Jimmy Butler
The Minnesota Timberwolves didn't have a bad February...it just wasn't very good. Going 6-4 over the 28 days of the month, having to face the red-hot Houston Rockets twice during the month probably didn't help their cause, but they still managed to have a couple of strong showings and maintained a winning record for February. After February, Minnesota found itself with a 38-26 record, putting them in 5th place in the Western Conference. However, the end of the month did see them take a big hit, as Jimmy Butler went down with a right meniscus injury and will miss four-to-six weeks following the surgery. Butler is a key part of the team, as his stat line in February shows, and he'll surely be missed by the team. For the month, Butler averaged 24.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 47% from the field, 34% from three-point range, and 86% from the free throw line. During the month, Butler had a six-game stretch where he averaged 30 points, 6 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 52% from the field and 48% from three-point range, a streak that ended with a 38 point, 7 rebound, 5 assists, and 4 steal outing in a loss to the Chicago Bulls.
Paul George
The Oklahoma City Thunder did a whole lot of nothing in February. Going 6-6 during the month, the Thunder didn't do anything good or bad that improved or worsened their standing in the Western Conference, as they now sit in 7th place in the Western Conference with a 37-28 record on the year. While the month was nothing to talk about for the team, two players on their roster excelled this month. One of them was Paul George. For the month, George averaged 26.4 points, 6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 46% from the field and 42% from three-point range. George's best performance of the month came on the first day of February when he put up 43 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals in a loss to the Denver Nuggets, shooting 19/26 (73%) from the field and 5/8 (63%) from three-point range along the way.
Devin Booker
The Phoenix Suns had one of the absolute worst runs in February out of every team, going an abysmal 1-10 over the last 28 days. If it weren't for the Memphis Grizzlies losing all 10 games they played in February, the Suns would have the worst record for the month. The team now finds themselves with a 19-45 record, the second worst in the entire league. However, Devin Booker continues to be the one bright spot the team has had all season. Continuously putting up some of the best scoring numbers all season long, Booker continued that trend into February despite his team's intense struggles. For the month, Booker averaged 27.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 41% from the field and 34% from three-point range. After taking a four-game hiatus during the month, Booker came back with a vengeance, averaging 31.8 points and 6.2 rebounds over a five-game span, shooting 42% from the field and 35% from three-point range along the way. This run included a 40 point, 10 rebound, 7 assist outing in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans
Andre Drummond
The Detroit Pistons are fighting for the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference right now, four games behind the Miami Heat. However, if they want to make it into the playoffs, they're going to need to do a lot better than they did in February. Going 6-6 during the month, the Pistons now find themselves with a 29-34. If it weren't for the Heat having an awful month, they'd be further back than they already are, but the fight is not over whatsoever. And if the Pistons have anyone they put the most of their faith in on their team, it's Andre Drummond. Drummond has been having arguably the best season of his entire career, cementing his spot as the best rebounder in the entire league. February was no different, as Drummond continued his run as a dominant force on the boards. For the month, Drummond averaged 16.3 points, a league-high 17.7 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 2.2 blocks per game while shooting 49% from the field. Drummond broke 20 rebounds three times this month, grabbing a season-high 27 rebounds in a win over the Brooklyn Nets along the way.
Kevin Durant
For the first time in almost three years, it looks like the Golden State Warriors have a real challenger to face for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Houston Rockets have had a fantastic season so far, good enough to get them ahead of the Warriors and enough to claim the top spot in the NBA. The Warriors had a strong outing in February (8-3 on the month) but they still find themselves half a game behind the Rockets, as they currently hold a 49-14 record on the year. They certainly have a battle to win, and Kevin Durant was the one taking the lead in February for that battle, as he put up some of the best numbers in the league all month long. For the month, Durant averaged 27.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 61% from the field, 53% from three-point range, and 89% from the free throw line. Durant scored over 30 points five times during the month, which included a season-high 50 point outing in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Durant also started the month with a four-game stretch where he averaged 30.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 67% from the field, 57% from three-point range, and 90% from the free throw line, and ended the month on a five-game stretch where he averaged 31.2 points, 6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 57% from the field, 52% from three-point range, and 92% from the free throw line.
