Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 11/09/15

Many of the league’s top offensive players wasted no time finding their shooting stroke during the first two weeks of the season. No player has been more prolific than the league’s reigning Most Valuable Player, Stephen Curry. The Warriors point guard entered Monday’s action shooting 55.3% from the field and a robust 47.5% on 3-point attempts during the first seven games. His hot shooting has propelled him to the early league scoring lead at 33.9 points per game.

Nipping at Curry’s heels is the Thunder’s superstar duo of small forward Kevin Durant and point guard Russell Westbrook. Durant, a four-time scoring champ, has returned from his injury-riddled 2014/15 campaign in top form, pouring in 30.1 points per game while shooting over 50% from the field. Westbrook, who shouldered Oklahoma City’s offensive burden a majority of last season and captured the scoring crown, is averaging 26.3 points despite subpar 31.4% shooting from long range.

James Harden continues to score at a high rate, even though he’s struggling to find consistency from the field. Thanks to his knack for drawing fouls, the Rockets’ shooting guard is averaging 29.7 points despite making just 37.7% of his field-goal tries and 24.0% of his 3-point shots.

The most dominant inside scorer during the early going has been Blake Griffin. The Clippers power forward has bulled his way to 29.3 points per game while making nearly 60% of his shot attempts.

With LaMarcus Aldridge plying his trade with the Spurs, Damian Lillard has taken over even more offensive responsibilities with the Trail Blazers. Portland’s point guard is scoring at a 27.1 point clip while hoisting 20.4 shots per game.

Anthony Davis has struggled to adjust to new coach Alvin Gentry’s system but the Pelicans power forward is still averaging 25.2 points. It’s a good bet that once Davis settles in, he’ll be posting plenty of 30- and 40-point games. And it’s taken this long to mention Cavaliers superstar forward LeBron James, who has averaged at least 25 points since his second season in the league.

It might come as a surprise to some people that Carmelo Anthony is currently out of the Top 10 in scoring. Anthony is shooting 37.1%, which has dragged his scoring average down to 21.4. On a Knicks team starved for offensive punch, the perennial All-Star small forward is certain to boost that average once he regains his offensive groove after missing the second half of last season with a knee injury.

That brings us to today’s topic: Which player will lead the league in scoring this season and why?

Please take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. We look forward to what you have to say.

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