Highlighting Each NBA Eastern Conference Team's Biggest Stud Thus Far

Let's face it: The Eastern Conference pales in comparison to its mighty counterparts out West.

But as we chug along into December, there are some fantastic individual seasons by players in the East who deserve mentioning. It's important to highlight these performances, as many of them could have fallen through the cracks in a busy NBA season. So I'll be handpicking each team's most important player through the first month of the season in the following slides. 

You'll find some of the usual suspects on the list: LeBron, Melo, Wade. 

There'll be a few recognizable veterans finally achieving their optimal performance level: Jeff Teague, Kyle Lowry, John Wall.

Plus, there are some exciting youngsters just beginning to make their mark: Nikola Vucevic, Jared Sullinger, Jimmy Butler.

Each player obviously has a widely different impact for his team, but a key factor in the following selections is efficiency. Sure some of the entries that follow are prolific scorers, but players who make more shots than others carry much more value than those that don't.

Obviously, right?

A secondary skill aside from scoring carries merit, too. Assisting, defending, rebounding—whatever the case may be, influencing the game in more ways than one is vital. 

So strap in, find your favorite squad, and let me know what you think in the comments section below!

Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Teague

Key Stats

• Averaging career highs in points per game, assists, field-goal percentage and three-point percentage
• Ranks fifth among NBA point guards in shooting efficiency
• Scored 20-plus points during a five-game stretch in November

Preseason Expectations

Jeff Teague's talent has always been apparent since his college days at Wake Forest, but the six-year veteran has begun to finally blossom under the tutelage of coach Mike Budenholzer.

In Budenholzer's first season a year ago, Teague benefited from a more uptempo style of play. He was encouraged to wreak havoc on the break and play at a pace that better suited his skill set. 

Teague averaged a career-high 16.5 PPG last season, chipping in nearly seven assists a game to boot. At just 26, increased productivity was anticipated for the Hawks floor general in 2014-15. But with Al Horford and Paul Millsap on the roster, Teague's expected impact was that of a supporting act.

Regular-Season Reality Thus Far

The Atlanta Hawks are 13-6 and just a game-and-a-half out of the top spot in the Eastern Conference due in large part to Teague. Atlanta's point guard is continuing to utilize his strengths, while showing rapid improvements in supposed flawed areas.

Not only is he scoring and assisting at the best marks of his career, but he's become a much more efficient scorer. A 48 percent mark from the field has helped buoy a Hawks offense that ranks amongst the league's most potent. 

A key reason for that improved efficiency is a much more reliable stroke from distance. Teague is shooting over 40 percent from deep for the first time in his career. In terms of his pull-up game, a near 10 percent increase in field-goal percentage has made him a much more dangerous offensive player.

Here's an example of Teague's improved shooting in a 28-point explosion against the Detroit Pistons.

Teague's bread and butter is his ability to get to the rim, something he's making a concerted effort to accomplish (seen in his soaring jam against the Los Angeles Lakers). Over 62 percent of his shot attempts occur less than 10 feet from the basket, while he's averaging a career best in free-throw attempts.

Teague's emergence into the upper-echelon of NBA point guards is producing fantastic results for the Hawks. If Teague can remain at a legitimate All-Star level into the second half, there's no reason to believe that the Hawks can't compete in a wide-open Eastern Conference.

Boston Celtics: Jared Sullinger

Key Stats

• Leads the Celtics in player efficiency rating, while averaging over 30 minutes per game
• Recording nearly nine rebounds a game, including 2.7 offensive boards per contest
• Making almost two triples per game

Preseason Expectations

Jared Sullinger was drafted 21st overall in the 2012 draft following a tremendous collegiate career. 

But at 6'9", 220 pounds, Sullinger's true position has been in limbo during his career. The former Ohio State Buckeye is undersized for a typical NBA big man. After a poor rookie year, Brad Stevens has utilized Sullinger in a role that best suits his game.

The Celtics figured to be rebuilding in 2014-15, thus allowing Stevens to sift through his roster to discover what he had at his disposal moving forward. 