Karl-Anthony Towns
As I said earlier, the Minnesota Timberwolves had a decent run in February, but they faced a big setback towards the end of the month when Jimmy Butler went down with a right meniscus injury. Whether or not the loss of Butler hurts the Timberwolves bad enough to knock them out of the playoffs (they are only two and a half games ahead of the 9th place Los Angeles Clippers) is something we'll have to wait and watch for. If anyone is going to lead the way for Timberwolves through these tough times, it is Karl-Anthony Towns, who had a great run in the month of February. For the month, Towns averaged 23 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 58% from the field, 48% from three-point range, and 93% from the free throw line. Towns scored 30 points or more three times and grabbed over 15 rebounds three times during the month.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The post-Jason Kidd-era boom period that the Milwaukee Bucks experienced seems to be over, as they went 6-6 during February and ended the month on a three-game losing streak. That puts them at 33-29 on the year and in the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference with a four and a half-game lead over the 9th place Miami Heat. Still, Giannis Antetokounmpo managed to have a solid month for himself, as he has done all season long. For the month, Antetokounmpo averaged 22.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 48% from the field. Antetokounmpo's best performance of the month came in a loss to the Denver Nuggets when he recorded his first triple-double of the season with 36 points, 11 rebounds, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
Victor Oladipo
The Indiana Pacers have been able to maintain the amount of success they've had since the season started, exceeding just about all the expectations everyone had for them following the Paul George trade. Currently sitting with a 35-27 record on the season, the Pacers went 5-4 in February, putting them in the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference. Leading the way for the Pacers in February was their breakout star in Victor Oladipo. While also making his first all-star appearance in February, Oladipo also continued to put up the great numbers that earned him that all-star selection. For the month, Oladipo averaged 25.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and a league-high 3.8 steals per game while shooting 44% from the field. Oladipo put up 30 or more points three times and grabbed 3 or more steals six times this month. Oladpo's best performance of the month saw Oladipo come very close to a quadruple-double, recording 30 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, and 6 steals.
Joel Embiid
If the Philadelphia 76ers don't make the playoffs this season, is the Process considered a failure? Well, I'm pretty sure the 76ers don't want to find that out. Following a strong showing in January, the 76ers did even better in February, going 8-3 on their way to improving their record to 34-27 on the year. Currently sitting in the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia holds a six-game lead over the 9th place Detroit Pistons, so their spot is looking fairly safe for the moment. Leading the way for the 76ers in February was Joel Embiid, who has been a dominant force all season long and is largely responsible for Philadelphia's success this season. For the month, Embiid averaged 24.4 points, 11.7 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 50% from the field and 35% from three-point range. During the 76ers' seven-game win streak in February, Embiid averaged 25.8 points, 13 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 2 blocks per game while shooting 52% from the field and 42% from three-point range. Embiid's best performance of the month came in a win over the Chicago Bulls when he recorded 30 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 4 blocks.
Damian Lillard
Following a great 11-5 record in the month of January, the Portland Trail Blazers were looking to expand on their success and move up in the standings in February, and they did just that. Going 6-4 in those 28 days, the Trail Blazers did manage to move up to 3rd in the Western Conference, currently sitting with a 37-26 record on the season. They're still way behind the Houston Rockets & Golden State Warriors (12 and a half games & 12 games, respectively) and they're only three games ahead of the 9th place Los Angeles Clippers, but right now things are looking good for Portland. Leading the way for the Trail Blazers in February was Damian Lillard, who was red-hot throughout the month of February as he led the Trail Blazers up the Western Conference standings. For the month, Lillard averaged 31.4 points, 4 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 48% from the field, 36% from three-point range, and 93% from the free throw line. Over a five-game stretch in February, Lillard averaged an astounding 39.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 51% from the field, 38% from three-point range, and 93% from the free throw line. This included three games where he scored 40 or more points, and a season-high 50 point outing in a win over the Sacramento Kings, adding 6 assists and 3 steals. Lillard also went six games straight in February where he hit all of his free throws, going a perfect 49/49 from the free throw line.
Nikola Jokic
As one of the many Western Conference teams fighting to stay in playoff contention, the Denver Nuggets certainly made a strong case for why they are a playoff team in February. Going 7-3 during the month, the Nuggets improved their record to 35-28 on the year, putting them in the 8th seed in the West. While they only hold a one-game lead over the 9th place Clippers, if they keep playing the way they did in February, they should have no problem holding on to that final spot in the West. Leading the way for the Nuggets in February was Nikola Jokic, who looked set to prove that he deserved a spot in the All-Star game by putting up a near triple-double for the month. For the month, Jokic averaged 21.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, 9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 56% from the field, 56% from three-point range, and 87% from the free throw line. During the month, Jokic recorded four triple-doubles, three of which were in three consecutive games. During that stretch, Jokic averaged 27 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists per game. Jokic also recorded a career-high 17 assists during the month in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks, adding 30 points and 15 rebounds along the way.
