6 weeks and 20 games in, what players have gone under the radar for playing better or worse than most people realize?
For example, after bouncing around the league recently, Malik Beasley has been great for the Bucks averaging 12/5 and shooting 45% from 3 on 6.5 attempts per game. He’s held down that starting spot very well for them so far. Not bad for a guy who got pulled out of the rotation for the Lakers in the playoffs last season
Ja Morant. He’s still pulling up on dudes and shooting, but it’s like he’s not even on the court.
I don’t like to watch Hawks games without Jalen Johnson anymore
Gary Trent Jr is averaging career lows in almost every stat, including 56.7% from the FT line
Herbert
Jalen Johnson has been a beast
Tatum is in the best moment
Dort has been very effective. He hasn’t had to score as much this season, taking better shots and more efficient overall. His finishing is much improved, and he’s getting more blocks and steals.
tim Duncan david Robinson has dramatically improved his overall game offensively - suddenly there’s a dribble driving floater game and he has always kept the ball moving well
Might get criticized as a Homer but idc. If Siakam was having a better season Scottie would be 1st all NBA. He’s looking like a Kawhi/Magic hybrid some nights, and we’ve been incredibly poor from 3 and finishing at the rim this season which would undoubtedly have him with 3 or 4 more assists a game.
don’t sleep on Coby White
Not a single person mentioned Jaime Jaquez Jr so far.
Pre-draft, the demerits against him were numerous. Too slow, not a great shooter, average athlete. Just a hustle guy with decent size and a strong basketball acumen.
He’s a solid 6th man who will likely be a starter by the end of this year. His basketball IQ is immense with constant motion, off-ball movement and smart passing. His passing is well above average for his position, he never forces shots, he can play 2-4, and he almost always makes the smart play. He could seamlessly fit into any rotation in the league.
In 26.7 minutes per game, he’s shooting 52% on 9.2 FGA. 39.3% from three on 3.1 attempts. TS 61%. 2.6 assists on 1.5 turnovers.
#Sct Brns
I hate saying it but aaron gordon has not been playing his best ball
Idk how far under the radar this is since we’ve had a lot of national tv games, but Malik Monk has pretty clearly been the Kings 3rd best player.
His 3pt shot is back above 40% after a down season last year, his assist% is almost double his numbers from Charlotte / LA, and he has a highlight dunk almost every game.
I know no one cares, but last year the hornets could rely on Theo Maledon for 14-20 mpg and he was actually a useful player. He started the season getting around the same minutes and was so outrageously bad that he’s completely out of the rotation now after just 10 games. And with injuries to lamelo and terry the hornets needed him to be at least playable, and he hasn’t even been that.