Regular-Season Reality Thus Far

Sullinger has taken complete advantage of Boston's transition period, proving he belongs in the league. 

The forward has started every game for the Celtics and is averaging over 30 minutes in those contests. He's contributing over 16 points a game, while remaining efficient from the field with a near 50 percent shooting mark. 

Sullinger continues to develop his pick-and-pop style of play. Over 36 percent of his attempts come from catch-and-shoot situations, where he is putting the ball in the hoop 40 percent of the time. That increased shooting percentage from mid-range has allowed Sullinger to remain productive around the rim, although he's choosing to shoot jumpers at a much higher rate. 

He's also stretching defenses further by making 1.5 threes per game, like this one in transition against the Atlanta Hawks.

Despite being shorter than his usual counterparts, Sullinger's work on the glass remains a strength in the youngster's game. He leads the Celtics in rebounding at 8.7 per game. He's especially deadly on the offensive glass (seen in the clip above), where he ranks in the top 25 in offensive rebounds. Nearly half of his rebounds have come in contested situations, proving his excellence in corralling opponent bricks.

While Stevens and Danny Ainge continue to rebuild the Celtics, Sullinger is using the 2014-15 season to prove he's a valuable commodity for the future of the organization. 

Brooklyn Nets: Deron Williams

Key Stats

• Leads the Nets in points, assists and steals
• Averaging the most minutes since 2010-11
• Shooting over 40 percent from deep for the first time since his rookie year

Preseason Expectations

Much has been made of Deron Williams' drop-off in production during his time in Brooklyn. The former Jazz point guard has seen significant spikes in his scoring and assist totals since being dealt to the Nets in 2011.

2013-14 will go down as one of the bigger disappointments in Williams' career. He only managed to play in 64 games, while averaging only 32.2 minutes. When he actually did suit up, Williams was relatively ineffective at creating his own shot and for others. Averages of 14.3 and 6.1 in points and assists respectively were well below his career norms. 

The Nets depend mightily on Williams' performance, and questions were beginning to circulate about Williams' durability starting to fatally wound his once-elite production.

Regular-Season Reality Thus Far

Although still not producing at his customary level, Williams has given the Nets a healthy and stable season.

At his very best, Williams is able to float between facilitator and scorer dependent upon the flow of a game. This season, Williams is shooting more than he did a year ago at a reasonable 44 percent clip. His scoring average has returned to his normal mark of 17 a game. 

Deron can still become pull-up happy, but he's greatly improved his catch-and-shoot percentage to 56.5 percent. From long distance, Williams is hitting over 52 percent in catch-and-shoot situations from roughly the same number of shots as a year ago.

He still presents problems for opposing defenders due to his elite ball-handling skill (see above), which allows him to create plenty of open looks for himself. Only 13 percent of his shot attempts have come with a defender within 0-2 feet of him.

Despite not displaying elite assist numbers this season, Williams is shouldering most of the scoring load for a team that lacks many legitimate offensive threats.

One of those few threats is Brook Lopez, who is benefiting from Williams' ability to distribute the ball when need be. The Brooklyn center has accounted for the majority of Williams' assists, while shooting close to 50 percent off passes from him. Williams does all the work for Lopez here for an easy jam.

Brooklyn is hovering around .500, but Williams continues to be the only consistent threat night in and night out. Although still not resembling the player he was at his peak, he's been the best player for the Nets this season. 

Charlotte Hornets: Al Jefferson

Key Stats

• Averaging 19.6 PPG on 48 percent shooting 
• Leads the Hornets with nearly eight boards per game
• Producing a 63 percent shooting clip on attempts from less than 10 feet

Preseason Expectations

After a solid showing in the 2014 playoffs, the Charlotte Hornets were sexy picks to contend in the Eastern Conference before the season.

Al Jefferson made his presence felt in the postseason a year ago and figured to remain quite the load in the paint for opposing defenses. 

Jefferson produced one of his best seasons in 2013-14, shooting 50 percent from the field and scoring almost 22 points a game. His prowess on the glass bested virtually all other NBA big men, allowing the center to average a double-double. 

