Who Is the True Leader of Every NBA Team?
Which player is the heart and soul of your favorite NBA team? You know, the guy who dives on the floor for loose balls, leads by example and sets the tone for how his club is going to play night in and night out.
Essentially, they're the men who provide guidance and motivation for their teams in the heat of battle and in the locker room.
Whether it's a seasoned veteran like Kobe Bryant or a young buck like John Wall, leaders across the Association come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
That is why we've decided to break down how each team's respective leader has established himself as an esteemed franchise building block and, in the process, endeared himself to fans.
Atlanta Hawks
1 of 30
Elton Brand
Elton Brand is in just his second season with the Atlanta Hawks, but there's no disputing his leadership credentials.
A 15-year veteran who's remained an effective below-the-rim presence thanks to a steady mid-range jump shot and tenacious attitude on the glass, Brand is the sort of leader Al Horford and Paul Millsap can one day aspire to be.
Especially after Brand stepped up in Horford's absence last season.
After playing fewer than 15 minutes per game in November and December, the 35-year-old averaged better than 20 minutes in January, February, March and April while making 12 starts over that span.
And while his per-game averages of 5.7 points and 4.9 rebounds don't jump off the page, Brand led by example with his committed play in the paint on both ends of the floor.
It's no wonder head coach Mike Budenholzer called Brand "the ultimate professional and a terrific leader," according to The Associated Press (via ESPN.com) upon re-signing with the club.
Boston Celtics
2 of 30
Rajon Rondo
Laugh all you want, but Rajon Rondo will be the undisputed leader of the Boston Celtics as long as he's donning green and white.
The only rostered Celtics player who owns a 2008 championship ring, Rondo doesn't necessarily lead in a visibly vocal manner on the court, but his selfless tendencies speak volumes.
And according to ESPN's Chris Forsberg, Celtics president of basketball operations, Danny Ainge, sees Rondo evolving from a leadership perspective:
"He's growing all the time. He's improving, he's maturing as a leader. He's just getting better. He's in the prime of his career right now. And I think what he went through last year was frustrating for him, and I think that drove him to have a good, hard-working summer. I don't think it's the contract [motivating him] at all. I think it's who he is. He wants to be good.
"
Leading the league's fifth-youngest team, Rondo will need to exercise loads of patience in the months ahead.
However, if he can act as a mentor for promising youngsters like Marcus Smart, Kelly Olynyk and Jared Sullinger, among others, Boston's future could look exponentially brighter in short order.
Brooklyn Nets
3 of 30
Kevin Garnett serves as a reminder that leaders aren't defined by their statistical output.
Upon joining the Nets last summer, Garnett quickly made it known that he was all about putting the team before the individual, according to ESPN New York's Mike Mazzeo:
"I’m a team player. I’m not a selfish guy. I have no ego. My stats and my body of work speaks for itself. If someone does something incorrect, I’m quick to correct them, but I care about the next guy.
"
I’ve always cared about the guy who’s struggling or the guy who’s going through something, I’ve always tried to be a source of strength for anyone who’s on the team, and always leaned on guys for strength. I don’t know, it’s just who I am. It’s my makeup. If you ask my friends, they’ll tell you the same thing.
A role model for young stars across the Association, Garnett has made it clear that the way in which players carry themselves supersedes figures in the box score.
Charlotte Hornets
4 of 30
Since the Charlotte Hornets are on the younger end of the NBA age spectrum, 29-year-old Al Jefferson is the logical choice here after earning third-team All-NBA honors last season.
But individual honors aside, head coach Steve Clifford saw Jefferson acting as a selfless force in the locker room throughout his first season in Charlotte.
“The bigger part of it is just what he’s brought to our locker room—professional, prideful, a very good competitor. He’s really taken the responsibility of helping turn our franchise around very seriously," Clifford told Basketball Insiders' Jessica Camerato.
And on the court, Jefferson personified toughness by playing through a torn plantar fascia against the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs.
Although Charlotte wound up getting swept, Jefferson appeared in two games after suffering the injury and still managed to average 18.7 points and 9.3 rebounds over the course of three postseason appearances.
Chicago Bulls
5 of 30
If you watched the Chicago Bulls at all last season, you're aware Joakim Noah will do whatever it takes for his team to win.
