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-- Written by @STEVEYGIII, NBA Top Shot, NFL All Day, UFC Strike and Candy MLB collector--
One of the things I really enjoy about the physical hobby is seeing things like the trending players or Top 5 market mover sort of lists. The old Beckett magazines used to have the hot and cold lists, which I loved (which in hindsight were outdated by the time you got the magazine). I thought it could be a fun piece of content to try to put together weekly or bi-weekly, depending how we see trends, of 5 players to check out on Top Shot, who are emerging, heating up or showing out in the NBA and what collectibles on Top Shot I like for them. Ideally, I’d like to keep this coming out on Thursday or Friday before we hit the weekend games. Mandatory disclaimer – this is not financial advice, but feel free to degen away. That being said, enjoy week 1 (players in descending order).
5. Jalen Johnson – Atlanta Hawks: We knew when Dejounte Murray was traded, Trae Young to the moon szn was coming, but there was also prime opportunity for a #2 to break out. Enter Jalen Johnson who showed flashes last year and so far this year is picking up right where he left off. He’s had 37+ minutes in a game in 4/5 games this year, including 3 double doubles and the last 2 games with 21 points / 17 rebounds and 29 points / 12 rebounds. He is trending up in all the right directions to be a multi-night Fast Break player. I don’t mind picking up his quad badge TSD either at its current price.
4. Dennis Schroder – Brookyln Nets: Well traveled and finally getting opportunity, Shroder appears to be the fantasy #2 behind Cam Thomas on what should be a bad Nets team. Averaging nearly 25 points per game and 8 assists per game, Schroder has the making of a dependable Fast Break option. Points, field goals and assists are great options if you can stream Schroder and save a stud. Must have a common right now, don’t hate a rare pick up if you're in the mood. Not a long term buy though so I don’t see the TSD or over reaching here as being one for me.
3. Ivica Zubac – Los Angeles Clippers: Year 10 and Zubac is pacing for career bests in ppg and rebounds. A diamond in the rough find early in the year for the Clippers, Zubac likely is a nightly play on field goals and rebounds. If/when Kawhi Leonard comes back, his scoring upside likely gets capped, but still will have some run enough to be worth owning throughout the year. I like picking up the cheap Top Shot Debut here over a basic common for added status of the TSD. Roll the dice on the rare if you’re wild or a Clips fan.
2. Bilal Coulibaly – Washington Wizards: A homer pick, maybe, but Bilal is shining like the breakout star we all believed he would be. This is more of a Bilal is going to be an electric star player, I like owning his rookie year rares and Top Shot Debuts take; as opposed to saying Bilal is a must start in Fast Break. He is a freak athletically and has lock down defense (look up the Trae Young post game interview from the other night). Is he playable in Fast Break? Yeah you can trot him out on steals nights and now emerging on points nights. Where I really like Bilal right now though is picking up Top Shot Debuts and a relatively low priced Freshman Gem, relative to some of the other emerging stars from last year. Washington is a small market team people think is going to lose a lot of games, but Bilal is becoming an attention getter and has all the tools to emerge as a star this year. Not a bad time to collect Bilal for the future.
1. Paolo Banchero – Orlando Magic: We saw the signs last year and in the playoffs, but Paolo is on his way to the elite of the NBA. Dropping a 50 piece the other night, likely headed for Video Game Numbers, Paolo is averaging an absurd 29/9/5.6 on the nightly slash. The Magic could come back as a sleeper contender this year and Paolo is the clear cut face of the franchise. Paolo is on the cusp of where guys like SGA, Booker and Ja Morant were prior to becoming mega stars. He has enough rares now that they have came down to earth for a Fast Break pickup and his quad badge TSD still has plenty of ceiling to go. Paolo is a young player I am looking to collect all throughout the season, across all types of moments. His emergence could be one of the big storylines all year, similar to how we saw a lot of eyes on SGA last year. Pump Paolo.
Until next time, watch more moments, tell more stories and we ride at dawn…
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