With the addition of Lance Stephenson, the Hornets figured to be even more improved this season. 

Regular-Season Reality Thus Far

Charlotte's resurgence may have been falsely predicted, as the side is 5-15 to start the season. 

But Jefferson's elite production has continued into the 2014-15 season. He's averaging close to 20 a game, and while his rebounding numbers are down, he still leads the Hornets in that statistic.

The formula for Jefferson's success hasn't changed much since his debut a decade ago.

The 6'10", 290-pounder throws his weight around on the block and is able to complement his power with exquisite touch around the rim. He relies on fantastic body control and post positioning, as he displays in the above clip. 

Jefferson is playing even more to his strengths than usual in the season's early goings, attempting 64 percent of his shots within 10 feet of the hoop. As you can imagine, he's dropping the ball into the bucket at an elite percentage. 

A decent-sized drop in rebounding is alarming, due to a lowly 30 percent of his boards coming in contested situations. Yet Jefferson's finished with at least nine rebounds per game in every year since 2005, so it's likely too early for overreactions. 

Charlotte has yet to jell, but as long as Jefferson stays healthy, he remains one of the elite big men in the NBA. 

Chicago Bulls: Jimmy Butler

Key Stats

• Was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for November
• Averaging 21.6 PPG on 49 percent shooting
• Ranks fifth in the NBA in free-throw attempts at 8.5 a game

Preseason Expectations

The Chicago Bulls began the season as favorites to win the East, behind the return of Derrick Rose and the addition of Pau Gasol.

A team known for its grit and defensive tenacity under coach Tom Thibodeau, the Bulls welcomed an injection of offensive punch. Rose has continued to experience nagging injuries, while Gasol has presented Chicago with a perfect post fit.

Another key player for the Bulls figured to be Jimmy Butler, who often draws comparisons to San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard. Both are long, athletic wings who can guard at the highest level. Each has also shown flashes of offensive ability in spurts but struggled to constantly produce on the offensive end.

Butler was expected to be a key cog for a Bulls championship run, especially on the defensive end. 

Regular-Season Reality Thus Far

Instead, Chicago has relied heavily on the fourth-year wing out of Marquette.

Butler leads the Bulls in scoring at 21.6 a game, while doing so in an efficient manner. He also chips in as a playmaker, rebounder and elite defender. His full arsenal of skills was on display against the Brooklyn Nets in the clip seen above.

Butler's scoring has seen an intense hike from 13.1 to 21.6 points per game this season. He's playing the same number of minutes yet shooting nearly four more times a game. Butler is also averaging a career high in assists, so it's clear the Bulls are allowing him to stamp his imprint on the offensive end.

As Butler continues to develop, he's beginning to better understand his strengths and limitations as an offensive player. Last season, over 38 percent of his shots came in catch-and-shoot situations. Thus far, Butler is spotting up only 27.4 percent of the time, and he's choosing to attack the rim for most of his shot attempts. It's paying off, as he's shooting a tick below 60 percent on shots from less than 10 feet. 

Here's a glimpse of the way Butler has attacked the basket during the first month of the season.

Butler remains the best perimeter defender on the team, so his improved offensive game has made him one of the NBA's most indispensable players. After years of worrying about Derrick Rose's injuries, it's time for Chicago fans to realize that any success for the Bulls starts with Jimmy Butler.

Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James

Key Stats

• Averaging 24.6 PPG on 46 percent shooting
• Has recorded 7.9 assists per game, his highest total since 2009-10
• Leads the Cavs in PER

Preseason Expectations

The story of the summer was LeBron James' return home to Cleveland to rejoin the Cavaliers after four seasons in Miami. 

With James back on board, the Cavaliers splurged further by acquiring Kevin Love via trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves. NBA fans were salivating at the thought of James, Love and Kyrie Irving forming a new and improved Big Three. 

Obviously, James' expectations before the season were immense. The four-time NBA MVP had won two championships during his Miami sabbatical, continuing to cement his legacy as one of the NBA's best ever players. 

