Top Players Boosting Mediocre Teams
We talk a lot about good players and good teams on this blog. We spotlight the Cavs and the Warriors until the cows come home. But if you take a look at the top stats in the NBA, you’ll see a number of players playing some of the league’s best ball. Only thing is, these players belong to middle of the road teams. The result? They get lost in the fray and we forget they exist. So with this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the NBA’s best players on some of the NBA’s most vanilla teams.
I’m thinking of three players in particular: John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The players on this shortlist are all performing at high levels considering the mediocrity of their respective teams. Wall and Antetokounmpo are playing well enough that both of their teams are teetering on the side of a playoff berth. While Cousins is demonstrating what a talented, versatile big man can do. Only thing is, the Wizards, the Bucks, and the Kings lack the solidity and depth around them to complement their high levels of play.
Let’s begin with John Wall. He began his career as a one-and-done in Kentucky under the tutelage of John Calipari. Incidentally, DeMarcus Cousins did the same thing. Together, Wall and Cousins helped the Wildcats advance to the Elite Eight where their tourney hopes died. But something new began for these guys the following year: they both entered the NBA Draft. Wall was taken first overall by the Washington Wizards. Cousins went fifth to the Sacramento Kings. 2016-17 marks the seventh season in the NBA for Wall and Cousins.
Without a doubt, Wall is playing the best basketball of his life. He’s currently averaging 22.9 points, 10.2 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 steals a game. Not to mention his field goal percentage is up to .461 from .424 last season. He’s got the highest player efficiency rating on the Wizards by four points. And he’s dazzling opposing teams when the ball is in his hand. Because of Wall, the Wizards are fighting for a playoff berth this season. They’ve won seven of their last ten games, culminating in a record of 21-19. And, they’re a little more than neck and neck with division rival, the Charlotte Hornets (20-21). Here’s the kicker: the Wizards, Wall in particular, are hot right now. They’re only two games behind the Atlanta Hawks. If Wall can keep up his stellar play, the Wizards could be looking at the division lead come January 27 when they head to Atlanta.
Next up on our short list, we’ve got Wall’s former teammate, DeMarcus Cousins. It should be noted that the Sacramento Kings belong to the league’s toughest division, home also to the Golden State Warriors and the LA Clippers. The Kings’ chances of making the playoffs are slim to none right now. They’re 18 games behind the Warriors, and eight behind the Clips. Not to mention they’re 3-7 in their last ten. So it’s hard to imagine a scenario where the Kings find themselves in the postseason. But nonetheless, the performance of DeMarcus Cousins warrants our attention.
Right now, Cousins is fifth among the league’s top scorers. His stat line is nothing short of beastly. 28.1 points, 10 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals a game. And just like Wall, he’s having the best season of his seven-year career. His assists are up. His points per game. He’s gone from having zero three-point game to making around one trey a game. And he’s decreased his turnovers. But here’s where the Kings’ problems lie, and you can’t really blame Cousins: the team is full of shooters, but lacking in sufficient facilitators. It is beyond telling that Cousins, a 6’11” power forward, leads his team in assists. That simply should not be the case. Alas, shoulds mean nothing in professional sports. The Kings are third in their division and well below the playoff line. But they sure as hell can’t blame their top scorer for that. Look on the bright side, DeMarcus. At least you’re going to make the All-Star game, eh?
The next player on our list, whose name is more than a mouthful–Giannis Antetokounmpo–occupies an interesting position for his team–because he’s basically all they’ve got. The Milwaukee Bucks are 20-20 right now. They’re barely hanging on in the playoff hunt. But their star player, a 22 year-old Greek born small forward, is dominating every facet of the ball. Literally, he leads the Bucks in all major stat categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Right now, Giannis is averaging 23.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.84 steals and 2.05 blocks per game. The word, phenom, has been used more than once to describe him. So why aren’t the Bucks playing better? It’s simple. They have no depth. Aside from fellow forward Jabari Parker, Milwaukee is bereft of playmakers, facilitators, and impactful big men. If anyone deserves the credit for the Bucks’ success, it’s Giannis. With the trade deadline looming, it would behoove Milwaukee management to seek out some extra talent to complement their young star. Otherwise their playoff hopes might be dashed by the Hornets.
All in all, these three players are playing exemplary basketball. They’re stepping up when they’re needed most and doing everything in their power to keep their teams in contention. Unfortunately for the Cousins, no amount of super heroics are going to get them to the Promised Land–maybe a miracle; maybe an unexpected win streak. But otherwise this year is largely a formality for Sacramento. The same probably goes for the Wizards and the Bucks. The way the Spurs, the Cavs, the Clips, and the Warriors are playing, there’s just no way that one of these middle of the road teams is going to cause any postseason drama. Still, in a league where star talent comes at a premium Wall, Cousins, and Giannis are playing like they deserve to be here.
The rest is up to the coaches and the GMs to give their players the help they’ll need for their efforts to truly matter.
