AK: Welcome back to EE-SPN, Episode 12. I’m Anish Khinvasara. 

SG: And I’m Suryansh Gupta. So far the start of the NBA season has revealed a lot of new key players.

AK: Yeah, there are a ton of overperformers, but some of them really stand out. For example, take a look at Luka Doncic, because he’s been a real monster for the Lakers.

SG: He definitely had some trouble last season fitting in with the Lakers’ system, but he’s really found his place as the go-to scorer.

AK: For sure, the Mavericks really made a mistake trading him. He’s averaging 35 points per game, which is a league high, and he’s had multiple 40-point games. He has excellent shooting splits especially on his enormous volume. I think he has a great chance at MVP this year. 

SG: The Lakers were also blessed with another stand-out player: Austin Reaves. He’s averaging 28.1 points, which is top 10 for points per game in the NBA. I think Reaves has really stepped up to fill the scoring gap that LeBron left due to his injury. He is definitely playing at that all-star level. 

AK: Yeah, another player with a breakout season is the Utah star Lauri Markkanen.

SG: I agree. He’s really blossomed into a more well-rounded player. He’s averaging legit superstar numbers with 28 points per game. But then again, he’s on a losing team — the Jazz have been struggling with an 8-14 record so far.

AK: Apparently Draymond Green had some comments for Markkanen. He allegedly said “no” to the Warriors’ front office when they wanted to trade for him.

SG: Draymond Green must really be regretting his words right now.

AK: Speaking about the Warriors, Stephen Curry has really been cooking despite his age. I mean, he is 37 years old. I just don’t know how long he can keep carrying the Warriors on his back. 

SG: I agree. He’s been lighting it up at 37 years old. But you’re right, when will he run out of gas? 27.9 points per game, 50 point games, main scorer for the team — the Warriors need someone to take up some of the offensive slack.

AK: I think Jimmy Butler has been a great addition to the team. I mean, his IQ fits in well with the Warriors’ system. But he hasn’t shown himself as the go-to scorer the Warriors will need when Curry is gone.

SG: If they want to be real contenders this year they need to pick up someone like Giannis. He’s everything the Warriors need right now in terms of rim protection, scoring and being someone who can really give a spark to the team.

AK: Yeah, OK. I agree with that. But who do you think the Warriors should trade for him?

SG: I’m not really sure, but they certainly would have to part ways with Jimmy Butler and maybe some of their first round picks, and hopefully they get Brandin Podziemski out.

AK: Yeah, I mean he’s been having quite the rough season. In a sea of overperformers he has really underperformed. He looked like a legitimate third option for the Warriors, but he seems to be trying to do too much on the offensive side.

SG: He’s a bench rotation guy who’s getting 30 minutes a game. 

AK: Yeah, I think Steve Kerr really needs to start cutting his minutes in favor of guys like Moses Moody and Pat Spencer.

SG: Let’s look at the number one pick: Cooper Flagg with the Mavericks.

AK: I think he had quite an underwhelming season opener, but he’s really starting to pick up the pace. 

SG: I thought he would be great off the bat looking at his scrimmage with Team USA when he was younger, but he seemed to struggle in the first few games of the season.

AK: Yeah, being said, he just had a 35 point game. I mean his shooting could use a lot of work, but I feel like most rookies entering the league shoot inefficiently and that’s something he has time to work on.

SG: A rookie who has had quite the opposite of a season, is VJ Edgecombe with the 76ers. In his first ever game in the NBA, he dropped 34 points, the third-most all-time for any rookie in an NBA debut, but he is slowly fizzling out. I think this is mostly due to a calf injury that’s really been bothering him.

AK: For sure, but 15 a game is still great for a rookie, just not as great when looking at his lightning hot start. We will definitely be looking at some future MVPs here.

SG: So, who do you think will be the MVP this regular season?

AK: OK, I love this wildcard — Victor Wembanyama. He had quite the summer. He was in China working with literal monks on the mental aspect of the game, and he had quite the stint while he was healthy averaging 26 points, 12 rebounds and even four blocks a game as a third year. If he stays healthy throughout the rest of the season I have my bets on him.

SG: That’s a great take, Anish, but I think Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a good chance too. He’s the best player on the team that’s leading the league, but no matter your opinion, the beginning of this NBA season has really exposed some great players. 

AK: Yeah, that’s for sure. That’s all for today. We’ll see you next time.

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