The Future of the NBA is in High-Scoring Hands

Four players combined for 155 points Sunday and they’re all under the age of 26. All but one are younger than 21. Two of the four were even born in 2000!

Bradley Beal exploded for a career-high 53 points in a loss to the Chicago Bulls. Jayson Tatum put up a new career-high also, scoring 41 points in a losing effort to the Los Angeles Lakers. Rookie Coby White went for his second straight 33-point game in route to a victory over Beal and the Wizards. Lastly, Zion Williamson, rookie phenom, went off for 28 points to beat the Warriors.

Needless to say, the future of the NBA is in great, high-scoring hands. Fourteen players are under 25 years of age and averaging 20+ points.

Several NBA All-Star starters were also 25 or younger. Now that I am 23 and just as old, if older than a lot of these guys, it has allowed me to view the game from a much more unbiased perspective.

Growing up, I idolized guys like Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson. Now, I’m maturing with these future superstars and faces of the league. It’s encouraging to strive to excel in my young career, just as they are.

The thing I love about each of these players is just how unique their games are.

Beal is a smooth operating two-guard with limitless range and an unguardable midrange game. Anytime he steps on the floor, I feel he’s capable of dropping anywhere near 70 points. His biggest issue is that he has been on a less than competitive Wizards team that many hope he doesn’t waste his prime playing for.

Tatum’s game is an offspring of Kobe Bryant’s. From his footwork, to his fallaway jumper, Tatum shows flashes of being the next superstar of the league. He scores effortlessly at all three levels offensively and I think the entire league fears he has no ceiling.

Coby White is quietly having a phenomenal rookie season in Chicago - also a less than competitive organization. In just 58 games, White become the all-time Bulls leader in threes in a quarter with seven. Yes, you read that correctly, White had SEVEN threes in one quarter! He’s also the first Bulls’ rookie to score back to back 30-point games since none other than Michael Jordan.

Where does one even start in beginning to explain Williamson’s abilities? He’s a physical talent never before seen in the NBA at 6’7, 285lbs and can jump out of the gym. He was injured for the majority of the season and has just played 13 games thus far. Williamson has scored 20+ in eight of those 13 games, all resulting in Pelicans wins.

I’m early looking forward to progressing with these players and the league as a whole as a journalist.