With Love and Irving, many pundits penciled Cleveland in the NBA Finals and that James would continue to perform at a legendary status.

Regular-Season Reality Thus Far

However, it hasn't been all sunshine and daisies for LBJ and the Cavs to start the season.

Cleveland started out slow with James looking out of sync, with Irving in particular, before rattling off six straight victories. Much has been made of LeBron's drop in production this season, but his numbers still rank at the top of the league in a supposed subpar year. 

James is still scoring at a high clip at nearly 25 points per game and assisting more than he has since his first stint in Cleveland. His field-goal percentage has dropped significantly, almost 10 percentage points lower than his mark from the last year. 

There's no significant difference in his shot selection, but James isn't finishing at the rim as well as he did last year (although it probably doesn't seem like it when he's throwing down dunks like this.) Let's be clear: James is still making an absurd 59 percent of his shots within 10 feet. But that number does represent a sharp decline from his unprecedented 73 percent mark in 2013-14. 

LBJ's bugaboo has always been his jumper; he's hitting at just 33 percent from pull-up jumpers. With less success at the basket, James' field-goal percentage was bound to drop back to a modest 46 percent. 

That modest quip is obviously a joke; LeBron has spoiled us.

The Cavaliers seem to be turning it around after a slow start, despite James not yet operating at his optimal function. But if he can return to his typical production, like he looked recently against Washington in the clip above, then Cleveland will be scary come May. 

Detroit Pistons: Greg Monroe

Key Stats

• Scoring over 14 points a game on 47 percent shooting
• Averaging over nine boards in each contest
• Has improved his free-throw percentage nearly 10 points this season

Preseason Expectations

The Pistons haven't qualified for the postseason since 2008-09, but they had the look of a team that may flirt with a playoff spot in a weaker Eastern Conference. 

Led by three athletic big men in Andre Drummond, Greg Monroe and Josh Smith, the Pistons hoped to dominate in the paint against virtually any opponent. 

Stan Van Gundy was recruited to extract the most out of a young but talented roster. Van Gundy had assembled a similar style of team in Orlando around Dwight Howard, so he was expected to have a substantial impact on the growth of the squad.

Monroe decided to return to Detroit on a one-year deal this offseason, after another solid performance in 2013-14. A fantastic rebounder, Monroe has also averaged over 50 percent shooting for his career. With a proven coach calling the shots, the former Georgetown Hoya seemed poised to post another steady season headed into free agency.

Regular-Season Reality Thus Far

Well, Monroe has pulled his weight. But the same cannot be said for the Pistons as a whole.

While guard Brandon Jennings leads the team in PER over Monroe by a slight margin, the Detroit forward impacts the Pistons in more ways than one. 

On a team that's shooting just 40 percent as a unit, Monroe is far and away the most efficient Piston. Unlike fellow forward Josh Smith, Monroe has established what works for him and sticks with it.

Ninety-four percent of his shots have come from within 10 feet, a significant increase from his 84 percent mark a season ago. The lefty can also finish around the rim with authority, as seen above with the monster jam. His constant paint presence has allowed him to lead Detroit in free-throw attempts, where he's shooting a career-high percentage. 

Drummond tops the Pistons in rebounding, but Monroe is a big factor in Detroit's dominance on the glass. Forty-two percent of Monroe's rebounds come in traffic, which proves he can jump with the best of them.

Dan Feldman of the Detroit Free Press thinks that the 3-17 Pistons should trade the free-agent-to-be Monroe right now. It's hard to argue with that logic, but any team that swoops in to snag Monroe will be inheriting a valuable piece. 

Indiana Pacers: Roy Hibbert

Key Stats

• Leads the Pacers in PER
• Second in the NBA in blocks per game
• Opponents are shooting just 38 percent when guarded by Hibbert

Preseason Expectations

The Pacers fell in the Eastern Conference Finals last year to the Miami Heat, after finishing the season as the No. 1 seed in the East. 

Indiana struggled mightily with Atlanta and Washington in the first two rounds of the playoffs, causing many pundits to brand Roy Hibbert as the scapegoat. 

