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Also read: Top 10 Two-Way players in the NBA today
Almost 20 games into the 2017-2018 NBA season, we have been through many surprises. With so many big names being traded, there have been many teams that are going through the development phase. While the incoming 2017 Draft class has been far better overall than many initially anticipated, there have been few question marks as well.
With the Thanksgiving break on Thursday night in the league, this would be a fair time to evaluate the state of the league, more importantly, the best players. So let's look at the top 10 players who have been performing at the highest level possible and are currently the best in the league.
Note: Players that are currently nursing an injury or at due to rehab have not been considered on this list.
#10 Kyrie Irving
This past offseason Kyrie Irving decided to take his talents to Boston and join forces with Gordon Hayward, Al Horford and the rest of the crew as he wanted to make a name for himself rather than be a second fiddle on the Cleveland Cavaliers to LeBron James.
After the inopportune injury to Gordan Hayward, the Boston Celtics have lost just 3 matches in the season and have gone on a 16-game winning streak. They are currently the best team in the league with a 16-3 record.
All though it has been a team effort, Kyrie Irving has the lead the team from the front. We have seen a different side of Irving, that we all didn't know. He took his time at the start of the season, getting adjusted to the style of play, but as the season has progressed, he has really started balling out.
Kyrie is averaging 22.5 points, 5.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 36.4 percent from three and 47.0 percent from the field. The numbers really don't suggest the amount of impact he has had on the team. He finally seems to have found the correct team and the correct coach for the style he wants to play.
#9 Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook had a season for the ages as he averaged a triple-double last season (only second person to do that in league history) and was named the Most Valuable Player of the year 2017.
This offseason, two of the biggest trades that happened were the additions of All-Stars Paul George and Carmelo Anthony to the Oklahoma City Thunder. With deals of such firepower into the roster, Westbrook's numbers were bound to take a hit.
But he is still averaging a near triple-double with 20.9 points, 9.6 assists and 8.8 rebounds with almost 2 steals per game. Similar to last year, his triple-doubles mean the Thunder are favored to win. Out of his four for this season so far, OKC has won three of those games. Last year, the team went 33-9 when Brodie erupted for a triple-double
Although Westbrook is not known for his shooting, the astonishing stat has been his free throw percentage which has decreased and reduced down to 71 percent from the line which is the lowest he has shot in his career.
The Oklahoma City Thunder is struggling right now, and are still trying to find out the perfect combinations as they are placed at 8th position in the Western Conference. With such combination of stars with such different style never been brought together, it is bound to take some time before the three can get it together.
#8 Kristaps Porzingis
With the trade of Carmelo Anthony to the Thunder, it was pretty clear that the reins of the New York Knicks had been handed on to the 22-year-old and he has not disappointed so far.
The New York Knicks are 5th on the table in the Eastern Conference and the credit has to be given to this young kid. He is averaging 27.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.3 block shots per game (league-leader), all the while shooting 39.2 percent from beyond the arc and 46.7 percent from the field. He has improved his points per game from 18.1 to 27.3 points and his 3 point shooting has increased by almost 5 percent.
Stated at 7'3", he still is pretty agile on the floor. His defense has also improved this year along with his shooting. The only problem has been that he has not been able to finish the games out for the Knicks when the opportunity has presented itself. There is still time before the Latvian becomes a superstar in the league, but he certainly has the talent to do so.
#7 Demarcus Cousins
DeMarcus Cousins is widely considered as one of the best centers in the NBA right now. He was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans mid-season last year as the news came out right after the 2017 All-Star game held in New Orleans. By joining forces with Anthony Davis, the two have formed a super team of their own.
Cousins, this season, has played some of the best basketball of his career. He is averaging 26.4 points, 13.1 boards and 5.4 assists per game. His defense seems to have improved with 1.5 blocks and 1.7 steals per game. Currently, his rebounding, steals and assists averages are all career-highs.
The two stars have found a way to gel together this season while both impacting the game in their own way as the Pelicans are at the 7th position. The Pelicans would like to build a team around their two stars and if surrounded by the right supporting cast, they could be a threat in the future.
#6 Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis might be the most underappreciated star in the league. The reason might be his continuous injuries or the New Orleans Pelicans are usually out of the playoff picture, but the Pelicans power forward is the next big thing.
With the addition of Demarcus Cousins, the two have formed a center power-forward duo the likes we haven't seen in the league since Tim Duncan and David Robinson in San Antonio.
Davis is averaging 25.9 points, 11.2 rebounds to go along with his 1.9 blocks and 1.4 steals per game. He is shooting 37.8 percent from beyond the arc, which is a significant improvement from last season when he shot 30 percent.
