If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NBA Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers. This is the fourth year that we have done this, and Denver’s Nikola Jokic winning the first two, and Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers winning last year.
To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at Thanksgiving. We will update this every Thursday.
Here is the current top ten:
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, 219 Cup Points: 53 Games, 4.13 Cup Points per Game, 30.7 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 29.5 PER, 9.1 WS. Last Week, #2.
The two-time MVP has never had a better supporting cast than he does now, and he is responding by doing what he always does: dominate, and he just took over #1 in Cup Standings. Antetokounmpo, however has slightly less metrics than previous years, but the arrival of Damian Lillard means he does not have to always carry the load. The December Eastern Conference Player of the Month is third in Points per Game (30.7), sixth in Rebounds per Game (11.4), and is the league-leader in Field Goals (611).
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, 218 Cup Points: 53 Games, 4.11 Cup Points Per Game, 31.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.5 APG, 2.2 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 30.5 PER, 11.2 WS. Last Week #1.
Gilgeous-Alexander broke through to the upper-tier last season, and he is proving that this was no fluke. Taking over last week as the league-leader in Cup Points, though slipping back to #2 this week, he is leading the NBA in Steals per Game (2.2), Steals (115), Points (1,649) Free Throws (424), and Win Shares (11.2). SGA is also second in VORP (5.5) and Points per Game (31.1) and third in PER (30.5) and Box Plus/Minus (10.0). The Canadian is now an MVP contender, and could join Steve Nash in that exclusive club. Even if he doesn’t this year, SGA added his first Player of the Month Award in December, his second straight All-Star and fourth Player of the Week.
3. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, 214 Cup Points, 53 Games, 4.04 Cup Points per Game, 26.1, PPG, 12.0 RPG, 8.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 31.1 PER, 10.8 WS. Last Week, #3.
Last year, Jokic became an NBA Champion and a Finals MVP and shook off what some may have perceived as an MVP snub, however, he fell off the top spot two weeks ago, though is very much in the hunt to reclaim it. At present, the Joker is leading the NBA in Box Plus/Minus (14.3), VORP (8.8) and Triple Doubles (15). He is also second in PER (31.1) and Win Shares (10.8), and is fourth in Rebounds per Game (12.0), and Assists per Game (8.9). Jokic also was named the November Player of the Month. Can he reclaim the top before the season ends?
4. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, 191 Cup Points: 47 Games, 4.06 Cup Points per Game, 34.2 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 9.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 28.1 PER, 7.9 WS. Last Week #4.
Doncic is on a four-year streak of First Team All-NBA stars, and he is on pace to add a fifth. Hs took over the NBA lead in Points per Game (34.2) and is third in Assists per Game (9.5), seventh in Steals per Game (1.4), and is in the top ten in PER (28.1), Win Shares (7.9), Box Plus/Minus (9.7), and VORP (5.2).
5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, 181 Cup Points: 52 Games, 3.48 Cup Points per Game, 27.1 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 22.3 PER, 7.3 WS. Last Week #4.
Tatum begins the year the way he ended the last one: an MVP contender on a power team. He has already a nabbed a Player of the Week Award, the November Player of the Month (his third) and is poised to take the Celtics on his back to a title. He is currently ninth in Points per Game (27.1).
6. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings, 181 Cup Points: 54 Games, 3.35 Cup Points per Game, 20.1 PPG, 13.2 RPG, 8.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 23.5 PER, 8.4 WS. (#6 Last Week)
Sabonis is the current rebounding leader (13.2), Rebounds (715), Defensive Rebounds (540), Triple-Doubles (15) and is sixth in Assists per Game (8.3), and is the top ten in VORP (4.2) and Box Plus/Minus (6.6).
7. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks, 167 Cup Points: 52 Games, 3.21 Cup Points Per Game, 27.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 6.5 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 22.2 PER, 7.3 WS. (#7 Last Week).
Jalen Brunson is having the season of his life, and has just added his first (impending) All-Star Game. He is currently seventh in Points per Game (27.2) and ninth in Win Shares (7.3).
8. Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors, 167 Cup Points, 49 Games, 3.40 Cup Points per Game, 28.3, PPG, 4.4 RPG, 4.9 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 21.8 PER, 5.3 WS. (Not in the Top Ten Last Week)
The Warriors are ageing around Curry, but the all-time three-point leader continues to find the fountain of youth. The Dubs are not going to win the title this year, but Curry continues to add to the resume with another All-Star. He is fifth in Points per Game (28.3).
9. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, 166 Cup Points: 48 Games, 3.46 Cup Points Per Game, 28.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 5.7 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 23.3 PER, 6.4 WS. (#8 Last Week).
The Suns have improved after a horrific start, and as long as Durant is healthy, he will always have a place in the top ten. He has moved up to sixth in Points per Game (28.2) and tenth in VORP (3.5)
10. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers, 163 Cup Points: 52 Games, 3.13 Cup Points per Game, 24.9 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 2.4 BPG, 25.5 PER, 7.9 WS. (#10 Last Week)
Davis is currently third in Rebounds per Game (12.2), and is the healthiest he has been in years. He is also fifth in Blocks per Game (2.5), and sixth in Win Shares (7.9) and PER (25.5).
Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid fell out of the top ten.
Our next update will be up on next Thursday.
If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NBA Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers. This is the fourth year that we have done this, and Denver’s Nikola Jokic winning the first two, and Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers winning last year.
To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at Thanksgiving. We will update this every Wednesday.
Here is the current top ten:
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, 208 Cup Points: 50 Games, 4.16 Cup Points Per Game, 31.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 6.6 APG, 2.2 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 30.7 PER, 10.8 WS. Last Week #2.
Gilgeous-Alexander broke through to the upper-tier last season, and he is proving that this was no fluke. Taking over as the league-leader in Cup Points, He is leading the NBA in Steals per Game (2.2), Steals (112), Points (1,594) Free Throws (403), and Win Shares (10.8). SGA is also second in VORP (5.3), third in Points per Game (31.1), PER (30.7), and Box Plus/Minus (10.3) and is fourth in Points per Game (31.1). The Canadian is now an MVP contender, and could join Steve Nash in that exclusive club. Even if he doesn’t this year, SGA added his first Player of the Month Award in December.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, 206 Cup Points: 49 Games, 4.20 Cup Points per Game, 31.3 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 29.5 PER, 8.5 WS. Last Week, #3.
The two-time MVP has never had a better supporting cast than he does now, and he is responding by doing what he always does: dominate. Antetokounmpo, however has slightly less metrics than previous years, but the arrival of Damian Lillard means he does not have to always carry the load. The December Eastern Conference Player of the Month is second in Points per Game (31.3), fifth in Rebounds per Game (11.3), and is the league-leader in Field Goals (574).
3. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, 201 Cup Points, 49 Games, 4.10 Cup Points per Game, 26.3, PPG, 12.2 RPG, 9.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 32.0 PER, 10.6 WS. Last Week, #1.
Last year, Jokic became an NBA Champion and a Finals MVP and shook off what some may have perceived as an MVP snub, however, he has fallen off the top spot. At present, the Joker is leading the NBA in Box Plus/Minus (14.3), VORP (6.9) and Triple Doubles (15). He is also second in PER (32.0), Win Shares (10.6), third in Rebounds per Game (12.2), and fourth in Assists per Game (9.0). Jokic also was named the November Player of the Month. Can he reclaim the top before the season ends?
4 TIE. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, 172 Cup Points: 48 Games, 3.58 Cup Points per Game, 26.9 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 21.6 PER, 6.3 WS. Last Week #4.
Tatum begins the year the way he ended the last one: an MVP contender on a power team. He has already a nabbed a Player of the Week Award, and is poised to take the Celtics on his back to a title.
4 TIE. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, 172 Cup Points: 43 Games, 4.00 Cup Points per Game, 34.5 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 9.4 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 27.8 PER, 6.8 WS. Last Week #4.
Doncic is on a four-year streak of First Team All-NBA stars, and he is on pace to add a fifth. Hs took over the NBA lead in Points per Game (34.5) and Minutes per Game (37.4), third in Assists per Game (9.4), eighth in Steals per Game (1.4), and is in the top ten in PER (27.8), Win Shares (6.8), Box Plus/Minus (9.3), and VORP (4.7).
6. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings, 164 Cup Points: 50 Games, 3.22 Cup Points per Game, 19.9 PPG, 13.1 RPG, 8.1 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 23.0 PER, 7.5 WS. (#8 Last Week)
Sabonis is the current rebounding leader (13.1), Rebounds (656), Defensive Rebounds (497), Triple-Doubles (15) and is seventh in Assists per Game (8.1), and is the top ten in VORP (3.6) and Box Plus/Minus (6.1).
7. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks, 154 Cup Points: 49 Games, 3.14 Cup Points Per Game, 27.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 6.5 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 22.0 PER, 7.0 WS. (#10 Last Week).
Jalen Brunson is having the season of his life, and has just added his first (impending) All-Star Game. He is currently fifth in seventh in Win Shares (7.0) and eighth in Points per Game (27.2).
8 (TIE). Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, 150 Cup Points, 34 Games, 4.41 Cup Points per Game, 35.3, PPG, 11.3 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.8 BPG, 34.3 PER, 7.0 WS. (Last Week #6)
Embiid is the reigning MVP, NIHOF Cup Winner, and two-time scoring champion, but is facing injury time, and will be out for the next few weeks. Had he been healthy, he would be number one,
8 (TIE). Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, 150 Cup Points: 44 Games, 3.41 Cup Points Per Game, 28.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5.6 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 23.4 PER, 6.0 WS. (Not in the Top Ten Last Week).
Durant returns to the top ten, and the Suns have improved. He has moved up to fifth in Points per Game (28.3) and tenth in PER (23.4), Box Plus/Minus (5.8) and VORP (3.2)
10. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers, 149 Cup Points: 48 Games, 3.15 Cup Points per Game, 24.7 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.1 SPG, 2.4 BPG, 25.3 PER, 7.3 WS. (#7 Last Week)
Davis is currently third in Rebounds per Game (12.3), and is the healthiest he has been in years. He is also fifth in Blocks per Game (2.4), and Win Shares (7.3) and seventh in PER (25.3)
Los Angeles’s LeBron James and New York’s Julius Randle fell out of the top ten.
Our next update will be up on next Thursday.
If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NBA Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers. This is the fourth year that we have done this, and Denver’s Nikola Jokic winning the first two, and Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers winning last year.
To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at Thanksgiving. We will update this every Wednesday.
Here is the current top ten:
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, 179 Cup Points, 44 Games, 4.07 Cup Points per Game, 26.2, PPG, 12.0 RPG, 9.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 32.2 PER, 9.7 WS. Last Week, #1.
Last year, Jokic became an NBA Champion and a Finals MVP and shook off what some may have perceived as an MVP snub. At present, the Joker is leading the NBA in Win Shares (9.7), Offensive Win Shares (7.2) Box Plus/Minus (14.4), Offensive Box Plus/Minus (9.9), Defensive Box Plus/Minus (4.4), VORP (6.2) and Triple Doubles (13). He is also second in PER (32.2), and fourth in Assists per Game (9.1) and Rebounds per Game (12.0). Jokic also was named the November Player of the Month, which is his seventh overall. While Jokic’s top spot was in peril a few weeks ago, he has added to his lead since.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, 171 Cup Points: 42 Games, 4.07 Cup Points Per Game, 31.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 6.4 APG, 2.3 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 30.5 PER, 8.9 WS. Last Week #2.
Gilgeous-Alexander broke through to the upper-tier last season, and he is proving that this was no fluke. He is leading the NBA in Steals per Game (2.3), Steals (96), Points (1,307), is second in Win Shares (8.9) and VORP (3.6), third in PER (30.5), and Box Plus/Minus (9.8) and is fourth in Points per Game (31.1). The Canadian is now an MVP contender, and could join Steve Nash in that exclusive club. Even if he doesn’t this year, SGA added his first Player of the Month Award in December.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, 168 Cup Points: 41 Games, 4.10 Cup Points per Game, 31.2 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 29.5 PER, 7.0 WS. Last Week, #2.
The two-time MVP has never had a better supporting cast than he does now, and he is responding by doing what he always does: dominate. Antetokounmpo, however has slightly less metrics than previous years, but the arrival of Damian Lillard means he does not have to always carry the load. The December Eastern Conference Player of the Month is third in Points per Game (31.2), sixth in Rebounds per Game (11.5), and is the league-leader in Field Goals (47).
4. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, 146 Cup Points, 32 Games, 4.56 Cup Points per Game, 36.1, PPG, 11.6 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.1 SPG, 2.0 BPG, 35.6 PER, 7.3 WS. (Last Week #6)
Embiid is the reigning MVP, NIHOF Cup Winner, and two-time scoring champion, and he is currently leading the NBA in scoring again (36.1). The 76er is also first in Usage Percentage (39.0), and PER (35.6), and is in the top ten in Rebounds and Blocks per Game. Embiid has missed a few games earlier in the season, which has caused his drop on the list. Had he been healthy, he might be #1, but he is number one by far in Cup Points per Game.
5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, 144 Cup Points: 41 Games, 3.51 Cup Points per Game, 27.0 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 21.6 PER, 5.4 WS. Last Week #4.
Tatum begins the year the way he ended the last one: an MVP contender on a power team. He has already a nabbed a Player of the Week Award, is eighth in PPG (27.0) and is poised to take the Celtics on his back to a title.
6. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, 142 Cup Points: 36 Games, 3.94 Cup Points per Game, 33.6 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 9.3 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 27.6 PER, 5.5 WS. Last Week #4.
Doncic is on a four-year streak of First Team All-NBA stars, and he is on pace to add a fifth. Hs is second in Points per Game (33.6), third in Assists per Game (9.3), ninth in Steals per Game (1.4), and is in the top five in PER (27.6), Box Plus/Minus (9.6), and VORP (3.9).
7. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers, 138 Cup Points: 43 Games, 3.25 Cup Points per Game, 25.0 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.2 SPG, 2.5 BPG, 25.8 PER, 6.8 WS. (#8 Last Week)
Davis is currently third in Rebounds per Game (12.2), and is the healthiest he has been in years. He is also fifth in Blocks per Game (2.5), seventh in PER (25.8) and fifth in Win Shares (6.8).
8. Julius Randle, New York Knicks, 137 Cup Points: 44 Games, 3.05 Cup Points per Game, 24.2 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 5.0 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 18.6 PER, 3.8 WS. (#9 Last Week)
Randle moved up one spot, though he is not in the top ten in any major category.
9. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings, 136 Cup Points: 42 Games, 3.22 Cup Points per Game, 20.0 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 7.9 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 22.9 PER, 6.2 WS. (#7 Last Week)
Sabonis is the current rebounding leader (12.7). The Sacramento King is also first in Rebounds (538), Defensive Rebounds (402), and is seventh in Assists per Game (7.9), and is the top ten in VORP (2.9) and Box Plus/Minus (5.9).
10. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, 131 Cup Points: 36 Games, 3.64 Cup Points Per Game, 29.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 5.6 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.2 BPG, 24.1 PER, 5.0 WS. (#10 Last Week).
Durant remains a superstar and when he is healthy, he is among the best in the world. KD is scoring as good as always, but the chemistry in Phoenix is not there and we are seeing the same pattern that we have seen before. He is still an All-Star, a first-ballot Hall of Fame entrant, but does he make teams better? Lately, no.
The Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James again fell out of the top ten.
Our next update will be up on next Wednesday.
If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NBA Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers. This is the fourth year that we have done this, and Denver’s Nikola Jokic winning the first two, and Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers winning last year.
To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at Thanksgiving. We will update this every Wednesday.
Here is the current top ten:
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, 164 Cup Points, 41 Games, 4.00 Cup Points per Game, 25.5, PPG, 11.9 RPG, 9.1 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 31.3 PER, 8.6 WS. Last Week, #1.
Clinging to the top is Nikola Jokic, who last year became an NBA Champion and Finals MVP. At present, the Joker is leading the NBA in Win Shares (8.5), Offensive Win Shares (6.1) Box Plus/Minus (14.0), Defensive Box Plus/Minus (4.5), VORP (5.4) and Triple Doubles (11). He is also third in PER (31.2), third in Assists per Game (9.1), fifth in Rebounds per Game (11.9). Jokic also was named the November Player of the Month, which is his seventh overall. Based on the last three weeks, we would not be surprised if the Joker falls off the top when we do this again, and for a brief time, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of OKC was at the top spot.
