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We are now more than halfway through the 2019-20 NBA season, and with All-Star Weekend quickly approaching, it is the perfect time to reflect on the campaign so far. Last week, ten of the NBA's best players were named as starters for the 2020 All-Star Game and the consensus is that these are the players that have delivered the best performances over the first four months of the season.
However, there have also been several excellent performers up and down the league who have exceeded expectations over the first half of the season and deserve credit for their contributions. So, as we head into the business end of the season, here we will take a look at the five players that have performed better than expected.
#5 Chris Paul - Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Chris Paul in the blockbuster trade that sent Russell Westbrook to the Houston Rockets last summer, and the aging point guard appeared to be a poor match for the rebuilding Thunder. After all, Paul was coming off one of the worst seasons of his career during the 2018-19 campaign, and his huge multi-year contract would only slow down OKC’s ongoing reboot.
Nevertheless, Paul has proved to be an excellent addition to an increasingly young OKC locker room, and he has notably taken up a mentor role to the emerging Shai-Gilgeous Alexander. The 34-year-old has also been excellent on the court, averaging 17.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 31.6 minutes per contest. Despite intense competition in the Western Conference, the Thunder are also well on course to reach the postseason thanks to a 29-20 record, and CP3 will continue to play a significant role if he is not dealt ahead of the trade deadline.
#4 Andrew Wiggins – Minnesota Timberwolves
Andrew Wiggins appeared destined for superstardom after being named Rookie of the Year in 2015, although following an encouraging sophomore year, Wiggins’ career entered a downward slump. His effort and focus have often been called into question amid declining numbers over the past three seasons, although while he still receives some criticism, Wiggins has been excellent throughout the first half of the season.
Over 39 appearances, Wiggins has averaged 22.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists – and it appears that the Timberwolves are now determined to stick with the Toronto native following rampant trade speculation. A strong argument could be made for Wiggins making his first All-Star appearance, although even if he misses out, he should be applauded for his excellent comeback campaign.
#3 Derrick Rose – Detroit Pistons
Derrick Rose enjoyed an encouraging 2018-19 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves – although the Detroit Pistons were criticized for signing the 2011 MVP to a two-year, $15 million contract. Rose had generated surprisingly little interest as a free agent and the general consensus was that Detroit had overpaid for the veteran. However, while Rose’s presence hasn’t been enough for the Pistons to contend in the East, the point guard is enjoying his best season since the 2010-11 campaign.
Over 42 appearances, Rose has averaged 18.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 6.0 assists - and he is also shooting a career-high 49.8 percent from the field. His form has also been enough to generate interest from the Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers – and Rose could complete a move to a contending team ahead of the trade deadline.
#2 Jimmy Butler – Miami Heat
While there wasn’t much criticism aimed at the Miami Heat’s decision to sign Jimmy Butler to a max deal last summer, few experts believed that his addition would transform the Heat into contenders. However, Butler has been excellent throughout the first half of the season, and his impact on young players such as Tyler Herro has been well documented as the Heat has made a much better than expected 32-15 start to the season.
Butler is averaging 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game, and even without the presence of a second star, the 30-year-old has successfully transformed the Heat into contenders in the East. Butler was unlucky to miss out on a starting berth in the All-Star Game, and it can be argued that no other offseason acquisition has made a greater impact this season.
#1 Dwight Howard - Los Angeles Lakers
Heading into the 2019 offseason, it was widely reported that Dwight Howard’s career could be over. Following an injury struck 2018-19 season with the Washington Wizards, Howard was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies before being subsequently waived. Due to his reputation as a problem in the locker room – Howard generated little interest on the open market, although the Lakers eventually signed him to a non-guaranteed deal as cover to the injured DeMarcus Cousins.
Relegated to the bench for the first time in his career, Howard has fully embraced his role to make an enormous impact during his limited time on the court. The 34-year-old is currently averaging 7.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 20.1 minutes per contest – and the Los Angeles fan base has fully embraced a player that was long viewed as a villain following his controversial departure back in 2013.
