The 2020-21 NBA season is in full swing. Who has been the most surprising player on each team in the Western Conference so far this season?
Most Surprising NBA Western Conference Players
Dallas Mavericks
Dwight Powell
In the absence of Kristaps Porzingis, the Dallas Mavericks have opted to increase the role of Willey Cauley-Stein rather than their long-time and big-energy big man Dwight Powell. Powell has seen a reduction of seven minutes per game from last season and is currently playing 19.8mpg. To make matters worse, Powell has struggled in the opportunities he has had on the court and his field goal percentage has dropped from 63.8% to 46.7% in this young season.
Denver Nuggets
Michael Porter Jr.
Michael Porter Jr. flashed true stardom with the Denver Nuggets during the bubble and was a big reason why the Nuggets advanced to the Western Conference Finals. During the offseason, the Nuggets felt comfortable enough to allow for Jerami Grant to walk in free agency and use Porter Jr. in his place. Now, in 2020-21, Porter Jr. is another name who could be in the running for the Most Improved Player award as his role with the Nuggets has ascended to the point where is now seeing just under 30 minutes per game. His ppg, apg, rpg, spg, and bpg are all up in addition to his shooting percentages from the field, three point line, and free throw line. Stirrings on social media have called for Porter Jr. to be included in a trade for James Harden, but I believe this would a long-term mistake.
Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry
It feels weird to be so surprised by Steph Curry after he has impressed us year after year. But without weapons such as Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, Curry has thrived. If the season were to end he would have his highest scoring average since his MVP season in 2015-16. The Golden State Warriors will likely be a lower seed in the Western Conference, but there is hope for the future if Curry can maintain this level of play when Klay Thompson returns next year.
Houston Rockets
James Harden
James Harden’s unhappiness in Houston became clear in the last offseason. Trade rumors swirled and have persisted into the beginning of the 2020-21 season. Of course, Harden was finally traded last week, but he is still the most surprising Rockets play this season thus far nonetheless.
Los Angeles Clippers
Nicholas Batum
Nichols Batum was finally saved from his time in Charlotte came to an end. Batum seemingly got as far away from the Hornets as he could when he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. Batum is currently averaging 50/40/90, 10.3ppg, and is playing great defense. The Clippers remain to be the best team on paper in the NBA and see Batum as a way to potentially rise above the disappointing conclusions that previous seasons have featured.
Los Angeles Lakers
Kentavius Caldwell-Pope
In a league with LeBron James, Giannis Antetkounmpo, Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant, who do you think has the best offensive rating? That’s right, it’s KCP! Caldwell-Pope is shooting an insane 50/50/90 shooting split and is making the most of his role on the Lakers. His league leading 127.7 offensive rating blows out his competitors (Willey Cauley-Stein is in second with 121.9). KCP is playing great defense too averaging 1.3 steals per game.
Memphis Grizzlies
Dillon Brooks
With Ja Morant going down with a Grade 2 ankle sprain the Grizzlies looked like a ship without a captain. That’s when Dillon Brooks stepped up to fill the void. In games where Brooks has scored 20 points or more the Grizzlies are 4-0. When he does not, the Grizzlies are 0-6. A 4-6 record is not good enough to keep the Grizzlies in the playoff hunt but if Brooks can slow the bleeding until Morant returns he may have almost single handedly saved the Grizzlies season.
Minnesota Timberwolves
D’Angelo Russell
Karl-Anthony Towns has only appeared in three games so far this season. D’Angelo Russell has been quietly having one of the best years of his career. With a 40% three point field goal percentage (which would be by far the best of his career) and a 43.1% field goal percentages (which would be the second best of his career). The Timberwolves should expect to continue to struggle without KAT but at least Russell is putting in fun performances.
New Orleans Pelicans
Brandon Ingram
Brandon Ingram continues to defy the haters. Ingram continues to impress after his first All-Star Game appearance in 2020 by seeing an uptick in rebounds and assists per game. The only knock on Ingram is that while his ppg has slightly gone up his shooting percentages have slightly fallen compared to last year.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Luguentz Dort
Wow. This kid came out of nowhere. The Thunder’s third leading scorer started 28-36 games he appeared in for the Thunder, but he was always known as a defensive specialist in need of an offensive upgrade. Dort has come on strong with a solid 12.6ppg, almost double than that of his rookie campaign last season. Dort ha made the most of his opportunities shooting the ball as well with a 46.7FG% and a 43.8 3-PT%.
Phoenix Suns
Chris Paul
At 35 years old Chris Paul is beginning to defy father time. With 8.7 assists per game through his team’s first 11 games, he is averaging more assists per game since 2016-17 when he was with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Suns find themselves in the middle of a race for a top 4 seed in the Western Conference which would be an amazing accomplishment and may be enough to keep Devin Booker if he sees the Suns are a piece away from being title contenders. Paul’s impact on the Suns is more than just dishing out assists; it could shape the franchise’s future.
Portland Trail Blazers
CJ McCollum
Despite being on the same team as the offensive juggernaut known as Damian Lillard, McCollum has flown under the radar as another offensive star. While I do not expect this trend to continue, McCollum is leading the Blazers with 28.1ppg. McCollum’s shooting splits: 47/45/87 would be arguably the best of his career.
Sacramento Kings
De’Aaron Fox
I want to make one thing clear: I love De’Aaron Fox. His athletic talent makes him one of the most explosive young players in the NBA. Unfortunately he is not living up to his play from 2020-21. Fox is only playing 2 fewer minutes per game which explains his drop in ppg, pg, and rpg. But it does not explain why he has seen a 4% decrease in field goal percentage. I suspect Fox will turn things around after a slow start to the season by his standards, but I am surprised that he needs to turn things around at all.
San Antonio Spurs
Dejounte Murray
In a Gregg Popovich system, it can be hard for certain players to stand out. But Dejounte Murray deserves some credit. In 2020-21 Murray finished fourth in steals and has continued to play good defense. However, Murray is also continuing to improve his offensive game as a result of more time on the court. Murray is averaging 16.2ppg and while his percentages are down he continues to prove to be a more valuable player of the Spurs.
Utah Jazz
Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell has been the hope for the future for the Utah Jazz for quite some time. Unfortunately, his start to the season so far has been less than stellar. Down in ppg, apg, and spg are obvious statistics that standout but Mitchell is also way down on his shooting percentage. Mitchell will need to right the ship in order to avoid becoming a pure- volume scorer for his team.
