a career-high 45.7% from the field. Herro is currently the second-highest scorer behind Jimmy Butler for the Miami Heat. His performances have bolstered the team to a 6-2 start.
#2 Miles Bridges
Miles Bridges showed glimpses of his potential in a limited role for the Charlotte Hornets during the 2020-21 campaign. He averaged 12.7 points and six rebounds, shooting on a 50/40/85 split. The Hornets opted to make him a regular starter this campaign, and Bridges did not disappoint. Ten games into the season, the 23-year old has amassed 22.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per contest.
He also claimed the first Eastern Conference Player of the Week award of the season. Bridges has recorded four 30-point games already, helping the Hornets secure a 4-1 start to the season. If he continues his rich vein of form, the Hornets will have a legitimate chance of making it to the NBA playoffs this season.
#1 Ja Morant
2020 Rookie of the Year, Ja Morant has been a star in the making ever since he stepped foot for the first time on an NBA court. Morant did not make the biggest of leaps in his sophomore year. He seems to have used that as motivation this time around. He went from averaging 19.1 points last year to 25.2 points per game this season.
Morant has also improved his shooting efficiency, and is making a career-high 49% of his shots from the field, including 34.9% from the three-point line. He has had five games so far in which he has recorded more than 25 points. This includes a 40-point-game as well.
Morant's breakthrough campaign could see him bag his first NBA All-Star appearance this season if he continues at this rate.
