The Dunkyard continues its early look at each team’s surprise players – those playing above expectations as well as those who are struggling to make an impact. We conclude with the South West Division*:

Houston (15-4)

Champs: There wont be any “Harden or Westbrook?” debate this season as Harden (31.4-4.8-9.8-1.7, 44.6% FG, 39.4% 3FG, 29.9 PER) is the clear favourite for the MVP as he leads the league in points and assist per game. Eric Gordon (20.2-2.1-2.8, 33.0% 3FG, 15.5 PER) provides the additional scoring punch while young centre Clint Capela (12.9-11.5-1.3, 1.8bpg, 67.1% FG, 26.0 PER) and 35-year old Nene Hilario (8.4-3.1-1.1, 14.6mpg, 67.7% FG, 21.2 PER) are the perfect high efficiency big men for the Rockets 3-point orientated offence.

There have been a lot of concerns with how Chris Paul will be integrated into the team. While he’s only appeared in 5 games due to injury Houston is undefeated in those games and Paul (12.2-3.6-10.2-2.2, 27.2mpg, 38.5% 3FG, 25.6 PER) seems to be doing just fine. Paul is a great player and great players will find a way.

Chumps: Much like Golden State there aren’t a lot to choose from here. While players like Trevor Ariza (11.8-4.6-2.4-1.5, 34.9mpg, 42.0% FG, 12.6 PER), Luc Mbah a Moute (8.2-3.6, 1.5spg, 26.9mpg, 51.5% FG, 11.4 PER) and P.J. Tucker (6.1-6.5-1.0-1.3, 28.2mpg, 39.2% FG, 9.6 PER) have their faults, all three are elite defenders. The player who comes the closest to a chump is Ryan Anderson (12.3-5.8, 30.2mpg, 44.9% FG, 40.0% 3FG, 14.0 PER) who is prone to shooting slumps and, on a team that features James Harden, is the worst defender in Houston.

San Antonio (12-7)

Champs: The Spurs are doing their best to keep their heads above water while they await the return of both Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker from injury. The fact they are doing so is due to the efforts of LaMarcus Aldridge (21.6-8.2-2.3, 1.2bpg, 49.7% FG, 24.6 PER) who looks more like Portland Aldridge with every game. He is being well supported by the unsurprising play of Pau Gasol (11.1-8.1-3.4, 1.4bpg, 25.0mpg, 48.4% FG, 42.2% 3FG, 20.9 PER) and the surprising play of Rudy Gay (11.9-5.0-1.7-1.0, 22.1mpg, 47.3% FG, 35.0% 3FG, 18.2 PER).

This years San Antonio Spurs breakout player? Kyle Anderson (9.1-6.1-3.1-1.0, 27.5mpg, 51.5% FG, 17.5 PER), who is taking advantage of Leonard’s absence to play meaningful minutes for the first time in his career. Guess who is also a free agent at seasons end?

Chumps: Sadly, at 29, it appears Patty Mills (8.6-2.3-3.5, 26.2mpg, 36.4% FG, 10.7 PER) will never be cut out to be a starting PG as he’s failed to grab his opportunity with Tony Parker out. 40-year old Manu Ginobili (8.5-2.0-2.1, 20.1mpg, 41.0% FG, 25.5% 3FG, 10.9 PER) has had a glittering career but father time is approaching fast….and he’s still undefeated.

New Orleans (11-9)

Champs: I’m so happy this situation hasn’t imploded. Anthony Davis (26.0-11.3-2.8-1.2-1.8, 57.1% FG, 35.9% 3FG, 29.4 PER) and DeMarcus Cousins (25.5-12.6-5.4-1.7-1.6, 46.2% FG, 32.8% 3FG, 23.4 PER) are able to co-exist on the same court and at times it’s just beautiful to watch. It’s the players that surround them that are the concern….

Chumps: Jrue Holiday (15.1-4.5-5.7-1.3, 45.7% FG, 25.0% 3FG, 13.6 PER) just doesn’t have it in him to make the jump to the All-Star level the team needs while Dante Cunningham (5.2-3.6, 23.9mpg, 38.2% FG, 27.1% 3FG, 7.0 PER) and Jameer Nelson (6.4-2.6-4.7, 25.6mpg, 43.3% FG, 38.8% 3FG, 10.7 PER) just don’t have it in them to be the effective NBA players their minutes  are crying out for them to be. Early signs suggest the return of Rajon Rondo (5.0-2.7-5.9, 21.3mpg, 39.5% FG, 9.1% 3FG, 10.6 PER) wont be of any help either.

Memphis (7-11)

Champs: The “Grit and Grind” era of the Grizzlies is swiftly coming to an end. They had a good run, they just don’t have the cattle anymore. Sure, Marc Gasol (19.1-9.3-4.3, 1.7bpg, 42.2% FG, 18.4 PER) and others are still going but the feel around the team is different, most notably the departures of Zach Randolph & Tony Allen. Attempting to usher in a new era is Tyreke Evans (17.7-5.1-3.4-1.1, 28.2mpg, 50.0% FG, 41.3% 3FG, 22.8 PER) who is playing close to career-best ball and a welcome surprise for the Grizzlies.

After the previous two injury riddled seasons that could only be described as atrocities we may be witnessing the rebirth of Chandler Parsons (8.4-2.5-2.1, 20.4mpg, 51.0% FG, 47.3% 3FG, 15.5 PER). For a $23m salary this season, Memphis will certainly be hoping so.

Chumps: Coming off a career-best 2016-17 season, Mike Conley (17.1-2.3-4.1-1.0, 38.1% FG, 31.2% 3FG, 16.1 PER) has slipped considerably and is currently battling an achilles injury. For the Grizzlies sake let’s hope this is just a temporary dip in form and not the beginning of the end for the 30-year old.

Dallas (5-15)

Champs: Remember in the 1990’s when Dallas sucked? Well, we are back there again. It’s not entirely bad news though. While he’s at least a couple of years away, rookie Dennis Smith Jr. (14.3-4.1-4.3, 28.6mpg, 38.3% FG, 11.1 PER) is the next face of the franchise, J.J. Barea (12.0-2.9-4.9, 22.2mpg, 38.2% 3FG, 16.9 PER) is playing at his peak and fan favourite Salah Mejri (3.4-4.9, 1.6bpg, 12.4mpg, 71.0% FG, 21.8 PER) is showing he’s ready for a larger role. Hmmm, well it’s not entirely good news, is it?

Chumps: No shortage of options here. Harrison Barnes (19.2-7.4-1.7, 35.4mpg, 44.7% FG, 32.9% 3FG, 15.8 PER) isn’t the star Dallas was hoping for when they decided to pay him around $24m a year for numbers half the league could produce if given the opportunity. Dirk Nowitzki (11.1-5.9-1.9, 24.8mpg, 45.1% FG, 39.1% 3FG, 15.1 PER) probably should have retired last season. This version of Wes Matthews (11.5-3.2-3.0-1.4, 35.1mpg, 36.8% FG, 39.2% 3FG, 9.8 PER) is likely the best we can hope for after his achilles injury. Nerlens Noel (4.0-4.1, 12.5mpg, 52.8% FG, 15.7 PER) can’t even get on the court for a team that is 5-15, and who are begging for athleticism is the middle. It’s going to be a long road back to respectability.

*All statistics current as at November 26.