It has been rough sailing at times for Klay Thompson after two years away from the game, but we’re starting to see more and more of what makes him so special: not only the knockdown shooting, but impressive defensive toughness on the wing.
Fred VanVleet’s efficiency is momentarily in the basement, but the tough-nosed guard from Wichita State has earned his status as perennial All-Star snub and lead playmaker for a Raptors team that will always hang around the contenders circle to some extent.
A silk-smooth scorer and playmaker, CJ McCollum offsets his defensive limitations with double the offensive firepower. It will be interesting to see how his role changes once Zion and Ingram are together in the rotation full-time
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year continues to supply Boston with singular versatility on that side of the ball. He’s strong enough to battle forwards in the post and quick enough to bottle up elite ball-handlers in space. His intensity and massive growth as a playmaker have been key to unlocking Boston’s path to contention.
The Knicks swindled Jalen Brunson away from Dallas over the summer and have to be pleased with the early results. He is clearly the team’s best player — at long last a source of steady table-setting with bouts of impressive three-level scoring sprinkled in. He plays with an excellent sense of poise and pace, and the Knicks need every bit of it.