MVP watch

Fresh Prince

LeBron James (Miami Heat, 25.6ppg, 5.5rpg, 6.8apg)

Paul George (Indiana Pacers, 24.4ppg, 6.8rpg)

Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves, 25.4ppg, 13.3rpg)

Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder 29.6ppg, 7.0rpg, 5.2apg)

Chris Paul (LA Clippers, 19.5ppg, 12.5apg)

His Airness

Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Paul George and Chris Paul

MVP watch does not change this week, all four candidates have continued to have solid weeks with LeBron stepping it up averaging 34 points. He continues to shoot a remarkable 62% from the field.

Standouts

Portland Trailblazers

The streaking Blazers have won eight straight behind some fantastic team basketball along with the impressive performances from last year’s rookie of the year, Damian Lillard and All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge. They are facing some challenges this week but Portland look the part and are a team to keep an eye on.

Chicago Bulls/San Antonio Spurs

Both these teams never fail to impress me. Derrick Rose is rusty and is struggling with his shot while also having some issues taking care of the ball, yet they’re 3rd in the East at 6-3 and have rattled off five straight wins. Every year I think how long can this squad in San Antonio keep pace in the west. Well they’re not only keeping pace, they’re setting it at 10-1 and have won eight straight.

Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin often features in highlight reels but sometimes doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. One of three players currently averaging 20+pts and 10+rpg, Griffin’s high flying game continues to be a force for the Clippers. While he has the benefit of playing with the league’s best point guard, he certainly makes the most of it and has been a standout performer so far in 13-14.

Teams on the rise

FP- San Antonio Spurs

Portland Trailblazers

Chicago Bulls

Memphis Grizzlies

HA- The Portland Trail Blazers are currently on a seven game winning streak, the best streak in the NBA at the moment. However, they have some difficult games coming up, facing Chicago at home and then travelling away to play Golden State.

Chicago Bulls – after having a tough start to the season it looks as if they have finally found their rhythm, handing the Pacers there first loss and continuing their now five game winning streak. The Bulls are on the rise and look for them to only get better as the season continues.

Teams on the slide

FP - Milwaukee Bucks

Utah Jazz

Boston Celtics

Philadelphia 76ers

HA - Brooklyn Nets. The Nets had a lot of hype coming into the season with many people thinking they were going to do very well. They haven’t had a good start, currently 3-7 and new head coach Jason Kidd could be soon out of a job if they don’t start performing soon.

Performances of the week

In a week where there were several standout performances from the usual suspects my performance of the week goes to the Chicago Bulls. In a game where they went up against the undefeated Indiana Pacers and their highly proclaimed defence, the Bulls played a complete game and took it too Indiana. Highlighted with seven players scoring in double digits and having no player get double digits in rebounds or assists meant that the Bulls produced an all round dominant team performance. Shooting 50.6% from the field in a game versus a defence that was allowing under 40% is a statistic that stood out too me along with their 57% 3-point percentage.

Individual performances of note were LeBron’s monster week, Harden’s 36 versus Carmelo’s 45, Tony Wroten’s debut start in which he recorded a triple double in an overtime win against the Rockets (complemented by James Anderson’s 36 point outburst). A glimpse of what the Mike D’Antoni’s Lakers are capable of led by Jordan Hill’s career performance of 24 points and 17 rebounds. Finally, the game between the Thunder and Warriors which featured a few clutch shots to say the least.

Plays of the week

HA - Could be one of the dunk’s of the year by Xavier Henry.

FP - Those clutch performances lead me too the play of the week and once again it’s a game winner. This one finished a game of a playoff caliber between two teams that have the makings of a rivalry to look forward too. This followed a cold-blooded three from Russell Westbrook in a game to remember.

Another play that springs to mind is this off the backboard alley-oop from Brandon Jennings too Andre Drummond. WOW.

Undercover Brother

FP - Roy Hibbert

There’s been a lot of talk about Paul George and the Indiana Pacers but one player who deserves more recognition is Roy Hibbert. The 7’2’ Center has played tremendously well and is a large reason why the Pacers are currently 9-1. Hibbert’s numbers aren’t all that high (11.4ppg, 8.9rpg) but he does lead the league in blocks per game at an impressive 4.4 per game.

HA - DeMarcus Cousins – although he’s playing for the struggling Kings, Cousins looks as fit as ever and looks to have put his attitude issues behind him. He is averaging 21 points and 9 boards a game, this puts him among some of the top big men this year.

Storyline Watch/Random thoughts

FP - The only storyline for me this week is regarding Kobe Bryant. The Black Mamba is back, well almost; He is back participating fully in practice and while it will take some time to get match conditioned and into a rhythm I expect too see him back on the court sooner rather than later.

What to watch for (all NZT)

FP - Kobe’s Return

Kobe said a November return isn’t out of the question and although it’s unlikely to be this week (I hope it is) this is certainly something to watch for.

Clippers @ Thunder on Friday

Clippers take on the Thunder once again this week after a fierce battle last week where the Clippers got the win in LA where we saw an ejection apiece for a first half scuffle between Matt Barnes and Serge Ibaka.

HA - Clippers vs. Thunder will be a huge game, these two teams that have not played their best lately but will look to put themselves back on track with a win here.

Bulls @ Trailblazers on Saturday

The streaking Trailblazers will meet the team that seems to have a knack for ending streaks (while also being on a streak of their own). Chicago travel to Portland and meet the inform Portland Trailblazers. A good matchup between point guard’s Damian Lillard and Derrick Rose will highlight this battle as Portland look to make a statement and keep rolling while the Bulls will be looking to end another streak while continuing their own.

Trailblazers @ Warriors on Sunday

A matchup between two top teams in west as the Trailblazers meet the Warriors in San Francisco. The Blazers will be coming of a game against the Bulls and the Warriors meet the Lakers the day before. This will be a good one to watch as both teams are young and full of talent and are looking like the real deal this year.

Timberwolves @ Pacers on Tuesday

A good matchup for both teams here as the Timberwolves take on the Indiana Pacers. A good test for the Pacers as Minnesota is starting to look the part and with the Rubio/Love connection going strong this should be a quality game.

Heat @ Cavaliers on Thursday

Anytime LeBron returns to Cleveland is a game to watch. The Cavaliers are still rebuilding from LeBron’s departure and have struggled early in the season but are starting to find some form thanks to the exciting play of Uncle Drew. Expect the Cavs to get up for this one and hopefully we will see some of the potential in Cleveland along with a strong showing from LeBron James.

Spurs @ Thunder on Thursday

Another western conference matchup here as the Spurs take on the Thunder in OKC. This one will be an interesting one as the Spurs are looking as good as ever while the Thunder are coming into some form following some sublime play from their dynamic duo. Always a good matchup and I expect nothing less next Thursday.