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#3 Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic won the 2021 NBA MVP award after featuring in every game during the 2020-21 season and putting together sensational performances. He led the Denver Nuggets to overcome the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the playoffs only to get swept by the eventual NBA Finals finalists, the Phoenix Suns.
Mind you, the Serbian achieved all these in the absence of Jamal Murray, the team's second-best player. He will have to lead the team once again for a good part of the 2021-22 NBA season as Murray is still sidelined due to a knee injury.
From now until at least March 1, 2022, running the offense will be in the hands of Jokic, which is a significant burden for the big man. While Jokic will continue to give his all to the game, reaching the heights he did last season might be near impossible.
The Denver Nuggets, who recorded a third-place finish in the Western Conference during the 2020-21 NBA season, might struggle to make the playoffs through the play-in. Jokic can do it all when he's at his best, but the workload might take a toll, and he might not reach the heights many expect him to reach.
#2 Chris Paul
Chris Paul pulled off the impossible once again, leading an average team to a deep run in the playoffs. He joined the Phoenix Suns in the 2020 offseason and helped them reach the 2021 NBA Finals in his first season.
For his exceptional leadership skills, the Suns re-signed him to a four-year contract in hopes that he would inspire a re-run and perhaps hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy for the first time in his career and the franchise's history.
Given how other Western Conference teams have strengthened their squad, it will be difficult for the Phoenix Suns to successfully replicate last year's NBA playoffs performance.
Individually, Paul could continue to be a dime-dropping delight and knock down his elbow shows effectively. However, his success will be measured by how far he can lead the Suns in the 2021-22 NBA season.
#1 Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook is a fierce competitor, but is it possible that the role he has taken up with the LA Lakers might prove to be too much for him to handle? The veteran guard was acquired through a blockbuster five-team trade in the 2021 NBA offseason.
According to Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka:
"It takes a special mentality of competitiveness to take on the role of point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers."
While many have come and excelled in that position, it is never an easy task.
Westbrook is the king of triple-doubles in NBA history, but we might see less of his triple-double nights when he plays alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. LeBron also likes to have the ball in his hands, which might affect Westbrook's style of play and productivity.
Russell's flurry of turnovers in the preseason could have been early jitters as he started to get more comfortable as things progressed. Regardless, it might be a sign that the pressure might be too much for him to handle.
Anything less than an NBA Finals appearance will not be considered a successful season for the LA Lakers, and by extension, for Westbrook.
Guess the Lakers players!
