The NBA Postseason of Who’s Next Up
The NBA postseason has finally begun. We have waited several months for the high intensity of playoff basketball. Games and series are hard-fought, with only the best surviving. The playoffs are where great players take over, but also when new stars emerge. After a few games thus far, we have seen a few guys who want to be next up. Players, such as Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, are getting older; James Harden might be losing a step; and LeBron James is closing in on 40 years old. The next wave is here and ready to put their stamp on the game.
Where is Ja? He’s Here
Photo courtesy of the Daily Memphian
The biggest prize of the 2019 NBA Draft was Zion Williamson out of Duke. There was not a single person at the time that believed he wasn’t going to be the best player out of that draft. However, a few years have passed and not only is Ja Morant the best player from his draft class, but he is also one of the top guards in the entire league. Morant has transformed the Memphis Grizzlies from a young squad oozing with potential to the second seed in the Western Conference in three years. He just put together his best season in his young career thus far and is on his way to a spot on one of the All-NBA teams. We now know where Ja Morant is and that is at one of the top spots in the NBA.
The Rise of Ant-Man
Photo courtesy of DraftkingsNation
In 2020, the Minnesota Timberwolves held the number one overall pick. The likes of LaMelo Ball and James Wiseman were options, but they eventually decided to go with Anthony Edwards out of the University of Georgia. After a rookie year that saw him finish second for the Rookie of the Year award, we wondered what was next. The young star has the confidence of a Kobe Bryant, while matching his athleticism. In game one of their first-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies, the 20 year old Edwards scored 36 points in a upset victory to take control of homecourt. He was the best player on the court. There was never a sense of pressure and nervousness coming from Edwards. The Timberwolves are not a franchise with tons of playoff success. However, the future is bright with Edwards and his rise to the top.
Invited to the Pool(E) Party
Photo courtesy of BleacherReport
The leading scorer for the Golden State Warriors in game one against the Denver Nuggets was someone who scored 30 points, while shooting 9-13 from the field and 5-7 from three. You would think that person is Klay Thompson or Stephen Curry. However, it was neither. It was instead the third year guard, Jordan Poole. Poole doesn’t have the pedigree of being a top pick, or even a lottery selection. He was taken with the 28th pick with no real expectations. His first year in the league saw him have a stint in the G-League. The outlook on Poole was that he would be an inefficient scorer off the bench. That hasn’t been the case at all. He has improved tremendously to the point where he can take over a playoff game with ease. The Warriors might have found a third splash brother and future star in the making.