2. (TIE) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, 160 Cup Points: 39 Games, 4.10 Cup Points Per Game, 31.0 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 6.3 APG, 2.3 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 30.7 PER, 8.4 WS. Last Week #3.
Gilgeous-Alexander broke through to the upper-tier last season, and he is proving that this was no fluke. He is leading the NBA in Steals per Game (2.3), is second in Win Shares (8.4) and VORP (3.6), third in PER (30.7), and Box Plus/Minus (10.0) and is fourth in Points per Game (31.0). The Canadian is now an MVP contender, and could join Steve Nash in that exclusive club. Even if he doesn’t this year, SGA added his first Player of the Month Award in December.
2 (TIE). Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, 159 Cup Points: 39 Games, 4.08 Cup Points per Game, 31.3 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 29.6 PER, 6.38WS. Last Week, #2.
The two-time MVP has never had a better supporting cast than he does now, and he is responding by doing what he always does: dominate. Antetokounmpo, however has slightly less metrics than previous years, but the arrival of Damian Lillard means he does not have to always carry the load. The December Eastern Conference Player of the Month is third in Points per Game (31.2), sixth in Rebounds per Game (11.4), and is the league-leader in Field Goals (452).
4 (TIE). Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, 134 Cup Points: 37 Games, 3.62 Cup Points per Game, 27.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 21.9 PER, 5.0 WS. Last Week #5.
Tatum begins the year the way he ended the last one: an MVP contender on a power team. He has already a nabbed a Player of the Week Award, is ninth in PPG (27.1) and is poised to take the Celtics on his back to a title.
4 (TIE). Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, 134 Cup Points: 34 Games, 3.94 Cup Points per Game, 33.6 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 9.1 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 27.6 PER, 5.2 WS. Last Week #4.
Doncic is on a four-year streak of First Team All-NBA stars, and he is on pace to add a fifth. Hs is third in Points per Game (33.6), fourth in Assists (9.1), and is in the top nine in PER (27.6), Box Plus/Minus (9.4), VORP (3.6) and Win Shares (5.2).
6. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, 131 Cup Points, 29 Games, 4.51 Cup Points per Game, 35.1, PPG, 11.6 RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 2.0 BPG, 34.4 PER, 6.3 WS. (Last Week #5)
Embiid is the reigning MVP, NIHOF Cup Winner, and two-time scoring champion, and he is currently leading the NBA in scoring again (35.1). The 76er is also first in Usage Percentage (38.2), and PER (34.4), and is in the top ten in Rebounds and Blocks per Game. Embiid has missed a few games earlier in the season, which has caused his drop on the list. Had he been healthy, he might be #1, but he is number one in Cup Points per Game.
7. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings, 129 Cup Points: 40 Games, 3.22 Cup Points per Game, 20.1 PPG, 12.7 RPG, 7.9 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 23.2 PER, 5.9 WS. (Not in the Top Ten Last Week)
Sabonis makes his first top ten appearance this year, and is the current rebounding leader (12.7). The Sacramento King is also first in Rebounds (506), Defensive Rebounds (372(, and is seventh in Assists per Game (7.9), and is the top ten in VORP (2.8) and Box Plus/Minus (6.0).
8. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers, 125 Cup Points: 39 Games, 3.21 Cup Points per Game, 25.1 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, 2.5 BPG, 25.2 PER, 5.8 WS. (#7 Last Week)
Davis is currently third in Rebounds per Game (12.2), and is the healthiest he has been in years. He is also fourth in Blocks per Game (2.5), seventh in PER (25.2) and ninth in Win Shares (5.8).
9. Julius Randle, New York Knicks, 122 Cup Points: 40 Games, 3.05 Cup Points per Game, 24.2 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 4.8 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 18.4 PER, 3.2 WS. (Not in the Top Ten Last)
Randle makes his first appearance in the top ten this year, though he is not in the top ten in any major category.
10 (TIE). LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, 117 Cup Points: 37 Games, 3.16 Cup Points per Game, 24.7 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 7.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 22.9 PER, 3.9 WS. (#10 Last Week)
James set the all-time scoring record last year, and he continues to defy time by playing at an elite level. The legend added another accolade by leading Los Angeles to the first In-Season Tournament Championship.
