By Zach Gewelb
This is a weekly ranking of the top 10 NBA players. Rankings will change week-to-week and will be posted every Sunday. Long-term injuries will keep players off the list, which will combine both a player’s performance and team’s record during a week (Sunday to Saturday). All stats have been provided by ESPN.com. Enjoy!
10. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
Thompson seems to get better and better every year and has become one of the best shooting guards in all of basketball. Golden State’s new head coach Steve Kerr has obviously had a positive impact on Thompson, who is putting up career-best numbers as the Warriors sit atop the Western Conference with a 32-6 record. Golden State won three of its four games last week, partly in part to Thompson’s strong play. The fourth-year player out of Washington State averaged 22.5 points per game and hit 50 percent (11-22) of his three-point attempts while nailing 53.2 percent of his field goals. Thompson continues to evolve into a top-tier NBA player as the Warriors grow into a legitimate title contender.
9. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
If DeMarcus Cousins was on a winning team in a bigger market, he would be considered a top talent in the NBA. His drama on the court does not take away from his performance, as he is one of the best centers in the league despite being only 24. He is averaging 24.0 points and 12.4 rebounds per game this season, yet he managed to top those numbers in his three games last week. Cousins played in just three of the Kings’ four games this week, having to sit Sacramento’s 117-108 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers due to an ankle injury. But in his three games played, Cousins filled up the box score, averaging 25.0 points and 13.3 rebound per game. He also tallied 5.8 assists per game. While he does have his issues, it is hard to question Cousins’ ability and status as a top player in the NBA.
8. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Lillard has continued to improve upon his 2013-14 All-NBA 3rd Team campaign with strong play this season. His play during Portland’s four games last week is worthy of a higher spot on this list, but the Trail Blazers’ 1-3 record against three of the better teams in the Western Conference keeps him at No. 8 this week. Lillard averaged 23.8 points and 5.5 assists last week, but his shooting percentages were down from his season average. While he has made 45 percent of his field goals this season, his percentage fell to 43.9 percent. Meanwhile, Lillard only hit 32 percent of his three-point shots, down from his .380 mark for the season. Lillard remains one of the best Point Guards, not just in the West, but in the entire NBA.
7. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
Like the rest of the Cavaliers, Kyrie Irving‘s play has improved since LeBron James’ return to the lineup. His offensive ability may be the best of any NBA Point Guard not named Steph Curry, and his play last week was pretty darn good. Irving, with the help of LeBron and Co., helped lead the Cavs to a morale-boosting 126-121 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Irving notched 37 points on 12-18 shooting (67 percent) and hit on five of his seven three-point attempts. In total, Irving averaged 22.3 points and 5.3 assists per game and shot a red-hot 45.5 percent from beyond the arc and if Cleveland fared better in its first two games of the week (losses at Sacramento and Phoenix), he would have been ranked higher.
6. LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers
It took LaMarcus Aldridge four years in the league to be considered an elite talent (he was named to the All-NBA 3rd team in 2010-11 after coming into the league in 2006-07), but he is not left off any list of the NBA’s elite anymore. Aldridge is having another terrific season and has helped lead Portland (30-11) to the No. 2 seed in the West. In four games this week, Aldridge has posted strong numbers to the tune of 27.0 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. However, after Portland’s win of the Lakers to start the week, the Trail Blazers fell to the of the West’s best in the Clippers, Spurs and Grizzlies despite Aldridge’s strong play. His talent is worthy of a higher spot on the list, but similar to his teammate, his team’s play last week bumped him down to No. 6.
5. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
Chris Paul has been the best all-around Point Guard in the NBA for a long time, and this season is no different. His ability to lead the Clippers (27-14) on both ends of the floor is uncanny and helped Los Angeles to a 2-2 record this week. Paul averaged 18.2 points and 10.5 assists per game during the week and also played a crucial role in the Clippers’ important win against No. 2 Portland. Paul logged 41 minutes in the 100-94 victory and his double-double (23 points, 10 assists) and perfect free-throw shooting (10-10) guided L.A. to victory. Paul would be higher on this list if not for his teams 2-2 record and the play of another elite point guard during the week.
4. James Harden, Houston Rockets
While Harden had a terrific year last season, the big-bearded 25-year-old has improved on his All-NBA 1st Team 2013-14 campaign this season. Harden is playing at an elite level and has become a better passer this season, as evidenced by his play this past week. Despite Houston (28-13) winning only two of its four contests during the week, Harden silenced some of his critics by averaging 7.5 assists per game and eclipsing the double-digit mark twice, including his terrific performance against his for team. Harden nearly posted a triple-double in a 112-101 win against Oklahoma City, scoring 31 points while adding nine rebounds and 10 assists. If Harden continues to share the ball at the 6.7 assists per game rate he is now, he will become more efficient shooting the ball and will only improve his chances of being considered a top-5 talent in the NBA.
3. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
As the best player on the NBA’s best team, Steph Curry continues to prove his value, helping the Warriors (32-6) to a 3-1 record in four games last week. Golden State handily defeated Utah, Miami and Houston by an average of 17 points while Curry posted 26.3 points and 7.8 assists per game on 54 percent shooting (45.4 percent 3PT). Curry’s best game came against its most formidable opponent of the week, the Houston Rockets. Curry scored 27 points, grabbed seven boards and tallied seven assists in a 131-106 against the No. 4 team in the Western Conference. Look for the Warriors to stay at the top of the Western Conference standings with a healthy Steph Curry leading the way.
2. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
Despite battling a toe injury this week, Davis has continued to show why he will be the next face of the NBA. Still only 21 years old, Davis has become an elite talent on the floor, evidenced by his play this season. While playing in two of New Orleans’ three games last week, Davis posted an average of 30.5 points, 9.5 rebound and 3.5 blockers per game while only turning the ball over once in the three-game span. If anyone questions Davis’ value to the Pelicans, just look at Friday night’s game in Philadelphia. The 76ers (8-31) pummeled New Orleans 96-81 without Davis in the lineup, which sent the Pelicans below the .500 mark (19-20). A healthy and still-improving Anthony Davis will keep New Orleans in contention, as he is, without a doubt, one of the best players in the NBA.
1. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
After returning from a lengthy injury, LeBron reminded everybody what they were missing in his three games played last week. James scored at least 30 points in each of his three contests, scoring 33 points in Cleveland’s loss against Phoenix and 36 and 32 points in wins against the Lakers and Clippers, respectively. His best game came against the Clippers, when he nearly recorded a triple-double after posting 32 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in the 126-121 victory at the Staples Center. James is shooting at a 52.3 percent rate since his return and should help build team chemistry and improve the Cavs underwhelming 21-20 record moving forward.
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