The fifth spot was another tough choice. Jalen Brunson is the beating heart of a Knicks offense that has been a force this season and he could well be No. 5 on my board, but the defensive concerns and credit for that offense also going to Karl-Anthony Towns bumped Brunson down one spot in my book to sixth. By the end of the season, this may flip.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points and Jalen Williams had 24 to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 118-102 win over a Philadelphia 76ers team missing three All-Stars

Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault, far less talented and perhaps similarly imaginative, can only dream of the feelings that come with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s powers.  The temptations of the conscience of one of Earth’s greatest scorers.