Starters
Guard: James Harden, Shooting Guard, Houston Rockets
James Harden finds his way on this team again and he is showing no signs of stopping his solid play. This week the game that got him here was his 44 point, 10 rebound, and 6 assist game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Harden battled with rookie Ja Morant but the former MVP showed us once again that there is no stopping him. He is now averaging 42 points, 6.5 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and shooting 43 percent from the floor a game. This begs the question, can anyone stop this man? That remains to be seen but if I was a betting man then I would lean towards that answer being no.
Guard: Bradley Beal, Shooting Guard, Washington Wizards
Bradley Beal opted to stay with the Washington Wizards long-term this summer and a lot of NBA fans were puzzled by that decision. With starting point guard, John Wall, out for the season, the Wizards will more than likely be at the bottom of the league. However, Beal is the lone star in Washington at the moment and he is putting the team on his back. Beal dueled with James Harden and dropped 46 points in a loss. Beal is averaging 32.7 points per game and has taken on a leadership role in Washington. Watch out for Beal to duplicate those huge performances this game because the Wizards will need him to go crazy if they want to win games.
Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Small Forward, Milwaukee Bucks
Known as the Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo is the reigning MVP of the NBA and it appears like he’s somehow gotten better. In three games, the Greek Freak put together games of 38, 36, and 34 points. To go along with his points, Antetokounmpo also added 15.5 rebounds during that three game stretch. All three games resulted in wins and no one could stop the Greek Freak. The Bucks are a very good team and in my opinion one of the most complete teams in the Eastern conference as well. It would not be suroprising to see them represent the East in the Finals this season and that all starts with Antetokounmpo.
Forward: Luka Doncic, Small Forward, Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic, the reigning Rookie of the Year, is quickly rising up people’s charts as one of the premier players in the league. Doncic won’t wow you with crazy athleticism but the kid can straight up ball. Similar to James Harden, Doncic lulls people to sleep on the offensive end and he possess one of the deadliest step back jumpers in the league. Doncic is averaging a triple-double so far this season of 30 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 15 assists. He plays the game as if he’s a 10-year veteran but he’s only 20 years of age. The guy can’t even take a legal sip of alcohol and he’s quickly becoming a top-20 player in the league.
Center: Al Horford, Center, Philadelphia 76er’s
The 76er’s might have one of the lengthiest starting lineups in the NBA with Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, Josh Richardson, Joel Embiid, and Al Horford. That lineup is a match-up nightmare for smaller teams and Horford has helped bolster the Sixers front-court. Horford doesn’t have the sexiest game but he continues to be a great defender and facilitator at the center position. His services are severely missed on his former team, the Boston Celtics.
Reserves: Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Devin Booker, LeBron James, Kemba Walker
NBA Insight 