#30 Russell Westbrook – PG – Los Angeles Lakers
2020-21 Stats: 22.2 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 11.7 APG, 1.4 STL, 43.9 FG%, 31.5 3P%, 65.6 FT%
Mr. Triple Double passed Oscar Robertson last season for the Most Triple-Double in league history and now, he gets to be on a team with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. There are definitely questions to be had about how Russell Westbrook will fit in with LeBron and AD, but All-Stars always seem to make things work with one another and especially in regards to LeBron James.
He has always played with some of the best talents the league has to offer and every single year, it seems like James’ team is expected to finish first in their conference. We should expect nothing less this year with the Lakers and as for Westbrook, he will likely be the primary facilitator for this team. He led the league in assists per game last year and averaged a triple-double over the course of the regular season for the fourth time in his career.
Who gets the ball late in games will definitely be something that will have to be answered in regards to this team, but Russell Westbrook is going to go out on the floor every night and be himself — a triple-double machine.
#29 Domantas Sabonis – PF – Indiana Pacers
2020-21 Stats: 20.3 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 6.7 APG, 1.2 STL, 0.5 BLK, 53.5 FG%, 32.1 3P%
Domantas Sabonis was the only player in the NBA to average at least 20 points and 12 rebounds last season and he also averaged 6.7 assists per game, which ranked him 13th in the league and 5th amongst all players listed as a forward or center. He can finish around the rim, displays excellent footwork, and has begun to develop an outside shot, which would wind up making the Pacers’ big man the hardest frontcourt player to guard in the league.
Sabonis seems to be “the guy” in Indiana right now and while this team could wind up moving some key players around, Domantas Sabonis is the one they want to build around for the foreseeable future. After making his first All-Star Game appearance last season, it should not be shocking to see Sabonis in the All-Star game once again in 2022.
#28 Ja Morant – PG – Memphis Grizzlies
2020-21 Stats: 19.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 7.4 APG, 0.9 STL, 44.9 FG%, 30.3 3P%, 72.8 FT%
Finding ways to improve his three-point shot and perimeter game is going to be key for Ja Morant this season, but there is no doubt that he possesses the skill and athleticism to be one of the best players in the league one day. In fact, Morant seems to already think he is one of the best point guards in the league!
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: NBA Top 75 Player Rankings For 2021-22 Season: From 75 to 51
After averaging 30.2 points, 8.2 assists, and shooting 48.7% from the floor in his first-ever postseason series against the Utah Jazz, Ja Morant is on a collision course with being a first-time All-Star should he stay healthy. He is the face of the Memphis Grizzlies entering his third season and if the other guys on this roster begin to put things together, look out for this team in the Western Conference!
#27 Ben Simmons – PG/PF – Philadelphia 76ers
2020-21 Stats: 14.3 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 6.9 APG, 1.6 STL, 0.6 BLK, 55.7 FG%, 61.3 FT%
What will happen with Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers is the “million-dollar question” at this point in the NBA and nobody really seems to have an answer right now. Simmons wants to be traded, but the 76ers want the 3x All-Star to show up and play to begin the season. This does not seem to be a realistic situation though, as Ben Simmons has not shown up to the team for training camp and has already missed preseason action.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: NBA Top 75 Player Rankings For 2021-22 Season: From 75 to 51
The more time Simmons misses, the more money he will lose/forfeit, so it will be very interesting to see if the young 7-footer does show up at one point. This situation between star players and management has created a toxic environment in Philadelphia and many around the league are starting to question whether or not the Sixers’ championship window has closed.
Whether he plays for the 76ers or not, Ben Simmons still possesses the potential to be one of the better two-way threats in the NBA. Defensively, he is a star and if he can be involved in more pick-and-roll situations as the screen instead of the primary ball-handler, he could really see his offensive game take off.
#26 Khris Middleton – SF – Milwaukee Bucks
2020-21 Stats: 20.4 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.1 STL, 47.6 FG%, 41.4 3P%, 89.8 FT%
There were a lot of question marks about if Khris Middleton could be the No. 2 scoring option on a championship team heading into the 2020-21 season last year and the 2x All-Star shut down all of these talks by helping Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks win their first championship in 50 years.
Giannis is going to get all the love and attention from the media, but without Middleton on this team last year, this Bucks team does not win the championship.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: NBA Top 75 Player Rankings For 2021-22 Season: From 75 to 51
Middleton was fantastic against the Brooklyn Nets in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, averaging 24.3 PPG, 8.7 REB, 2.0 STL, and shooting 36.5% from distance and he continued his hot shooting all postseason long, recording a playoff career-high 40 points in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Being able to create in pick-and-roll situations, as well as being a lethal mid-range threat, Khris Middleton is definitely worthy of being called one of the best wings in the NBA.
