A Young season that is just 10 games old has already grabbed the attention of a mass of an audience all around the globe. With some of the surprises in the MVP conversations, the teams which are supposed to tank are the ones in the Top 5 of their respective conferences. With the likes of Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic, etc, doing their regular things – players like DeMar DeRozan, Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball are on a rise.
Let us have a look at the Top 5 on the KIA MVP Rookie Ladder
5. DeMar DeRozan – Chicago Bulls
One of the teams to look out for. The Chicago Bulls had an excellent offseason adding DeRozan alongside Lonzo and Caruso and the team has been balling since then. Averaging 27 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, DeRozan has got a new life in the Bulls Squad. After rumors of him joining Lebron at the Lakers were dropped, it was not expected for DeMar for a season of MVP Caliber.
As the season progresses and if the Bulls make a comeback to the Playoffs, there can be an MVP surprise up for grabs.
4. Ja Morant – Memphis Grizzlies
The 22-year-old, No.2 pick of 2019, has been on a rise, right in front of our eyes. With a much-hyped draft class, and the weight of putting Zion Williamson behind the back, Ja has taken the season by storm. Ja Morant leads the Grizzlies back to the Playoffs in the last season, Grizzlies stand currently at the 7th seed ahead of Nuggets, Clippers, Trailblazers, and Timberwolves.
Morant currently averages 25.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.7 steals in the total 9 games he has played this season. He is expected to make an NBA All-Star cut in this season, let us see how the season pans up for Morant.
3. Jimmy Butler – Miami Heat
After a disappointing exit in the 2020-21 NBA Playoffs, the Miami Heat were labeled as a fluke in the NBA Bubble where they made the NBA Finals and lost against the LA Lakers. They were eliminated in the 1st round in 2021-22 playoffs against the eventual champions Milwaukee Bucks
Named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week, Butler led Miami to a 5-game winning streak before a loss to Boston Celtics. Butler currently averages 24.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.6 steals per game in the 8 games that he has played this season.
2. Stephen Curry – Golden State Warriors
Steph Curry, the shooting cheat code, the shooting God, to be honest, Stephen Curry has been on a tear this season. His heroics has to lead to a 6-1 start for the Warriors and they currently sit on the Number 2 seed in the Western Conference. After narrowly missing out on the playoffs last season, the Warriors look deadly as ever. With the whole squad coming together and the return of James Wiseman and Klay Thompson awaits, the Warriors are one squad to avoid as the season progresses.
Curry averages 25.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game at 37.5% beyond the arc.
1. Kevin Durant – Brooklyn Nets
With all the drama around Kyrie Irving, James Harden is playing like a rookie – Durant has been single-handedly carrying the franchise on his back. If the Nets did not have KD in the squad, we would have guaranteed the Nets to be a lottery team and would not have had made the playoffs with James Harden in the squad. Kevin Durant currently averages 28.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.1 blocks in a nearly average squad.
If Kyrie returns to the squad and the rest of the clan gets their game right, we can potentially see the Champions of 2021-22 in the Brooklyn Nets
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