Like assuming the role of primary distributor sans Derrick Rose. Or averaging an unthinkable 42 minutes per game in the playoffs while playing through a nasty plantar fascia injury.
Noah described the painful ailment as follows, according to USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt:
"It feels like you have needles underneath your foot while you're playing," Noah said. "You need to run, you need to jump (and) you need to do a lot of things while you're playing basketball. So you don't want needles on your feet, right?"
During that five-game stretch, Noah posted double-double averages of 10.4 points and 12.8 rebounds while dishing out 4.6 assists a night.
That's how you lead by example.
Cleveland Cavaliers
6 of 30
LeBron James
He's only been back with the Cleveland Cavaliers for a few months now, but LeBron James is making it a priority to be a better leader than he was during his first stint in northeast Ohio.
"Back then, I'm not saying he was a bad leader, but he had some ups and downs with that," Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao told Yahoo! Sports' Marc Spears.
However, as shooting guard Dion Waiters reiterated to Spears, James has displayed nothing but superlative leadership qualities since returning.
"I was looking like, 'Wow.' That's crazy that he broke down every individual thing he wants guys to do. He wrote down every player from the guy in training camp who may be here or may not be here. … It was unbelievable. It was great."
Moving forward, that attitude needs to remain a constant.
Although the Cavaliers are the league's third-oldest team (by average age), James will need to push young guns like Waiters, Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson and even Kevin Love if Cleveland wants to live up to its billing as a title favorite.
Dallas Mavericks
7 of 30
The Dallas Mavericks aren't short on exemplary veteran presences now that Tyson Chandler's back in the fold, but it's impossible to pick against the man who's suited up for Dallas every season since being drafted in 1998.
A 16-year veteran whose flawless stroke and expansive range of moves has kept Dallas competitive well into the new decade, Nowitzki has earned the respect of his teammates thanks to his tireless work ethic, according to Mavs.com's Earl K. Sneed:
"He’s a great teammate, Mavs guard Devin Harris told SiriusXM NBA Radio last Friday when asked about playing alongside Nowitzki. You know, he doesn’t say much. He kind of leads by example. He’s probably one of the hardest guys I’ve ever seen work at his game the way he does. He comes in and works every day, doesn’t take a day off, and he goes out there and does it every night. He’s a leader to step forward, and as the face of the franchise he’s easy to follow.
"
Also consider Nowitzki sacrificed individual monetary gains for the good of his team by taking a pay cut and signing a new three-year deal worth just $25 million, and it's clear he should be regarded as one of the league's most selfless players.
Denver Nuggets
8 of 30
For all of the depth the Denver Nuggets have amassed, they don't appear to have a clear-cut leader.
That said, uncertainty in the leadership department may soon be a thing of the past, as head coach Brian Shaw discussed at the team's media day.
According to Bleacher Report's Adam Fromal, Shaw's expectation is for Ty Lawson to assume a more prominent role as the team's tone-setter:
"We've talked about leadership, and if he's not a vocal guy, I'm fine with that. But you have to lead by vocally leading, or you have to lead by example. And he understands that in order for everybody to follow him, he has to lead by example. They're not going to listen to him if he's not in there putting in the work and getting after it.
"
Along with Stephen Curry, John Wall and Chris Paul, Lawson was one of four players to average at least 17 points and eight assists last season.
However, Denver's defense faltered after getting gashed in the paint (45.3 points per game, according to TeamRankings.com) due to a combination of ineffective rim protectors, untimely injuries and shaky dribble-drive inhibitors on the perimeter.
But now that the club has largely been nursed back to full strength, Lawson has a chance to instill some core principles in a group that's in the midst of a rough stretch.
Detroit Pistons
9 of 30
Andre Drummond
Brandon Jennings and Josh Smith were only recently brought on board, and Greg Monroe is ready to test free-agent waters next summer.
That leaves the Detroit Pistons devoid of a clear-cut leader.
But after a stint with Team USA this summer, center Andre Drummond may be ready to take on that role.
Here's what Drummond had to say about his ambitions, according to Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press:
"It's cool, watching guys come in, from being the leader on their team, to put it aside for one common goal. It hit home. Why can't we do that where I'm at? I feel like it should happen — I'll make sure it happens.
