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.
Stephen Curry
Despite a shaky start to the season where they went 1-2, the Golden State Warriors are back on track after winning all three games last week, led by two of their best players. The first of which was Stephen Curry. For the week, Curry averaged 26.3 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals per game while shooting 43% from the field and going a perfect 24 for 24 from the free throw line. Unsurprisingly, the Warriors look set to be one of the best teams in the league, if not the best.
Aaron Gordon
Likes his teammate Nikola Vucevic last week, Aaron Gordon of the Orlando Magic is the standout among the top players of the week. The Magic continued their hot start to the season last week, winning both of their games and pushing them to a 4-1 record for the year. Gordon, who missed two games last week, didn't miss a beat when he returned to the line-up this week and earned his spot as one of the best players of the week. For the week, Gordon averaged 28.5 points and 10 rebounds per game while shooting a fantastic 72% from the field and an even better 78% from three-point range. Gordon's week was highlighted by the best game of his career against the Brooklyn Nets, where he put up 41 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Magic to the win. If players like Gordon & Vucevic continue to play the way they have to start the season, the Magic could be making a run at the playoffs.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Despite high hopes for the Minnesota Timberwolves following the acquisition of Jimmy Butler & Jeff Teague, the team hasn't been doing as well as people expected, currently standing at a 3-3 record. This week was more of the same, as they went 2-2 for the week, with Karl-Anthony Towns leading the way for the team. Towns, despite his teams' lack of major success, had a great week. For the week, Towns averaged 27.8 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks while shooting 58% from the field, 33% from three-point range, and 95% from the free throw line.Whether or not the Timberwolves mesh has yet to be seen, but one thing is pretty clear; Karl-Anthony Towns is going to be a star.
Kevin Durant
Going back to the Golden State Warriors, one of the other players that led them to a perfect 3-0 record for the week was Kevin Durant. For the week, Durant averaged 28.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and a block per game while shooting 53% from the field and 52% from three-point range. As long as Curry & Durant keep playing to the best of their abilities, the Warriors are easily going to be one of the best teams in the NBA
James Harden
As expected, the Houston Rockets are winning games and are currently one of the top teams in the Western Conference, despite losing Chris Paul after one game. A lot of that success comes down to last week's Western Conference Player of the Week James Harden, who led the Rockets to a 2-1 record last week without their second best player. For the week, Harden averaged 25.3 points, 6 rebounds, 10.7 assists, a steal and a block per game while shooting 45% from the field and 31% from three-point range. Once Chris Paul returns and hopefully adapts to the Rockets' style, this team could be scary with two all-stars on the roster.
LeBron James
This week was...not great for the Cleveland Cavaliers. After ending last week with a blowout loss to the Orlando Magic, the Cavs went 1-2 for the week, ending with another blowout loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. LeBron James, however, has played at the high level that he normally does despite his team's recent struggles. For the week, LeBron averaged 27 points, 5 rebound, 11.3 assists, a steal, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 61% from the field and 55% from three-point range. Once Isaiah Thomas heals up and makes his Cavaliers debut, the King will have more help on his side and they should get back on track.
Russell Westbrook
The Oklahoma City Thunder haven't started off as hot as people thought they would after the additions of Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. The team currently has a 3-3 record, also splitting their games this week and going 2-2. However, the reigning MVP Russell Westbrook is still playing like he was last season. For the week, Westbrook averaged 24.5 points, 9 rebounds, 12 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 51% from the field and 47% from three-point range, and recorded two triple-doubles. If Westbrook keeps playing the way he did this week, him, George and Anthony could make the Thunder a huge threat in the Western Conference.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Following his fantastic week last week where he won Eastern Conference Player of the Week and was my pick for player of the week, Giannis Antetokounmpo continued to impress this week as well. The Milwaukee Bucks may have gone 1-1 for the week as a team, Antetokounmpo continued to be one of the top players in the league. For the week, Antetokounmpo averaged 30 points, 12 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 55% from the field and 67% from three-point range. Another week in the books, another week for Antetokounmpo's MVP campaign.
DeMarcus Cousins
Rounding out the list and my pick for the Player of the Week is DeMarcus Cousins. After losing their first two games, the New Orleans Pelicans' luck just got worse after Anthony Davis went down with a left knee injury. While it seemed like rough times were ahead for the Pelicans, DeMarcus Cousins came through and led the team to a 3-1 record for the next week. For the week, Cousins averaged 32.8 points, 14.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 53% from the field and 33% from three-point range. Cousins' week was highlighted by his performance against the Sacremento Kings, where he put up 41 points, 23 rebounds, and 6 assists. With Davis back, the Pelicans look like they could be a team to watch out for.
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