DeMarcus Cousins
The New Orleans Pelicans are still an average team, and every single week that statement is reinforced. Following a 1-1 week, the Pelicans are at 19-19 record on the year, about as average as you can get right now. Still, the Pelicans have two sure-fire all-stars this season who, despite their team's lackluster performance this season, have been excelling. The first of those players is DeMarcus Cousins, who even on a slightly off week still put up some of the best numbers of the week. For the week, Cousins averaged 21 points, 13 rebounds, a steal and 2 blocks per game while shooting 59% from the field, 44% from three-point range, and 92% from the free throw line.
John Wall
As the top three spots in the Eastern Conference seem more locked up with every passing game, the battle for spots 4th through 8th are heating up, with six teams within three games of eachother in the standings. Leading the pack in that group is the Washington Wizards, who find themselves in the 4th seed of the East with a 23-17 record. Following a 3-1 record this week, things are looking even better for the Wizards, with two of their star players leading the way for them. The first of which is John Wall. For the week, Wall averaged 21.8 points, 4 rebounds, 10.8 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 41% from three-point range.
Lou Williams
Following the loss of Blake Griffin due to an MCL sprain, it looked like the Los Angeles Clippers were going to implode in on themselves without their leading scorer. However, they still managed to go 6-8 without Griffin. Not good, but much better than what people likely expected. Their evasion of a total collapse is mostly thanks to Lou Williams, who stepped up big time and put up career numbers during Griffin's absence. Even with Griffin returning, Williams hasn't slowed down one bit this week, as he helped the Clippers do 2-2 and push them to a 17-21 record on the year. For the week, Williams averaged 30.5 points and 6.8 assists per game while shooting 49% from the field, 47% from three-point range, and 95% from the free throw line. Williams best performance of the week came in a win over the Charlotte Hornets, where he put up 40 points and 8 assists.
Anthony Davis
As I said earlier, the New Orleans Pelicans have been nothing but spectacularly average all season long. Despite that, they've had two fantastic players who have been putting up great numbers all season long, and this week was no different. The first of those was DeMarcus Cousins. The second one is Anthony Davis, who had a great week as the Pelicans went 1-1. For the week, Davis averaged 22.5 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 42% from the field and went a perfect 12-12 from the free throw line.
Bradley Beal
As with the Pelicans, the Washington Wizards have two players who went above and beyond this week as they led their team to a 3-1 record for the week. The first was John Wall. The second is Bradley Beal, who has routinely been putting up huge numbers for the Wizards. This week was no different. For the week, Beal averaged 30 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 54% from the field and 44% from three-point range. Beal's best performance of the week came in a win over the Chicago Bulls, where Beal had a near triple-double with 39 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists.
LeBron James
After last week saw them drop three straight games, the Cleveland Cavaliers had to play catch-up after falling to the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference. They managed to regain some ground, going 2-1 on the week and improved to a 26-13 record on the season, only two games behind the 2nd seed Toronto Raptors. Needless to say, a big part of the Cavaliers' success this week was (as usual) LeBron James. For the week, James averaged 25.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 3.7 steals, and a block per game while shooting 55% from the field and 36% from three-point range. James' best performance of the week came in a win over the Orlando Magic, where he put up 39 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists, and 6 steals.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Milwaukee Bucks find themselves in a rough spot. While they do have one of the best players in the entire league (more on him in a second) they lack a strong enough supporting cast to make up for it when he's not on the court. The addition of Eric Bledsoe has helped, but they still only find themselves in the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference. This week, the Bucks went 2-2 and went to a 21-17 record, and if it weren't for Giannis Antetokounmpo, that record might be a lot worse. For the week, Antetokounmpo averaged 28.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 63% from the field and 40% from three-point range.
DeMar DeRozan
The Toronto Raptors have had great showings in the last few weeks, allowing them to move up to the 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference. This past week, the Raptors went a perfect 3-0 and improved their record to 27-10 on the year, just three games behind the 1st seed Boston Celtics. Their huge run as of late is largely due to DeMar DeRozan, who followed up his great week last week with an even better one this week. For the week, DeRozan averaged 35.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals per game while shooting 56% from the field, 55% from three-point range, and 93% from the free throw line. DeRozan's best game of the week came in a win over the Bucks on New Year's Day, when he put up a career-high 52 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Stephen Curry
Following an injury that caused him to miss 11-games, Stephen Curry is back in action and didn't miss a beat following his return. In his first full week back, Curry put up fantastic numbers and proved just why he's a two-time MVP and a two-time NBA Champion. This week, Curry led the Golden State Warriors to a perfect 3-0 record and improved their record to 32-8, the best record in the league. For the week, Curry averaged 35.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 53% from the field and 46% from three-point range. Curry's best performance of the week came in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers when Curry put up 45 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals while also hitting eight three-pointers.
Russell Westbrook
And we round off the list with my pick for the player of the week. For the second week in a row, it's the reigning MVP, Russell Westbrook. Following a strong month of December, the Oklahoma City Thunder started off the first week of January strong going 2-1 and giving them a 22-17 record on the year. With Paul George and Carmelo Anthony on his side, it's been Westbrook tearing it up as he makes another run at the MVP award. For the week, Westbrook averaged a triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 11.3 assists per game. Additionally, Westbrook averaged one steal per game while shooting 55% from the field and 33% from three-point range. Westbrook's best performance of the week came in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks when he put up a triple-double with 38 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists for his then 12th triple-double of the season. If Westbrook keeps this play up, he could be an easy candidate for the MVP again.
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for reading!
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