Somebody's got to do it. I feel like I've done enough with this team that I have the green light to lead this team.
"
And he's absolutely right.
If he can make significant on-court progress as a post defender and back-to-the-basket scorer after enduring some bumps in the early-season road, expect Drummond to take control of Detroit's locker room in a hurry.
Golden State Warriors
10 of 30
Stephen Curry
The Golden State Warriors are fortunate in that they aren't starved for respected veterans.
Among the most notable are Andrew Bogut, David Lee and Andre Iguodala. It wouldn't be a stretch to include Shaun Livingston in that conversation, either.
But this is Stephen Curry's team now, despite what his annual earnings would lead you to believe.
The fifth-highest earner on the Warriors, Curry hasn't let any sort of monetary grievance stand in the way of his ascent up the league's superstar ranks.
A singular offensive tour de force who's consistently thrived under bright lights, Curry's on-court demeanor has helped steady the Warriors as they've vaulted into the Western Conference's elite clubhouse.
Houston Rockets
11 of 30
This is admittedly a slightly speculative take, but if this summer was any indication, James Harden is on track to evolve into the leader the Houston Rockets sorely need by midseason.
On a USA Basketball squad devoid of familiar faces like Kevin Durant, Paul George, Chris Paul and LeBron James, Harden took it upon himself to assume a more substantial leadership burden.
USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo discussed Harden's growth with The Washington Post's Michael Lee.
“Right now, I think I would look to Harden as that leader," Colangelo said. "Harden is kind of a natural leader and he seems to be willing to accept that role. And you can just kind of feel it and sense. He’s the one.”
Colangelo added the following, per Lee:
"I don’t know if he’s been waiting [to lead]. It’s evolved. He came in as a pretty high draft pick. Got off to a great start in Oklahoma City. Whether he was disappointed or surprised by what transpired, he found himself in another uniform and that’s part of life in pro sports and the NBA, and I think he’s adjusted to that and his numbers get bigger and he’s being recognized more and more as the player he is. And this is a great platform for him to come out as a leader.
"
With Dwight Howard's leadership capabilities still very much in question, it's time for Harden to grab the torch and never look back.
Indiana Pacers
12 of 30
Now, more than ever, the Indiana Pacers need David West.
Decimated by injuries and departures via free agency, Indiana is in desperate need of an emotional pick-me-up.
Despite winning 56 games a year ago, the Pacers recorded an offensive rating of just 104.1, good for No. 23 overall.
Sans Paul George and Lance Stephenson, that efficiency rating is dipping closer to the league's worst mark.
However, West will do his best to keep the Pacers afloat mentally, just as he has in the past.
"He is the Pacers' elder statesman, its leader, the man Indiana's wide-eyed collection of 20-somethings looks up to," Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix said of West last June.
And that sentiment continues to ring true.
As Indiana trudges forward with a starting five that will eventually include Rodney Stuckey and C.J. Miles on the wing and a pedestrian group of reserves, it's West's responsibility to have his troops psychologically ready to compete night in and night out.
Los Angeles Clippers
13 of 30
Chris Paul
Chris Paul isn't one to hide his emotions.
And while his visible displays of frustration and happiness act as a sort of double-edged sword for the Los Angeles Clippers, according to Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes, his command of Doc Rivers' crew isn't to be questioned.
"It's not unusual for an NBA star to play with a fiery demeanor," Hughes wrote in May. "For superstardom, it's basically a prerequisite. But Paul is in a class of his own when it comes to competitive drive. He is single-minded, overrun with the desire to win at any cost."
Functioning as Los Angeles' fulcrum on both ends of the floor with a committed defensive disposition and otherworldly distributive capabilities, Paul represents the gold standard for superstars from a leadership perspective.
Los Angeles Lakers
14 of 30
Kobe Bryant
Like Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant's leadership style has generally revolved around aggression.
But as ESPN LA's Arash Markazi notes, Bryant's approach is transforming now that he's surrounded by more inexperienced talent:
"My style is a little different with his group. It’s a little more nurturing, Bryant said. They’re so much younger, so it’s a little different. The important thing with this group is learning how to think the game all the way through, which is different than on teams that we have had in the past. We had a lot of veteran guys who had been around. So my teaching style is different.
"
In short, Bryant needs to exercise patience, and lots of it.
With the Los Angeles Lakers' defense inciting outrage on a regular basis, Bryant's ability to remain calm will be tested plenty with this young group.
It figures to be a long season for the Purple and Gold's ragtag bunch, but Bryant's resolve will speak volumes about his commitment to leading.
Memphis Grizzlies
15 of 30
The Memphis Grizzlies' patented "Grit-N-Grind" approach isn't a gimmick.
Just ask Zach Randolph, who's embraced it since joining the Grizzlies in 2009.
A two-time All-Star, Randolph has carried the Grizzlies thanks to his relentless pursuit of excellence on the glass and low-post banging that has come to define Memphis' preferred style of play.
And as the Memphis Flyer's Kevin Lipe wrote in June, Randolph's leadership isn't limited to on-court pursuits:
"There's also the issue that Z-Bo is a big part of this team's chemistry. He and Marc Gasol are very good friends, and while he's clearly "the guy" most of the time, he's a leader on the team, in the locker room, and everywhere else. Most of the Grizzlies are "nice guys." Z-Bo is vocal. If he's gone, some of the guys who are used to being a little more passive are going to have to assume an active leadership role, and that's always a tough transition.
"
Recently signed to a two-year extension after exercising his player option for this season, Randolph will continue proving his worth as a leader in all phases in order to keep Memphis competitive in the Western Conference.
Miami Heat
16 of 30
Udonis Haslem
You're likely wondering where Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are, but as Miami Heat fans know, Udonis Haslem has operated as the heart and soul of South Beach's ballers for quite some time.
A Heat lifer who's been with the franchise since 2003, Haslem has sacrificed more than blood, sweat and tears for his club.
He's also made monetary concessions, opting out of a guaranteed $4.6 million this summer in an attempt to keep Miami's core together.
Unfortunately, LeBron James wound up bolting. But Haslem's selflessness was rewarded with a two-year deal that should ensure he finishes his career with the Heat.
“Udonis Haslem has been a fixture in Miami over the last 11 years,” Heat president Pat Riley said in a statement, according to the Miami Herald's Joseph Goodman. “He’s a team player, an encompassing all-purpose player that would play just about any position or role in order to win.”
His numbers will never be held in high regard, but Haslem's commitment to Miami's winning cause shouldn't be overlooked as his career nears a close.
Milwaukee Bucks
17 of 30
Larry Sanders
While he may not seem like an ideal candidate after encountering legal troubles throughout the 2013-14 season, Larry Sanders can help lift Milwaukee out of a cycle of perpetual disappointment.
As head coach Jason Kidd told reporters, according to the Journal Sentinel's Matt Velazquez, it starts with Milwaukee putting its bigs in position to succeed on offense.
"We're using our bigs to be playmakers," Kidd said. "Being the quarterback is a part of it. Understanding that we play through our bigs—it doesn't have to be on the box, but on the elbow."
More important, though, will be Sanders' attitude adjustment.
Fortunately, that transformation appears to be underway.
"I remember the impact that the older guys had on me when I was coming in and how I was so afraid of everything," Sanders said, according to Velazquez. "We had good guys like Keyon Dooling and Drew Gooden took me under their wings and showed me the ropes, so I'm just trying to return the favor and pay it forward."
This season will be a learning experience for Kidd and Sanders alike, but if they can embrace the developmental process en route to prosperous dividends, Milwaukee's young core will be well-suited to compete in the long run.
Minnesota Timberwolves
18 of 30
Ricky Rubio
With Kevin Love gone, it's Ricky Rubio's time to step up and take control of a young locker room.
But if you take it from Rubio, via TrueHoop's Steve McPherson, Love may not have been leading much prior to his departure:
"In a much-circulated interview with French station Canal+ in May, Rubio was up front about some of Love’s shortcomings as a leader, while also pointing out problems from the coaching staff on down. “He leads in scoring, in other things,” said Rubio, according to a translation. “But in voice he is not the type of player that wants to be or that can be [a leader], no? Still, it did not have to have been him -- even I can take a step further and start to be the definitive leader."
"
However, according to veteran point guard Mo Williams, there's no debate that the Timberwolves are Rubio's team.
Per McPherson:
"From the time I’ve been here, he’s taken that level. Yesterday he was reading a book on the way up here and it was in a language I can’t read so I said, ‘What kind of book is that?’ And he said, ‘It’s a book on how to be more aggressive and lead and things like that.’ That lets you know it’s in his mental. He wants to lead and he’s in a great position now. It’s not, ‘Whose team is it?’ It’s his team.
"
After agreeing to terms on a four-year, $56 million extension, it's time for Rubio to impart his veteran wisdom to Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and the rest of Minnesota's young guns as the rebuild begins.
New Orleans Pelicans
19 of 30
Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis' transition to a leadership role with the New Orleans Pelicans is just another sign that the NBA's youth movement is in full swing.
Still just 21 years old, Davis has quickly assumed the role of franchise centerpiece after a breakout sophomore campaign that saw the unibrowed specimen average 20.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and a league-leading 2.8 blocks.
Fresh off of a victorious summer tour with Team USA at the FIBA World Cup, Davis has shown he's ready to command more attention on and off the floor for a Pelicans team that was in desperate need of direction.
Pelicans head coach and Team USA assistant Monty Williams commented on Davis' transition in an interview with The Advocate's Darrell Williams:
"He’s getting more and more experience. He’s understanding that he is a lead dog among a number of alpha dogs. And I think mentally, he’s taken it up a few notches.
When you think about the names on this team, and you look at the impact on the games that he has, you seldom see that there’s a better player on the floor than Anthony. And, that’s got to help him from a confidence standpoint.
"
Considering Davis has been lauded by Kevin Durant as a future MVP candidate, this season has already functioned as a platform for him to erupt as a forceful leader and carry New Orleans into the realm of playoff contention.
New York Knicks
20 of 30
Carmelo Anthony
The narrative that continues to engulf Carmelo Anthony is an unfortunate one. As many see it, Anthony's nothing more than a one-trick volume-scoring pony.
But the fact of the matter is that as Anthony goes, so go the New York Knicks. And that's not a statement limited to scoring totals.
In games that Anthony dished out at least five assists last season, the Knicks went 12-5.
And while he may not be the most demonstrative commander, Anthony has stepped up as a leader in the past.
At the start of New York's five-game winning streak last January that included victories over Dallas, Miami and Phoenix, Anthony became a more vocal presence, according to the New York Daily News' Frank Isola:
"It was Anthony as you've rarely seen him before; animated, intense and positive like a leader should be.
"Yeah, because at this point man when you're searching, trying to find whether it's an identity or ways to win basketball games, all that little stuff helps," Anthony said. "Sometimes guys need to be guided, need to be directed, and that's been happening these last couple of games."
"
Oklahoma City Thunder
21 of 30
Kendrick Perkins
There's a reason Kevin Durant got choked up when speaking about Kendrick Perkins during last season's MVP press conference: The Oklahoma City Thunder center embodies the spirit of a team player in the purest sense.
Just consider Baxter Holmes' vivid description of Perkins from a 2012 article in The Los Angeles Times:
""If you didn't watch our games, you wouldn't know how important he is to our team," Durant says.
Even if you watch, you have to pay attention, because while Perkins is easy to spot, the way he changes games isn't.
Each time an opposing big man is having an "off night," notice the defender hounding him on every shot and rebound.
Each time a Thunder player endures a hard foul, notice the refrigerator-sized teammate who levels the accused opponent.
"
Although Durant has plenty of hardware stowed away in his trophy case and Russell Westbrook plays with a more fierce demeanor, Perkins has ascended to the top of Oklahoma City's leadership ranks by embracing a magnanimous approach on one of the league's most stacked teams.
Orlando Magic
22 of 30
Victor Oladipo
The Orlando Magic dumped a couple of key veterans in Jameer Nelson and Arron Afflalo this summer, which means Jacque Vaughn is accepting resumes for the franchise's next leader.
Just don't act surprised when second-year man Victor Oladipo steps in and fills the void.
