With another week of the NBA season in the books, in the pocket, and out of sight, it's time to take a look at the best players of the last week. If you missed last week's, click here. If not, let's get into it, these are the 10 best players of the week.
DeMar DeRozan
While everyone expected the Toronto Raptors to do again this season, I don't kniow if anyone expected to them to be this good. Currently holding a 48-17 record on the season, the Raptors currently sit at the top of the Eastern Conference with the third best record in the league and have clinched a playoff berth. This week, the Raptors showed why they are the top team in the East by going 4-0, extending their current win streak to 7. Leading the way for the Raptors this week was DeMar DeRozan. For the week, DeRozan averaged 27.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game while shooting 49% from the field and 36% from three-point range. DeRozan's best performance of the week came in a win over the Detroit Pistons when he recorded 42 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists.
DeAndre Jordan
As the playoff race heats up in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Clippers find themselves on the bubble, Currently holding a 36-29 record, the Clippers hold on to the 8th seed with only a half-game lead over the Denver Nuggets. The Clippers improved their record thanks to a 3-1 outing this week, but their playoff spot is still very much up in the air. Leading the way for the Clippers was DeAndre Jordan, who was the most dominant force on the boards this week. For the week, Jordan averaged 14 points and 19 rebounds per game while shooting 48% from the field. Jordan grabbed over 15 rebounds in every game he played this week and grabbed 20 or more rebounds in two games, including grabbing 23 rebounds in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, scoring 20 points along the way.
Blake Griffin
Like the Clippers, the Detroit Pistons have been fighting for a playoff spot this season. Unlike the Clippers, however, the Pistons haven't been able to catch-up with the 8th seed Milwaukee Bucks and currently have an uphill battle to win if they wabt to make the playoffs. Currently in 9th place in the Eastern Conferene with a 30-36 record, the Pistons now find themselves five games behind the Bucks following a 1-2 week. Ironically, the best player for the Pistons this week was the former Clipper Blake Griffin. For the week, Griffin averaged 27 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and a steal per game while shooting 52% from the field and 50% from three-point range.
Damian Lillard
The Portland Trail Blazers have been doing great over the last two months (22-9 since January), and this week was no different. Going a perfect 3-0 this past week, the Trail Blazers extended their currnet winning streak to 9 and improved their record to 40-26 on the year, the third best in the Western Conference. While they're not a lock for the playoffs just yet, they should be fine if they keep playing the way they have over the last two months. And they should be especially fine if Damian Lillard keeps playing the way he has the last fews month, including this week. For the week, Lillard averaged 34.7 points and 5 assists per game while shooting 47% from the field and 56% from three-point range. Lillard also recorded over 35 points twice this week.
Russell Westbrook
Yet another team fighting to keep their spot in the playoffs with the season winding down are the Oklahoma City Thunder. Currently holding a 39-29 record on the year, the Thunder sit in the 5th seed in the Western Conference with only a two game lead over the 9th place Denver Nuggets. A 2-1 outing this week is a step in the right direction, but the Thunder will still need to play hard if they want to make a run at the NBA Championship. Leading the way for the Thunder this past week was Russell Westbrook, continuing his campaign for a second-straight MVP this season. For the week, Westbrook averaged 26.7 points, 8 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game while shooting 59% from the field. Westbrook also recorded his 19th triple-double of the season this week in a win over the San Antonio Spurs, recording 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists
James Harden
While the Houston Rockets had their win streak snapped at 17 games this past week, they still find themselves at the top of the league. Currently holding a league-best 51-14 record following their 2-1 outing this week, the Rockets still sit atop the Western Conference with a half-game lead over the Golden State Warriors. With the playoff race in the Western Conference down from 15 to 11 teams, the Rockets are all but officially in the playoffs. Leading the way for the Rockets this week was James Harden as he continues to make a run at the MVP. For the week, Harden averaged 29.7 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals and a block per game while shooting 56% from the field, 38% from three-point range, and 91% from the free throw line. Harden's best performance of the week came in a loss to the Toronto Raptors when he recorded 40 points and 4 assists.
Anthony Davis
Ever since DeMarcus Cousins went down with an injury, Anthony Davis has been one of the league's most unstoppable forces, frequently putting up the best numbers in the entire league. This was no different, and while his week did end on a sout note following an ankle sprain, he & the New Orleans Pelicans still had a great week for themselves. Going 3-1 this week, the Pelicans find themselves with a 38-27 record on the season, giving them the 4th seed in the Western Conference. While their winning streak ended at 10 this week, they still had a strong outing, with Davis being the one to lead the way. For the week, Davis averaged 27 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.7 steals, and 4 blocks per game while shooting 54% from the field, 55% from three-point range, and a perfect 9/9 from the free throw line. Davis' best performance of the week came in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers when he recorded 41 points, 13 rebounds, 3 steals, and 4 blocks
Giannis Antetokounmpo
With the post Jason Kid-era boom over for them, the Milwaukee Bucks find themselves on the bubble for playoff contention. Currently holding the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 35-31 record, the Bucks do hold a five game lead over the 9th place Detroit Pistons but are not set for the playoffs by any means. A 2-2 outing this past week didn't really hurt or help their standing, their going to have to play better than that if they want to lock up their spot as quick as possible. However, if Giannis Antetokounmpo keeps playing the way he did this week, they should be fine. For the week, Antetokounmpo averaged 27.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 54% from the field and 33% from three-point range.
Kevin Durant
Honestly, the Golden State Warriors not being the top team in the NBA is just...weird. Currently holding a 51-15 record on the year, the Warriors sit in 2nd place in both the Western Conference and the entire NBA, with just a half a game between them and the Houston Rockets. While they're still obvious favorites to win the NBA Championship, it looks like their path to the title won't be as easy as it was last season. This past week, the Warriors went 2-1, with Kevin Durant being the one to lead the way for the team. For the week, Durant averaged 32 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 52% from the field and 57% from three-point range. Durant's best performance of the week came in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers when he dropped 40 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.
LeBron James
Rounding out my list is my pick for the player of the week, LeBron James. While the Cleveland Cavaliers haven't had the most...stable of seasons, the one consistent the team has had has been the King himself, as he continues to put fantastic numbers in the 15 season of his career. Without James, the Cavaliers would likely be doing worse than the 38-27 record than they currently have. However, as the best team in the Eastern Conference not currently a lock for the playoffs, the Cavalies went 2-1 this past week, and it was LeBron James would led them to a winning record for the week. For the week, James averaged 31.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.3 steals and a block per game while shooting 60% from the field and 59% from three-point range. James' best performance of the week came in a win over the Denver Nuggets when he recorded 39 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists. They might not have clinched a playoff berth yet, the Cavaliers should have no problem locking down their spot if LeBron James keeps playing the way he did this past week.
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