by The first week of the NBA season is nearly over, and there have been a plethora of standouts, such as the numerous 50-point games and the last-second overtime wins. With these storylines taking most headlines, early-season surprises such as Keyonte George and Tre Jones are flying under the radar.
Keyonte George, Guard
George is averaging a quiet 20 points and nearly ten assists per game this season. He has shown great feel so far, consistently making the right decisions in pick-and-rolls and creating his own shot unfailingly. His rim pressure has been another significant part of his lethal offensive game.
The Utah Jazz are heavily dependent on setting up shots for players coming off of picks and being ready for catch-and-shoot scenarios; George has been great at getting players the ball in this scenario and has been a significant part of an efficient Utah offense. The Jazz have been a surprising team this season, starting hot with a 2-1 record and an enjoyable brand of basketball.
Jonathan Kuminga, Forward
Taking nearly the entire offseason to return to the Golden State Warriors, Kuminga has been worth the wait. He has looked like a completely new player this year, excelling as a role player. He has shown exceptional off-ball movement, three-point shooting (shooting nearly 43%), and improved passing.
Kuminga becoming a great role player is something the Warriors have long anticipated, and his exceptional play this season is giving them an entirely new element.
Tre Jones, Guard
Jones has been a central reason the Chicago Bulls have started the season 3-0. He is averaging 13 points, 8.3 assists, and 3.3 steals per game. He is constantly in the right place defensively, setting himself up for easy deflections and turnovers. His defense on Trae Young was phenomenal, and a key reason for their win against the Atlanta Hawks.
On the offensive end, Jones has been highly efficient, with a 64% true shooting and making few mistakes. He is also constantly looking to push the pace; this has put extra pressure on defenses and created easy opportunities for many Bulls players. His play so far has kept the Bulls’ guard rotation afloat in Coby White‘s absence.
Walker Kessler, Center
Kessler has been unbelievable this season — averaging 16.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 2.7 blocks. His most crucial progression so far has been his three-point shooting: he has more than doubled his attempts from last season and is shooting them at 75%. Clearly, this percentage will go down as the season progresses, but it’s a terrific sign.
Kessler has been a defensive playmaker since stepping onto an NBA court, but this season, he has put together a more complete game and is setting himself up for a substantial payday this offseason.
