MVP watch

Fresh Prince

•  Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder 31.9ppg, 7.7rpg, 5.6apg)
• LeBron James (Miami Heat, 26.9ppg, 7.0rpg, 6.5apg)
• Blake Griffin (LA Clippers, 24.4ppg, 9.7rpg)
• LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trailblazers, 23.4ppg, 11.1rpg)
• Paul George (Indiana Pacers, 22.1ppg, 6.5rpg)

• Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs 17.7ppg, 6.2apg)
• Chris Paul (LA Clippers, 18.6ppg, 11.0apg)
• Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors, 23.2ppg, 8.6apg, 4.4rpg)
• Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves, 26.5ppg, 13.1rpg, 4.2apg)

Nighthawk

Kevin Durant (OKC) 31.9 ppg , 5.6 apg , 7.7 rpg

Many people think LeBron has regained the lead for MVP however I don’t believe it, Durant hasn’t done anything to lose the number one spot though the Thunder have gone 5-5 in their last 10 but the Heat didn’t do much better going 6-4. Durant is averaging 35 points per game over the last 10 games. OKC’s recent  struggles cannot be on him as I believe they are adjusting to having Russell Westbrook back in the lineup and will get back to winning soon enough.

LeBron James (MIA) 26.9 ppg , 6.5 apg , 7.0 rpg

Some believe LeBron should be number but in my opinion they’re just saying that because he had one monster game in which he scored 61 points. Taking his numbers since the one game he missed against the Bulls and excluding his 61 point game, LeBron is averaging 21.5ppg. How are those MVP numbers? Especially when you consider the Heat haven’t really been winning games. Aside from LeBron’s huge game and adding that he outplayed Durant in their last head to head, LeBron still is number 2 and will be if Durant continues his form while LeBron continues his low scoring.

Standouts

FP - San Antonio Spurs

The dynasty that the San Antonio Spurs have created during the Tim Duncan/Gregg Popovich (head coach) era began in 1997. