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.
Chris Paul
James Harden did not have a good week this week. He shot below 40% from the field and averaged less than 20 points per game this week, which is the first time that has happened this season. However, the Houston Rockets still have a great player who was able to lead them to a to a 2-1 record on the week, and that player is Chris Paul for the week. For the week, Paul averaged 23.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 2 steals per game while shooting 49% from the field and 45% from three-point range. Paul's best performance of the week came in a win over the Golden State Warriors where he put up 33 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals.
Kevin Durant
Even with the Rockets on their tails in the Western Conference standings, the defending champion Golden State Warriors still find themselves at the top of the West following a 2-1 week, improving their record to 37-10 on the season. Leading the way for the Warriors was Kevin Durant, who has continued a fantastic season as he looks to win his second NBA Championship. For the week, Durant averaged 25.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and a block per game while shooting 50% from the field, 47% from three-point range, and 96% from the free throw line.
Damian Lillard
The Portland Trail Blazers have been having an up-and-down year all season long so far, but this week saw them put on a strong showing, going 3-1 on the week and improving their record to 2-21 on the season. Leading the way for the Trail Blazers was Damian Lillard, who had a very strong showing as he continues to make his bid for the all-star game. For the week, Lillard averaged 27.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 8 assists per game while shooting 52% from the field, 48% from three-point range, and 96% from the free throw line.
LaMarcus Aldridge
If there is one player that I think has gone completely underappreciated this season, it's LaMarcus Aldridge. Despite the fact that the San Antonio Spurs haven't had their best player in Kawhi Leonard for the majority of the season (and possibly the rest of the season), they've managed to not only stay in playoff contention but are currently sitting with a 30-17 record on the season, putting them at 3rd in the Western Conference and fifth in the NBA. That success has been largely due to the leadership of Aldridge, who has been putting his best numbers since coming to San Antonio. This week was no different, despite the Spurs going 1-2 on the week. For the week, Aldridge averaged 25.3 points, 11 rebounds per game, and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 43% from the field and 33% from three-point range.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Milwaukee Bucks have a had a major up-and-down year so far, as they currently sit at a 23-22 record on the year, barely making the playoffs (only half a game ahead of the 9th seed Detroit Pistons.) This week saw them go 1-2, but their star player and Giannis Antetokounmpo end up having a fantastic week for himself. For the week, Antetokounmpo averaged 23.7 points, 12 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 42% from the field and 67% from three-point range. Antetokounmpo's best performance of the week came in a win over the Washington Wizards, where he put up 27 points, a career-high 20 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks
Devin Booker
The Phoenix Suns might be an absolute nightmare of a team right now, but at least they have Devin Booker right now. At only 21, Booker is one of the best young players in the league right and looks primed to be one of the leagues best pure scorers in the near-future. This week saw the Suns go 1-2, dropping them to a 17-29 record on the year, but Booker was able to put up great stats all week long. For the week, Booker averaged 29.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and a steal per game while shooting 44% from the field, 35% from three-point range, and went a perfect 18-18 from the free throw line. Booker's best performance came in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers where he put up 43 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals while going a perfect 10-10 from the free throw line.
DeMarcus Cousins
The New Orleans Pelicans finally had a strong week this season after having about as average a season as you can. After going 3-1 on the week, the Pelicans find themselves with a 24-21 record on the year and are in the 7th seed in the Western Conference. This week saw three players on the Pelicans put up big, noteworthy numbers. One is Jrue Holiday, who barely missed out on this list. The second is someone I'll be talking about soon. The third is DeMarcus Cousins, who had a fantastic week with a strong stat line. For the week, Cousins averaged 19.3 points, 13.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 3.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. Cousins also averaged a double-double in every game he played this week.
Russell Westbrook
As the playoff race heats up big time, the Oklahoma City Thunder are still trying to cement their spot in the playoffs. Following a perfect 3-0 week, the Thunder have improved to a 26-20 record and find themselves in the 5th seed, three games behind the 4th place Minnesota Timberwolves. Leading the way for the Thunder has been the reigning MVP (and possible repeat MVP) Russell Westbrook, who has taken advantage of the additions of Paul George and Carmelo Anthony and is putting up huge stats, averaging a triple-double on the week. For the week, Westbrook averaged 20.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 12 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 47% from the field and 40% from three-point range. Westbrook's best performance came in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers where he put up 23 points, 9 assists, a season-high 20 assists, and 2 steals
Joel Embiid
If there's one thing this season has taught us it's this; a healthy Joel Embiid is a scary thing. After losing two whole seasons of his career and having his rookie season cut short, Embiid has been able to work a lighter schedule (not playing back-to-back games) and has taken full advantage of every opportunity he gets this season. Embiid has been able to lead the Philidelphia 76ers to a 22-20 record on the season (made better by a perfect 3-0 week) earned his spot as a starting center for the All-Star Game. This past week, Embiid had fantastic showing. For the week, Embiid averaged 29.7 points, 12 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 54% from the field.
Anthony Davis
And rounding out my list is the second member of the New Orleans Pelicans and my pick for the Player of the Week; Anthony Davis. As I said earlier, the Pelicans had a strong week, going 3-1 behind the strong play of three of their players. Those three were Jrue Holiday, DeMarcus Cousins, and my pick for Player of the Week, Anthony Davis. For the week, Davis averaged 30.5 points, 13 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 49% from the field. Davis started off the week with a massive outing in a win over the New York Knicks, recording 48 points and 17 rebounds. Two days later, Davis put up another fantastic showing in a win against the Boston Celtics, putting up 45 points and 16 rebounds. With stats like that, it's almost undeniable that Davis gets picked as player of the week in my book.
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