We take a look at four players to watch out for during the upcoming NBA season.
The addition of Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors gave them an air of invincibility against their opponents. Lebron James narrowly missed out in his third gold ring, while Stephen Curry three-pointers swished the Warriors to their second NBA title. Away from the Warriors, James Harden’s valiant efforts for the Houston Rockets raised their standards dramatically.
|
Bio
|
|
|
Name
|
James Harden
|
|
Nickname
|
The Beard
|
|
Position
|
Point Guard
|
|
Height
|
196 cm
|
|
Weight
|
99 kg
|
|
Team
|
Houston Rockets
|
|
Age
|
27
|
|
Achievements
|
|
|
2013 – 2017
|
NBA All-Star
|
|
2014, 2015, 2017
|
All-Star NBA 1st team
|
|
2013
|
All Star NBA 3rd team
|
|
2012
|
NBA Sixth Man of the Year
|
|
2017
|
NBA assists leader
|
|
2010
|
NBA All-Rookie Second Team
|
|
2009
|
All-American Consensus
|
|
2008, 2009
|
All-Pac 1st team
|
|
Retired jersey #13
|
Arizona State College
|
|
2012
|
Olympic Gold
|
|
2014
|
FIBA Basketball WC
|
Profile:
James Harden, since moving to point guard for the Rockets has added more character as well as points. His versatility and killer instinct on attack allows him to find holes in some of the best defences in the game.
The king of the step back, Harden’s playmaker abilities, and ability to drive into the lane creating assists for his team saw him average close to 10 assists a game.
Harden leads his defence well and he’ll want to finally try and win a second NBA title next season.
2. Kevin Durant – Golden State Warriors
|
Bio
|
|
|
Name
|
Kevin Durant
|
|
Nickname
|
KD
|
|
Position
|
Small Forward
|
|
Height
|
2.06 m
|
|
Weight
|
109 kg
|
|
Team
|
Golden State Warriors
|
|
Age
|
28
|
|
Achievements
|
|
|
2017
|
NBA Champion
|
|
2017
|
NBA Finals MVP
|
|
2014
|
NBA Most Valuable Player
|
|
2010 – 2017
|
NBA All-Star
|
|
2012
|
All-Star Game MVP
|
|
2010 – 2014
|
All- NBA 1st Team
|
|
2016 – 2017
|
All-NBA 2nd team
|
|
2010 – 2012,2014
|
NBA Scoring Champion
|
|
2008
|
NBA Rookie of the year
|
|
2009
|
NBA Rookie Challenge MVP
|
|
2013
|
50-40-90 Club
|
|
2007
|
National College Player of Year
|
|
2007
|
All-American Consensus 1st’ team
|
|
2007
|
Big 12 Player of the year
|
|
Jersey no #35
|
University of Texas
|
|
2010
|
FIBA World Cup MVP
|
|
2010, 2016
|
USA Basketball Athlete of the year
|
Profile:
Kevin Durant is one of the most prolific scorers of the 21st century. KD’s performances cannot be ignored, he scored the second highest amount of points – 176 – in the five-game series final against Cleveland.
The small forward is slick, slim built, and is almost a walking giant as he stands at 2.06 metres, making it effortless for him to slam dunk, and shoot three-pointers from range.
His defence is just as impeccable as he blocks offensive attacks with ease. Durant averages 25 points and five steals per game. Durant ended the 2016-17 NBA Finals as MVP, and won his first NBA title.
3. Stephen Curry
|
Bio
|
|
|
Name
|
Stephen Curry
|
|
Nickname
|
Baby-Faced Assassin
|
|
Position
|
Point Guard
|
|
Height
|
1.90 m
|
|
Weight
|
86 kg
|
|
Team
|
Golden State Warriors
|
|
Age
|
29
|
|
Achievements
|
|
|
2015, 2017
|
NBA Champion
|
|
2015, 2016
|
NBA Most Valuable Player
|
|
2014 – 2017
|
NBA All-Star
|
|
2015, 2016
|
All- NBA 1st Team
|
|
2015, 2016
|
All-NBA 2nd team
|
|
2016
|
NBA Scoring Champion
|
|
2016
|
NBA steals leader
|
|
2016
|
50-40-90 Club
|
|
2015
|
NBA Three-Point Champion
|
|
2011
|
NBA Sportsmanship Award
|
|
2010
|
NBA All- Rookie 1st Team
|
|
2015
|
AP Athlete of the Year
|
|
2009
|
All-American Consensus 1st’ team
|
|
2008
|
All-American Consensus 2nd’ team
|
|
2009
|
NCAA Division Scoring Leader
|
|
20008, 2009
|
SoCon Player of the Year
|
The name on everyone’s lips for three seasons, Steph Curry, is one of the pivotal players who led Golden State to their second gold ring collection.
|
Bio
|
|
|
Name
|
LeBron James
|
|
Nickname
|
King James
|
|
Position
|
Small Forward
|
|
Height
|
2.03 m
|
|
Weight
|
113 kg
|
|
Team
|
Cleveland Cavaliers
|
|
Age
|
29
|
|
Achievements
|
|
|
2012, 2013, 2016
|
NBA Champion
|
|
2012, 2013, 2016
|
NBA Finals MVP
|
|
2009, 2010, 2012, 2013
|
NBA Most Valuable Player
|
|
2005 – 2017
|
NBA All-Star
|
|
2006, 2008
|
NBA All-Star Game MVP
|
|
2006, 2008 – 2017
|
All-NBA 1st Team
|
|
2005, 2007
|
All-NBA 2nd Team
|
|
2009 – 2013
|
All-NBA Defensive 1st Team
|
|
2014
|
All-NBA Defensive 2nd Team
|
|
2004
|
NBA Rookie of the Year
|
|
2008
|
NBA Scoring Champion
|
|
–
|
NBA playoffs all-time scoring leader
|
|
–
|
NBA playoffs all-time free-throws leader
|
|
–
|
NBA playoffs all-time turnovers leader
|
|
2013, 2016
|
AP Athlete of the Year
|
|
2009
|
USA Basketball Athlete of the year
|
