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
Starting off this week we have someone who has been absolutely on fire over the last few weeks in Stephen Curry. As I've mentioned the last few weeks, the Golden State Warriors have had a rough go of things this year. However, the last few weeks have seen them pick up steam, as they've gone 5-2 over their last seven games and currently sit at 28-29 on the year, putting them at 9th in the West. A big reason for their recent success has been Curry, who takes the point guard spot for the third straight week after a phenomenal recent stretch. In a week where the Warriors went 3-1, Curry averaged 43.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5 assists per game while shooting 57% from the field, 55% from three, and 91% from the free-throw line. Curry dropped over 40 points in three of the Warriors' four games, including a 53 point performance against the Nuggets to open the week.
Honorable Mentions:
De'Aaron Fox: 34.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 6.7 APG, 2.7 SPG, 49% FG, 30% 3P
Luka Dončić: 28 PPG, 5 RPG, 9.8 APG, 1 SPG, 51% FG
Shooting Guard: Bradley Beal
For most of the season, Bradley Beal has been a prime example of a great player who's been held back by a bad team. Despite Beal's fantastic play all season long, the Washington Wizards have been a subpar team at best, and one of the worst in the league at worst. However, the team is currently on a hot streak, as they've won six of their last seven games and now sit at 23-33 on the year, tied for the final spot in the play-in tournament. Part of their recent success is definitely due to Russell Westbrook returning to form, but it's been Beal who has been the main reason they've been playing so well. In a week where the Wizards went a perfect 4-0, Beal averaged 33 points, 4.3 assists, and a steal per game while shooting 45% from the field. Beal would close out the week with his best performance, putting up 37 points against the Pistons
Honorable Mentions:
Luguentz Dort: 34 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3.5 SPG, 49% FG, 53% 3P
Zach LaVine: 27 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 7.3 APG, 1.7 BPG, 45% FG, 38% 3P
Small Forward: Paul George
The Los Angeles Clippers looked set to compete with the Lakers for the top spot in the Western Conference, and after both LeBron James and Anthony Davis went down with injuries, that spot looked to be theirs to take...then the Jazz & Suns got hot over the summer and pushed ahead of the Clippers. That's not to say the Clippers have been, and they've been red hot over the last month, going 14-4 over the last month and 3-1 this past week. That puts them at 39-19 on the year and in third in the West. With Kawhi Leonard out, leadership duties have fallen to Paul George, who did not disappoint. For the week, George averaged 35 points, 6.3 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 49% from the field, 38% from three, and 90% from the free-throw line. George would provide the spark needed to beat the Pacers this week, putting 36 points and 8 rebounds in the win.
Honorable Mentions:
Brandon Ingram: 30.8 PPG, 5 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.8 SPG, 47% FG, 41% 3P, 97% FT
Jayson Tatum: 29.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1 SPG, 52% FG, 46% 3P
Power Forward: Julius Randle
The New York Knicks have been had an up-and-down season this year. Normally that would be a not-so-great thing for a team, but considering it's the New York Knicks, that's a step in the right direction. Regularly trading wins and losses, the Knicks have had a good string of success, as they're on a five-game winning streak and currently sit at 30-27 on the year, putting them at 6th in the Eastern Conference and just good enough for a guaranteed playoff spot. Leading the Knicks through a perfect 4-0 week was their breakout star in Julius Randle, who has continued to shine after making his first all-star appearance. For the week, Randle averaged 34 points, 9 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 49% from the field and 42% from three-point range. Randle closed out the week with one of his best performances of the season, putting up a season-high 44 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Honorable Mentions:
Zion Williamson: 28.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.5 BPG, 60% FG
Kevin Durant: 28 PPG, 7.5 APG, 70% FG, 64% 3P, 92% FT
Center: Joel Embiid
It's been a while since Joel Embiid has found his way onto the Team of the Week. After suffering a bone bruise back in March, Embiid returned to the court at the beginning of April has continued to ball out. He rejoined a Philadelphia 76ers team that stayed at the top of the Eastern Conference despite competition with the Nets, and Embiid only strengthened their core. The 76ers went a perfect 3-0 this week, giving them a 39-17 record on the year and a game and a half lead over the second-place Nets. This week, Embiid was an easy standout, averaging 37 points and 11.3 rebounds per game while shooting 50% from the field, 42% from three-point range, and 91% from the free-throw line. Embiid's best performance of the week saw him put up 39 points and 13 rebounds against the Nets.
Honorable Mentions:
Nikola Jokić: 22.5 PPG, 12 RPG, 9.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1 BPG, 52% FG, 30% 3P
Karl-Anthony Towns: 25.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.5 BPG, 55% FG, 64% 3P
6th Man: D'Angelo Russell
Unsurprisingly, the Minnesota Timberwolves are still incredibly bad. However, thanks to a complete collapse by the Rockets, their no longer the worst team in the league...just the second-worst team in the league. Baby steps. Despite their terrible 15-42 record on the year, the Timberwolves have had a few bright spots this season. One of those bright spots has been D'Angelo Russell this past week. Beginning the year as a starter for Minnesota, arthroscopic knee surgery took Russell out of action for two months. Coming off the bench since returning, Russell has been one of the best reserves in the league, and in a week where the Timberwolves went 2-2, Russell was the best of the bunch. For the week, Russell averaged 17 points, 4 assists, and a steal per game while shooting 47% from the field, 46% from three, and a perfect 14/14 from the free-throw line. Russell opened the week with his best performance, putting up 27 points in a win over the Bulls.
Honorable Mentions:
Dāvis Bertāns: 13 PPG, 4 RPG, 1 BPG, 50% FG, 50% 3P, 100% FT
Derrick Rose: 12.8 PPG, 3.3 APG, 46% FG, 100% FT
Rookie: Isaiah Stewart
Much like the Timberwolves, the Detroit Pistons have been another team that has struggled big-time this year. Currently sitting at last in the Eastern Conference and third to last in the entire league with a 17-40 record, the Pistons have their fair share of bright spots (particularly Jerami Grant's breakout season), but overall the season has been very bad for Detriot. One thing the Pistons do have on their side, however, is a strong rookie class. While Killian Hayes missed a lot of time due to injuries, guys like Saddiq Bey and Saben Lee have shown significant promise. This week, however, it was Isaiah Stewart who shined above all the other rookies. Stewart has quietly had a strong rookie season, but this past week, he went above and beyond. For the week, Stewart averaged 13.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 70% from the field. Stewart would record two double-doubles this week, first recording 15 points and a career-high 21 rebounds in a win over the Thunder, then recording a career-high 19 points and 12 rebounds the next day in a loss to the Wizards
Honorable Mentions:
Jae'Sean Tate: 14 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.7 APG, 2.3 SPG, 65% FG
Naji Marshall: 11.8 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.3 APG, 54% FG, 50% 3P
Comments
Post a Comment