Speaking with CBS Sports' James Herbert, Oladipo discussed being thrust into a more prominent role at just 22 years old:
"Those are two big players for us that we lost. Two of our top leading scorers. So it definitely means I'm going to have to step up my game and lead the team. It definitely means I'm going to have to take on a leadership role and just try to help my team win, be a huge impact on winning. It's going to be a tough situation to be in, but at the end of the day I wouldn't rather be in any other position. I'm looking forward to every day I'm competing with my teammates and giving us an opportunity to win.
"
Last year's Rookie of the Year runner-up, Oladipo lived up to his billing as a frenetic defensive presence capable of wreaking havoc on the perimeter.
In fact, Oladipo led all rookies in defensive win shares (2.8) last season on an Orlando team that quietly posted the league's 17th-best defensive rating, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
While that rank is hardly stellar, Orlando's ability to hover around the league average in defensive efficiency while winning a mere 23 games was commendable.
With a year of experience under his belt, Oladipo should help Orlando steadily climb up the Eastern Conference standings in the seasons ahead.
Philadelphia 76ers
23 of 30
Michael Carter-Williams
With an average player age of 24 years, the Philadelphia 76ers are the NBA's youngest team, per RealGM.
Accordingly, it shouldn't come as a major shock that reigning Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams is gunning for a leadership role on a team devoid of quality veterans (or any veterans, for that matter).
“I think regardless of who is on the team," Carter-Williams said, according to The Intelligencer's Tom Moore (via Philly.com), "I have to be a leader out there, give direction to the new guys and really bring the team together.”
Entering Year 2, Carter-Williams' plate is extremely full. Not only will he be tasked with improving as a shooter and becoming a more precise distributor, but the 23-year-old needs to take control of the locker room and keep rookies' heads up when bouts of losses begin to take their toll.
Phoenix Suns
24 of 30
P.J. Tucker
No, we're not dissing Goran Dragic. P.J. Tucker simply earned the designation thanks to his striking tenacity.
A career journeyman who spent five seasons with assorted clubs across the Atlantic, Tucker made quite an impression during his second season with the Suns.
"Tucker has been that vocal and emotional leader each of the past two years," Arizona Sports' Craig Grialou wrote. "He speaks up when the team is down, either at the half or end of games, often before the coaches; and his play on the court is unmatched when it comes to hard work and hustle, particularly on the defensive end, where he consistently guards the other team's best player."
And not only does Tucker guard the other team's best player, but he does so physically. Strong enough to embrace contact on the perimeter or in dribble-drive situations, Tucker consistently sets the tone for the upstart Suns, and his presence gives the run-and-gun Suns an added dimension.
Portland Trail Blazers
25 of 30
In a few years, the Portland Trail Blazers will be Damian Lillard's team.
For now, though, it's LaMarcus Aldridge's club.
Since being drafted by the Blazers in 2006, Aldridge has left it all out on the hardwood. Entering his ninth professional season, Aldridge ranks third on the franchise's all-time scoring list and is now on the cusp of passing Terry Porter, with just 210 points separating the two.
A scoring savant, Aldridge scored at least 30 points 10 times last season. In those 10 games, the Blazers posted a record of 9-1.
Furthermore, Aldridge pulled down at least 15 rebounds on 15 occasions during the 2013-14 campaign, and Portland recorded 11 wins in those contests.
In short, statistical dominance wasn't a rare sight.
And while numbers don't necessarily translate to effective leadership, Aldridge's play last season may have been the result of dealing with adversity the year prior, as he told Sports Illustrated's Ian Thomsen in February of 2013:
"I realized that I had to be more vocal, more demanding -- and that I have to still do that more, I think, Aldridge said. I have a tendency to roll with the punches. But this year, especially with things getting rougher, I call my own play. I think that's the start of me being more of the leader. I can still shoot it, but if they double-team me, I can still make the right pass and we can score. So I think that's part of my growth, knowing when to take over, knowing when to be more dominant, and knowing when to just flow with it.
"
With Portland on the brink of breaking into a more elite tier, Aldridge will need to continue leading as an offensive mastermind.
Sacramento Kings
26 of 30
So much for the narrative that DeMarcus Cousins isn't a leader.
Cousins' visible on-court immaturity once tarnished perceptions that he could function as a franchise centerpiece, but alas, averages of 22.5 points, 11.6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals have helped Sacramento get off to a stunning 6-5 start.
Of course, this all comes on the heels of Cousins sounding like a more polished, self-aware leader following a summer with Team USA.
