Sizing up the competition
For all of Vucevic’s talent, there are two centers in the Eastern Conference who simply stand head and shoulders above the rest.
2016 NBA All-Star selection Andre Drummond has become a star in his fourth season in the league, averaging a monstrous 17.3 points, 15.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. While his defense is perhaps not as good as one would expect it to be, and his free throw shooting is historically awful, there can be no doubt he has become the East’s most dominant player at his position.
The second player is Al Horford, who remains one of the NBA’s most under-appreciated stars. While his numbers are not gaudy — the 29-year old is putting up 15.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game – there can be no doubt it is the things he brings to the team outside the box score that raises his game to a new level. This includes his passing ability – he averages 3.0 assists per contest – and his understanding of the game on both ends of the floor.
As a building has its ceiling, it also has its basement.
Others, like Al Jefferson, have seen a decline in both their ability and playing time, and are thus no longer among the Eastern Conference’s elites. Brook Lopez continues put up good numbers for a struggling Brooklyn Nets team. His career has not seemingly advanced much since his lone All-Star selection. And Pau Gasol is entering the twilight of his career.
The likes of Robin Lopez and Ian Mahinmi, while talented, cannot compete with what the rest the East has to offer.
Finally, the Philadelphia 76ers Jahlil Okafor is still in his rookie season, and despite putting up good numbers, is not yet at the level of his contemporaries at his position.
Next: The offense