Damian Lillard
Despite playing in the stacked Western Conference, the Portland Trail Blazers have been able to hold their own for the most part this season, currently holding the 4th best record in the conference with a 12-8 record. This week, the Blazers were able to improve their record big time after going 3-1, with Damian Lillard leading the way. For the week, Lillard averaged 28.3 points, 4 rebounds, and 5.3 assists while shooting 45% from the field, 42% from three-point range, and 91% from the free throw line.
Kyrie Irving
Everyone that wrote off the Boston Celtics after Gordon Hayward twisted his ankle 90 degrees around was dead wrong. Despite losing their second best player for the entire season and dealing with frequent injuries all season, the Celtics have been borderline unstoppable, currently holding an 18-3 record and sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference. A lot of their success has to do with Kyrie Irving, who has stepped into the leadership role seamlessly following his trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers. For the week, Irving averaged 31.3 points, 4.5 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 60% from the field and 44% from three-point range and leading the Celtics to a 3-1 record on the week. Irving's best performance came during the Celtics' win over the Dallas Mavericks where he put up 47 points and 6 assists.
Blake Griffin
The Los Angeles Clippers haven't had the smoothest season so far following the Chris Paul trade, currently holding a 7-11 record. This week, things started to look up as the Clippers went 2-1 on the week, with Blake Griffin leading the way. For the week, Griffin averaged 26.7 points, 6 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 45% from the field and 32% from three-point range. Griffin's best performance came during the Clippers' win over the Atlanta Hawks where he recorded a triple-double, putting up 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo's MVP caliber stats have started to decline as the season has gone on longer, but he's still putting up great numbers. The Bucks struggled this week, losing both their games despite the recent edition of Eric Bledsoe, but Antetokounmpo has been able to put up quality stats for himself. For the week, Antetokounmpo averaged 25 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 46% from the field.
Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons is going to be one of the best players in the NBA one day. I have no doubt in my mind about that. His rookie season has been so great that (if he stays healthy) I think he could be an all-star this season and if he's not the Rookie of the Year by a landslide, then something's up. Simmons (along with Joel Embiid) has been a huge part of the Philadelphia 76ers success this season, leading them to an 11-7 record currently. For the week, Simmons continued his great play, averaging 21.5 points, 9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 3.5 steals, and a block per game while shooting 48% from the field.
LeBron James
After an incredibly shaky start to the season, the Cleveland Cavaliers are back on track, currently holding a 12-7 record and are also on a seven-game win streak. Not that this is surprising, but LeBron James' leadership was a huge factor in the Cavs' comeback this season, as he led them to a perfect 3-0 record on the week. For the week, James averaged 26 points, 8 rebounds, 8.7 assists, a steal, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 55% from the field and 50% from three-point range. James' best performance came during the Cavs' win over the Charlotte Hornets where he put up a triple-double with 27 points, 16 rebounds, and 13 assists while adding on 3 blocks.
James Harden
James Harden and the Houston Rockets, as expected, have been a force to be reckoned with this season. Even without Chris Paul for the majority of the season, the Rockets still sit atop the Western Conference with a 15-4 record, which was made better this week after they went a perfect 2-0, winning both their games behind Harden and the returning Paul. Paul has been solid since coming back from his injury, but it was Harden's leadership that has pushed them to the top of the conference this early in the season. For the week, Harden averaged 29 points, 5 rebounds, 9.5 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 42% from the field and 30% from three-point range. Harden's best performance came during the Rockets' win over the New York Knicks where he put up 37 points and 10 assists, adding 3 steals along the way.
Anthony Davis
The New Orleans Pelicans are still just kind of...meh. That's really the only thing you can describe them as...meh. Despite having two of the best big men in basketball today, the Pelicans are currently 11-9 on the season and sit at the 7th spot in the Western Conference. It's not without effort though, as Anthony Davis has been putting up fantastic numbers as he (along with DeMarcus Cousins) tries to make his team one of the best in the league. For the week, the Pelicans went 3-1 while Davis averaged 29 points, 11.7 rebounds, and a block per game while shooting 60% from the field, while also recording three double-doubles for the week.
Stephen Curry
The Golden State Warriors are such a dominant force in the NBA right now that the idea of one of their players not being one of the best players of the week seems ridiculous. This season, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry have been frequently on this list, but this week, Curry is all alone after having easily the best week he's had all season, leading the Warriors to a 3-1 record for the week. For the week, Curry averaged 32 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 2 steals per game while shooting 55% from the field, 38% from three-point range, and 95% from the free throw line. Curry's best performance came in the Warriors' win over the Brooklyn Nets, with Curry putting up 39 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals.
Russell Westbrook
And rounding out the list is my pick for Player of the Week, the reigning MVP...Russell Westbrook. The Oklahoma City Thunder have not had start to the season, currently holding an 8-11 record after going 1-3 on the week. The trio of Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony just haven't been able to gel as a unit and the team's supporting cast isn't strong enough to make up for it. Westbrook, however, did have a phenomenal week as an individual, averaging a triple-double for the week after record four triple-doubles in four games. For the week, Westbrook averaged 27.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, 10.3 assists, and 2.8 steals while shooting 40% from the field. His team might be struggling, but Westbrook had an MVP-caliber week for himself.
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