The
2019 NBA Playoffs are well underway and the world is watching. It’s the kind of spectacle that not only has most of North America traipsing into venues and glued to their TV screens. Fans from as far afield as Perth, Prague and Polokwane are tuning in to the action - and in some cases, in the middle of the night.
Now with one of the most exciting young players in the NBA hailing for the African continent, you can expect early risers in Morocco, Zambia, Cote D’ Ivoire and the Cameroons. Having said that, let’s take look at three dynamic young emerging stars who are tipped to make a big impact in this year’s Playoffs.
Pascal Siakam - Toronto Raptors
Tall, gangly but deceivingly agile around the court, Pascal Siakam is on the rise. The 25-year-old Cameroonian may have been considered the third shooter after Kawhi and Lowry but right now, he’s ‘the man’.
The versatile power forward for the Raptors is known and loved for the energy he brings to any contest and with his multiple skills on display, this guy is hard to beat. Along with his signature spin move and devasting quickness Siakam is smart and intuitive in the heat of the battle.
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‘Spicy P’ as he’s known has already bagged a few special honours as the NBA D-League Finals MVP award in his rookie year attests. Right now, he’s on the charge for the biggest prize of his career, the NBA’s Most Improved Player award - and by golly has he improved in leaps and bounds.
A career high of 44 points is already in the bag and all the signs are pointing to stellar performances in the playoffs by one Pascal Siakam!
Nikolai Jokic - Denver Nuggets
2019 NBA All-Star Nikolai Jokic has been favourably compared with one of the legends of the game in the form of Magic Johnson. It’s not only his bulk and physique that makes him a shoe-in for the awesomely talented Hall of Famer, it’s his all-round excellence on the court.
The 2.13-metre-tall Serbian centre for the Denver Nuggets is a multi-skilled mammoth. He can pass like a point guard, block like a bear, shoot 3s with ease and handle balls like a magician. On top of all of that he has an innate instinct for the game that allows him to use angles to his advantage.
The ‘Joker’ is the first All-Star for the Nuggets since the 2010-11 season when Carmelo Anthony claimed the kudos. He’s also worth every cent of the $148 million the Denver bosses shelled out in a savvy contract extension. When Niokolai Jokic is at his best he’s impossible to stop… so beware to the opponents who have to face off against this giant of a player.
D’Angelo Russell - Brooklyn Nets
Point guard for the Brooklyn Nets, the precociously talented D’Angelo Russell is cunningly creative on court. When he plays with the kind of fluid freedom we know he’s capable of, he’s sensational to watch – and almost impossible to read.
He’s imaginative, can create space out of nowhere and when he’s in good form, he has a natural flair for the game. Russell has been working hard on his consistency and strength around the basket, and the hard work is paying off.
The 23-year-old NBA All-Star is the up and coming playmaker for the Nets. If D’Angelo Russell can find his A-game during the 2019 NBA Playoffs, I for one will be sure to be courtside to watch poetry in motion!
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