1. Collin Sexton
Collin Sexton has been a walking bucket all season long. Collin was overly scrutinized during his first two years in the league, and was labeled as a guard who took bad shots and was a poor distributor. This season he has been consistently proving his doubters wrong. Sexton is currently averaging more points and has a better effective field goal percentage than Anthony Davis, LeBron James, James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, and Devin Booker. Collin had a career game the other night over the Nets as he finished the game with 42 points, including 20 straight Cavalier points in overtime. Sexton shined as the best player on the floor in a game with Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. Collin Sexton has broken out into an All-Star caliber guard who has the Cavaliers back in a position to make a run for a spot in the playoffs.
2. Christian Wood
Christian Wood has had a long journey to get to where he is at today. Wood went undrafted in 2015 and was passed around from team to team for years, contributing mainly as a G league player. Now Wood is with his 6th team in 6 years and his hard work is finally paying off. So far this season Wood is averaging 23.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game and has looked like a legit All-Star. Christian Wood’s perseverance has payed off and his success is one of the best stories of the 2021 NBA season.
3. Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown is one of the most versatile offensive players in the NBA. So far this season Jaylen has been one of the most effective 3 point shooters in the league. He is shooting 43% from behind the arc and a ridiculous 60% on uncontested catch and shoot threes, which forces teams to extend the defense and run over screens when he's on the perimeter. Jaylens improved handle and midrange game allows him to take advantage of over extended defenses. His pull up jumper is pure and he has the 3rd most efficient midrange game in the NBA behind only Kevin Durant and Chris Paul. His tight ball handling and athleticism allow him to get to the rim at ease. Jaylen can score on all 3 levels, while also playing above average defense. Jaylen went from borderline All-star to an All-NBA level talent. Jaylens improvements this season are a product of hard work and a much higher usage rating.
4. Julius Randle
Julius Randle has had prior success in the NBA, but he looks like a legitimate all star in Tom Thibodeau’s system this year in New York. Randle has led the Knicks in almost every major statistical category, averaging 22.6 points, 11.6 rebounds and 6.2 assists. Not only is Randle scoring more than ever in his career, but he has doubles his assist rate and is making more 3 point shots than ever. He has also played much improved defense this season, holding opponents 1.6 fewer points below their average. Julius Randle has broken out into an All-Star player this season.
5. Jerami Grant
Jerami grant was a solid role player for the Nuggets last season, but has looked like an All-Star caliber player so far throughout his first season in Detroit. He has doubled his scoring average from last year and is one of the most versatile defensive players in the NBA. Although the Pistons have been struggling to win games this year, Grant is one of their lone bright spots averaging 25.4 ppg, 6.1 rebounds per game.