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The 2020-21 NBA season witnessed an earth-shattering move as the reigning scoring champ, James Harden, was sent to the Brooklyn Nets via a four-team trade to create a super team the likes of which has become the envy of most teams in the association. To put things into perspective, Harden, the recipient of 3 back-to-back NBA scoring titles joins Kevin Durant, the winner of 4 NBA scoring titles.
Donning his new role as a facilitator, James Harden is making the ultimate sacrifice this season with the hopes of winning his first championship ring. The same title aspirations for the Nets could affect Durant's scoring averages as the team will share the love on the offensive end between KD, Kyrie, and Harden this campaign.
Top 5 candidates in the race for NBA scoring title for the 2020-21 NBA season
Harden's new role with the Nets has cleared the runway for a new candidate to win the honor of the NBA scoring champion this season. A chance to join the list of elite players, enshrined in NBA history, with the likes of Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, and the late, the great, Kobe 'Bean' Bryant to name a few.
On that note, let's take a look 5 NBA players in the race for the NBA scoring title this season:
#1 Bradley Beal
Despite the Wizards' struggles this season, Bradley Beal has shone bright, continuing to keep pace with his 30 PPG average from the 2019-2020 season. Beal, who had only two All-Star selections coming into this season, has displayed his offensive repertoire to such an extent that he not only earned another All-Star appearance, but has received the honor of entering the 2021 NBA All-Star game as a starter in the East.
Bradley Beal joined the NBA in the 2012-13 season as a nineteen-year-old, maturing into one of the best two guards in the league over the years. He has taken a leap over the last three years, reaching the pinnacle of his career this season. His impressive display of scoring with finesse sent the NBA rumor mill into overdrive with almost every team getting linked with Beal one way or the other. No matter how the Wizards end this season, Beal remains the frontrunner in the race for the NBA scoring title.
Beal has averaged 32.8 points on 47.3% shooting from the field in twenty-four games.
#2 Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid is a true unicorn, entering this list as the only center in the NBA with the high scoring averages required for competing as a leading candidate for the NBA scoring title. Embiid is not only scoring the ball well but has been posting impressive numbers across the board that should include him in the MVP debate as well.
The big man from Cameroon will join another player on the list, Bradley Beal in the 2021 NBA All-Star game as a starter in the East. Embiid's talents and domination underneath the rim have seen him getting compared with one of the greatest centers in NBA history, Shaquille O'Neal. While Shaq will probably not approve of this comparison, the rest of us can see the same qualities that set them apart from the rest.
Embiid remains the 76ers best bet to take them back to the Eastern Conference Finals this campaign. Embiid will attempt to follow in the footsteps of another Sixers legend, Allen Iverson, who guided them to a trip to the NBA Finals in 2001 and is coincidentally the winner of 4 NBA scoring titles.
Also Read: What is Allen Iverson’s net worth now?
Embiid is averaging 30.5 points on a terrific 54.7% shooting from the field.
NBA 2020-21 Top 5 candidates (contd.)
#3 Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry holds one of the most decorated careers in the NBA. He had already won the NBA scoring title back in the 2015-16 season. Steph is not one of, but 'the' greatest shooter in league history, and is registering another phenomenal season this campaign. After a disastrous 2019-20 season, Curry has come out with a purpose this time around, firing on all cylinders to keep the Warriors right in the hunt for a playoff berth.
Curry is a generational talent who can shoot his way out of any situation within a matter of a few seconds. Steph entered the NBA back in the 2009-10 season and has remained loyal to the franchise, something rarely seen in the modern NBA landscape.
He has been making a statement with epic performances this season, dropping a career-high 62 points and a 57 points outing en route to another starters' role in the 2021 NBA All-Star game.
The 3x NBA Champion is averaging an impressive 29.9 points on an efficient 48.6% accuracy from the floor in thirty games so far.
#4 Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard is one of the most underrated superstars in the association, who deserves to be in the MVP debate for his mind-blowing performance this season. "Dame Dollar" is also a leading candidate for the NBA scoring title this season as he has been tearing up the competition with long-range daggers that have proven to be unstoppable and undefendable. It is nothing short of a travesty that Lillard did not get the nod to enter the upcoming 2021 NBA All-Star game as one of the starters in the West.
Lillard and Curry have the gift of releasing the ball near the logo, with pinpoint precision. With CJ McCollum getting sidelined due to injury, Damian stepped up to the plate, displaying his stellar scoring prowess to the world. He has been taking over games late in the fourth quarter, dropping bombs that find nothing but the net and stunning players on his own team at times. Lillard has been the driving force behind the Trail Blazers' success this campaign as he eyes another run towards the NBA championship with a strong unit that has been touted as the dark-horse candidate coming out from the West this season.
The 5x All-Star is averaging 29.8 points on 45.1% shooting from the floor in twenty-seven games thus far.
#5 Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic is a triple-double machine who has already surged past Michael Jordan in the all-time list of triple-doubles in his third year in the NBA. Despite the Mavs' struggles this season, Luka remains one of the premier talents in the association with a bright future ahead of him.
The 21-year-old is still getting used to the style of play in the NBA and could begin dominating the game soon. This season, he has been lighting up opposing teams with his impressive scoring talents, making him another top candidate for the NBA scoring title. It is scary to imagine what Luka will average if and when he becomes a better three-point shooter down the line.
Luka is another player on this list who received the honor of his second All-Star selection as he gets ready to join team LeBron as a starter in the 2021 NBA All-Star game from the West. Luka was instrumental in the Mavericks ending their playoff drought last season and could turn things around this year as he and Porzingis strive hard to make it back into the playoff picture.
The Slovenian sensation is averaging 29.1 points on a terrific 47.5% shooting from the field in twenty-seven games this campaign.
Guess the Lakers players!
