2 NBA players who have been big surprises this season

We’re almost done with the first two months of the NBA season, and there are plenty of takeaways to discuss.

There are some teams that have had great starts like the Boston Celtics, the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Memphis Grizzlies.

But it has been the individual performances that have been the most impressive in the league.

Here are the two NBA players who have been big surprises this season.

Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers

One player who consistently flies under the radar based on where he plays is Anfernee Simons of the Portland Trail Blazers.

He’s been the second-best player on the Blazers this year and took over when Damian Lillard was out.

On the season, Simons is averaging 23.4 points, 4.3 assists and is third in the league in 3-pointers per game at 4.0.

⚡️ Speedy Anfernée ⚡️#RipCity | @AnferneeSimons pic.twitter.com/A79STDij0F

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) December 18, 2022

He also leads the team in minutes played at 36.0 per game.

Simons is 23 years old and has finally come true in his fifth season in the NBA.

Lillard and Simons’ backcourt has been giving opposing teams trouble all season.

Portland is currently the sixth seed in the West.

They’ll need Simons to keep their game going all year if they want to be a threat come playoff time.

Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers

It’s rare for 22-year-old first-round picks to be traded.

But that’s what the Sacramento Kings did when they traded Tyrese Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers.

It seems clear that Sacramento gave up on the young point guard too soon.

This season, Haliburton is having an incredible year.

He averages 19.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game.

His assist totals lead the NBA.

Tyrese Haliburton has become the NBA’s assist leader by dribbling less and holding the ball less than other prolific point guards…

“He’s a really smart player. He pushes the ball, but makes, in general, a lot of simple plays” https://t.co/UakJtKLx1b

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*statistics as of Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/yH4CZeCYAS

— Colin Ward-Henninger (@ColinCBSSports) December 17, 2022

Not to mention, Haliburton has even been one of the Pacers’ best defenders.

His 1.8 steals per game lead his team and are fourth in the NBA.

While the Pacers are still in rebuilding mode, they have their point guard of the future in place.