The NBA All-star break is coming up in just a few days. This reminds us that we are just about halfway into the NBA season and the perfect time to reflect on NBA topics up to the midway point of the season. Here are 5 players who have flown under the radar up to this point in the season. Who will they be and why?
5. Jonas Valanciunas
25 games into the season, Jonas is quietly putting up one of his best seasons of his entire career. He is averaging 15.8ppg and 11.1rpg while grabbing a career high 3.4 offensive rebounds per game. The Memphis Grizzlies have also quietly surprised the league with their improved record as they look to try and make the playoffs. Jonas is clearly helping the Grizzlies in many ways. While many may not be talking about this extremely solid year from Jonas, he will continue to be a double-double machine and fly under the radar with the Memphis Grizzlies.
4. Coby White
In just his second year in the NBA, Coby White has made a jump with his productive play for the Bulls. White is averaging 16.0ppgg, 5.2apg, and 5.1rpg. While many aren’t talking about White’s play, these are very solid all around numbers. Coby White has a silky smooth jump shot and can get to the rim with ease. Look for him to continue to put up solid numbers and possibly make another leap towards a star player.
3. Terry Rozier
Terry Rozier has been playing under the radar this season. He is a 20ppg scorer and rarely anybody is talking about it. He is putting up career numbers from the scoring outlook and has made a number of clutch buckets for the Charlotte Hornets including a buzzer-beater against the Warriors last week. Similar to Jonas Valanciunas and Coby White, Rozier’s solid play has clearly contributed to wins for the Hornets. Watch for Charlotte to possibly take the 8th seed with the help of Rozier and LaMelo Ball.
2. Harrison Barnes
The reason why Barnes isn’t talked about that much is that he plays for the Sacramento Kings in the extremely talented and competitive Western Conference. However, what Barnes has done this season cannot go unnoticed. The veteran is having one of his best seasons as a pro, and Barnes has had many good seasons.
For example, in 2016 and 2017 Barnes scored over 18ppg both seasons. In 2016, Barnes shot 50 percent from the floor and 38 percent from three. This season, Barnes is averaging 16.6ppg while shooting a remarkable career-high 55 percent from the 2 point line and a career-high 40 percent from three. Barnes is averaging a career-high 6.2rpg and 3.5apg. Barnes is playing at a really high level right now and really flying under the radar.
1. Dejounte Murray
Coming into the season, I knew Dejounte Murray would surprise people. In fact, I wrote an article about players who would surprise in the 2021 NBA season before the season started and Dejonte was included in the article.
However, I was not expecting Murray’s scoring to take this much of a jump. Dejounte is averaging a career-high 15.9ppg from just 10.9ppg last season. Murray is also averaging a career-high 7.2rpg and 5.2apg. Murray is one of the best rebounding guards in the league and is having a very solid career year. He has even surprised me. The Spurs are 17-13 and Murray is not getting talked about enough. He has really helped the Spurs become a playoff hopeful this season. With Demar Derozan possibly leaving the Spurs soon, look for Murray to really make an enormous jump. He certainly has the talent to do so.
