We’re almost two months into the NBA season and it has been as exciting as ever. The Warriors and Wizards have been dealing with their fair share of drama. The Celtics and Rockets have underperformed. Teams like the Clippers, Grizzlies, and Hornets are already looking way better than they did last year. In my preseason top 10 article, I had Kawhi Leonard projected to be in my top 5. That projection has paid off. However, it’s time to rank the NBA’s Top 10 players, 2 months into the ’18-’19 season. This ranking is based on historical performance, current performance, impact on winning, and my opinion about the player overall. While this list is heavily weighing their recent performances, it is not technically an MVP leaderboard nor is it necessarily indicative of who I think the better player is if all things were equal.
1. LeBron James – Los Angeles Lakers (28.8 PTS, 7.7 REB, 6.9 AST, .9 BLK, 1.4 STL, .520 FG%, .750 FT%):
While there is an argument to be made that the Los Angeles Lakers have had a relatively easy schedule thus far into the NBA season, there is very little argument against King James being the best player in the NBA. The Lakers have won 7 of their last 10 and James has been a big part of their success. No, he’s not the defender he once was in Miami. However, he is more than capable of making a big time defensive play when needed. On the offensive end, nobody makes his teammates better than LeBron James. It’s crazy to thing that a pass first player could also be this dominant.
2. Kevin Durant- Golden State Warriors (27.2 PTS, 7.2 REB, 6.1 AST, .8 BLK, .9 STL, .504 FG%, .925 FT%):
As much as I’d like to slide Steph Curry into this slot, sometimes your best ability is availability. Kevin Durant has played in all of Golden State’s games this season. Despite losing 3 straight, and dealing with injuries, the Warriors remain only 1 game in the loss column behind the currently first place Portland Trail Blazers. Kevin’s only weakness has been his attitude. He is a force on both ends of the floor and remains one of the greatest scorers that we have ever seen.
3. Wardell Stephen Curry II- Golden State Warriors (29.5 PTS, 6.1 AST, 5.0 REB, .3 BLK, 1.0 STL, .515 FG%, .923 FT%):
Before his injury, Steph Curry looked like he was going for the MVP. The Warriors were basically one bucket away from being 12-0 and Steph Curry was lights out. It blows my mind how efficiently he can put teams away in just three quarters. In addition to all that, Curry runs Kerr’s complex offense to perfection and continues to make his teammates better year after year. This is the first time since I’ve started Per Sources that I’m sliding Curry above Kawhi Leonard. I just think he’s that good. Living proof of how far hard work can take you.
4. Kawhi Leonard- Toronto Raptors (24.2 PTS, 8.2 REB, 3.2 AST, .4 BLK, 1.8 STL, .475 FG%, .851 FT%):
Raptors fans were very upset with me when I said Toronto robbed San Antonio by trading DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard. It wasn’t just an upgrade, it was a massive upgrade. Yes, the Toronto Raptors are just as good as they always are in the regular season. However, it’s how they win games that impresses me. When Kawhi is on the floor, he look dominant. He is an all time great defender and a very capable scorer. He looks like he has a body that was built by the Gods to play basketball. Lot of people will want Antetokounmpo or Davis here. I simply can’t ignore Leonard’s impact on the first place Raptors.
5. Anthony Davis- New Orleans Pelicans (27.6 PTS, 12.4 REB, 4.9 AST, 2.7 BLK, 1.4 STL, .489 FG%, .797 FT%):
When healthy, Anthony Davis and the Pelicans are hard to beat. What separates Davis from a lot of players in the NBA is that he is perhaps most known for his efforts on the defensive end. He is a rare breed of a defender. Davis anchors the Pelicans’ defense, while dominating on the offensive end as well. The Pelicans continue to ask him to do more and more every day and Davis has continued to deliver.
