DeMar DeRozan
As the season continues to move forward, the more it looks like the DeMar DeRozan-Kawhi Leonard trade was a rare one where both teams won. While the Spurs do have a slightly worse record than the Raptors right now, they still hold a 6-2 record on the season and are currently in third in the Western Conference. This week, the Spurs went a perfect 3-0, and it was mostly thanks to their new star player in DeMar DeRozan. For the week, DeRozan averaged 28.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 58% from the field and a perfect 19/19 from the free throw line. DeRozan's best performance of the week came against the Dallas Mavericks when he dropped 34 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals while also hitting all 10 of his free throws. With DeRozan leading the way, I wouldn't be surprised if the Spurs made it deep into the playoffs this year.
Kawhi Leonard
When the Toronto Raptors made the shocking trade for Kawhi Leonard this offseason, they were taking a big risk. Leonard had only one guaranteed year left on his contract and had missed the majority of the previous season following tension with the San Antonio Spurs over his injury rehabilitation. However, so far it looks like the risk has paid off, as the Raptors currently lead the Eastern Conference with an 8-1 record. Leonard has been a huge part of their success, especially this week, as they went a perfect 2-0 in the games Leonard played in. For the week, Leonard averaged 25 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 3 steals per game while shooting 52% from the field and 43% from three-point range. Leonard's best performance of the week came in against the Philidelphia 76ers when he put up 31 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. If Leonard keeps up this kind of play all season long, then don't be surprised if the Raptors make their way into the NBA Finals this April.
Victor Oladipo
The breakout star of last season, Victor Oladipo was looking to build off his great outing the previous year and lead the Indiana Pacers back to the playoffs. So far, he's done just that, as the Pacers are currently 7-3 on the year and sit in third place in the Eastern Conference. This past week saw the Pacers continue their strong start to the season with a 3-1 outing, and it was the reigning Most Improved Player of the Year winner who led them along the way. For the week, Oladipo averaged 23.5 points, 10.3 rebounds (which is great for a shooting guard), 4 assists, and 2 steals per game while shooting 43% from the field and 94% from the free throw line. Oladipo would put up his first two double-doubles of the season this past week as well, putting up 25 points and 14 rebounds against the Chicago Bulls and 24 points and 12 rebounds against the Boston Celtics.
Kevin Durant
The Golden State Warriors are at the top of the NBA (as expected) and they don't look to be slowing down anytime soon. Currently sitting at 9-1 on the season, the Warriors have been absolutely dominant, as they lead the league in team scoring and have won their last seven games, four of which came in this past week alone. Leading the way for the Warriors were two players, and the first that I'm going to talk about is Kevin Durant. For the week, Durant averaged 26.3 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and a steal per game while shooting 57% from the field, 44% from three-point range, and 89% from the free throw line. Durant's best performance of the week came against the Minnesota Timberwolves when he put up 33 points and 13 rebounds.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns has been far from bad this season, but his performances have left a lot to be desired. Prior to this week, Towns averaged 16.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game while shooting 43% from the field and 44% from three-point range. Again, not bad, but not what we've come to expect from him. This week, however, Towns was able to turn it up and play like the player that made the all-star game last season. In a week that saw the Minnesota Timberwolves go 2-1, Towns averaged 22 points, 14.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 44% from the field and 43% from three-point range. Towns would also grab 16 rebounds in two consecutive games this week, once in against the Los Angeles Lakers and once against the Utah Jazz. The Minnesota Timberwolves are a bit of a mess right now, but if Towns keeps playing like he did this week, they have a chance of making the playoffs for the second year in a row.
Stephen Curry
As I mentioned earlier, the Golden State Warriors have been borderline unstoppable to start the year, as they currently hold the best record in the entire NBA at 9-1. And don't forget, this is all without DeMarcus Cousins even suiting up for a single game so far. This team is going to be very scary when they are at full strength. Like I also said, the Warriors went a perfect 4-0 this week, mostly thanks to two players. I've already talked about Kevin Durant, and the other player who provided the big spark was Stephen Curry, For the week, Curry averaged 30.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 52% from the field, 48% from three-point range, and 91% from the free throw line. Curry's best performance of the week came against the New Orleans Pelicans when he put up 37 points and 9 assists per game while shooting 12/20 from the field and 7/11 from three-point range.
LeBron James
The LeBron James-era in Los Angeles started off pretty shaky, but since then they seem to have stabilized at least a bit. Currently holding a 4-5 record on the year, the Lakers were able to go 2-1 on the week and while they're still in the bottom half of the Western Conference, they look to be improving and adjusting to their new roster. Leading the way for the Lakers was, of course, LeBron James, who has continued to put up great numbers despite his team's lackluster start, with this week being no different. For the week, James averaged 28.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 50% from the field and 43% from three-point range. James' best performance of the week came in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves where he put up 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. The Lakers might not be in a playoff contention right now, but you can never count out a team led by LeBron James.
Russell Westbrook
Like the Lakers, the Oklahoma City Thunder had a rough start to their season, dropping their first four games. However, also like the Lakers, the Thunder have been able to bounce back, as they've won their last four games and currently sit at 4-4 on the year, with all four of those wins coming in this past week. Whether or not they can keep the strong play from this past week going for the rest of the year is likely based on if Russell Westbrook can keep his great play going. For the week, Westbrook averaged 26.8 points, 6 rebounds, 9.3 assists, and 3.5 steals per game while shooting 55% from the field. Westbrook's best performance of the week came against the Charlotte Hornets when he put up 29 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 steals. He might be putting up nightly triple-doubles like he has the past two seasons, but Westbrook is still putting up fantastic numbers early in the season.
Joel Embiid
The Philadelphia 76ers haven't had the strongest start to the season, but they've still been able to put up a perfectly respectable 6-4 record. This past week, the 76ers were able to boost that record big time, as they went 3-1 on the week. Leading the way for the 76ers was my pick for the player of the week last week, Joel Embiid, who has continued to put up great numbers to follow up his all-star caliber season. For the week, Embiid averaged 30.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 50% from the field and 41% from three-point range. Embiid's best performance of the week came in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers when he put up 41 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks. If Embiid keeps playing the way he has early in the season, he could make a serious case for the MVP.
Blake Griffin
And rounding out my list for the best player of the week is a player who I probably could've made the case to be on the list last week, and that's Blake Griffin. Griffin did have a career-night the week before when he dropped 50 points on the Philidelphia 76ers in an overtime win, but a few underwhelming performances to follow up made me not put him on the list. However, this week Griffin was able to put up some more great numbers, and they were numbers good enough for me to consider him to be the best player in the league. Despite the Detroit Pistons going 0-3 this week, Griffin averaged 29 points, 12.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 50% from the field, 32% from three-point range, and 81% from free throw line. Griffin's best performance of the week came against the 76ers when he put up 38 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists. The Pistons might have had a rough week, but if Griffin keeps playing the way he did this past week, they should have no problem bouncing back.
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