Those criticisms weren't unfounded; Hibbert only logged 28 minutes a game as he struggled to guard athletic big men who could spread the floor. He was often invisible at times, with the most damming statistic being his lowly 5.5 rebounds per game.

When Paul George suffered his gruesome leg injury while competing with Team USA this summer, many feared for the state of the Pacers. After all, Indiana had just lost Lance Stephenson to free agency, and David West along with Hibbert's question marks did little to inspire confidence in the team.

For the Pacers to return to the playoffs with a drastically different roster, Hibbert would need to regain his form that mysteriously abated him in the postseason.

Regular-Season Reality Thus Far

Indiana is struggling to find victories, but the defending Central Division champs are just two games adrift of a playoff spot. 

As expected, Hibbert needed to be the catalyst for any Indiana success, and he has done so thus far. His points, rebounds, blocks and field-goal percentage have all returned to career norms. 

Hibbert's most important impact on the Pacers in recent seasons is his ability to protect the rim, something he's providing at a career-best level this year. His 2.6 blocks rank second only behind Anthony Davis and is the best mark of his career. Hibbert does a nice job keeping his blocks in play, leading to fast breaks the other way as seen in the above clip.

Opponents are shooting just 38 percent when checked by Hibbert. NBA.com states that the average field-goal percentage of the players shooting those shots is 47 percent, so a 9 percent decrease with Hibbert patrolling the lane paints quite the picture. A better indicator of the former Georgetown starlet's defending is the 11 percent difference in expected shooting percentage on shots from less than 6 feet. 

Offensively, Hibbert is employing his mid-range game much more this season. He's netting those shots at a 43 percent mark, which has provided him with another weapon defenses must account for. 

The Pacers may indeed miss out on the postseason this year, but Hibbert's bounce-back year will remain the silver lining if that becomes the case. 

Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade

Keys Stats

• Shooting 53 percent from the field
• His 5.9 assists per game are the most since 2009-10
• Finishing at a near 70 percent on shots close to the rim

Preseason Expectations 

After four roller-coaster seasons together, the "Heatles" broke up this offseason. 

LeBron James decided to take his talents back to Cleveland, leaving Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to pick up the pieces. 

The trio's run together while in Miami was a tumultuous one. With immense success came intense scrutiny and criticism. That was particularly true last season, where it seemed that James carried the Heat to a fourth straight NBA Finals appearance. 

Wade's aging body has slowed him down in recent years, and many pundits believed that both he and the Heat would struggle without LBJ. 

Regular-Season Reality Thus Far

Miami is 9-10 to start the year, but Wade's play has returned to its peak form. 

The 12-year vet is averaging 21.8 PPG, his highest total in three seasons. Wade is a career 49 percent shooter, but it's nice to see a 53 percent mark in James' absence. Wade's free-throw attempts dipped to a career-low 4.8 a season ago, but he's driving more this year and has bumped that number back up to over six a game.

When Wade isn't getting to the charity stripe, he's finishing at an absurd clip around the rim. He's producing at a decent level in terms of his pull-up at 40 percent, and he's shooting at a much higher rate from three-point land. Wade can still struggle with his shooting demons at times, but he's improved dramatically from a season ago. His full offensive arsenal was on display against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the clip provided.

With James running the offense, Wade's facilitating days were put on the back burner. But the Miami guard has rejuvenated his playmaking abilities, raising his assist total to its highest mark since the pre-LBJ era. As you would expect, Wade displays an affinity for Bosh in his passing attempts. Over 26 percent of Wade's dishes end up in Bosh's hands, where the Miami center is shooting 51 percent.

Wade's health remains an issue; he just returned from a nagging hamstring injury. But the Heat should be able to qualify for the postseason with a healthy and productive Wade leading the way. 

Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon Knight

Key Stats

• Leads the Bucks in minutes played
• Tops Milwaukee in points, assists and PER
• Ranks in the top 20 in steals

Preseason Expectations

The Milwaukee Bucks won just 15 games last season but used the offseason to improve the future of their organization.

