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Ranking the most surprising players on the West’s most surprising team

By Garrett Chorpenning

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 17: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers and teammates Mike Scott #30 and Tobias Harris #34 react to a call during the game against Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on November 17, 2018 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 17: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers and teammates Mike Scott #30 and Tobias Harris #34 react to a call during the game against Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on November 17, 2018 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 28: Los Angeles Clippers Center Montrezl Harrell (5) screams after scoring a basket during a NBA game between the Washington Wizards and the Los Angeles Clippers on October 28, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 28: Los Angeles Clippers Center Montrezl Harrell (5) screams after scoring a basket during a NBA game between the Washington Wizards and the Los Angeles Clippers on October 28, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 1: Montrezl Harrell

When’s the last time an NBA player won Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year? Asking for a friend.

In all honesty though, Montrezl Harrell has a very real chance to do both of those things this season. And while it’s hardly a surprise that he’s stayed consistent with his performances from last season, it’s much more of one that he’s gotten even better. At some point, the man’s gotta have a ceiling, right?

Apparently not. So far this season, Harrell is averaging 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in less than 26 minutes per game. That’s a significant jump from his 11.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game last season, when we all thought that was as good as he got.

It’s one thing for him to pace the bench with these sorts of numbers, but it’s another to rank so high among the league. His 65.1 percent shooting from the field is third-best in the NBA, he owns the fifth-highest player efficiency rating and offensive rating, and his box plus-minus of 7.1 has him seated just behind Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, and Russell Westbrook.

With all that on the table, it’s hard to believe that this is a 24-year-old, 6’8″ big that was just a second-round pick in 2015. It’s even harder to imagine why the Rockets threw him into the Chris Paul deal like he was nothing, almost an afterthought.

We may never know what it is that fuels Trezz’s fire, but scientists should start looking into it. That much sustainable energy could power entire cities for months at a time.

Next. Doc Rivers named Western Conference Coach of the Month. dark

There’s no telling how far this LA Clippers team can go this season. Assuming Trezz and the rest of the crew keep up the wins, a playoff spot is certainly within reach.

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