A Shift Of The Guard- And Forward, And Center

This young NBA season has been fascinating for one reason, and it's a big one.  The talent pool at the top of the heap isn't consisted of your normal suspects.  Some are on the rise from last year, others were thought to be done, while some just came out of the blue.

courtesy of  sportsrants.com

Steph Curry had a great year last year.  He got his MVP, he got his ring.  Some have question those things, myself included.  I didn't question the Warriors winning the championship, they were the best team from start to finish.  Others did.  I did think the MVP voting was up in the air most of the season.  Harden and Westbrook made really strong cases, but ultimately now I feel the right choice was made with the benefit of hindsight.  With all that in mind, Curry is even better this year!  People are starting to call him the best player of his generation.  I don't know if technically LeBron is his generation or not in NBA years, but you can see the enthusiasm he is rallying up in people.  He is undoubtedly the best player in the NBA right now.

Speaking of LeBron, statistically he's always where he is every other season, and he and Kevin Love are coexisting quite well, but frankly you don't hear much from him due to all the Warriors/Curry success.  The Cavs are having a good season, but something just seems missing.  Is that something Kyrie Irving, who has yet to return from injury?  The Cleveland fans sure hope so.  Regardless he will have a tough row to hoe to take the MVP away from Chef Curry.

Harden felt he was the MVP last year, but hasn't done much to rectify the doubters this year.  The Rockets are struggling.  The Lawson deal hasn't really panned out, Dwight has been hurt some, McHale was fired, and honestly Harden seems more and more like a douche.  (The fact he's with a Kardashian does nothing but prove this.)  

Like LeBron, stat-wise he's right where he needs to be.  But with the Rockets sputtering and his "diva" attitude, Harden's approval rating is at an all-time low.  If they were in the East, I wouldn't be too worried about them, but man if you get in a hole in the West, it will be a tough one to climb out of.  

Russell Westbrook is essentially throwing up the same numbers he was at the second half of last season, only this time with Kevin Durant playing (for the most part).  Even better yet, it hasn't affected Durant's play negatively either.  Westbrook is third in total points and second in assists!  You don't see that very often.  (He's also third in total steals.)  Aside from Durant's health, the only thing stopping the Thunder could be the Thunder team.  They are the definition of a two-man team.  Ibaka is a good defensive guy, but they need another weapon on offense because the drop-off of talent after Ibaka is steep.  Kind of like looking into the Grand Canyon-deep.  Don't give me any Dion Waiters crap either.  Back to my original point, Russ is the man, and the second best guard in the NBA.  

Since Dwight Howard's decline, the title for best Center has been up in the air almost every year.  This year somewhat surprisingly the title is going to Andre Drummond (at least for now).  His rebounding numbers combined with his uptick in scoring is producing records not seen since Russell and Chamberlain.  That's pretty mind-blowing.  The Pistons aren't the best team at the moment, and if you needed a Center for a championship game you would probably still pick Duncan.  However what other young stud would you pick besides Andre?  Cousins is "technically" a Power Forward this year, and is he really worth all the headaches he would cause you?  For some maybe, but I don't like players with baggage 9 times out of 10.  

Is Anthony Davis considered a Center?  Again, he is listed as a Power Forward, but does spend ample amount of time as New Orleans' big man.  Regardless, Davis has already missed a couple games, and the Pelicans team as a whole is decimated by injuries (think OKC or Indy this time last year) and they are at the bottom of the West.  It would take a miracle for them to make the playoffs regardless of how great you think AD may be.  It's not his fault by any means, but it does seem the hype for him has gotten a little too big this season.  He's got too much working against him this year, but I do think he'll come roaring back with a vengeance next year.

The next two guys I'm lumping together.  They play the same position, have fairly similar styles, and are two of my three favorite players in the game right now.  That would be Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.  

Before the leg break, PG-13 was at worst, a top-10 player.  I was hoping he could come back to at least All-Star level eventually.  Well my wish was granted, and then some.  He is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists, and three point percentage.  Granted, the Pacers team was overhauled and he is far and away the best player on the team.  But what makes it more impressive is that the Pacers "should" be worse.  Time will tell, but as of now the Pacers are third in the East, and out of first by only one game.  George was just name Eastern Conference Player of the Month, and rightfully so.  

"LaMarcus who?"  That's what Spur's fans are probably thinking.  They got the prize free agent last summer, but while he struggles to acclimate to the Spurs system, Kawhi is ballin'.  He's averaging career-highs in every category except steals (ironic since he's the best defender in the league), and is leading the NBA in three point percentage.  Which is pretty incredible considering it seems like Curry doesn't miss from three, yet Kawhi is better.  (Yes I realize Curry takes way more, it was a bad joke.)  Had Curry not played in the West, I'm sure Leonard would have won player of the month as well to match his counterpart George.  

I'm going to give a special mention to Jimmy Butler, who would have been lumped in with George and Leonard, before the two pulled ahead.  That's not to say Butler is a slouch either.  He's still in an upswing, and is easily the second best shooting guard in the NBA at this point.  I just can't justify him in the other guys' league at this moment.

With all that said, my personal All NBA 1st Team as of right now would be:

C: Drummond

F: Leonard

F: George

G: Curry

G: Westbrook

It's pretty amazing when you look at those names.  It would be the first time since 2007 that LeBron James hasn't made 1st team.  It would be the first time since never that Carmelo hasn't made the 1st team.  (You really think I wouldn't find a way to sneak in a Melo joke?  Come on!)  With the exception of last year's injury-prone season it would be the first since '09 that Durant hadn't made it.  Westbrook finally cracked the 1st team after numerous 2nd teams.  George has two 3rd team appearances, and Leonard hasn't had any.  (I'm pretty sure he's cool with that, having a Finals MVP and all.)  And obviously Drummond would be a first-timer.  And yes I realize I'm getting waaaaaaaaaay ahead of myself here.

What isn't too far away is voting for All-Stars (ugh).  Vote wisely my friends.  Here are my picks by conference in no order:

East:

Paul George, LeBron James, Andre Drummond, Kevin Love, Jimmy Butler, Chris Bosh, Kyle Lowry, Paul Millsap, John Wall, Carmelo Anthony (as much as I hate it), Isiah Thomas, Reggie Jackson

West:

Kawhi Leonard, Steph Curry, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzki, Draymond Green, Blake Griffin, Marc Gasol, James Harden, Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins, Damian Lillard

Obviously these will fluctuate by February, but as of now.  It was also much easier to do the West off the top of my head.  I had to do some research for the East.  Go figure.