Jordan Stephenson
South Bureau Chief
There have been many intriguing games, players, teams, and storylines this 2023-24 NBA season. Some of those storylines and things above include the young rising teams, the young rising stars, the In Season Tournament 2nd year hopefulness, the MVP race, the potential All-Star team voting, NBA parity, and the unknown Rookie of the Year race. All these things that I have highlighted above have assuredly led to this extremely entertaining NBA season so far. Also, there are the championship and playoff contenders who are underperforming to a certain degree and those who are meeting expectations, even with their current situation influx.
The top five current young rising teams are the Cavaliers (12-0), the Thunder (9-2), the Magic (5-6) but 4-1 with Paolo Banchero, the Rockets (7-4), and the Grizzlies (7-4). All these teams have exceeded most if not all expectations, have been playing great basketball since the beginning of the season, and most of them are way over .500 or better season record, especially the Cavs surprisingly being undefeated. The main thing that all these young rising teams have in common is that they each have a young rising star or superstar, combined with a great young core of solid players who are growing with each other. So, the top 10 rising stars and superstars are Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous- Alexander, Ja Morant, Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Alperen Sengun, Paola Banchero, Tyler Herro, Tyrese Maxey, and etc.
Most of these young stars and superstars, who are mostly hybrid guards, are averaging over 22 points per game, and most of them are leading their respective teams in scoring and in other categories like rebounding and assists. All these young stars and superstars are primed to make an All-Star team again, or even make their 1st All-Star team. I honestly believe most if not all these young stars and superstars, will make the All-Star team. They all have made this NBA season even much better, because of the many different spectacular games, plays, and moments that they provide on a daily game basis. Speaking of young and rising stars and superstars, Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren and even Evan Mobley as 2nd year (sophomores) and 4th year players respectively, are definitely stars right now and future superstars of the NBA, mainly because of their unique play styles as seven footers who are dominant defensively. They both are having monumental impacts or their respective teams, in the Spurs, Thunder and Cavs, especially defensively because all three are already top 10 in blocks per game, with Wemby leading the NBA again with 3.9 bpg , Holmgren again averaging 2.6 blocks per game, and Mobley averaging 1.7 bpg.
Most NBA analysts would agree with me, that the implementation of the In Season Tournament last season was a huge success for players and the fans, so everyone hopes the 2nd season of it will at least be as good or even better. The competition level was through the roof in every game, the special courts and jerseys were spectacular, and the fans enjoyed it for the most part. This season the In Season Tournament officially starts Nov. 12 and will continue every Tuesday and Friday into December. The 1st two featured national tv games will be Mavericks vs Warriors which is Klay’s 1st return to face his former team, and then the Knicks vs 76ers, which is a rematch of their physical playoff series.
The top five current MVP candidates (with their points per game) are Nikola Jokic (29.7 triple-double), SGA (27.8 ppg), Anthony Davis (31.2 ppg), Kevin Durant (27.6 ppg), Jayson Tatum (30.5 ppg), and etc. Three out of the five players are averaging 30 + points per game, except Jokic who is finally averaging a triple-double (29.7 ppg, 13.7 rbg, and 11.7 apg), and KD who is averaging (27.6 ppg on 50 + % field goal shooting, 40 + % 3-point shooting, and 90 + % free throw shooting). Also, the honorable mention for MVP is Donovan Mitchell, who has the Cavs undefeated so far this season (12-0), while averaging 23.7 ppg. This MVP will go down to the wire, like last season when Jokic won, and like the past few seasons.
Shams Charania (Shams) reported some extremely important NBA news the past couple weeks. Shams reported that Banchero, who has been dominant this season, suffered a torn right oblique, and will be re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks. Shams also reported that Ja Morant, who has been dominant as well this season, suffered a hip injury and is currently week to week without a return timetable. Shams unfortunately also reported that KD, who has been extremely dominant in the 4th quarter and clutch time, sadly suffered a left calf strain, and will be out for at least two weeks. He also reported that Zion Williamson was diagnosed with a left hamstring strain, and is unfortunately out indefinitely, which is a disaster for the Pelicans because most of their rotational players are injured. A week ago, Shams reported that Aaron Gordon, aggravated his right calf strain, and will be out multiple weeks. Shams reported that Chet suffered a right iliac hip fracture, and will be re-evaluated in 8-10 weeks, and that Jimmy Butler is day to day with a right ankle injury.
