Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant highlight DaveZarum's (definitive) ranking of the top performers - so far - still competing in the NBAPlayoffs:
The 2019 NBA Playoffs have had its share of exciting moments and brilliant performances — buzzer beaters, 50-point outings, dramatic duels and more. In the second round, we’re currently being reminded on a nightly basis that the league’s deep pool of star-level talent is unparalleled. But who takes the crown?1. Kevin DurantThe Golden State Warriors star is strengthening his case as the best active player in the league.
His 50-point night in the opening round put the Los Angeles Clippers’ season to a close, and demonstrated that there’s simply no stopping him when he’s rolling offensively. Durant has long been the most lethal, unguardable scorer in the NBA, and as he shows off the rest of his well-rounded game he’s the biggest reason the Warriors have regained their mojo and are in a good position to knock out the Houston Rockets for the fourth time in five years.Playoff stats: 31.3 PPG | 7.3 RPG | 3.3 APG | 1.3 SPG | 0.4 BPG | 57.7 FG% | 46.5 3P%, and there’s just as easy an argument to be made for him to be No. 1 on this list, too.
Leonard has been unstoppable throughout the playoffs, at times carrying the Raptors on his back and at others playing the role of go-to superstar to perfection while helping lift what’s been a stellar starting unit. His scoring, in particular, has been eye-opening — for all his accolades and accomplishments over his career, including a Finals MVP trophy, he’s never put the ball in the net more frequently or efficiently.
Leonard leads the NBA in almost every advanced metric, including win shares per 48 minutes and player efficiency rating. But you don’t need numbers to understand that he’s been flat-out awesome thus far.Playoff stats: 31.1 PPG | 4.1 RPG | 5.7 APG | 2.1 SPG | 0.6 BPG | 45.8 FG% | 42.5 3P%
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Boston Celtics legend John Havlicek dies at 79Boston Celtics legend John Havlicek dies at 79 Globe_Sports
Read more »
NBA: Trail Blazers 97, Nuggets 90CJ McCollum put up a game-high 20 points as six Trail Blazers scored in double-figures and seized the home-court advantage with the series shifting to Portland for Game 3 on Friday night. Series tied 1-1.
Read more »
Out of Africa: Superstars take similar paths to NBA pinnacleThe two Cameroonians have lots of respect for each other but are ‘not going to be friends’ during their playoff series
Read more »
As the NBA playoffs churn on, officials’ burden of truth gets heavierAs the NBA playoffs churn on, officials’ burden of truth gets heavier Globe_Sports
Read more »
NBA: 76ers 94, Raptors 89The Raptors cut a 19-point deficit down to one late in the fourth quarter but Danny Green missed a potential game-tying three-pointer in the dying seconds as the 76ers escaped with the road victory. Jimmy Butler paced the Sixers with 30 points and 11 rebounds. Series tied 1-1.
Read more »
Vince Carter says he's 'coming back' for at least one more season - Sportsnet.caVince Carter says he's 'coming back' for his 22nd NBA season.
Read more »
DeRozan, Spurs eliminated from NBA playoffs after Game 7 loss to Denver NuggetsNikola Jokic had another triple-double, Jamal Murray hit a clutch floater with 36.8 seconds remaining and the Nuggets held off San Antonio 90-86
Read more »
Raptors betting favourites again for Game 2 against 76ers - Sportsnet.caThe Toronto Raptors will be looking for a sixth-straight win when they continue their second-round playoff series with the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday as 6.5-point favourites on the NBA odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
Read more »
'Playoff Kawhi' is imposing his dominance and impressing the RaptorsThrough five games of the playoffs, the NBA has caught a glimpse of 'Playoff Kawhi' as he has showcased his capable dominance on both ends of the court. His teammates have seen it first-hand all season long, but even they have been impressed with what he has been able to do so far during the post season. Josh Lewenberg reports.
Read more »
Rockets' Paul fined $35K for contact with ref - TSN.caHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul has been fined $35,000 for what the NBA called 'aggressively confronting and recklessly making contact' with an official during Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Read more »
Why Marc Gasol is so effective beyond what his numbers say - Sportsnet.caNBA insider Michael Grange joins the Starting Lineup to discuss how important and effective Marc Gasol is to the Raptors, even though his numbers aren't jumping off the page.
Read more »