The Second Round of the West playoffs have begun. Let’s do something a little different today, ranking the top 10 players left in the Western Conference playoffs.
10. Mike Conley
Conley has had a huge bounce back year for Utah after struggling in his first season with the Jazz. A first time all-star this year, Conley averaged 16.2 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game this season. He is a very good ball handler who Utah has relied upon heavily as they raced to the number one seed in the Western Conference. He missed game one of their series against the Los Angeles Clippers. Hopefully he will return at some point in the series because he is so important to Utah.
9. Michael Porter Jr.
MPJ had a massive breakout season this past year for the Denver Nuggets. After struggling in the bubble last season, Porter Jr. has been awesome in year two, he missed what would have been his rookie year with an injury. Averaging 19.0 points and 7.3 rebounds, Porter has been a very nice surprise for Denver, which it turns out they needed with the loss of point guard Jamal Murray.
8. Deandre Ayton
The number 1 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft has been awesome for Phoenix as they have started their run at a championship. After having the bust label for his first 2 seasons, Ayton has shaken that off with a dominating performance against Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers. He did not score as much this season with the but had the best field goal percentage of his career. Ayton will continue to be key to the Suns success.
7. Chris Paul
After being acquired in November, CP3 has been everything the Suns could have been and more. He is a huge part of the reason Phoenix has become a legit contender this season. Paul has given the Suns 16.4 points, 8.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game in his first season in the desert. He has been the spark Phoenix has needed after he was so important to the success of the Oklahoma City Thunder last season, who also surprised a lot of people. Paul could have definitely been higher on this list but the talent out west is so dominant.
6. Rudy Gobert
The Defensive Player of the Year is the best defensive player in the NBA, Gobert is one of the greatest rim protectors of all time as he scares people out of the paint. Gobert also is solid on the offensive end. This year Gobert has averaged 14.3 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game this season. Gobert is the engine that makes the Jazz move on the defensive side of the court.
5. Paul George
PG13 is an elite player. There is no question of that fact. Yes, he has had his postseason struggles and he needs to clean that up, but George is still a player every team should want to acquire. He is a very talented defensive player and is an elite scorer. Averaging 23.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game this season, George has proven that yet again this season and I expect him to bounce back after a rough game 1.
4. Devin Booker
Booker is one of the elite scorers in the entire NBA. Over the past 3 seasons Booker has averaged 26.3 points per game on 48% from the field and 34% from 3 point range. His passing has improved as well, though his assists were down this past season with the addition of Chris Paul. He has been dynamite this postseason with 27.1 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game, scoring 47 points in the closeout game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Booker is one of the best scorers in the entire NBA.
3. Donovan Mitchell
Spida Mitchell is a superstar. One of the elite players in the entire league. He is a killer and the Utah Jazz have not lost since Mitchell rejoined the lineup in game 2 of round 1. He was able to match every basket that the Clippers scored in the fourth quarter in game 1, scoring 16 points in the final quarter, 32 points in the second half, and 45 for the game, willing Utah to a 112-109 victory in what looks to be one hell of a series. Mitchell is such a special player and one Utah can build a championship team around.
2. Kawhi Leonard
Maybe the best two-way player in all of basketball, Leonard is such a dynamite player, who is one of the top ten players in the entire sport of basketball. He is a lockdown defender who when he was assigned Luka Doncic during fourth quarters in the first round, Doncic’s number took a dip from when Kawhi was not guarding him. Leonard is also a fantastic offensive player, scoring 45 points in an elimination game on the road to save the Clippers season against the Mavericks. The Klaw is certainly good enough to lead the Clippers to the NBA Finals.
1. Nikola Jokic
MVP! Jokic was awarded the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award and he was very deserving of the award. Averaging 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game this season, The Joker proved he is the best big man we have in the sport today as he revolutionized the center position. He is one of the best passers in the entire NBA, as a 7 foot tall center. He dominates the game with his passing and ability to score the ball. His passes thrown all the way down the court are incredible and he might be able to average a triple-double one season in the future. Jokic is one of the most fun players to watch in the entire league.
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