10 (TIE). Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, 117 Cup Points: 33 Games, 3.55 Cup Points Per Game, 28.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 5.8 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 23.5 PER, 4.4 WS. (#10 Last Week).
Durant remains a superstar and when he is healthy, he is among the best in the world. KD is scoring as good as always, but the chemistry in Phoenix is not there and we are seeing the same pattern that we have seen before. He is still an All-Star, a first-ballot Hall of Fame entrant, but does he make teams better? Lately, no.
Golden State’s Steph Curry and Indiana’s Tyrese Halinurton fell out of the top ten.
Our next update will be up on next Monday.
It is award season in the NBA, and while we have a section (that we are in the process of updating) where we look at every award and its impact in Hall of Fame induction, we have felt that post-season All-NBA honors are colossal.
If you can, indulge us as we look at all 15 All-NBA spots, and offer a quick speculation on what it means for a Springfield spot.
First Team:
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers. (Ranked #21 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). The Sixers superstar won the MVP, and is a First Team All-NBA player this year. No player who won the MVP has ever failed to enter the Hall (though we think Derrick Rose will buck that trend), and he could become a Champion this year. This is the season that should cement his induction, and when we revise the Monitor, he will have a monstrous jump.
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics. (Ranked #33 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Tatum is now a back-to-back First Team All-Star, and if you didn’t think he was not among the top five players in basketball last year, don’t you now? This is a future Hall of Fame inductee.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks. (Ranked #6 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Giannis has already done enough to enter the Hall, and the two-time MVP now has a five-year streak of First Team All-Pros.
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks. (Ranked #27 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Doncic will also see a seismic rise in next year’s pre-season Monitor, and while the Luka/Kyrie experiment flopped, Doncic earned this accolade. He is also on a four-year run of First Team All-Pros.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder. (Unranked on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Gilgeous-Alexander had his breakthrough, and it is colossal for his Hall of Fame chances. We know that anyone as young as SGA will not enter a Hall on one great year, it is a lot harder for players without a First Team All-NBA to gain induction. He has one now, and isn’t done yet.
Second Team:
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets. (Ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Jokic did not repeat as MVP, but under next year’s All-NBA format would have added another First Team All-NBA. A two-time MVP will enter the Hall regardless, it is just now whether or not he can be a champion.
Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors. (Ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Curry is already first ballot, so this doesn’t mean much for Springfield, but notably this is his ninth All-NBA nod.
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Ranked #44 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). As big as we said that Gilgeous-Alexander’s First Team, we think this Second Team is bigger for Mitchell. While we said it was possible for a player to make the Hall without a First Team, it is next to impossible to enter without an All-NBA of any kind, despite how many All-Stars you have. Mitchell, who is a four-time All-Star, gains his first All-NBA nod, and should have more in him.
Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat. (Ranked #17 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Right here. For our money, the man helped the most is Butler, whose first half was not good enough to earn an All-Star nod, but had a great second half which propelled him to his fifth All-NBA Selection. Butler never was named a First Team, but anyone with five All-NBAs (and five All-Defensives) should now be on the positive side of the fence.
Jaleyn Brown, Boston Celtics. (Unranked on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Brown finally achieved an All-NBA Selection, and though this is far from enough to even be considered for a plaque, it is an excellent building block for a future conversation.
Third Team
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers. (Ranked #1 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). James is the best player of this generation and adding another All-NBA (his 19th) is a drop in his bucket. Holy crap, 19?
Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings. (Ranked #45 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Sabonis had an excellent year, taking the Kings to their first playoff in years. It has been a great fit for Sabonis, who should build on this resume if he stays healthy.
De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings. (Unranked on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Fox lands his first All-NBA Selection, but has a lot more to do. Is this a one-and-done, or the start of something phenomenal?
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers. (Ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Portland was awful, but Dame wasn’t adding his seventh All-NBA. No player with seven of those and seven All-Stars will not be inducted regardless of whether he played in an NBA Final.
Julius Randle, New York Knicks. (Ranked #41 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Randle captured his second All-Star and post-season All-Star, and his slowly rising on the HOF radar. Is he considered one now? No, but if he has five more years just like this, he should be borderline.
Notably, Ja Morant’s failure to make the All-NBA cost him nearly 40 millin dollars. Does this make it the most costly Instagram post of all-time?