Logan's 5 Favorite NBA Players in 2024

 How have I not thought of doing a year end article yet? We're approaching a week where my writing will be spotty safe for a couple Steelers reactions and maybe some Raptors thoughts if I feel so inclined. With that in mind, I thought it'd be a great time to reflect on my 5 favorite NBA players in 2024. This is not a list of who I thought the 5 best players of 2024 were, this is more a list of who I enjoyed watching the most, players who I am grateful to call Raptors or players that I wish with all my heart were Raptors. Presenting now, Logan's favorite 5 NBA players of 2024: 

5. Victor Wembanyama 

I very much understand that it doesn't get more basic than this when talking about favorite players, but how can you not be giddy watching Victor Wembanyama. An absolute athletic marvel, Wemby stands at 7'5 but moves as fluidly as a guard. Watching him play is truly a sight to behold. In early 2024 I got the honor of seeing Wemby play live at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors got absolutely smacked by the Spurs, but the stadium never emptied out and Wemby was the sole reason why. Wemby finished that one with a 10 block triple double, something I had never even seen before on TV. I remember a possession that happened right in front of me where Scottie took it hard to the rim only to be blocked by Wemby, Scottie recovered the ball, went up at a different angle and got swatted again. At this point, Wemby has almost a forcefield around him on defense, guys refuse to go at him all together fearing that he'll block their shot whether that's in the paint or on the perimeter. While I am not necessarily enjoying the heavy volume of 3s he's taking this season, I can see the vision there. They are undefendable. In some of the games this year Wemby has pulled up with a defender close by that has no ability at all to contest his shot. If he ever becomes lights out from deep then he'll be a 7'5 player who's too quick to be guarded by bigs and too long to be guarded by wings. 2024 is the worst we'll ever see Wemby be, and he's already to me a top 5 most entertaining player in the NBA. 

4. Nikola Jokic

Those who know me knew that in the playoffs last year all I wanted was for Jokic to win another to start getting himself into the GOAT conversation. This isn't because I hate LeBron or MJ or even because I love Jokic to a crazy extent. I just really wanted to see a relatively unathletic white dude enter the conversation, I thought it'd be hilarious. Alas, it did not happen, something my NBA fan friends like to remind me of quite often. Regardless, I am kind of having even more fun watching Jokic play on a subpar Nuggets team than I would watching him play on a great one. With Jamal Murray having a ton of struggles of late and the Nuggets depth being basically non-existent, Jokic has had to go into do-it-all mode for the Nuggets to win. So far, it's been absolutely ridiculous. Jokic is averaging 30 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists on 55% shooting from the field. That isn't true shooting, that's his FG%. When Westbrook won MVP averaging a triple double for the first time in decades, he averaged a 30 point triple double on just 42.5% shooting. Jokic is now doing it while shooting the same percentage as your average rim runner big. Just insane stuff. Although it is a shame that his team might hold him back from true contention this year, we are in the middle of witnessing one of the greatest primes of all time. Any chance I get to see the Nuggets play has been a treat, Jokic does something unique and awesome basically every game and I really think he should be on more NBA fan's favorite players list.

3. TJ McConnell 

The first role player on the list! I love watching TJ McConnell play basketball. Frequently used as a bench PG, TJ always comes into the game with a ton of energy that is impossible to not be infected by. On offense TJ gets into the paint constantly. With his smaller frame he pretty easily blows by guys and once he's in the paint, he is a master of keeping the dribble alive and either making a great pass or surprising the defense by putting up a quick shot. The surprise is what really gets me going with TJ, so many times a defense plays TJ to pass, that's what he wants to do most of the time and that's what he is best at. TJ is so crafty though and if you aren't paying attention he will hit you with a quick floater or a turnaround jumper or he'll just take it right to the hoop before you even had a chance to blink. On defense, TJ is undersized, but a dawg. One game that stands out to me was a Raptors Pacers game this year when Jamal Shead came into the game against TJ McConnell. That same surprise factor he uses so well on offense he also brings to the defensive end. I counted 3 times where Jamal Shead fell asleep with the ball for literally just a split second, which was enough time for TJ to get his hand in there and force a deflection. In an era where 3 point shooting is maybe the most important basketball skill, TJ has gone through his career averaging just 0.7 3 point attempts per game. Let it sink in how insane this is, TJ is a 6 foot tall PG in a 3 point shooting league who isn't even averaging 1 3 point attempt per game and yet he's still a positive on the court night in and night out. There's even been times that I watch Pacers games and see TJ is clearly outplaying their max contract star Tyrese Haliburton. TJ is never going to be a superstar in the NBA and probably never even a starter, but I will always remember TJ McConnell. 

2. RJ Barrett

StarJ is my one and only Raptor on this list and he more than deserves it. RJ Barrett joined the Raptors at the very end of 2023 and so Raptors fans have gotten very acquainted to RJ in 2024. I admittedly did not watch a ton of RJ on the Knicks and so after the trade I had a reaction based off the public opinion of RJ, an inefficient volume scorer on a big contract. Since literally the first game he played in a Raptors uniform I have been proven totally wrong. RJ Barrett has his shortcomings, he isn't a great defender and his pullup shooting game leaves something to be desired, but what people miss when focusing on what he can't do is all the amazing things he can do, and do consistently. RJ Barrett gets to the hoop as well as anyone in the NBA. If you've seen any RJ Barrett you know he's going to want to get to the rim and get to his left hand, he does this all game every game and defenses at this point are sitting on it. Despite the fact that everyone knows he wants to do this, he does it every night and does it effectively. It is an absolute joy to watch RJ play with that stubbornness, he isn't faster than most defenders and he isn't changing his speeds like a lot of great drivers, RJ is just more stubborn than anyone else and will simply not be denied. In Toronto, RJ has expanded his playmaking a ton. With Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley both missing significant time this season, RJ has been thrusted into the role of point guard for the first time in his career and he's doing a great job. None of this gets to the #1 reason to love RJ Barrett, he genuinely loves being a Toronto Raptor. Reporters don't need to pry too hard to get RJ to open up about how the Raptors were his favorite team growing up and how much of a dream come true it is to play for them. RJ Barrett is the greatest Canadian to ever play for the Raptors and I would be delighted if we got to watch him here for the rest of his career. 

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

This one should be no surprise to anyone! I have a giant article on Shai and what makes him great already posted on this blog so I will keep this one short. Shai is a beast. Now a perennial MVP Candidate, Shai might be the most versatile scorer in the NBA. He can blow by guys with his quick first step, stop on a dime or change speeds better than anyone, he can pull up from mid range with any angle or release point you give him and he finishes at the rim as well as anyone. Shai is the most talented Canadian maybe that we've ever seen and his commitment to the national team should make a Canadian hoop fan tear up. I've said before and I will say again, there will be an entire generation of Canadians growing up with NBA dreams because of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. I can't see a scenario where he isn't my favorite player for the rest of his career.