The NBA All-Star break has come and gone and the league’s cycle is finally moving into the latter half of things.
It’s time for the best teams and the best players to separate themselves from the competition. The playoffs are right around the corner. This is the time when teams begin to establish those championship mindsets.
With that in mind, there are players across the league who still have a ton to prove. Names like Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid and more come to mind. These players have a ton of talent and play on talented teams, but still have to find a way to get over that championship hump.
It’s not just them — there are plenty of others with a lot to play for, too. Let’s dive into things.
RELATED: Take a look at our post-All-Star break power rankings here
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Honestly, you could throw the entire Boston Celtics team in here. But specifically with Tatum as the team’s best player, this season is the season for Boston to win it all.
SRS is point differential vs. strength of schedule, or how much did you win by, considering how tough your opponent slate was.
Boston is currently the 8th best team by SRS all-time, right behind the 2016 Warriors. https://t.co/NIQkoJPzVS
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) February 26, 2024
The Eastern Conference looks weaker again. The Celtics also profile as one of the best teams we’ve ever seen. Tatum is one of the absolute best players in the NBA, so it’s time for him to get the job done.
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Health is obviously a huge concern for Embiid at this point with his torn meniscus holding him out.
That’s quite a shame because the run he was on was legitimately one of the best we’ve ever seen in NBA history. He was having one of the most efficient seasons we’ve ever seen.
Embiid has got to get healthy, though. If he can be at his best for the 76ers playoff run, this team has a real shot at winning a championship.
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The book on James Harden has to start with all his greatness and accolades. He’s legitimately one of the best scorers the NBA has ever seen. He’s had more than a few MVP-worthy seasons during his career. He’s unquestionably one of the best five guys to ever play shooting guard in the NBA.
But there’s a “but” coming and it all surrounds his struggles in the playoffs. He just hasn’t been able to get it done — ever. At every stop, he’s struggled in one way or another.
He has to prove he can shake that with the Clippers. A good playoff run would mean so much for James Harden.
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It’s hard not to call this early part of Zion Williamson’s career a bit of a disappointment. When he was drafted, it seemed like he could legitimately be one of the faces of the NBA. Since then, his career has been marred by injuries and drama.
But say what you want about him today — the Pelicans are in position to make the postseason. And this is Williamson’s big chance to go on a run.
RELATED: The Pelicans roasted Stephen A. Smith to defend Zion Williamson
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It’s championship or bust this season for Damian Lillard. He wanted out of Portland and landed with the Bucks playing alongside one of the best three or so players in the NBA.
As up and down as Milwaukee’s season has been, nothing is going to matter with this team until it gets to April. And that’s when Lillard has to shine his brightest. We’ll see if he will.
RELATED: Doc Rivers didn’t understand why the Bucks hired him either
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The Warriors don’t have championship expectations anymore. Instead, Golden State is fighting for its playoff life these days.
Klay Thompson has been a big part of the Warriors’ step back. He’s just not the same player he once was. He isn’t hitting shots at the elite level. He’s not the same defender. He’s never quite been a shot creator on his own.
RELATED: Trayce Jackson-Davis has unlocked a new version of Klay Thompson
Thompson has to show what value he still holds for Golden State — or maybe even other teams out there — as he moves into this new bench role. He thinks he’s got plenty left in the tank. It’s time to prove it.
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Unlike his Golden State partner above, Draymond Green is still reliable. I’d even say he’s still one of the NBA’s best defenders.
He’s just unreliable.
Green has gotten into two altercations so far this season and not only has it cost him game checks, but it’s also cost his team wins. The Warriors are going to need him down the stretch if the team wants to stay on this run and make the playoffs. We’ll see if he can keep his cool.
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Much of the same things said about Lillard can be said about Bradley Beal. The Suns spent what little assets the team had left to get him.
He hasn’t been healthy this season, but when he’s been on the floor he’s largely been productive. Can he turn the tide for Phoenix in these playoffs? We’ll find out soon.
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Jalen Brunson is absolutely going to be an All-NBA player this season. He’s already been an All-Star. He’s the most exciting New York Knicks player we’ve seen since Carmelo Anthony.
RELATED: Jalen Brunson holds back tears after getting MVP chants
But, as a wise comic book uncle once said, with great power comes great responsibility. The pressure is on for Brunson and the Knicks. New York is expecting a deep playoff run. It’s on New York’s point guard to prove that this team is a true title contender.
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De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis have been one of the NBA’s best two-man combinations since they got together. That’s not going to cha