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: Stephen Curry
After dominating the second half of the 2010s, the basketball gods have not looked kindly on the Golden State Warriors over the last few seasons. After last season was decimated by injuries, they once again find themselves short-handed without Klay Thompson for the second year in a row. As a result, the Warriors are having a rough season, as they're currently 23-26 on the year and are clinging on to a spot in the play-in tournament. A 1-2 performance this week doesn't help their situation, but if Stephen Curry keeps playing the way he did this week, they could bounce back. In the two games Curry played this week, he averaged 34 points, 8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 47% from the field, 44% from three, and 94% from the free-throw line. In the Warriors' sole win this week, Curry put up 32 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists against the Bulls.
Honorable Mentions
Russell Westbrook: 24.8 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 13 APG, 1.3 SPG, 45% FG, 39% 3P
Jrue Holiday: 26.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 8.5 APG, 2.5 SPG, 63% FG, 46% 3P
Shooting Guard: James Harden
It was only a matter of time before the Brooklyn Nets took their spot as the best team in the East. Following the trade for James Harden and the recent additions of Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge, the Nets now seem like the clear-cut favorites to win the NBA Championship, and even more so, the favorites to win the Eastern Conference Championship. However, the 76ers have held on to that top spot for the entire season, even without Joel Embiid in recent weeks. While they haven't fallen out of the top spot, they now share it with the Nets, as they both hold the spot with a 34-15 record. And of course, James Harden (who takes the shooting guard spot for the third week in a row) has continued to prove his worth to the Nets this week. In a week where Brooklyn went 3-0 (2-0 with Harden on the court), Harden averaged 27.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game while shooting 46% from the field, 36% from three, and 95% from the free-throw line. Harden would open the week by notching his 12th triple-double of the week, putting up 38 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists against the Timberwolves.
Honorable Mentions
Devin Booker: 33.3 PPG, 52% FG, 39% 3P, 94% FT
Collin Sexton: 23.3 PPG, 2.3 SPG, 52% FG, 94% FT
Small Forward: Jimmy Butler
Small Forward: Jimmy ButlerOver the last few weeks, I've mentioned how the Milwaukee Bucks have been having a wild roller coaster of a season so far. While they've mellowed out a bit, it looks like the Miami Heat have decided to take a turn on that ride. After starting the year just 11-17, the Heat quickly went on an 11-1 run to greatly improve their record. However, they followed up that stretch with an immediate six-game losing streak, which they then followed up with a four-game win streak that they're currently on. It's been a wild year for Miami, and they now find themselves 26-24 on the year and are fifth in the East. However, they're on a hot streak right now, and if Jimmy Butler keeps playing the way he has this week, they could keep that streak going. For the week, Butler averaged 20.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 2 steals per game while shooting 54% from the field. Butler opened the week with his best performance, putting up 27 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists in a win over the Knicks.
Honorable Mentions
Jayson Tatum: 28.3 PPG, 9 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 47% FG, 39% 3P, 92% FT
Kawhi Leonard: 25 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.7 SPG, 48% FG, 92% FT
Power Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo
As I just mentioned, the Milwaukee Bucks had an up-and-down season early in the year. However, the team has definitely rebounded from this shaky start. It hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows, as they're coming off a three-game losing streak, but they've gone 16-4 over their last 20 games (3-1 this past week), and currently sit at 3rd in the Eastern Conference with a 32-17 record on the year. While this week did see some exceptional play from Jrue Holiday, the clear-cut top player on the team this week was, unsurprisingly, the two-time and reigning MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo. In the three games he played this week, Antetokounmpo averaged 34.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 66% from the field and 33% from three. Antetokounmpo closed out the week with his best performance of the season, putting up a season-high 47 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks in a win over the Trail Blazers.
Honorable Mentions
DeMar DeRozan: 26 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 7.5 APG, 51% FG
Julius Randle: 21.5 PPG, 9 RPG, 5.8 APG, 42% FG, 37% 3P
Center: Jonas Valančiūnas
Of all the centers in the league that could've taken this spot from Nikola Jokić after four straight weeks, Jonas Valančiūnas probably isn't the first guy most people were thinking of. However, an off week from an MVP front runner in Jokić left the center spot this week wide open, and Valančiūnas swooped in the took the spot. The Memphis Grizzlies haven't had the best season so far, as they're currently sitting at 23-23 on the year and 9th in the West, but they're still a young team with a lot of potential. One of the more unsung members of this Grizzlies squad is Valančiūnas, who has been having a career-year this season, and this week, Valančiūnas was the best at the center position in the entire league. In a week where Memphis went 2-1, Valančiūnas averaged 21.7 points and13.3 rebounds per game while shooting 57% from the field. Valančiūnas would open the week with his best performance of the season, putting up a season-high 30 points and 15 rebounds in a win over the Rockets.
Honorable Mentions
Karl-Anthony Towns: 29.5 PPG, 14.8 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.8 BPG, 48% FG, 31% 3P, 92% FT
Bam Adebayo: 18.3 PPG, 11 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.5 BPG, 52% FG
6th Man: Miles Bridges
Losing one of their best players in LaMelo Ball could've been catastrophic for the Charlotte Hornets. However, they've managed to hold tight, as they've gone 5-2 since Ball went down with his wrist fracture. This week, the Hornets went 2-2, putting their record on the year to 25-23 and sitting them at 4th in the East. Their success this week can be attributed to a strong effort from the entire team. This is especially true with the bench, and it was Miles Bridges who was the strongest reserve Charlotte had this week. For the week, Bridges averaged 14.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 52% from the field and 38% from three-point range. Bridges closed out the week with his best performance of the season, putting up a season-high 23 points and 10 rebounds in a win over the Pacers.
Honorable Mentions
Hamidou Diallo: 17.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1 BPG, 60% FG, 56% 3P, 92% FT
Jalen Brunson: 16 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.3 SPG, 60% FG, 40% 3P, 100% FT
Rookie: Anthony Edwards
Along with the future of the Hornets' season, another thing that has been affected by LaMelo Ball's wrist fracture is the Rookie of the Year race. The front runner for most of the season, the uncertainty of the remainder of Ball's season has opened up the race for every other rookie in the league. One rookie who's been making a strong case over the last few weeks is Anthony Edwards, who's recovered from a rough start and has found his stride over the last month. The Minnesota Timberwolves have been an absolute disaster this season, currently sitting at 12-38 on the year and dead last in both the Western Conference and the entire league, but Edwards has been electric over the last month, and this week was no different. In a week where the Timberwolves went 1-3, Edwards averaged 24 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 49% from the field. Edwards opened the week with his second double-double of the season, putting up 23 points and a career-high 10 rebounds in a loss to the Nets.
Honorable Mentions:
Chuma Okeke: 14 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1 BPG, 48% FG, 100% FT
Aleksej Pokusevski: 16.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 41% FG, 41% 3P
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