Top 5 Bigs Pre-All-Star Break

As the basketball community is still mourning the loss of a legend and will be for a long time in Kobe Bryant. With the All-Star break only a week away. We have distinguished the players who have separated themselves from the rest of pack. I want to give a notice that the only reason as to why Karl-Anthony Towns is not on this list is due to him missing almost half the season with an injury. Now, here are the five best bigs pre-all-star break.

5. Domantas Sabonis

Where would the Pacers be without the outstanding play of Sabonis? I can answer that question, they would not be a top five in the East for sure. Domantas Sabonis is in the middle of a breakout season. With Sabonis being a full-time starter and a huge increase in minutes, it’s easy to see the noticeable total impact Sabonis has made on both ends of the court for Indiana and with him being selected to his first All-Star game. With Oladipo being out, Sabonis has been the steady rock for the Pacers, while many people including myself, didn’t expect the Pacers to be among the best in the East at 31-19. Domantas Sabonis is only one of three current plyers that is averaging over 18 points and 12 rebounds. Sabonis is averaging 18.3 PPG, 12.7 RPG, 4.6 APG, while shooting 54% from the field.

4. Bam Adebayo

Talk about a breakout season! Bam Adebayo is only one of three current players that is averaging at least 15 points, 10 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and have a plus-minus of at least 5. Adebayo has been a huge factor in Miami rise towards the top of the East. Just a little over the mid-point of the season, Miami is tied for third in the East at 34-15. Adebayo has been selected to his first All-Star game and is my current Most-Improved Player at this point of the season. Adebayo efficiency, passing, and defense has been off the charts as he has been one of the most versatile bigs in the league. Thanks to Adebayo impact on both ends of the floor, Miami are legit threats in the East. Adebayo is averaging 15.8 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.2 steals & 1.2 blocks per game, while shooting 58% from the field and posting a career-high in PER (Player Efficiency Rating) at 20.6.

3. Joel Embiid

Although, Philly has a lot of issues internally and have been a disappointment so far, Joel Embiid was named an All-Star starter and has been a top three big so far this season. Even though, in my opinion, Embiid hasn’t been playing as well as he did last year and up to his standards. However; Embiid is still the most unstoppable player in the post and is an absolute enforcer on the defensive end. Embiid would be in the conversation as Defensive Player of the Year if he hadn’t missed sixteen games due to injury which has been an issue throughout his entire career. As Embiid is currently playing through a dislocated finger which I commend him for but the stagnant offense, lack of shooting on the roster, and chemistry issues are alarming to me. Even with those current issues, Philly are a sure playoff team as they are 31-20 which is sixth in the East. Embiid is averaging 23.1 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 3.1 APG, and over a block per game, while shooting 82% from the free throw line.

2. Nikola Jokic

It’s not a mystery that Nikola Jokic is the heart and soul of the Denver Nuggets as Denver goes as he goes. Denver early season struggles were largely thanks to Jokic starting the season not being in shape & not performing up to his standards. Since his November struggles, Jokic is back to playing like himself and has been one of the best players in the league. As Denver have been playing much better and they are now top three in the West at 34-16. Jokic continues to demonstrate that he is the one of the best passing big man that we have seen in recent memory. Jokic is only one of three current players that is averaging at least 15 points, 10 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and have a plus-minus of at least 5. Jokic is averaging 20.2 PPG, 10 RPG, 6.7 APG, while shooting 51% from the field and 80% from the free throw line.

1. Anthony Davis

I think it’s safe to say that Anthony Davis is currently the best big in the NBA. Davis has been completely dominating on both ends of the floor so far this season, and it was certainly worth trading pretty much their entire young core if you ask the Lakers. Since LeBron declared that the offense would be running through Davis, he’s been doing it all by scoring the ball at a high & efficient rate and (in my eyes) been the front-runner as the Defensive Player of the Year. Davis leadership has been an underrated feat for him so far this season, as he is a big reason as to why the Lakers has one of the best defenses in the NBA along with having much better chemistry than anticipated. There’s no question that AD & LeBron has been the best duo in the league and they’re the only pair of teammates to currently be in the MVP conversation. Thanks to the impact Davis has made on both ends of the floor, the Lakers are currently the top seed in the West at 37-11. Davis is averaging 26.6 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 3.3 APG, 2.5 blocks & 1.5 steals per game, while shooting 50% from the field.