It’s that time of year again when we give thanks. And that goes for the NBA as well.
The problem is that some players seem underappreciated for what they’re doing for their teams or themselves in 2023-24 so far. Some are in the shadow of more accomplished teammates. It happens.
Well, we’re here to rectify that.
This isn’t about Anthony Edwards and Nikola Jokic and Jayson Tatum and other obvious standouts who couldn’t escape the spotlight if they tried.
This is about 10 players (listed alphabetically) who deserve more thanks as we welcome Thanksgiving:
1. LaMelo Ball, Hornets
He’s hard to find because the Hornets are, too, way down in the East basement. That’s not Ball’s fault, though. He has never been better than now, with improvements across the board.
A wiser player whose basketball IQ was already high, LaMelo’s improvement lies with shooting — he’s averaging 25.9 points — and better defense.
And as always, LaMelo is entertaining as well, throwing lobs and behind-the-back passes that defy logic. He just needs to get strong enough to deadlift the Hornets from the bottom.
2. Scottie Barnes, Raptors
Wait, why lead this list with two former Kia Rookie of the Year winners? Isn’t Barnes already appreciated and respected? Well, to an extent, but he slipped since that 2021-22 rookie season. Until now.
Finally, we see growth in his scoring, court awareness, effort and just about everywhere. He leads the Raptors in every major category this season except assists — and he’s getting a career-best six per game.
As the Raptors stumble along and seem certain to make a major trade or two before the deadline, Barnes seems untouchable.
3. Eric Gordon, Suns
He turns 35 on Christmas, hasn’t been a regular starter on a winning team since the James Harden Rockets, and came to the Suns this season as backcourt insurance. Phoenix knew he could still shoot.
Well, the premium is paying off. With Bradley Beal still dealing with lower back issues — he’ll be out a few more weeks — Gordon’s importance is up. He has started all but four games, averaging roughly 14 points and is suddenly a third option.
4. LeBron ’21st Season’ James, Lakers
Alright, so maybe this is cheating, putting an all-time great on a list shared with up-and-comers. Then again, why not? For someone who turns 39 next month, Old LeBron is not only approaching new territory, he’s ripping through it.
It must be said and repeated: What he’s doing now, at this level, at his age, with his load responsibility, is astonishing. The scoring, the passing, the rebounding — no, not the defense, which is understandably slipping, but still — LeBron is setting the standard for Grown Folks in sports.
He’s flexing on us, and the league, with biceps that aren’t sagging. He’s top 15 in scoring (shooting a career-high 41.4% from deep) and assists, grabbing over eight rebounds and keeping up with a much younger Anthony Davis.
Most impressive? In a season that started with reduced minutes to keep his legs fresh for the long haul, LeBron plays almost 35 a night. That’s out of necessity, yes, for the inconsistent Lakers, but point made.
5. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Heat
We wanted to refrain from putting rookies on this list because they tend to tease this early in the season. But, hell: Jaquez gets the benefit of the doubt.
A few years ago he suffered an ankle injury so he stayed for his senior year at UCLA. Even then, he was projected as a possible second-round pick last June.
But, look: His value to the Heat over the last month (52/41/80 shooting splits) is soaring. Increased minutes, more production, bigger role. Erik Spoelstra doesn’t dole that out easily. Has Pat Riley discovered another underdog?
6. Jalen Johnson, Hawks
Look what the Hawks found after they shipped John Collins to Utah — an athletic, run-the-floor wing who fits the system.
Johnson got the promotion and is doing plenty with it, catching and finishing Trae Young’s lob passes on the break and getting increased minutes in coach Quin Snyder’s offense. He’s 6-8, frisky and carving a reputation.
Johnson failed to score in double digits in just two games this season and is now at 14.6 points (more than double his career average) with almost eight rebounds. He could get Most Improved votes.
7. Duncan Robinson, Heat
He’s up. He’s down. He’s up again. What a ride on the Duncan Elevator, currently headed north. His rags to riches to rags is looking rich again here in his, what, third comeback?
Who’s keeping track anymore? Robinson spent time benched or not playing at all over the last two years because of performance issues and it made folks dizzy.
With Max Strus gone, he’s back to the old — new? — Robinson who cannot be left open. His scoring average (14.5 points) is the highest of his career, partly because he’s not one-dimensional and settling for 3s anymore. He’s scoring more off the dribble and getting to the rim.
8. Mitchell Robinson, Knicks
Nobody in New York rebounded like this since Patrick Ewing. Robinson is cementing himself as one of the league’s better boardsmen and it reflects almost nightly. He’s now at 11.6 per game.
But his development defensively goes even further. He’s also blocking 1.2 shots a game with 1.4 steals. Now you know why stoic coach Tom Thibodeau almost cracks a smile. Because Robinson is content to leave the scoring to others and concentrate on the important stuff.
9. Alperen Sengun, Rockets
The Baby Jokic is growing up and showing out here in his third season and is partly responsible for the Rockets’ rise from the ashes. He’s leading Houston in scoring — who saw that on a team with Jalen Green? — and is already one of the most efficient post players in the league.
His numbers this season are soaring over his career marks. He recently went on a five-game stretch averaging 25 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. And a few weeks ago he went 23-8-5 in a win over the Nuggets … and their two-time Kia MVP.
10. Derrick White, Celtics
You could make the case that White is, all things considered, the second-most impressive Celtic (so far). His impact at both ends is proving invaluable and keeping Boston in the East attic.
He’s accepting the toughest defensive assignments and showing great range in that area (especially on the perimeter). He won’t get many shots on a team with Tatum, Brown and Porzingis but when it comes his way, he’s efficient. Now at 42.6% from deep, best among Celtic starters.
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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