Russell Westbrook
As I said earlier, the Oklahoma City Thunder had an uneventful month of February, going 6-6 on the month and moving their record to 37-28 on the year. Currently sitting in the 7th seed of the Western Conference, the Thunder only hold a two-game lead over the 9th place Clippers. Add the fact that the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers, two teams that fighting for playoff spots, had strong outings in February, the Thunder are going to have to do much better than they did last month if they want to stay in the playoffs. While the team did nothing of note this month, two players excelled. One of them was Paul George and the other one was Russell Westbrook, who is continuing his run to repeat as MVP this year. For the month, Westbrook averaged a triple-double with 22 points, 10.4 rebounds, a league-high 11.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 41% from the field and 89% from the free throw line. During the month, Westbrook recorded three triple-doubles (giving him 18 on the season so far) and recorded a season-high 21 assists in a loss to the Denver Nuggets, adding 20 points and 9 rebounds along the way.
James Harden
The Houston Rockets have been flat-out unstoppable over the last month, as they went a perfect 12-0 in February and are currently on a 15-game winning streak. Currently holding a 49-13 record for the season, the Rockets sit atop both the Western Conference and the entire NBA, holding a half a game lead over the defending champion Golden State Warriors. With their spot in the playoffs all but official, the Rockets look set to establish themselves as legitimate contenders to the NBA Championship. Leading the way for the Rockets during their perfect month was James Harden, who continued to put up MVP-caliber numbers as he has all season long. For the month, Harden averaged 30.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 45% from the field, 37% from three-point range, and 88% from the free throw line. Harden also scored 41 points twice during the month and recorded four double-doubles along the way.
LeBron James
Following the big roster change before the all-star break, the Cleveland Cavaliers had a decent month for themselves. Going 6-4 in February, the Cavaliers now sit at 36-26 on the season, putting them in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference. While they still trail the Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics by eight and a half game and seven games respectively, the Cavaliers seem set to stay as one of the top teams in the East. And besides, any team that has LeBron James on their roster has to be considered a contender for the NBA Championship, as this past month showed. For the month, James averaged a triple-double with 27 points, 10.5 rebounds, 10.5 assists and a steal per game while shooting 55% from the field and 42% from three-point range. During the month, James recorded four triple-doubles (giving him 13 on the year in total) and recorded a career-high 19 assists in a win over the Atlanta Hawks, adding 22 points and 12 rebounds along the way.
Anthony Davis
I mean...who else could it be? My pick for the player of the month was easy, and it is Anthony Davis. It couldn't have been anyone else, the man has been on an absolute tear over the last month as he leads the New Orleans Pelicans in the absence of DeMarcus Cousins. The Pelicans had a strong showing in February, going 8-3 on the month and improving their record to 35-26 on the season. Currently sitting in the 5th seed of the Western Conference, they only hold a two-game lead over the 9th place Los Angeles Clippers, but as long as they have Anthony Davis on their side they should be fine, especially if this past month is anything to go off of. For the month, Davis averaged a league-high 35 points, 13 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 2.2 blocks per game while shooting 51% from the field and 34% from three-point range. During the month, Davis scored over 40 points five separate times, grabbed 15 or more rebounds five times, recorded three or more steals four times, and blocked three or more shots four times. During a six-game stretch this month, Davis averaged an insane stat line of 41.5 points, 15 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 54% from the field and 39% from three-point range. I have no doubt in my mind that Anthony Davis was easily the best player in all of the NBA this past month.
Honorable Mentions
Stephen Curry (23.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.5 SPG, 48% FG, 41% 3FG, 96% FT)
Bradley Beal (21.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 6.7 APG, 1.6 SPG, 46% FG, 36% 3FG, 88% FT)
Kyrie Irving (25 PPG, 5.7 APG, 53% FG, 45% 3FG, 92% FT)
Kemba Walker (25.6 PPG, 5.5 APG, 1.3 SPG, 47% FG, 49% 3FG, 92% FT)
Jrue Holiday (21.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 6.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, 50% FG, 33% 3FG)
Thanks for reading, be sure to share if you enjoy!
Thanks for reading, be sure to share if you enjoy!
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