NBA’s Player and Team of the Week – 28/10
This week in the NBA has seen some surprise results – take the Brooklyn Nets (without D’angelo Russell and Jeremy Lin) beating the Cleveland Cavaliers. Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic and the Brooklyn Nets are close to the top of the Eastern Conference – the Warriors mid-table in the West. Teams such as the Clippers and the Spurs, much ignored throughout the off-season, have exceeded expectations.
But who has shone throughout?
Team of the week: San Antonio Spurs
A 4 and 0 record including victories over the Toronto Raptors and the Minnesota Timberwolves has shown the true magic of Greg Popovich. Without Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker, the Spurs have still been playing excellent basketball on both ends. Players such as LaMarcus Aldridge and Dejounte Murray, who produced a spectacular double double (with 16 rebounds) against Toronto, have stepped up in the absence of the Spurs’ All Star. With the Spurs being tipped to fall out of the top three, Popovich and his men have shown their mettle.
Player of the week: Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Greek Freak has been nothing short of phenomenal, and early calls for MVP are certainly justified.
Averaging THIRTY FIVE points a game (to go along with 10.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists), Giannis has led the Bucks to victories single-handedly over Portland and Boston. The scary thing for all other NBA teams is that he doesn’t look like stopping anytime soon.
We could also honourably mention Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies and Lebron James of the Cavs here, who have each been the focal points of their sides.