The two stars seemed to have found some groove together. The Pelicans as of now are at the 7th position in a tough Western Conference and look forward to their stars to continue performing at the same level to make it to the Playoffs this season.
#5 Stephen Curry
With the addition of a 4-time scoring champion in Kevin Durant, Curry initially had to take a backseat last season to adjust his game to make Durant feel more comfortable with the team. Even after not being the primary offensive option on the floor most of the time, Curry is still performing on an exceptional level as you would expect nothing less from a 2 time MVP (first ever Unanimous MVP).
The baby-faced assassin is averaging 25.5 points, 6.5 dimes and 5.2 rebounds and almost 2 steals per game. Although his 3 point shooting percentage has decreased (it's below 40% for the first time in his career), there is no reason to be concerned as even the best shooter in the world can have some off nights. He is currently in the 5th position when it comes to PER rating with a rating of 27.56.
Even though Curry is not the primary offensive option on the floor, he is amongst the most valuable players on the team and is the face of the franchise. He is the engine that runs this Warriors team and if he on a role, the Warriors are almost an impossible team to beat.
#4 James Harden
James Harden is averaging 31.1 points, 9.8 dimes and 4.9 boards per game all the while shooting 44.7 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from beyond the arc. He also has the third-best PER rating in the league as of now at 29.75, according to ESPN.
The beard put on an absolute shooting clinic against Utah Jazz as he scored career-high 56 points in 35 minutes while shooting 76% from the field and unimaginably 87.5 percent from three. The performance also included 13 assists as the Rockets defeated the Jazz 137-110.
The Houston Rockets are a renewed team this season as they have added significant depth to their roster and now have a more balanced squad with the inclusion of the 9 time NBA All-Star Chris Paul and many other pieces like Luc Mbah A Moute and PJ Tucker. Although Paul got injured on opening night against the Warriors, Harden has taken over the reins and has took the Rockets to the number 1 position in the Western Conference.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
The 'Greek Freak' (as he is widely known) has really come on his own this season as many predicted and has proved that he has the capability of being something really really special in this league.
He is averaging 29.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists to go along with 1.9 blocks and 1.6 steals per game. He is a real tough one for the opposition to defend as he is a mismatch for almost anybody because of his size and length. He is great in finishing in transition and difficult to handle on the defensive end.
He is the current leader of PER rating with 30.59. The only problem in his game might be his 3 point shooting. In fact, it's marginally dipped and that's why he is such a marvel. Being able to dominate games without a three-point shot.
The Milwaukee Bucks after a good start have dropped down to the 9th seed in the Eastern Conference. But with the addition of Eric Bledsoe, a talented young roster and a bona-fide superstar in the making, the Bucks are a force to be reckoned with.
#2 Kevin Durant
It has been a rather seamless transition for Kevin Durant after he joined the Golden State Warriors. He had a fairly tail debut season last year as he won the title and was named the Finals MVP.
This season Kevin Durant is averaging 24.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. We all know Durant's prowess on the offensive end of the floor as he is 4-time scoring champion but it's on the defensive end of the floor that he has made his mark after joining the Dubs.
The Warriors led the league in block shots last season and Durant played a big role in that as he ended the season with 1.6 block shots per game. This season he has improved that number to 2.1. Not only has he improved his number of block shots per game, his shooting from beyond the arc has also increased to 43.2 percent (a career-high) this season from 37 percent.
His sensational performance in the 2017 NBA Finals has raised debates about him being better than LeBron as the best player in the world, but there still time before Durant can surpass LeBron.
#1 LeBron James
Not much needs to be said about the King, LeBron James. He has earned the image being the best player in the world along with the best athlete in the world.
Lebron is averaging 28.6 points, 8.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting 42.7 percent from three and 58.5 percent from the field. Believe it or not, his numbers have just improved this season. But the one thing that stands out this season about his numbers has been his free throw percentage.
He said earlier at the start of the season that he would try and shoot 85 percent from the free throw line. He has been shooting 78.3 percent which is some improvement from the 67.4 percent he shot last season. He is also second in the league when it comes to player efficiency rating (PER) with 30.56.
Lebron put on a special performance this season against the Washington Wizards as he scored 57 points to end the 4-game losing streak for the Cavs. He also had 11 rebounds and 7 assists to go along with his 57 points.
In the 15th year of his career, Lebron putting up such kind of numbers is nothing short of impossible and thus he tops the list and is still currently the best player in the world.
Guess the Lakers players!