"I know I’m not perfect and I probably never will be, but I’m aiming to be the best leader I can be for this team," Cousins said prior to the season, according to The Sacramento Bee's Jason Jones.
With Cousins fighting the good fight out West in search of Sacramento's first playoff berth since 2006, it's time to forget past transgressions and focus on Cousins' newfound excellence.
San Antonio Spurs
27 of 30
Tim Duncan
Forget the 14 All-Star selections, two MVPs, three Finals MVPs, countless All-NBA selections and plethora of individual achievements for a moment.
As NBC Sports' Joe Posnanski wrote in June, Tim Duncan is the rare superstar whose ego hasn't inhibited his brilliance:
"So you have talent and you add consistency. And then, on top of that, you throw in all those intangibles that coaches adore. Name any attribute coaches prize, he has it. Works hard? Yes. Is a good teammate? One of the best. Takes criticism? Like no one else. Holds grudges? Nope. Complains in the press? He hardly even talks to the press. Wants special treatment? Nope. Loyal? The guy has stayed in San Antonio his whole career.
"
Thanks to the quiet way in which he's gone about his business, Duncan, in tandem with head coach Gregg Popovich, has helped define the modern-day San Antonio Spurs.
The most professional of organizations that has always valued players who put the team before the individual, San Antonio can thank Duncan for the way he's helped instill team-first values in young players throughout the last decade.
Toronto Raptors
28 of 30
Kyle Lowry
Following a breakout 2013-14 campaign with the Toronto Raptors, Kyle Lowry signed a four-year, $48 million deal that officially made him the centerpiece of a budding Eastern Conference franchise.
And as Lowry explained to Grantland's Jonathan Abrams, he's aware of the pressure that accompanies his new title:
"You always ask for a team to be your team, right? Every single night, that team and your teammates are like, All right, you know you need to bring it for everybody else. And if you don’t bring it, they ain’t bringing it. So when you’re the leader, you’ve got to [be] mentally focused every night.
"
And while Lowry told Abrams that he splits primary leadership responsibilities with DeMar DeRozan, the point guard's exhaustive commitment to excellence on defense (team-best 3.3 defensive win shares last season) gives him the slight edge.
Utah Jazz
29 of 30
Gordon Hayward
Gordon Hayward has always fancied himself more of a quiet presence, but after signing a four-year, $63 million deal this summer, the Utah Jazz needed him to emerge as a more candid and emotional leader moving forward.
In a first-person post for his website, Hayward discussed how he hopes to mature as a captain this season:
"That’s one of the reasons why I’m also working on improving as a leader. I know the Jazz want and need me to be a leader in the locker room, and on the court. I’m not an extremely vocal guy, but I’ve always led by example. That’s who the Jazz expect me to be: Somebody that the younger guys can look up to and see that I’m competing every day in practice, that I’m doing the right things and being professional.
"
And thus far, he's delivered to the tune of 18.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 47.2 percent from the field.
With emerging scorers in Trey Burke and Alec Burks by his side and Derrick Favors on the verge of breaking out on the blocks, Hayward is being presented with a golden opportunity to act as a savvy offensive coordinator under head coach Quin Snyder.
Washington Wizards
30 of 30
John Wall
With Paul Pierce in the fold on a two-year deal (player option for year two), it would have been easy to assume he'd arrive in the nation's capital ready to take charge of the Washington Wizards.
But that simply won't be the case.
Following a full-fledged breakout campaign, the leadership torch has officially been passed to John Wall.
Just take it from head coach Randy Wittman, who praised Wall's development earlier this month, according to CSN Washington's J. Michael:
"It's night and day really. He's been by far the most vocal guy out on the floor and he's been by far the most energized player on the floor. A lot of people followed that. A lot of the things we get accomplished has to start out front with John and Brad [Beal], whether you're talking defensively or offensively. That's where it all filters down. If those two guys are up to doing what I've seen John doing these first four days, it filters down.
"
With an evolving mid-range jump shot and improving three-point stroke, Wall has a chance to cement himself as one of the league's elite two-way point guards if he can continue to meet heightened expectations throughout this season.
All statistics courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com and current as of Nov. 19 unless noted otherwise.
