The NBA season is upon us again, and with the first week (well, five days) of the season in the books, in the pocket, and out of sight, it's time for me to give my thoughts on the best players of the week. WIth that short intro out of the way, here are the 10 best players from the past week of the NBA season.
Joel Embiid
Following up on a great season that ended in disappointing fashion last year, the Philidelphia 76ers are looking to rebound and potentially take the top spot in the Eastern Conference now that LeBron James has gone west. A 2-1 start through their first three games isn't perfect, but it's still a strong start, and the person they can thank the most for this continued success is their start player Joel Embiid. For the past week, Embiid averaged 28.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, and two blocks per game while shooting 51% from the field and 33% from three-point range. Don't be surprised if the 76ers find their way into the Eastern Conference Finals this year, especially if Embiid keeps playing the way he does.
Kemba Walker
The Charlotte Hornets are a confusing team to watch. While they have started the season with a solid 2-1 record, they still seem firmly as one of the league's most average teams. This might have something to do with the fact that the team really only has one player that can really score the ball. Luckily for them, that play is Kemba Walker, and he went on an absolute tear this past week. For the week, Walker averaged 35.3 points, 3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and a steal per game while shooting 49% from the field and 50% from three-point range. Walker's had multiple great performances during the week, including dropping 41 points in the season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks and a 39 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assist-outing in a win over the Miami Heat.
Nikola Mirotic
You know, getting punched in the face by Bobby Portis might've been the best thing that ever happened to Nikola Mirotic. After getting clocked by his own teammate and missing last year's season opener due to a concussion and facial fractures, Mirotic put up the best numbers of his career in a season that saw him traded to the New Orleans Pelicans halfway through. This season, it's looking no different. Mirotic was completely dominant as he helped lead the Pelicans to a perfect 2-0 record through the start of the season. For the week, Mirotic averaged 33 points and 9.5 rebounds per game while shooting 61% from the field and a fantastic 65% from three-point range. His best performance came against the Sacramento Kings, during which he dropped a career-high 36 points and 9 rebounds while shooting 67% from the field and 56% from three-point range. If Mirotic is able to keep up this kind of play all season long, then the Pelicans could have one of their best seasons in franchise history
Blake Griffin
He might not be the explosive human highlight reel who put on a one-man dunk contest every time he stepped on the court anymore, but Blake Griffin is still one hell of a player. Injuries have hampered him a bit, but Griffin is still a player capable of dropping 20 points a night. If you need more proof of that, just take a look at his performances this past week as he helped lead the Detroit Pistons to a perfect 2-0 start to the season. For the week, Griffin averaged 29.5 points, 10 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game while shooting 50% from the field and a great 75% (6/8) from three-point range. Griffin's best performance of the week came against the Chicago Bulls when he put up 33 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Pistons will be competing for a playoff spot that has evaded them for the past two seasons, and with Griffin on their side, they have a pretty solid shot of breaking that streak.
James Harden
After finishing with the best record in the NBA and making the Western Conference Finals this past season, it's safe to say that the start to this season has not been ideal for the Houston Rockets. Currently holding a 1-2 record, the Rockets seemed set to pick up where they left off and make another run at the NBA Championship. But it's still very early in the season, and if James Harden keeps playing the way he did this past week, the Rockets are definitely going to be fine. Despite the team's slow start, Harden has continued to put up the great numbers that won him the MVP last season. For the week, Harden averaged 27 points, 8 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 2.5 steals and a block per game while shooting 47% from the field and 44% from three-point range. His best performance came in in the win over the Los Angeles Lakers when he put up 36 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Stephen Curry
Going from one former MVP to another, Stephen Curry is looking to help the Golden State Warriors win their fourth NBA championship in five years and complete a lucrative three-peat. Will they do it? It definitely looks like it, especially if Curry keeps playing the way he has to start the season. While they did suffer a loss two night ago, they still went undefeated through the first week of the season, with Curry (and someone I'll be getting to shortly) were the team's biggest contributors during that time. For the week, Curry averaged 31.5 points, 6 rebounds, 8.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 55% from the field and 56% from three-point range.
Kevin Durant
As I said early, the Golden State Warriors look set to complete the three-peat and take home their seventh championship in franchise history. I've already talked about how much Stephen Curry has contributed to their early success, but he didn't do it alone. Another player who came through big for the Warriors this past week was Kevin Durant, another former MVP who is looking for his third consecutive NBA championship this season. Like Curry, Durant proved why he's a former MVP and former Finals MVP as he put up great numbers on route to the Warriors winning both of their first two games. For the week, Durant averaged 32.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, a steal and a block per game while shooting 50% from the field. Durant's best performance of the week came in a win over the Utah Jazz when he dropped 38 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Nikola Jokic
After coming as close as humanly possible to making the playoffs without actually making the playoffs, the Denver Nuggets are looking to bounce back and not just come close to making the playoffs. Things are looking good so far, as they've gone 3-0 through their first three games. Leading the way for the Nuggets is a player with a chip of his own on his shoulder, and that's Nikola Jokic. After being snubbed from the all-star game last season, Jokic is looking to prove everyone wrong and head down to North Carolina this February, and if his performances this past week are any indication of what he'll do this season, they look to be in good shape. For the week, Jokic averaged 28 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 2.5 steals and a block per game while shooting a whopping 71% from the field, 57% from three-point range, and 86% from the free throw line. Additionally, Jokic dropped a fantastic 35 point, 12 rebound, and 11 assist triple-double while shooting a perfect 11 for 11 from the field.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The top spot in the Eastern Conference is now wide open following LeBron James' move to the Los Angeles Lakers, and there are several teams who look capable of taking that spot. One of those teams is the Milwaukee Bucks, who have started off this season hot with two straight wins this past week. And leading the way for the Bucks is one of the league's hottest young stars and a potential MVP candidate in Giannis Antetokounmpo. Looking to rebound after a disappointing end to last season, Antetokounmpo had a fantastic week as he looks to lead the Bucks to the promised land this season. For the week, Antetokounmpo averaged 25.5 points, 16.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, a steal and a block per game while shooting 47% from the field. The Bucks have the potential to take the reigns of the East, and if the Greek Freak keeps up this strong play, they might just be able to take it
Anthony Davis
And round out this list is Anthony Davis, my pick for the player of the week. This past offseason was not one the New Orleans Pelicans would like to remember, as they lost one of their best players in DeMarcus Cousins. However, this offseason is likely one Anthony Davis will never forget. The man wore Cousins' jersey during the all-star game because Cousins was injured, and now he's likely one of Davis' biggest enemies. Davis is likely pissed off and looking to prove that he can lead the Pelicans to the playoffs, something that, if his performances this past week are anything to go off of, he seems ready to do. For the week, Davis averaged 28.5 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 2.5 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 64% from the field. Davis' best performance of the week came in the Pelicans' big win over the Houston Rockets when he recorded 32 points, 16 rebounds, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocks. There aren't many things I can think of that are scarier in the NBA than a pissed off Anthony Davis looking to make a statement. That might be what we're seeing this season.
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