James Harden
The Houston Rockets have been red hot all season so far, as they currently hold the best record in the league and are currently on a 13-game win streak. This week, the Rockets added four more wins to their record, with James Harden being one of the leaders on the team despite playing through a knee injury. For the week, Harden averaged 26.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2.3 steals per game while shooting 32% from three-point range. His best performance came against the New Orleans Pelicans where he put up 26 points, 17 assists, and 6 steals.
Chris Paul
James Harden was a big part of the Rockets' continued success this week, but he wasn't alone. Along for the ride was Chris Paul, who has recovered following the shaky start to his season and has worked to re-establish himself as one of the best point guards in the league. For the week, Paul averaged 26 points, 6.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 3.3 steals per game while shooting 54% from the field, 46% from three-point range, and 95% from the free throw line. If Paul & Harden keep up this strong play, I think they could possibly make a run at the NBA Championship.
Anthony Davis
Another week goes by, another week where the New Orleans Pelicans are hovering at the .500 mark. The Pelicans have defined "average" this whole season, going 2-2 on the week. Things did look up a bit, as Jrue Holiday had a stellar week (he's not on the list, so just consider him #11). Another player who had a strong week was Anthony Davis, who missed one game but was able to lead the Pelicans to two wins. For the week, Davis averaged 27.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 58% from the field and 33% from three-point range.
Victor Oladipo
So far, Victor Oladipo has been the Most Improved Player by a country mile this season. Not only has he been able to keep the Indiana Pacers in playoff contention following the departures or Paul George & Jeff Teague but he has been putting up career bests across the board and currently finds himself in the top 10 in scoring this season. This week was no different, as he continued to put up great numbers despite his team's struggles (1-2 for the week.) For the week, Oladipo averaged 30.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 42% from the field and 36% from three-point range. Oladipo's best game came against the Denver Nuggets, where he put up 47 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Russell Westbrook
The Oklahoma City Thunder still haven't meshed together the way fans had hoped for, but they have found themselves in playoff contention despite holding a losing record right now (14-15 on the year.) Leading the way for the team has been Russell Westbrook, who has continued to put up triple-doubles as easy as Lavar Ball's makes poor decisions concerning his son's careers. For the week, Westbrook averaged 23 points, 11.5 rebounds, 10.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game while shooting 31% from three-point range. Additionally, Westbrook put up back-to-back triple-doubles this week, averaging 18.5 points, 17.5 rebounds, and 13.5 assists over a two-game span.
Karl-Anthony Towns
The Minnesota Timberwolves have lowkey been one of the better teams in the league this year, finding themselves with a 17-13 record and currently sit at the 4th seed in the Western Conference. This team is gonna be scary in a year or two, but right now they're one of the best young teams around. Leading the way has been Karl-Anthony Towns, who looks poised to take over as the league's best big man one day. For the week, Towns averaged 26.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 53% from the field and 42% from three-point range.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Milwaukee Bucks had a bad week. Like, really bad. Despite having arguably the best young player in the league right now and adding a borderline All-Star to their rotation, the Bucks went 0-3 on the week and find themselves at the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. Still, Giannis Antetokounmpo did really good this week, as he has been all season. For the week, Antetokounmpo averaged 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 3 steals per game while shooting 53% from the field.
Joel Embiid
Whether or not trusting the process leads the Philadelphia 76ers to a playoff run this season (they currently sit 10th in the Eastern Conference) no one can really argue that the 76ers haven't built themselves one of the best, young lineups in the league right now. One of those young players that has come through big for the 76ers this season has been the Process himself, Joel Embiid. This week was no different, as he put up great numbers in the two games he played. For the week, Embiid averaged 31 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 53% from the field and 92% from the free throw line.
Kevin Durant
Even with Stephen Curry out for an extended period of time, the Golden State Warriors have been able to keep their win streak alive this past week, winning two games and pushing it eight straight wins. As expected, one of Curry's fellow all-star teammates was going to have to step it up, and Kevin Durant was that guy. For the week, Durant averaged 32 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 59% from the field, 50% from three-point range, and a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line.
LeBron James
And rounding the list is my pick for the player of the week, LeBron James. The Cleveland Cavaliers have been borderline unstoppable over the last month, going 18-2 over their last 20 games and find themselves second in the Eastern Conference with a 22-8 record on the year. Leading the way (of course) has been LeBron James, as he has turned it up to 11 this season as he makes a run at not only the MVP but at the title of the greatest of all time. This week was no different, as he led the Cavaliers to three wins. For the week, James averaged 26.3 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 61% from the field and 30% from three-point range.
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