The Bucks drafted Jabari Parker out of Duke and swayed Jason Kidd to leave Brooklyn in order to coach the squad. A young core of Parker, Brandon Knight, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Larry Sanders had many believing Milwaukee would be much improved in 2014-15. 

Knight in particular made significant strides a season ago after being jettisoned from Detroit, posting career highs in most offensive categories. Under Kidd, many hoped to see continued growth in the 23-year-old guard.

Regular-Season Reality Thus Far

Knight is enjoying another impressive season, helping the Bucks to an 11-10 record to begin the season. 

The former Kentucky Wildcat is scoring over 17 points a game, while logging the most minutes of any Milwaukee player. His 44 percent shooting mark is the best of his career.

Knight's shooting less this season, using his athleticism to set up his teammates. His 5.8 assists per game is the highest total in his young career. Knight is assisting over 35 percent of all Milwaukee buckets and a quarter of the baskets per 100 possessions. His ability to distribute the ball has greatly aided Parker's development, as the Duke standout is shooting 49 percent via Knight dishes.

Here's Knight with a sweet bounce pass to the slashing Larry Sanders for the jam. 

An 8 percent increase in catch-and-shoot opportunities has helped Knight record his highest three-point percentage. He's knocking down 50 percent of those opportunities that occur from downtown, including a game-tying triple against the Brooklyn Nets seen above. 

The 6'3" guard is also chipping in on the glass with close to five a game. Forty percent of those rebounds have come from shot attempts of further than 19 feet.

Milwaukee has surprised many to start the season, and a playoff berth isn't an unreasonable expectation. Brandon Knight's consistent play would be a key factor in a top-eight finish.  

New York Knicks: Carmelo Anthony

Key Stats

• Netting 23 points per game on 45 percent shooting
• He's shooting less and assisting more under first-year coach Derek Fisher
• Recording the lowest turnover rate of his career

Preseason Expectations

Carmelo Anthony spent his summer being courted by various teams in free agency. There was intense speculation that Melo and the Chicago Bulls would eventually come to an agreement, but in the end, Anthony's allegiance to his hometown (and the cash) won out.

The Knicks faltered last season, failing to make the playoffs. Mike Woodson was canned, and the new brain trust of Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher was hired to get New York back in the postseason hunt. 

Carmelo's ability to adapt to the triangle offense became a hot topic as the season approached, but most in the NBA media expected Anthony to continue to scorch the nets in 2014-15.

Regular-Season Reality Thus Far

Melo remains the most important player on the Knicks roster, but that's not saying much. New York's 4-17 record is the third-worst mark in the league. The triangle is yielding minimal success, as the Knicks rank 27th in PPG. 

As usual, Anthony's scoring continues to be the Knicks' biggest asset. His 23 PPG leads the club, although that number is down significantly from last season. 

He's still shooting a solid 45 percent from the field, but his three-point percentage is down roughly five points. Melo is only hitting at a 32 percent rate on catch-and-shoot triples, a far cry from his 43 percent mark a year ago. 

Aside from that, Carmelo's shot frequency and percentages match up similarly to his numbers from last season. As he gets more comfortable in the triangle, it's safe to assume his PPG will increase into the upper-20s. He looked much better in a recent game against the Charlotte Hornets, highlighted in the clip above. 

Anthony's assisting a tick more than he did last season at 3.4 a game. He's facilitating 2 percent more baskets for the Knicks this season, and he's turning the ball over at a career-low mark. Here's a nice dish to Quincy Acy for an easy bucket.

The Knicks are a train wreck, but without Melo, it would be much worse (if that's even possible.) 2014-15 may be a setback for New York, but a trip to the lottery and a full season's worth of triangle experience could lead to a more enjoyable 2015-16. 

Maybe.

Orlando Magic: Nikola Vucevic

Key Stats

• Shooting over 50 percent from the field
• Ranks sixth in the NBA in rebounds per game
• Has improved his free-throw percentage to 78 percent

Preseason Expectations

The Magic have sputtered since the departure of Dwight Howard but have found a steady replacement in Nikola Vucevic. 

