Published on : 21/12/2020 – 09:04
Los Angeles (AFP)
Luka Doncic (Dallas), Jayson Tatum (Boston), Zion Williamson (New Orleans), Trae Young (Atlanta) and Ja Morant (Memphis) are only 21 or 22 and are already NBA freaks, but they could change dimension again this season.
. “Magic Doncic”
Can he be MVP? This is the big question posed by the NBA concerning the Slovenian prodigy from Dallas, as his progression curve at the start of his third season is extremely high. He rewarded the previous one with many exploits, finishing at 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists.
Before his 21 years, which he turned on February 28, he had 21 triple-doubles (ten or more units in three statistical categories), a precocity record that outclassed the marks of Magic Johnson (7) and LeBron James (5). He added six more to finish last season, including a playoff scorer against the Clippers, where he finished with 43 points, 17 rebounds, 13 assists and scored the winning basket with a three-point shot. at the overtime buzzer.
The numbers are already staggering. It remains to be seen whether he can allow the Mavericks to go further than the first round of the play-offs, with a workforce that will have to start the season without the other star, Kristaps Porzingis, recovering after a meniscus operation .
. “Mutant Tatum”
He too has shown spectacular progress, establishing himself as Boston’s offensive leader, including when it became important in the Disney World bubble (25.7 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists on average). It came close to Miami in the East for him and Jaylen Brown, the team’s other strongman, to lead the Celtics to the finals.
The talented shooting winger, drafted in third place in 2017 and who extended his five-year contract with the Celtics for $ 195 million, is expected to continue to grow, he who has gained five centimeters (2.08 m) and five kilos of muscles during the offseason, according to his club. What to impose a little more.
“I don’t set myself a limit on what I can achieve. I want to be one of the best at this sport,” he warned.
. “Force Williamson”
Unlike Tatum, he has lost weight in recent months, 11 kg according to ESPN. But that doesn’t affect his power as his warm-up matches with the Pelicans have shown, including the last one against Milwaukee in which he scored 31 points.
On the other hand, for the meniscus that he had to undergo last year, postponing his big debut in the NBA for a few months, it is beneficial. So much so that unlike in bubble matches, he is not subject to any playing time restrictions.
Its explosiveness begs to be released. If her knees spare her, she should wreak havoc this season.
. “Showman Young”
His moped slaloms, confusing dribbling, humiliating little bridges and cheeky shoots made him the only reason to keep fans in Atlanta last season.
Succeeding several cards, including 42 “pawns” (11 assists) against Denver, he became the third player in history to score more than 30 points in three games in a row before his 22 years. As only Michael Jordan and LeBron James had done so far.
The show, he knows how to assure it, but to win the matches to the Hawks constitutes his course to be crossed. But this season he will not be alone as he joined the Italian wingers Danilo Gallinari and Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic, the experienced point guard Rajon Rondo and the solid interior Clint Capela. What to expand.
. “Marvel Morant”
Designated best “rookie” of last season, certainly taking advantage of the long absence of Williamson, the leader of the Grizzlies has absolutely not stolen this trophy. He was the only one to survive when Memphis finally failed to qualify for the play-offs, defeated in the play-off by Portland and the untenable Damian Lillard.
At 21, Morant has already established himself as a leader ready to assume his status as a “franchise player” and nothing seems to scare this explosive rear, like his few fierce successful dunks on the head of opponents who did not see the arrow coming.
With his 17.8 points (47.7% on shots) and 7.3 average passes, he surprised more than one. Rather, he felt that his team was underestimated. “My number one goal is to start the season by showing that everyone is wrong about us.”
© 2020 AFP
