It's Monday, you know what that means! It's time to take a look back at the past week and see who the best players were around the league. Selections are based mostly on the player's stats, but (minus the rookie of the week) their team's record during the week is also taken into consideration. Click here to check out last week's if you missed it. If not, let's get into this.
Point Guard: De'Aaron Fox
In a season where they're looking to finally make the playoffs for the first time since 2006, the Sacramento Kings have been struggling. After going on a nine-game losing streak at the end of February, the team has traded wins-and-loses and now sit at 15-23 on the season, the third-worst in the West right now. This week was more of the same, as the team went 1-1, but if there's anything positive to take away from the last seven days, it's the excellent play of De'Aaron Fox. Fresh off an all-star snub, Fox came out with a vengeance, averaging 31 points, 7 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 51% from the field this week. In the Kings' win this week, Fox put up 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists against the Rockets.
Honorable Mentions:
Russell Westbrook: 29 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 10 APG, 2 SPG, 51% FG, 39% 3P
Trae Young: 32.5 PPG, 7.5 APG, 49% FG, 41% 3P
Shooting Guard: Devin Booker
The Phoenix Suns have easily been the most surprising team in the entire league this year. After coming up short in the Bubble last season, missing the playoffs for the 10th straight season, the Suns added Chris Paul through a trade, looking to finally get over the hump. Not only have they done that, but they've gone above and beyond, as they're 25-12 on the year and currently the second-best team in not just the West, but the entire league. While the addition of Paul has proven to be huge, it's the contributions of Devin Booker that have made them one of the top teams in the league, especially this week. In a week where the Suns went 1-1, Booker averaged 27.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game while shooting 51% from the field, 36% from three, and 90% from the free-throw line. In the Suns' win this week, Booker put up 35 points and 8 assists against the Trail Blazers
Honorable Mentions:
Zach LaVine: 24.5 PPG, 5 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1 BPG, 53% FG, 54% 3P, 100% FT
RJ Barrett: 27 PPG, 5 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 58% FG, 50% 3P
Small Forward: Jimmy Butler
After a rocky start to the season, the Miami Heat have corrected course and are currently on a hot streak. Sitting at 11-17 midway through February, the Heat have gone 9-1 over their last 10 games, including a perfect 2-0 outing this past week, and now hold a 20-18 record on the year, good enough for fourth in the East. The absence of Bam Adebayo didn't slow down the Heat this week, and Jimmy Butler was the one leading the way for the team. For the week, Butler averaged 27.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 9.5 assists, 3.5 steals, and a block per game while shooting 53% from the field. Butler would open the week with a double-double, putting up 27 points and 11 assists against the Magic.
Honorable Mentions:
Jerami Grant: 27 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 44% FG
Kevin Porter Jr: 20 PPG, 4 RPG, 9 APG, 2 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 44% FG
Power Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Much like the Miami Heat, the Milwaukee Bucks didn't have the best start to the season. While they weren't quite as bad as the Heat, a 16-13 record midway through February isn't ideal for the team with the reigning two-time MVP. However, like the Heat, the Bucks have turned it around in recent weeks, as they've gone 8-1 over their last 9 games, including a perfect 2-0 outing this week, and currently hold third place in the East with a 24-14 record. Unsurprisingly, the man leading the way for the team has been the aforementioned MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who's held my best power forward spot for three straight weeks now. For the week, Antetokounmpo averaged a triple-double with 28.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 10.5 assists, a steal, and a block per game while shooting 65% from the field, 60% from three, and 93% from the free throw line. Antetokounmpo would close out the week with a 33 point, 11 rebound, 11 assist triple-double against the Wizards.
Honorable Mentions:
Domantas Sabonis: 21 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 9 APG, 2 SPG, 1 BPG, 57% FG
Zion Williamson: 23.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 62% FG
Center: Nikola Jokić
Much like Giannis has held down the power forward spot for the last three weeks, I have another repeat for the center spot, as Nikola Jokić takes the center spot for the second week in a row. Much like the Bucks, the Denver Nuggets haven't had a bad start to the season, but a 16-14 record at the end of February isn't what you'd want when you have a legit MVP candidate. However, they've rebounded a bit in the last few weeks, and were on a five-game win streak up until Saturday, and now sit at 22-16 on the year. While the team did go 1-1, Jokić proved this week why he's one of the front runners for MVP this year. For the week, Jokić averaged 27 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists, and a steal per game while shooting 55% from the field. In the Nuggets win this week, Jokić put up 28 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists against the Grizzlies
Honorable Mentions:
Jonas Valančiūnas: 21.5 PPG, 15.5 RPG, 2 BPG, 61% FG
Nikola Vučević: 25 PPG, 13 RPG, 58% FG, 44% 3P, 100% FT
6th Man: Jaylen Nowell
So...the Minnesota Timberwolves are absolutely terrible. Not only do they have the worst record in the entire league at 8-30, but this season has been so bad that they now hold the worst all-time winning percentage of any franchise in American sports. The Timberwolves are in the worst timeline, right now. Thanks to shortened week, the Timberwolves went 1-1, which is probably as close to a good thing as Minnesota has gotten this season. In fact, I'm shocked I get to write about any Timberwolves in a positive light this week, let alone two. So...let's talk about Jaylen Nowell. Nowell has had a decent little season for himself, but this week was a standout one for him, as he was arguably the best 6th man in the league this week. For the week, Nowell averaged 22.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 67% from the field and 69% from three-point range. In the Timberwolves' win this week, Nowell had a career night, putting up a career-high 28 points, a career-high 5 rebounds, and a career-high 6 assists against the Pelicans.
Honorable Mentions:
Chris Boucher: 22.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1 SPG, 2.5 BPG, 56% FG, 33% 3P
Goran Dragić: 18 PPG, 5 RPG, 5 APG, 50% FG, 50% 3P
Rookie: Anthony Edwards
As I mentioned before, the Timberwolves have had such a bad season that I never thought I'd get to write about a single player on the team this year. To my surprise, in what will probably be one of the few weeks the Timberwolves win at least half of their games during the week, I now get to write about not one, but two. However, if there's anyone I thought I'd be writing about a bit more this year, it would be Anthony Edwards. The first overall pick in the draft hasn't had a bad season, but his inefficient shooting has kept him out of the Rookie of the Year conversation for the most part. Add on the strong play of other rookies, LaMelo Ball and Tyrese Haliburton in particular, Edwards has flown a bit under the radar. However, there was no rookie better than Edwards this week. For the week, Edwards averaged 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals per game while shooting 45% from the field and 42% from three-point range. In the Timberwolves' win over the Pelicans, Edwards put up 27 points and 4 rebounds.
Honorable Mentions:
LaMelo Ball: 15 PPG, 7 RPG, 7.5 APG, 1 SPG, 46% FG, 50% 3P, 100% FT
Kenyon Martin Jr: 14 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 2 BPG, 50% FG
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