#10 Kawhi Leonard – SF/PF – Los Angeles Clippers
2020-21 Stats: 24.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.6 STL, 51.2 FG%, 39.8 3P%, 88.5 FT%
After suffering a partially torn right ACL in the playoffs last season, Kawhi Leonard’s status for the 2021-22 season is definitely in question, but he is on track in his recovery process right now and the Clippers are optimistic that they will get him back at some point in 2022.
No further details have been released about when we could see Leonard take the court again, but when healthy, there is no denying that Kawhi Leonard is arguably the best two-way wing in the league. With no emotions whatsoever, Leonard just casually drops 30-point double-doubles and is the definition of an “effortless player”.
The Clippers are going to need Leonard to contend for a championship and hopefully, for their sake, he will be good-to-go sometime around early March. Asking if Kawhi Leonard is having fun on the basketball court is like asking how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop. “The world may never know…”
#9 Joel Embiid – C – Philadelphia 76ers
2020-21 Stats: 28.5 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.0 STL, 1.4 BLK, 51.3 FG%, 37.7 3P%
With or without Ben Simmons on the court, Joel Embiid is still an MVP candidate at the center position. His 2020-21 campaign was quite remarkable, as Embiid ranked 4th in scoring, 10th in rebounding, 2nd in Player Efficiency Rating, 2nd in Value Added and the list goes on and on.
One-on-one in the low-post, Embiid is almost a sure-thing to score and he is just as good on defensive as well. The Sixers’ big man finished third on the team in Defensive Rating last season (min. 1000 minutes played) and he finished 6th in the league in this category meeting the same criteria.
If he can stay healthy, Joel Embiid can potentially win an MVP award in Philadelphia, but he has missed a total of 43 games the last two seasons, which adds up to about 30% of the 76ers games since the start of the 2019-20 season.
#8 Damian Lillard – PG – Portland Trail Blazers
2020-21 Stats: 28.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 7.5 APG, 0.9 STL, 45.1 FG%, 39.1 3P%, 92.8 FT%
There were questions about if Damian Lillard was going to request a trade from Portland this offseason given all the uncertainty of this front-office and their questionable coaching search, but Lillard has remained loyal to the team that drafted him and wants to win with the Trail Blazers.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: NBA Top 75 Player Rankings For 2021-22 Season: From 50 to 26
Lillard followed up a 30 PPG season by averaging 28.8 PPG this past year and did everything he could in the playoffs to try and carry Portland past the Denver Nuggets, averaging 34.3 PPG in this series and scoring 55 points in Game 5, but he was unable to do so.
As soon as he crosses half-court, Damian Lillard is a threat to score and he can even hit half-court shots with ease! There is no denying that Lillard is one of the most talented offensive talents of this generation, but his time in Portland could be coming to an end if those around him do not also perform at a high level this year.
#7 James Harden – PG/SG – Brooklyn Nets
2020-21 Stats: 24.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 10.8 APG, 1.2 STL, 46.6 FG%, 36.2 3P%, 86.1 FT%
We all know what James Harden can do with the ball in his hands as a scorer, but with the Nets, he evolved into more of a “do-it-all” guy next to Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Harden’s ability to find open guys and also be a factor in rebounding really opened things up for this Nets’ offense, which is why they are the favorites to win the title this year.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: NBA Top 75 Player Rankings For 2021-22 Season: From 50 to 26
There really is not anything James Harden can’t do and while he was not impressive in the playoffs last year, he was playing with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Fully healthy entering the new season, we should expect nothing less than greatness from one of the all-time greatest scorers in the game.
#6 Nikola Jokic – C – Denver Nuggets
2020-21 Stats: 26.4 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 8.3 APG, 1.3 STL, 56.6 FG%, 38.8 3P%, 86.8 FT%
Nikola Jokic had a historic season last year that ended in him winning the league-MVP award. Not only did he lead the league in Player Efficiency Rating, but he was just an all-around effective player for the Nuggets and as a result, he became the lowest drafted player to ever win the MVP award. Being a “point-center,” Jokic runs the Nuggets’ offense and he does so at a high level.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: NBA Top 75 Player Rankings For 2021-22 Season: From 50 to 26
Of course, not having Jamal Murray could wind up hurting the Nuggets and Jokic’s effectiveness on offense, but after Murray got hurt, Nikola Jokic’s numbers only got better. Right now, the MVP is only a threat offensively, as he can be classified as “clumsy” at times on defense. Finding ways to position himself better on defense will go a long way in helping Denver be a true title contender in the Western Conference.
