15 Best Players of the Month (November 2017)

With the first full month of the NBA in the books, in the pocket, and out of sight, let's take a look at the best 15 players from the month of November. If you want to read all my players of the week lists from November, then you can click on the links below

(October 29th-November 4th)
(November 5th-November 11th)
(November 12th-November 18th)
(November 19th-November 25th)

Now let's get into it, these are my picks for the best 15 players of the month of November.

Paul George

The Oklahoma City Thunder have not had the smoothest start to their Big 3 era, currently holding an 8-12 record after a terrible November where they went 4-9 on the month. However, it's not without effort, as the Thunder have two players who went above and beyond for the month. The first of which is one of their big off-season additions in Paul George. For the month, George averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, and a league-high 2.9 steals while shooting 42% from the field and 40% from three-point range.

Victor Oladipo

Despite losing their best player over the off-season, the Indiana Pacers have been able to stay in playoff contention, currently sitting at a 12-10 record after going 8-7 in November. This success has largely been because of Victor Oladipo, who has broken out this season and is putting up the best numbers of his career. For the month, Oladipo averaged 22.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 46% from the field and 43% from three-point range.

Blake Griffin

The Los Angeles Clippers had a bad month, going 4-10 in November and falling to a losing record of 8-12. However, Blake Griffin was having himself one hell of a year before going down with a sprained MCL. For the month, Griffin averaged 23.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and a steal per game while shooting 41% from the field, 33% from three-point range, and 82% from the free throw line. Needless to say, the Clippers will surely miss Griffin's presence in the lineup for the next few months. 

Andre Drummond

The Detroit Pistons have been one of the biggest surprises of this season, as they have one of the top records in the Eastern Conference after going 9-3 in November. Their strong play has been led by Andre Drummond, who has established himself as one of the best centers in the conference. For the month, Drummond averaged 15.5 points, a league-high 15.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 57% from the field and 61% from the free throw line. I know that's not great but...it's Andre Drummond. That fact that he's made over 40% is a near-miracle.

Kevin Durant

The Golden State Warriors are really good. Also grass is green, water is wet, and Lonzo Ball has the accuracy of a blind person. Just stating other things that are obvious. As expected, the Warriors are one of the top teams in the league, especially after going 11-3 in November. Two players were heavily responsible, and the first of which is Kevin Durant. For the month, Durant averaged 24.6 points, 6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, a steal and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 52% from the field, 37% from three-point range, and 90% from the free throw line.

Damian Lillard

The Portland Trail Blazers have been able to hold their own in the stacked Western Conference, currently sitting at a 13-9 record after going 9-6 in November. Leading the way is Damian Lillard, who has consistently been putting up fantastic numbers as he leads the Blazers through the league. For the month, Lillard averaged 25.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists while shooting 43% from the field, 31% from three-point range, and 94% from the free throw line

Ben Simmons

I know I heap a lot of praise Ben Simmons' way on this blog, but I can't help it, he's just really, really good. Simmons has easily been the Rookie of the Year so far this season after helping the Philadelphia 76ers grab a 12-9 record on the year. For the month, Simmons was easily one of the top players of the month, averaging 18.6 points, 9.5 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 2.7 steals, and a block per game while shooting 49% from the field.

Stephen Curry

As I said earlier, the Golden State Warriors are one of the top teams in the league largely thanks to two of their best players. The first of which was Kevin Durant, the second of which is Stephen Curry, who has continued to play like one of the best in the league. For the month, Curry averaged 24.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 45% from the field, 36% from three-point range, and 93% from the free throw line.

Anthony Davis

The New Orleans Pelicans haven't had the strongest season so far, but have stayed in playoff contention so far, currently 11-10 on the year after going 8-6 in November. Two players on their team were two of the best players in the league this month, and one of them was Anthony Davis. For the month, Davis averaged 24.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 58% from the field and 32% from three-point range. Additionally, Davis won the Western Conference Player of the Week for the week of November 27th.

Joel Embiid

Like I said, the Philadelphia 76ers have a strong start to the season, with their young roster having great chemistry. Leading the way for the team is Joel Embiid, who is putting up fantastic numbers this season. For the week, Embiid averaged 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game while shooting 48% from the field. On top of that, Embiid recorded 9 double-doubles for the month of November

DeMarcus Cousins

Now that he's on a team with another great player and a competent coaching staff, DeMarcus Cousins has finally found his place in the NBA and is finally thriving. This month, DeMarcus Cousins went above and beyond and put up the kind of numbers that would make him one of the top five players in the league. For the month, Cousins averaged 22.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 45% from the field and 32% from three-point range. On top of that, Cousins put up 9 double-doubles and won the 

Russell Westbrook

The reigning MVP this season, Russell Westbrook has been one of the best players this season despite his team's rocky start. While not putting up a triple-double for the season like he did last season, Westbrook is still putting up great numbers befitting of a former MVP. For the month, Westbrook averaged 23.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 2.7 steals while shooting 35% from three-point range. On top of that, Westbrook put up two triple-doubles this month.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo started off the season incredibly hot and while he has slowed down a bit, he's continued to put up some of the best numbers in the NBA for November, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a 7-6 record on the month. For the month, Antetokounmpo himself averaged 26.5 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.8 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 50% from the field. On top of that, Antetokounmpo recorded five double-doubles for the month.

LeBron James

Despite the rocky start to the season, LeBron James has been able to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to the second-best record in the Eastern Conference after going 12-3 in November. As he has been his entire career, James has been a driving force behind his team's winning ways, as he continues to put up some of the best numbers in the league. For the month, James averaged 29.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 58% from the field and 43% from three-point range. On top of that, James recorded 10 double-doubles this month.

James Harden

And rounding out my list is my pick for the Player of the Month, James Harden. As last year's runner-up for MVP, Harden has continued to be one of the best players in the league, leading the Houston Rockets to the best record in the Western Conference and lead them to a 12-1 record in November. For the month, Harden averaged a league-best 34.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, a league-high 10.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 47% from the field, 43% from three-point range, and 89% from the free throw line. On top of that, Harden won the Western Conference Player of the Week for the week of November 6th, recorded eight double-doubles, a triple-double, and a league-best 16.4 box plus/minus for the month. And with stats like that, he was easily the best player of the month in my eyes.

Honorable Mentions

Bradley Beal (24.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 46% FG, 41% 3PG)

Kristaps Porzingis (24.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.3 BPG, 46% FG, 42% 3FG)

John Wall (19.5 PPG, 8.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 46% FG, 30% 3FG)

Karl-Anthony Towns (18.7 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 50% FG, 36% 3FG)

Kyrie Irving (24.1 PPG, 4.9 APG, 1.1 SPG, 50% FG, 39% 3FG)

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