1. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
The fact that the Philadelphia 76ers are just two games back (in the loss column) through the first quarter of the season even after trading away James Harden for pennies on the dollar is a testament to the greatness of Joel Embiid. Tyrese Maxey and the supporting cast do deserve some credit but Embiid is the heart and soul of the Sixers and as he goes, so does the team. He's the biggest reason why the Sixers are even in the conversation to possibly win the Eastern Conference this season.
Through the first quarter of the season, Embiid is the leading scorer in the NBA averaging 32 points, 11 rebounds, and a career-high seven assists per game on 50 percent shooting from the field and 32 percent shooting from 3-point range. The Sixers are 12-7 and could be one NBA Trade Deadline move away from jumping into the elite tier of the Eastern Conference.
When it was initially reported that Harden was going to ask for a trade away from the Sixers, it was believed that the team would take a substantial step back in the East. So far, that simply hasn't been the case. And Embiid is the biggest reason why.