BIGGEST SURPRISES OF THE SEASON

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS:

Biggest Surprises of the Season:

Stat nerds like myself are constantly following trends and players, but a lot of fans of the games and real world wins don't typically obsess with these details. Here is a list of players with outrageous early season stats.

MILES BRIDGES: 25.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 2.3 SPG, 53% FG, 94% FT, 2.5 3PG, 1.5 TOPG - In 9-stat category fantasy realms, this puts him in top 10 production. Many would look at this stat line and question if Kawhi was in fact hurt. I have always been super bullish on the 2018 draft, but he was not one of the guys that I would have though was going to be a cornerstone to their franchise. Him and LaMelo are probably the only untouchable players on this team and are the main reasons to their 3-1 start. They have another soft match-up tonight, further pushing them up the standings.

EVAN MOBLEY: 14.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, 2.0 BPG, 55% FG, 86% FT, 2.0 TOPG - The turnovers and lack of 3's are the only thing preventing him from being considered a fringe-elite center at this point. He had a career-high 6 assists opening night, has already had a double-double, has had 2 multiple-block games, and has hit double-digits in every game. The front court rotation is a little crowded with Markkenen and Love also competing for minutes at the 4, but the young rookie appears to be pro ready. My gut was that he would be brought along, the Cavs would be really bad, and he would be unleashed post-ASB once they find a new home for Love. That has not been the case and he currently leads the team in minutes.

HARRISON BARNES: 28.3 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 5.0 3PG, 50% FG, 78% FT, 2.0 TOPG - Barnes has thrived playing primarily at the 4 this season. His scoring and assists have skyrocketed and it's probably not sustainable. Barnes is averaging a ridiculous 37 minutes per game and a lot of his stats are inflated due to the sample size and a monster 25-15 game against the Jazz. The Kings are still likely a lottery team, but he is boosting his trade value right before they are likely to clean house.

CJ MCCOLLUM: 27.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 2.0 SPG, 1.7 BPG, 5.3 3PG, 53% FG, 100% FT, 3.3 TOPG - Turnovers are too be expected with his usage so high right now, but he's picking up the slack on Lillard's slow start. The scoring is not a huge surprise, as he's had hot streaks before, but his defense has entered a whole new level. You expect defensive production like this from wings like OG Anunoby or large guards like Simmons and Lonzo, but McCollum is none of those guys. This production is not sustainable, but if he can continue to be aggressive defensively, he could be the X-Factor the Trailblazers need to make noise. A healthy Nurkic and a defensive-minded coach in Chauncey Billups could also help cement them as a legitimate title threat.

JULIUS RANDLE: 25.5 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.8 BPG, 2.3 3PG, 43% FG, 88% FT, 3.5 TOPG - Much in the same theme as McCollum, his defense has improved substantially. Maybe it is Mitchell's influence rubbing off on him, maybe it's just out of necessity with their depleted center rotation, maybe it's just the next step in his development. He is well on his way to another All-Star selection and with his shot sitting at 43%, well below his 48% career average, he still has room for growth.

ANTHONY EDWARDS: 25.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 4.3 3PG, 42% FG, 88% FT, 2.7 TOPG - Well, the haters of his 3-point range are deafeningly quiet. Aside from offensive improvement, it seems his alleged growth spurt was legit, as he's averaging 8 rebounds per game. His passing has improved, and his 88% free throw percentage implies that maybe his 42% FG is probably closer to his floor than his ceiling. His defense is probably the next thing that needs to take a step, but for a second year player, his rapid growth seems to be much welcomed.

- Adam Safianow - NBA Analyst - Upsyde Sports [Copyright 2021]

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