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Biggest surprises and disappointments of the NBA season
Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas is firmly entrenched in the NBA MVP race. Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports

Biggest surprises and disappointments of the NBA season

The 2016-17 NBA season has featured historic performances, with names like Russell Westbrook and James Harden playing at elite levels, along with many subpar performances from some of the top players in league. Conversely, players like Isaiah Thomas have forced their way into the NBA consciousness somewhat unexpectedly.

 
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Surprise: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Surprise: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images

The Greek Freak was one of the top young players in the game coming into this season, but he's been a revelation this year. He's gone from averaging 16.9 points last season to nearly 24 points per game this year and was named to his first All-Star Game.

 
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Disappointment: Stephen Curry

Disappointment: Stephen Curry
Chris Humphreys / USA Today Sports Images

Curry is still having a great year, but he is far from MVP candidacy. After leading the NBA with 30.1 points per game last year, Curry is back to averaging less than 25 points with the addition of Kevin Durant to the roster. Most notably, he's gone from shooting 45 percent from three to just 41 percent, making it unlikely he'll take home his third straight league MVP.

 
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Surprise: Bradley Beal

Surprise: Bradley Beal
Noah K. Murray / USA Today Sports Images

Beal has taken his game to the next level in his fifth NBA season. He averaged a career-high 17.4 points last season, but that total has increased to more than 22 points per game.

 
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Disappointment: Monta Ellis

Disappointment: Monta Ellis
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

Ellis was already in decline last season and has turned into a bench player recently. He's down to just eight points per game after averaging 19 points in Dallas just two seasons ago.

 
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Surprise: Mike Conley

Surprise: Mike Conley
Mark D. Smith / USA Today Sports Images

Nearing age 30, Conley apparently still hasn't peaked. He's averaging a career-high 19 points this season after averaging only 15.3 points last year and battling through injury.

 
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Disappointment: Reggie Jackson

Disappointment: Reggie Jackson
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Jackson had a career-high 18.8 points per game last season, but he hasn't matched those numbers after battling injuries early in the year. He's averaged 15 points and has been the subject of trade rumors.

 
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Surprise: Joel Embiid

Surprise: Joel Embiid
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

After two lost seasons, Embiid is the clear front-runner for Rookie of the Year. The future in Philly has become a star, averaging 20 points and eight rebounds per game.

 
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Disappointment: Khris Middleton

Disappointment: Khris Middleton
Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

Middleton is just getting back on the court after missing the start of the year with a hamstring injury. He's trying to make up for lost time after averaging 18.2 points per game last season.

 
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Surprise: Marc Gasol

Surprise: Marc Gasol
Justin Ford / USA Today Sports Images

A solid player, Gasol has taken his game to the next level this year. The Memphis center has averaged nearly 21 points per game, a career high.

 
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Disappointment: Greg Monroe

Disappointment: Greg Monroe
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

With addition size after drafting Jabari Parker, the Bucks haven't been giving Monroe as much playing time this year. He's yet to start and has averaged less than 12 points and seven rebounds per game. He averaged at least 15 points per game in five straight seasons before 2016-17.

 
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Surprise: Rudy Gobert

Surprise: Rudy Gobert
Russell Isabella / USA Today Sports Images

Utah's center was a dominant defensive player before this season, but he's taken his game to the next level. Gobert leads the league with 2.5 blocks per gam, and also has nearly 13 points and 13 rebounds per contest.

 
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Disappointment: Dirk Nowitzki

Disappointment: Dirk Nowitzki
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

The end is drawing closer for Nowkitzki, whose 14 points per game is the lowest since his rookie season. He also missed time early in the year to injuries.

 
13 of 22

Surprise: Nikola Jokic

Surprise: Nikola Jokic
Chris Humphreys / USA Today Sports Images

A second-round pick in 2014 by the Nuggets, Jokic has become one of the team's key players in his sophomore season. He's averaged 16 points per game and played much of the year off the bench.

 
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Disappointment: Chris Paul

Disappointment: Chris Paul
Sergio Estrada / USA Today Sports Images

The Clippers are hoping to be at full strength by the time the playoffs roll around, but they've struggled with injuries during much of this season. Paul continues to recover from thumb surgery and averaged 17.5 points per game before the injury, his lowest total since 2012-13.

 
15 of 22

Surprise: Otto Porter Jr.

Surprise: Otto Porter Jr.
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Porter's ascent in the NBA has been slow, but he's finally coming into his own in his fourth season. The former third overall draft choice has averaged more than 14 points per game this season.

 
16 of 22

Disappointment: Rajon Rondo

Disappointment: Rajon Rondo
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

Rondo is no stranger to disappointing seasons, and this year could take the cake. He's averaged less than seven points per game and has fallen out of favor in Chicago.

 
17 of 22

Surprise: Isaiah Thomas

Surprise: Isaiah Thomas
Sergio Estrada / USA Today Sports Images

A very good player prior to the 2016-17 season, Thomas has become a star for a Celtics. He ranks among the league leaders with nearly 30 points per game and would be getting much more attention if not for the incredible years from Russell Westbrook and James Harden.

 
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Disappointment: Ricky Rubio

Disappointment: Ricky Rubio
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Like many of his teammates, Rubio hasn't progressed this season. He's averaging less than nine points per game, the lowest total of his career.

 
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Surprise: Russell Westbrook

Surprise: Russell Westbrook
Mark D. Smith / USA Today Sports Images

Many expected Westbrook to step up this season with Kevin Durant gone, but he's putting together a historic season. Westbrook is averaging a triple-double and leading the league with more than 31 points per game.

 
20 of 22

Disappointment: Nikola Vucevic

Disappointment: Nikola Vucevic
Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

After two great seasons. Vucevic has regressed this season. He's coming off the bench more often and averaging 14 points per game, compared to 18.2 points last season and 19.3 points in 2014-15.

 
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Surprise: Louis Williams

Surprise: Louis Williams
Jerome Miron / USA Today Sports Images

Despite coming off the bench for the Lakers, Williams is having a career year. He's averaging better than 18 points per game for L.A.

 
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Disappointment: Thaddeus Young

Disappointment: Thaddeus Young
Raj Mehta / USA Today Sports Images

Young's production has declined with the move to Indiana this season. After averaging 15.1 points and nine rebounds last season in Brooklyn, he's averaging less than 12 points and only six rebounds per game with the Pacers.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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