With increased playing time, the 7-footer has increased his production in each of his first four NBA seasons. Over the previous two years, Vucevic averaged a double-double while shooting over 50 percent from the field. 

Orlando's young, promising roster with the likes of Vucevic, Tobias Harris, Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton had many anticipating an improved squad. But it was the Magic center who figured to be the focal point of the offense.

Regular-Season Reality Thus Far

Orlando's 9-14 record is cause for great optimism in the "Sunshine State," and so is Vucevic's continued development.

The big man is averaging 18.6 PPG this season on 50 percent shooting. Vucevic is putting up over three more shots a game and logging the most minutes he ever has in his career. 

Vucevic incorporates a polished skill set in the post—capable of finishing with both the power and finesse seen above. He's not shooting as many jumpers as he did a season ago, but he's still putting the ball in the basket 50 percent of the time in catch-and-shoot situations. That percentage compares favorably to his more frequent shots within 10 feet, giving Vucevic a variety of options to score the ball. 

The 24-year-old controls the backboards as well, ranking sixth in the NBA in rebounds per game. He gobbles up 18 percent of the available boards while he's on the court. He plays with a high motor and relentless attitude, displayed during this five-rebound play against the Miami Heat.

He's also dramatically improved as a defender from last season, where he surrendered a 49 percent shooting percentage to opposing players. Thus far this year, he's reduced that number to an impressive 43 percent.

Nikola Vucevic is an efficient and skilled post player, capable of rebounding the basketball on both ends of the floor. For Orlando to continue to improve, its center must maintain his production moving forward.

Philadelphia 76ers: Tony Wroten

Key Stats

• Scoring nearly 18 points a game 
• Has chipped in with six assists a contest
• Seventh in the NBA in steals per game

Preseason Expectations

The Sixers seemed destined for a horrific season in 2014-15. 

The club won just 19 games a year ago, with Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams as the only returning player of consequence. Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid were also added to the roster, but we wont see that dynamic pairing together until next season. 

Tony Wroten was also acquired last season from the Memphis Grizzlies, receiving extended minutes upon his arrival in Philly. Wroten averaged 13 points in 24.5 minutes for the 76ers in 2013-14. 

Philadelphia expected a brutal season, so deciding which youngsters could contribute down the road was the goal this year. Wroten was one of those candidates, logging a high number of minutes on a very bad team. 

Regular-Season Reality Thus Far

It's been about as bad as expected in Philly this year.

The Sixers began the season 0-18, before mercifully winning two games in a row to get to 2-18. The team is the front-runner for that coveted spot of the worst record in the league, which may lead to the No. 1 pick in the 2015 draft. 

A rare bright spot has been Wroten's play. He's been the 76ers' best player thus far, topping the team in points, PER and steals.

Wroten is likely the lone exception on this list in terms of efficiency. He's only netting at a 41 percent clip, but it's not like I'm choosing from a collection of supermodels here. 

Still, Wroten has developed a niche as slashing playmaker in Philly. Nearly 70 percent of his shots are at the rim, and he's making close to half of them. He's going to the line almost seven times a game, although his percentage there could use some improving. 

He's a capable passer, averaging over six assists per game. Wroten accounts for 36.8 percent of Philadelphia assists. Check out this nifty dish to a teammate for a highlight dunk.

Wroten has probably been asked to take on more offensive responsibilities than he's capable of and done a fine job. But his biggest contribution to the Sixers remains on the defensive end. He ranks seventh in basketball in steals per game, including the one seen in the video above. 

It's slim pickings when it comes to the Philadelphia 76ers, but Tony Wroten is enjoying a solid season. If anything, the 21-year-old is proving he belongs in the league. 

Toronto Raptors: Kyle Lowry

Key Stats

• Leads the Raptors in scoring, assists, minutes and PER
• Making 6.4 trips to the line each game, which is a career high
• Turning the ball over less than twice a game

Preseason Expectations

The Toronto Raptors improved dramatically last season, launching them into the discussion of potential threats to claim the Eastern Conference crown. 

