It’s time for the NBA All-Star Break! Before the season started, the NBA decided to cancel the All-Star game and all its festivities for the 2020-21 season. That seemed like the right thing to do for all parties until the league saw how well the season was going. Back in January, the NBA and NBAPA had discussions of playing the All-Star game in March. Those discussions kept getting better and better until they decided it would be played. Not only did they have an All-Star game this past Sunday, but the Skills Challenge, Dunk Contest, and Three-Point Shootout was also played Sunday.
The All-Star break started on March 5th and will end on March 9th as players will try and recuperate and get ready for the second half of the season. There have been several great performances in the first half of this year. Five players are averaging 29 points or more so far this season and two of them are averaging 30 or more. Let’s take a look at the greatness put on display as we gear up for the All-Star game and a great second half of the season.
NBA Leading Scorers At The All-Star Break
Bradley Beal (32.9 PPG)
Over the past several years, Bradley Beal has been one of the most underrated players in the league. He’s had several good years but the last two have been simply great. In the 2019-20 shortened season, Beal averaged 30.5 points per game which were the second-most in the NBA. For some reason, he was snubbed from the All-Star game. This season, it looks like he’s taken that personally as he’s averaging 32.9 points per game for the 14-20 Washington Wizards at the All-Star break. The Wizards are still very well in contention for a playoff spot as they’re only two games behind the eighth seed and Beal is the number one reason why.
Joel Embiid (30.2 PPG)
If anyone is having MVP conversations this early in the season, Joel Embiid is the topic of discussion. His 30.2 points per game have the Philadelphia 76ers as the number one seed in the Eastern Conference with a 24-12 record. Embiid is also getting it done on the glass as he’s tied for sixth in rebounds with 11.6 per game. He’s already been put in conversations with past greats and continues to improve his game every year. As long as Embiid is in the driver’s seat for the 76ers, they’ll be in finals contention every season.
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Damian Lillard (29.8 PPG)
Here’s another player that might be one of the most underrated superstars in the entire league. Damian Lillard has averaged over 20 points a game every year except his rookie year. He’s also averaged 25 or more points in each of the last five years. This year, he’ll more than likely do it again as he’s averaged 29.8 points per game at the All-Star break. Lillard is also passing the rock as he has eight assists a game. There’s no reason to believe that he won’t remain as one of the top scorers in the league when the season is over.
Stephen Curry (29.7 PPG)
Last season, Stephen Curry suffered an injury that sidelined him in all but five games. The Golden State Warriors as a team finished last in the league as they had injuries all over with Klay Thompson and Draymond Green as well. This season, the Warriors are relatively healthy except for Thompson, who was lost for the season. Green and Curry are important to the Warrior’s success this season. The Warriors are only a half-game out of the playoffs at the All-Star break and Curry’s 29.7 points per game is a huge reason why. He’s put himself right into the MVP discussion as he’s willed this team in a good position at the break with his leadership and poise.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.0 PPG)
With the first overall pick in the All-Star game, LeBron James selected Giannis Antetokounmpo to join his team. With the type of season he’s had, you can see why. He’s fifth in rebounds per game with 11.7 and is top 25 in assists. Antetokounmpo is also 12th in blocks and 15th in field goal percentage. His strong play all over has the Milwaukee Bucks as the third seed in the East at the moment. The energy and motivation he plays with make him one of the best players in all of the league.
Other Leading Scorers
Zach LaVine (28.7 PPG)
Luka Doncic (28.6 PPG)
Kyrie Irving (27.2 PPG)
Nikola Jokic (27.1 PPG)
Kawhi Leonard (26.6 PPG)
Main Photo:
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