After about ten games, figuring out how the best teams in basketball line up.
1. Boston Celtics: Clearly this team is better off with Kemba Walker instead of Kyrie Irving. Even after Gordon Hayward's injury (he was averaging 18.9 ppg before it), the Celts have continued to roll. Most notably, Jaylen Brown looks greatly improved from last year. With all their weapons firing, this is clearly the team to beat in the Eastern Conference right now.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: It was a bit rough last year, but LeBron James is officially playing like a point guard. He is the only player in the league averaging at least 10 assists per game. Anthony Davis leads the team in points, rebounds, steals, and blocks as well, but more players need to start showing up besides those two.
3. Houston Rockets: It is clear that James Harden has taken the front seat in terms of shooting with Russell Westbrook. Harden leads the league in both field goal attempts, and points. This team has strong depth behind those two, but the concern is their defense, which has got to pick things up.
4. Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo has gotten a double-double with points and rebounds every game this season and is currently averaging 29.7 ppg, and 14.3 apg. The Bucks are leading the NBA in points per game as well. The injury to Khris Middleton clearly hurts though.
5. Utah Jazz: It is no surprise that the Jazz are tied for the best defense in the NBA. Rudy Gobert leads them on that side of the court, while Donovan Mitchell leads them on offense. Not a single player on this team has ever been to an All Star Game, but it hasn't stopped the Jazz from being one of the best teams in the league.
6. Toronto Raptors: Pascal Siakam is proving that he was absolutely worth the big pay check. He is averaging a team high 27.2 ppg with a group that has barely missed a beat from the offseason loss of Kawhi Leonard. Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, and Serge Ibaka have all showed up to play this year, although VanVleet has got to pick up that field goal percentage, which is at just 38.3%
7. Denver Nuggets: Denver has arguably the best youngster duo in the league with Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic. They don't have a single player averaging at least 20 points, but the consistency and points are there night in and night out with each and every starter on this team.
8. Miami Heat: The basketball world most definitely undervalued the addition of Jimmy Butler to this team. He is leading the way, but a very impressive six players on this team are averaging at least 13 ppg so far this year.
9. Los Angeles Clippers: Expect the Clippers to absolutely shoot up this list when Paul George comes back. Kawhi Leonard has been good so far, and Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell have added great contributions. With George though, they just have that one more elite player that often seems necessary in this NBA.
10. Philadelphia 76ers: The 76ers have been good, but certainly not at the level that they want to be. It is simply that they are just not shooting well. That is the problem with not having a clear strong shooting point guard. They have depth though, and a bunch of good players, they will figure it out.
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