With the NBA being on pause ever since Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, there has been no game action.
With the season on hiatus, here is a dive into the most important player to each of their respective teams.
In the Eastern Conference, the most important player to the Milwaukee Bucks is Giannis Antetokounmpo, of course. He is most likely on his way to winning MVP for the second consecutive season. Milwaukee also has the best record in the NBA once again this season.
The most important player for the Toronto Raptors is Kyle Lowry. Yes, they have Pascal Siakam, but Lowry is the engine for this basketball team. He is the heartbeat and the heart and soul of this club.
The most important player on the Boston Celtics is Jayson Tatum. He has finally developed some pop into his game. Tatum was the third overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft out of Duke University.
The most important player for the Miami Heat is Jimmy Butler, who has brought some energy into this team and he is the heartbeat and heart and soul for this basketball team. Miami could be a dangerous team come playoff time if the season resumes.
For the Indiana Pacers the honors belong to head coach Nate McMillan. Yes, he is a coach, but they don’t have a player really who stands out other than Victor Oladipo, who hasn’t really returned from his knee injury yet.
The most important player on the Philadelphia 76ers is Ben Simmons. Sure, they have Joel Embiid and he is a star and all, but the offense runs more efficiently with Simmons compared to Embiid.
For the Brooklyn Nets, it is Kevin Durant. He is one of the best players in the NBA and will be a force when he comes back from his torn Achilles. Sorry, Kyrie Irving, this is Durant’s team, not yours.
The most important player on the Orlando Magic is Nikola Vucevic. Sure, they have Markelle Fultz and Aaron Gordon who are both really good, but Vucevic is more of the glue of this basketball team. He plays in the post and does other things well.
The other most important players in the conference include Bradley Beal (Wizards), Kevin Love (Cavaliers), Lauri Markannen (Bulls), Mitchell Robinson (Knicks), Blake Griffin (Pistons), Trae Young (Hawks), and Devonte’ Graham (Hornets).
In the Western Conference, the most important player on the Los Angeles Lakers is LeBron James. He is one the best players in the NBA right now. James might win MVP this season, but it could also go to Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. Los Angeles currently has Anthony Davis, too, but James is on another level.
The most important player on the Los Angeles Clippers is Kawhi Leonard. He is the reason the Clippers are on the verge of potentially winning their first NBA title in franchise history.
The most important player for the Denver Nuggets is Nikola Jokic, as he is the glue on this basketball team. He is one of the best big men in the NBA and is a great passer who is also great in the post. All Jokic does is produce on a night-to-night basis. He is the heart and soul of Denver and is one of the leaders on the team.
The Utah Jazz‘s most important player is Rudy Gobert. He is the glue of the team and the Jazz are so different with him there compared to when he is absent. Gobert is also one of the best defenders in Utah and is a strong leader.
The most important player on the Oklahoma City Thunder is Chris Paul. He was acquired in a trade this past offseason from the Houston Rockets for Russell Westbrook. Paul has exceeded expectations and because of it, he has the Oklahoma City Thunder as the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference.
The most important player for the Houston Rockets is James Harden. He is expolsive and also a playmaker. Harden gets to the basket better than Russell Westbrook does at various moments during the basketball game. They each have MVP awards, but Harden is more efficient than Russell Westbrook.
The honors for the Dallas Mavericks go Luka Doncic. He should really be the MVP this season, but that isn’t going to be the case because of Antetokounmpo and James. Did you really think that the Dallas Mavericks would be in the seventh spot in the Western Conference this season? The answer is no, but Doncic has this team as the No. 1-ranked offense in the NBA with a bunch of weaker players.
The most important player on the Memphis Grizzlies is Ja Morant. He is a very explosive point guard who is going to be around for a very long time in the NBA. Morant is going to get people in the seats in Memphis. The Grizzlies will return to being serious NBA title contenders in a few years from now because of him, Jaren Jackson, Jr., Dillon Brooks, Brandon Clarke, and some other young studs on the roster.
Other most important players in the conference include Zion Williamson (Pelicans), Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers), Karl-Anthony Towns (Timberwolves), Devin Booker (Suns), Steph Curry (Warriors), De’Aaron Fox (Kings), and LaMarcus Aldridge (Spurs).
