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.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Now that all the drama surrounding Jimmy Butler is in the past, the Minnesota Timberwolves are looking to get back on track after a poor 4-9 start. This week, they did just that, going a perfect 3-0 and improving to 7-9 on the season. Leading the way for the T'Wolves this past week was Butler's least favorite member of the roster, Karl-Anthony Towns. For the week, Towns averaged 21.3 points, 15.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 56% from the field, 60% from three-point range, and 91% from the free throw line. Towns' best performance of the week came against the Brooklyn Nets. While he did turn over the ball 10 times, he did record 25 points and 21 rebounds and led Minnesota to the win, so no harm, no foul.
Kawhi Leonard
Another week goes by and the Toronto Raptors are still at the top of the Eastern Conference. Even though they went 1-3 on the week, the Raptors still hold down first place in the East with a 13-4 record. Despite the team's rough week, Kawhi Leonard still put up a top-notch stat line that was one of the best in the entire league for the week. This past week, Leonard averaged 25.7 points, 10 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game while shooting 44% from the field. Leonard's best performance of the week came in a loss to the Boston Celtics when he put up 31 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 steals. Barring another terrible week, the Raptors should be able to maintain the top spot in the East with Leonard leading the way
Kevin Durant
The top-notch start to the season for the Golden State Warriors came to an end this past week, thanks to a combination of injury and some good old-fashioned beef. With Stephen Curry out with an injury and an apparent falling out between Kevin Durant & Draymond Green, the Warriors went 1-3 this past week, putting them at 12-5 on the season and knocking them out of first in the Western Conference and down to fourth. Despite the team's lack of success, Durant himself had a fantastic week for himself. For the week, Durant averaged 28.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 42% from the field and 93% from three-point range. Durant's best performance of the week came in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers when he recorded his first triple-double of the season, putting up 33 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Kemba Walker
The Charlotte Hornets continue to find themselves hovering around the .500 mark for the season. Currently sitting at a 7-8 record on the season, the Hornets record dropped following a 1-2 outing this past week. Still, Kemba Walker managed to have a great week for himself, as he continues to have the best season of his career. For the week, Walker averaged 30.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals per game while shooting 48% from the field and 35% from three-point range. Walker's best performance of the week came in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers when he dropped a career-high 60 points, adding 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
After the Raptors had a lackluster week, the Milwaukee Bucks were able to gain some ground on them after going 2-1 on the week. This improved their record on the season to 11-4, putting them just one game behind the first place Raptors. Leading the way for the Bucks was, as always, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has continued to his great start to the season with another great week. For the week, Antetokounmpo averaged 25.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, a steal and 2 blocks per game while shooting 64% from the field. Antetokounmpo's best performance of the week came in a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies when he put up 31 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists while shooting 10/14 (71%).
James Harden
Following a terrible start to the season, the Houston Rockets seem to have stabilized, as they went a perfect 4-0 this past week and improved their record to 8-7 on the season. You have to wonder what caused the early season woes for the team?
I don't know why that's there. Anyways, a lot of the Rockets' success this past week has to do with the fantastic play of the reigning MVP in James Harden. For the week, Harden averaged 30.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 2.3 steals per game while shooting 45% from the field, 35% from three-point range, and 90% from the free throw line. Harden's best performance of the week came against the Indiana Pacers when he put up 40 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists.
LeBron James
Like the Rockets, the Los Angeles Lakers have rebounded after their poor start to the season. After losing five of their first seven games, the Lakers have gone 7-2 since, putting them at 9-7 on the season as a whole. Leading the way for the Lakers was, of course, LeBron James, who has shown no signs of slowing down at 33 years old, especially not this week, as the Lakers went 2-1. For the week, James averaged 30.7 points, 7 rebounds, 6.7 assists, a steal and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 53% from the field and 52% from three-point range. James' best performance of the week came in a win over the Portland Trail Blazers when he put up 44 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 blocks.
Joel Embiid
While it's too early to say for sure, the addition of Jimmy Butler to the Philadelphia 76ers has been a success, as the team has gone 3-1 since making the deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves. This puts the 76ers at 11-7 on the season and fourth in the Eastern Conference. However, it wasn't Butler who provided the biggest spark for the 76ers, it was Joel Embiid, who had another MVP-caliber week during his MVP-caliber season. For the week, Embiid averaged 27.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 50% from three-point range. Embiid had multiple great games this past week, including a 19 point, 13 rebound, 10 assist triple-double in a loss to the Orlando Magic and a 35 point, 18 rebound performance in a win over the Miami Heat. Just imagine how good this team can be when Embiid, Butler, and Ben Simmons really start clicking.
Paul George
Despite a rough start to the season with four straight losses, the Oklahoma City Thunder have rebounded in a big way and have gone 10-1 over their last 11 games, putting them at 10-5 on the season. This run of success is also without Russell Westbrook, who has missed the last six games. This has left Paul George as the go-to option for the team, and needless to say, he has not disappointed whatsoever. For the week, George averaged 33 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 52% from the field, 45% from three-point range, and a perfect 19/19 from the free throw line. George's best performance of the week came in a win over the Phoenix Suns when he put up 32 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocks.
Anthony Davis
And rounding out my list is my pick for the player of the week, Anthony Davis. After a less than stellar start to the season capped off with a brutal six-game losing streak, the New Orleans Pelicans have been able to rebound and have gone 5-1 over their last six games. This past week, the Pelicans managed to go 3-1, improving their record to 9-7 on the season. And leading the way for the Pelicans through their successful week was Davis, who put up MVP-worthy numbers for the week, just as he's done all season long. For the week, Davis averaged 34.3 points, 14 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2 blocks per game while shooting 51% from the field and 40% from three-point range. Davis would record 40 or more points in two straight games to end the season, dropping 43 against the New York Knicks and 40 against the Denver Nuggets. Don't be surprised if Davis takes home the MVP if keeps playing the way he has this season, and especially if he keeps playing the way he did this past week.
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