Kcd1077

East

Locks: Embiid, Giannis, Tatum, Bam, Haliburton Probably: Maxey, Paolo, Brunson, Mitchell, Lamelo (if healthy) Maybe: Bridges, Lillard, Brown, Randle, Franz

West Locks: Jokic, Luka, Durant, Edwards, Fox, SGA Probably: Curry, Booker, LeBron Maybe: KAT, Kyrie, Sabonis, Zion, Chet, PG, Dillon Brooks (not even kidding)

What do y’all think? Who am I missing?

There are obvious ones, such as LeBron, Tim Duncan, Hakeem, and Shaq (although I’ve even heard some people claim that Shaq underachieved for a #1 pick).

But I’m curious exactly how many actually have lived up to their #1 pick status. There are some legends like Iverson and Kyrie that you could even question. Curious to hear people’s opinions on this, especially with Victor now in the league.

Someone who a lot of people consider to be a great player that you think is just good, or someone people think is good that you think is just ok or not very good.

For me, it’s Bam Adebayo. I think he’s an elite defender, but offensively, I don’t think he’s that great. He’s far to inefficient for someone at his position. He has so many 8-15 or 10-18 type games. He scored 26 points on 26 shots in the finals. He can playmake for sure, but his scoring has always been a question for me.

After the Jokics and the Currys get older or retire, which young players (guys in their 3rd or 4th season) have the best chance to win MVPs 10 years down the line? Do any of them? Surely some of them will.

The guys I would put in that group would be Ant Man, Wemby, Banchero, and Sengun. Maybe Maxey too if the Sixers are still good after Embiid retires or gets traded. I don’t know if guys like Cade or Scottie will have the wow stars or team success required, but we’ll see.

What say you?

Edit: Haliburton, duh. I knew I was forgetting someone and I’m sure I’m forgetting more.

A couple weeks into the season, what are your biggest surprises, both good and bad? Could an individual, a team, or anything else. I'll give mine.

Worst surprises: Bucks' defense, Suns' health, Kings' cold shooting, Jordan Poole

Best surprises: Aaron Nesmith, Cade Cunningham, Atlanta Hawks, rookies like Sasser, Strather, and Hawkins