NBA: DeRozan, 10 Players Exceeding Expectations Early In 2016-17

NBA: 10 Players Exceeding Expectations Early In 2016-17

Nov 2, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the Dallas Mavericks 97-81. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 28, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Phoenix Suns forward T.J. Warren (12) drives to the basket in front of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo (5) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

3. T.J. Warren

Devin Booker is the face of the franchise, and Eric Bledsoe nailed the game-winning three for the Phoenix Suns‘ first win of the season, but T.J. Warren has been the team’s best player through five games.

Averaging 22.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game, Warren is leading the Suns in scoring and steals, and ranks second in rebounds. He’s shooting 50.6 percent from the floor, has scored 25+ points three times this season after doing so only twice in his entire career, and he seems poised to make the leap in a Most Improved Player kind of season.

Warren is an improved defender, and though he’s not much of a passer heading into his third NBA season, he simply knows how to get buckets. He dropped a career-high 30 points against the Thunder on the road, and then backed it up with 26 points against the Warriors.

If he can continue to rise to the occasion against great teams, add a few other facets to his game and consistently fill up the scoring column, his assortment of floaters, nifty shots in the paint and strong takes to the basket will garner him the attention that his game deserves.