NY Knicks: Ranking the young core among other NBA teams
By James Ryder
The NBA’s Top 3 Young Cores
#3 – Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers were the biggest surprise this season. They have dropped in the standings as of late due to several injuries, but their immediate and long-term future is in great shape.
Cleveland had two All-Stars this season in Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen. Rookie Evan Mobley looked like an All-Star as well in what could be an NBA Rookie of the Year Award-worthy campaign.
Lauri Markkanen’s gone from lost cause to seamless fit since joining the team, Isaac Okoro plays a vital role as a slasher and go-to perimeter defender, and Colin Sexton may be re-signed and return to his scoring machine ways after recovering from an ACL tear. This core is winning right now and can be expected to win a lot more come next season.
#2 – Boston Celtics
Boston is in the midst of an incredible second half of the season. Their young core is a big reason why they’ve vaulted themselves to the top half of the East.
That doesn’t happen without everyone being involved and in sync with one another. We’ve seen this with Grant Williams, Aaron Nesmith, and Payton Prichard. Those three guys know their roles and get the job done no matter how big or small their contributions are.
Another Celtic role player is Robert Williams, but he’s a star in the role as the defensive anchor and rim rocker.
And of course, it is all topped off with their two best players, MVP candidate Jayson Tatum and two-time All-Star Jaylen Brown. Both players have their faults and can certainly struggle with inconsistency. But, when they’re both at the top of their games, they’re one of the elite two-way duos in the game.
Any team would be hard-pressed to stop this version of the C’s, which is proving true as I type these words.
#1 – Memphis Grizzlies
Were you expecting another team at number one? Because if you were, then I’m a little concerned for you.
The Grizzlies core has been together for several years now and they somehow manage to improve drastically with every season that passes. They’re currently the Western Conference’s second seed with the league’s second-best record.
Their star Ja Morant not only made his first All-Star game this year but he’s also put on an MVP-caliber performance. And yet, even when Morant has missed games this year, Memphis still typically finds itself victorious, having gone an insane 20-5 without him.
This machine is well oiled from top to bottom. On any given night, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane look like All-Stars themselves. Dillon Brooks is one of the best two-way role players in basketball.
Steven Adams is a shot-blocking and rebounding menace. De’Anthony Melton, Kyle Anderson, and Tyus Jones can go for 20 on any given night without breaking a sweat.
They’re scarier than actual grizzly bears. And yet, Memphis is considered to be a dark horse contender. If the team can get through the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors to reach the NBA Finals, let’s try to not be too mind blown. It’ll probably happen sooner than you think.
