David Blatt Makes His Move In The NBA Awards Watch
By Ben Nadeau
Most Valuable Player
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (Last Week: 1, –)
The Golden State Warriors are so good right now that Stephen Curry often doesn’t even need to play in the fourth quarter — however, this was not one of those weeks. Now that the Warriors are 19-0 and own the best start in NBA history, they’ve consistently received other team’s absolute best shots as the Suns and Jazz all took aim at the defending champions.
It wasn’t as easy as usual for the Warriors, but the reigning MVP took care of business in both games, including a 41-point, six-rebound, and eight-assist output that wasn’t even his game of the week, so, yeah — that’s about where we’re at now. Which team has what it takes to deal Curry and the Warriors their first blow of the season? At this rate, we may never know.
Curry’s Best Line of the Week: 11/30 vs. UTA — 26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 1 TO, 9-20 FG%, 4-8 3PT%
Week Grade: A-
2. Paul George, Indiana Pacers (Last Week: 2, –)
In the famous words of Jay-Z and Kanye West — who go’n’ stop me?
To say that Paul George is on an absolute tear right now would actually be a disservice to the remerged All-Star. The Indiana Pacers are on a five-game winning streak and have gone 8-2 over their last 10 — in which, George has flat out dominated the floor. In fact, if it weren’t for Stephen Curry, George would be the odds-on favorite to win MVP and would own the headlines across the board.
Tough luck, Paul.
Either way, it’s still incredible to see George soaring at his former heights and has almost single-handedly kept the Pacers near the top of the conference. Unfortunately, they play in the same division as the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers, but something tells me that they’re very satisfied with their early season success.
George’s Line of the Week: 11/27 vs. CHI — 33 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 TOs, 11-24 FG%.
Week Grade: A
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3. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder (Last Week: 3, –)
Although the Oklahoma City Thunder comfortably trail the Spurs and Warriors out west, 3rd place is welcomed considering they’ve had to dodge one particularly iffy Kevin Durant injury already. Even in the short week, Westbrook’s solid output has not only become the norm, but a necessity for Thunder victories.
You might think that the four-time All-Star might slow down at some point, but the explosive guard seems to have an unlimited amount of intensity and rim-rattling dunks.
With all the other slumping, slow-starting teams in the Western Conference, it would’ve been easy for Westbrook and the Thunder to fall victim to Curry and the Warriors league-wide onslaught, but they’ve kept pace with the other Finals contenders.
My only question is: what type of statline from Westbrook would legitimately surprise you? Would he have to score 50? A 40-point triple-double? It’s crazy that we have to ask this, but it’s one of the many reasons why Westbrook comfortably sits in our Top 3 in this race.
Westbrook’s Line of the Week: 11/30 vs. ATL — 34 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 6 TOs, 11-24 FG%
Week Grade: A-
Honorable Mentions: James Harden, Houston Rockets; LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers; Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers; 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
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