STARS OF THE SERIES
1: Trae Young, G, Atlanta Hawks
Young is the driving force behind the Hawks’s lead over the Knicks in Round 1. He is averaging 27.7 points and 10 assists per game. The fiery Young has endured the passionate Knicks fans and their countless taunts; some would say deservingly so. However, the Knicks will be hard-pressed to stop Trae; and while he may be balding, he is balling.
2: Jayson Tatum, SF, Boston Celtics
The Celtics may be losing to the Nets 1-2, but one cannot deny Jayson Tatum’s brilliance throughout the series. After subpar Game 1 and 2 performances, Tatum erupted for 50 points in Game 3 and led the Celts to victory. Tatum has been the deciding factor, thus far. He will need to maintain his X-Factor play to keep the Celtics in contention.
3: Luka Doncic, SG, Dallas Mavericks
There are reasons behind the Luka/Lebron comparisons. Luka has been electric against the Clippers averaging 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Meanwhile, Kristaps Porzingis has been horrendous against the Clips and has been locked down by Serge Ibaka. Luka will need to place the team on his back to defeat the Clips if his star teammates cannot step up their play.
4: Damian Lillard, G, Portland
Dame has been killer in Portland’s battle against the Denver Nuggets. He is averaging 30 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists in the four games against the Blazers. The Nuggets’s unusual play style, using Nikola Jokic as the playmaker and the point guard as the primary shooter, has left the Blazers with an interesting defensive tactic. Lillard has been playing more defensively instead of facing up against a passing point guard. He is forced to guard a player that is spacing the court and will need to continue this intensity throughout the series.
5: Joel Embiid, C, Philly
Three words – Trust the Process. The Sixers’s investment may be paying off sooner than later. Ben Simmons has been good, but Embiid has become the alpha dog in Philly. Embiid has reached new levels of play under Doc Rivers’s new system, which has made Embiid the primary scorer. Could this be the year for Embiid and the 76ers?