Kyle Lowry and Demar DeRozan's backcourt production was a large reason why many in the media were so sweet on the Raps. Both produced at All-Star levels in 2013-14, leading to an Atlantic Division title. 

Lowry's production a season ago represented the best of his career. He averaged 17.9 PPG and over seven assists in those contests. After years of bouncing around among three teams, Lowry seemed settled playing in Canada. 

With increased expectations for Lowry, it was unknown how the 28-year-old would perform this season.

Regular-Season Reality Thus Far

Lowry has cemented himself as one of the best point guards in basketball. Behind another great campaign, the Raptors are 15-5 and the class of the Eastern Conference. 

The former Villanova star is averaging a career-high 20 points on 45 percent shooting. He remains the Raptors' key playmaker, dishing out almost seven dimes per game. 

Toronto boasts the second-most efficient offense in basketball, spearheaded by its shifty point guard. When Lowry is on the floor, the Raptors are scoring 113 PPG per 100 possessions. He also ranks 10th in the NBA in PER.

Lowry's biggest difference in his shot selection is an increased usage in pull-ups. Although he's taking more of them, Lowry is also hitting them at an increased rate of 41 percent. The majority of his shots come after three to seven dribbles, where he's enjoying a 46 percent clip. Lowry seems much more comfortable creating open mid-range looks this season, as you can see in a great shooting night against the Utah Jazz in the clip provided.

His distribution has continued to improve as he's aged, evidenced by his climbing assist totals. Four Toronto teammates are shooting over 45 percent from Lowry's passes, proving he's the focal point of the offense. Enjoy this setup of James Johnson for a dunk.

Lowry's headed toward his first All-Star appearance, but the Raptors seem to be on the verge of bigger and better things. There's plenty of ball left to be played, but behind Lowry's production, Toronto is capable of winning the East.

Washington Wizards: John Wall

Key Stats

• Leads the Wizards in points, steals, assists and minutes played
• Fourth in the NBA in assists and third in steals
• Rebounding at the highest clip of his career 

Preseason Expectations

John Wall is used to hype. 

He's been the highly coveted high school prospect.

He's been the crowned jewel of a Kentucky recruiting class.

He's won the SEC Player of the Year in 2010, before being selected No. 1 overall by the Washington Wizards. 

So the hype both he and the Wizards heard before the season began was nothing new to the fifth-year guard. After earning his first All-Star Game selection and leading the Wiz to the playoffs last season, Washington became an en vogue choice to compete in the East.

Complementing the sharp-shooting Bradley Beal, Wall averaged career highs in points and assists last year. The 6'4" speedster has always been a matchup nightmare for opposing defenders, but he finally began to understand how and when to use his game-breaking pace last year. 

Regular-Season Reality Thus Far

Wall's opening to the 2014-15 season has seen more of the same. The Wizards have the second-best record in the East, which is a testament to Wall's play in the absence of his backcourt-mate Beal. 

He's shooting nearly two fewer times a game, but Wall is sniffing the 10 assists per game mark. He's fourth in the NBA in that category, accounting for 46 percent of all Washington assists. For every 100 Wizards possessions, Wall is assisting on 32 of them. 

It's no coincidence that Marcin Gortat is enjoying the best stretch of his career while in Washington. Wall to Gortat results in two assists per game for the Wiz, with the Washington center shooting 56 percent when working with his point guard. 

Wall does so much on the offensive end that his defensive impact can sometimes be forgotten.

He's averaging a career high in steals, good enough for third in the NBA. On the ball, Wall is holding opposing players to a 35 percent shooting percentage. The Wizards boast the best defensive efficiency rating in the East, with Wall acting as the head of the proverbial snake.

Wall is fantastic at creating live-ball turnovers and turning them into easy buckets, as seen above against the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Similar to Toronto, the Wizards are primed for a run at the Eastern Conference Finals. If Wall continues to wreak havoc on both ends of the floor, Washington will become a tough out in postseason play. 

All stats per NBA.com/stats.