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Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Phoenix’s resident flamethrowers have never burned hotter, and there’s no greater threat to stave off any chance of an attack. If anything, the Suns may have to rely more on floor general Chris Paul, 37, as he’s starting to show his age.
Still, Booker’s strong start was largely aided by his ridiculously hot shots (53% overall, 48% from long range), and his track record leaves doubts about his sustainability. He’s actually averaging less pinch shots than he did last season, handling the lowest percentage of use (29.9) since 2016-17.
Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
Durant may be the most accomplished scorer the sport has ever seen. His 20.6 field goal attempts are the second most of his career.
If both of these are true, he is likely to achieve an average of 30 or higher on his third try. But Brooklyn should worry about burning him out, right?He may look superhuman on the floor, but he’s still 34 after suffering an Achilles tendon rupture in the not-too-distant past. Once the Nets are healthy, he should be able to put up enough offense that he doesn’t need much from Durant.
Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers
Embiid scored 30.6 points per tilt last season and has more floor time than he did then despite his offseason conditioning. restrictedHaving an absurdly deep bag for a 7’0″, 280 lb player, his claim as a potential 30 point scorer is even higher than that of the only player not scoring in that clip (27.6 ), which is one of the easiest to explain.
So why am I not fully committed to it? Elsewhere he has two of his 20-point scorers (James Harden and Tyrese Maxsey) in his starting lineup, so Embiid doesn’t have to shoulder the club.in fact his 19.3 His field goal attempts per 36 minutes are the second-lowest in his career.
De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
Huge tribute to Fox joining the ranks of the 30-scorers this season. In four appearances, the sixth-year speedster shatters his all-time best, and even the most optimistic expectations, with his 30.5 points per tilt.
Is this sustainable? In a nutshell: no. He has never shot more than 48% from the field before and suddenly he shot 59%. His 42.3% perimeter his splash rate is also popping off the page for the wrong reasons. Still, this unexpected runaway deserves some recognition.
Jason Tatum, Boston Celtics
Tatum made the playoffs as a rookie, was named an All-Star by his third season, and was named to the All-NBA First Team by his fifth season. Starting from such a great place and showing constant improvement couldn’t be easier.
But Boston’s depth looms as a major obstacle between him and his 30-point scoring average. He basically buries everything he throws at the rim (55.6/37.5/90.3 slashes). Tatum’s 20.3 shots per game is his lowest in the last three seasons and the same number that Jaylen Brown has averaged. If (When?) Tatum’s shot went cold.
