5) Jeff Teague - PG - Atlanta Hawks - 27 years old
18.7 PPG - 4.8 RPG - 7.7 APG - 0.6 BPG - 1.3 SPG
- Jeff Teague is a 27-year old defending CSL All-Star and has proven that this season he doesn't look to relinquish that title. A very solid shooter whether it's from the 3pt line (40%) or from the free-throw line (86%). Teague isn't shy to share the ball either sitting at 4th in the CSL at APG. Truly one of the better PGs around the league yet most people seem to overlook Jeff Teague, except for the Atlanta Hawks who are very happy with his recent play and look to contend come playoff time.
Atlanta G Jeff Teague has been silently performing great for the Hawks as they eye the playoffs
4) Jarnell Stokes - PF - Milwaukee Bucks - 22 years old11 PPG - 8.6 RPG - 1.1 APG - 0.7 BPG - 0.9 SPG
- With the play of the second year player, it's no wonder the CSL Rumors page has recently released a leak from within the Bucks organization that they plan to include Jarnell Stokes in their long-term plan. It's not often that we see a player drafted 37th overall winning the starting role from the 4th overall selection in this year's draft (Julius Randle), but that just shows the type of work ethic that Stokes has displayed thus far in his short CSL career. However if he continues to work hard and develop certain areas of his game, Stokes can look forward to a long prosperous career with Milwaukee. Still under contract for an additional season, the Bucks have done a fantastic job with their young talent and things are only looking up.
3) Josh Smith - SF - Chicago Bulls - 29 years old
15.6 PPG - 5.7 RPG - 3.5 APG - 1.1 BPG - 1.4 APG
- With the Bulls off to an amazing start of 16-5 on the young season, many are looking towards their star duo of G Derrick Rose and F Kevin Love although a lot of the praise could be directed towards a player that normally comes off their bench, Josh Smith. Smith has been putting up starter numbers while coming off the bench for all 21 games so far. Always bringing a unique level of versatility that's very hard to find nowadays, Smith will have his toughest task to prove himself thus far with the recent injury to Derrick Rose. We will see within the next few games if Josh Smith is really able to carry this 2nd unit even if he isn't coming off the bench for that game.
2) Thaddeus Young - PF - Los Angeles Clippers - 26 years old
17.8 PPG - 8.5 RPG - 1.4 APG - 1 BPG - 2.9 SPG
- A player that I'm very surprised people haven't been discussing much during this season. Young is proving to enemies every night why he was an All-Star in 2013. He has also been a pivotal part in the Clippers success this season, playing second fiddle to up-and-coming star Klay Thompson. In addition to his scoring prowess anywhere on the court, he revitalizes entire defensive units with his play, it's no reason that he currently leads the entire CSL in SPG even over defensive players like John Wall and Paul George. No word as to whether or not the Clippers are interested in extending his contract, but it's a fact in waiting that if he hits the free-agent market this off-season he will have plenty of teams on hold for his talents.
Clippers F Thaddeus Young suprises many by leading the CSL in SPG
1) Andrew Bynum - C - New York Knicks - 27 years old14.5 PPG - 6.7 RPG - 0.5 APG - 1.8 BPG - 0.6 SPG
- When I was researching this article, I was expecting a couple players to be overlooked, but never have I seen such an important player to a team's roster receive little to no attention in the media like this year's Andrew Bynum. Already in this 10th season as a professional, Bynum has been putting up huge numbers off the bench for the Knicks 20 games this season. Playing on a contract year should always boost motivation for a player looking to make millions in the upcoming off-season, still not many have been able to match Bynum's performance throughout this season. Putting up numbers you'd expect to find from a starting center, Bynum has been huge in the Knicks recent 7-game winning streak and if he continues to play like this, it'd be very surprising to see the big-man walk onto another roster this off-season.
EDIT: Updated with honorable mention list. Had completely forgotten about it and Willy's comment reminded me. Lol
PF Paul Millsap (OKC)
SG Dion Waiters (CLE)
PF Derrick Favors (UTA)
C Emeka Okafor (GSW)
PG Kemba Walker (TOR)
PF Greg Monroe (DET)
2028