6. Hassan Whiteside- Miami Heat (sike):
6. Joel Embiid- Philadelphia 76ers (27.9 PTS, 13.1 REB, 3.6 AST, 2.1 BLK, .5 STL, .463 FG%, .811 FT%):
On my traditional ranking list, this is where Russ and Harden would slide in. However, with a heavy emphasis on recent performances, Embiid has climbed up to the 6th slot on this list. With three straight wins, the 76ers have tied the Bucks, Warriors, and Blazers in the win column. Embiid has been healthy and available for all those games. “The Morden Day Hakeem” has continued to efficiently dominate on both ends of the floor. His play style, personality, and demeanor have made Embiid a fan favorite. Many hate Embiid due to the hype around him. However, I truly believe that he is the best center in basketball. I also believe he has the most unique combination of physical gifts and skill at the big man position we’ve seen since Hakeem Olajuwon. I’m sure many of you will fight me on this one.
7. Giannis Antetokounmpo- Milwaukee Bucks (25.9 PTS, 12.7 REB, 5.5 AST, 1.4 BLK, 1.3 STL, .555 FG%, .672 FT%):
The Nigerian Freak is another sensational talent who has continued to improved year after year since coming to the NBA. Can you believe he averaged 6.8 PTS his rookie season? Antetokounmpo is a large part of the Bucks’ second place success thus far this season. I fully expect Antetokounmpo to climb up this list the way things have been going for the Bucks this season. I predicted in the off-season that the best signing of the summer may have been their head coach, Mike Budenholzer. Coach Bud has Antetokounmpo basically playing all 5 positions. He is also averaging the most assists and highest field goal percentage of his career. However, with a .105 3P% and a .672 FT%, I didn’t feel right sliding Antetokounmpo above Embiid.
8. Kemba Walker- Charlotte Hornets (29.6 PTS, 4.4 REB, 6.1 AST, .3 BLK, 1.1 STL, .465 FG%, .860 FT%):
If you’ve been following Per Sources, you know that I haven’t had Kemba Walker on my top 10 point guard list in a long time. All things equal, there has never been a version of Kemba Walker I’d put on my current top 10 point guard list, up until the ’18-’19 NBA season. Not only is Kemba Walker leading the NBA in scoring, he is doing it at nearly a league best in efficiency
Not only is @hornets @KembaWalker leading the NBA in scoring. He is doing it at nearly a league best in efficiency. #KeMVP #ThisIsMyCity #Hornets30 pic.twitter.com/GBp8uxJOpt
— Pete Guelli (@PeteGuelli) November 21, 2018
As if that wasn’t impressive enough, Walker is also averaging his highest FG%, PPG, RPG, and APG of his career. That’s insane. Last year, I thought the Hornets would have a bounce back season. As it turns out, I was a year too early. In a later article, I’ll explain why Walker has been able to perform at this level and why I thought they would do so last season.
9. Damian Lillard- Portland Trail Blazers (26.7 PTS, 6.2 AST, 5.4 REB, .3 BLK, .8 STL, .438 FG%, .914 FT%):
Damian Lillard has been at max “RIP City On They Ass” this season. Last preseason, I warned the rest of the NBA of the possibility that we may see post all-star Dame, before the all-star game this season. I was right. Lillard has been red hot, scorching team after team. Whether his teammates decide to bring it on that given night or not, Lillard has continued to lead the Trail Blazers. A lot of haters out there were ready to wright the Trail Blazers off after getting swept by the Pelicans. One bad matchup does not define a team. The first place Trail Blazers are fun to watch, and Damian Lillard has been unstoppable.
10. Paul George- Oklahoma City Thunder (24.3 PTS, 7.9 REB, 4.3 AST, .8 BLK, 2.4 STL, .413 FG%, .841 FT%):
I still have no idea how Paul George was not considered for the DPOY award last season. George has been a big part of the Thunder’s success on defense. Injuries derailed the Thunder early in the season. However, after an 0-4 start, the Thunder have won 10 of their last 12 games. George has also been averaging the most points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals of his career. People are going to go crazy when they read how high I have George. I’m willing to bet that they’ll change their position after reading this paragraph.
Individually and all things equal, Russell Westbrook and James Harden are still in my top ten It is more than likely that they will jump back up to their rightful spots. Guys like Irving, Butler, Oladipo, Jokic, and several others also have an argument to make as well.
This was my hardest list to make. Curious to hear your feed back and debate my list with all of you. Tweet me @TPRx11
Per Sources Misses Nothing