NBA Awards Watch: Week 2

7 of 7

November 2, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates after making a basket against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Valuable Player

1. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (Last Week 1, –)

Last week I called this my least adventurous pick of the bunch; now, after four games, you’d be insane to pick anybody else. All summer, the Golden State Warriors have been called everything from lucky to overrated and it’s obvious the reigning NBA champions took that criticism to heart.

Curry’s lowest point total of the season thus far came against Houston when he scored just 25, but chipped in with seven rebounds and six assists — oh, and he only played 27 minutes in that blowout affair as well.

Per Elias Sports, Curry’s 21 three-pointers through the first four games of a season are the most all-time. Cool, but not jaw-dropping? How about this gem, also from Elias Sports: Curry’s 148 points through four games is the best start since Michael Jordan dropped 156 in 1991. Just let that sink in for a moment.

The Warriors have now defeated all three teams that they faced in the NBA playoffs 2015, comfortably winning them all. In fact, on Monday, the Warriors beat the supposed contenders in Memphis by 50 points. And, speaking of 50, that is Curry’s unreal PER. That, unfortunately, for the rest of the world those are not typos.

Curry’s Best Line of the Week: 10/31 vs. NOP — 53 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, 4 steals, 0 blocks, 2 TOs, 17-27 FG%, 8-14 3P%
Week Grade: A

2A. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers (Last Week: Unranked, Up 2)

I thought about putting Blake Griffin in sole possession of No. 2, but then I realized that he’s got Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan helping out, so let’s call it a wash. Listen, I know Griffin has been out of this world so far this season, the Los Angeles Clippers are 4-0, and the power forward is putting up nearly 30 flippin’ points per game, but this decision is still obvious.

Additionally, Griffin has an absurd PER of 35.1, good for second in the league. Blake Griffin is very good at basketball and yet he’s not Stephen Curry — try again next week!

Griffin’s Line of the Week: 10/31 vs. SAC — 37 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 0 blocks, 3 TOs, 13-22 FG%
Week Grade: A+

More from Hoops Habit

2B. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder (Last Week: Unranked, Up 2)

I thought about putting Russell Westbrook in sole possession of No. 2, but then I realized that he’s got Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka helping out, so let’s call it a wash. Listen, I know Westbrook has been out of this world so far this season, the Oklahoma City Thunder are 3-1, and the point guard is putting up 30 flippin’ points per game, but this decision is still obvious.

Additionally, Westbrook has an absurd PER of 34.1, good for third in league. Russell Westbrook is very good at basketball and yet he’s not Stephen Curry — try again next week!

Westbrook’s Line of the Week: 10/30 vs. ORL — 48 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 6 TOs, 17-36 FG%
Week Grade: A+

Honorable Mentions: James Harden, Houston Rockets; LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers; Paul George, Indiana Pacers; Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat; Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans; Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder; Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers; Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs; John Wall, Washington Wizards; Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns.

Next: NBA: 50 Greatest Players Of All Time

Week 1: Stephen Curry
Week 2: Stephen Curry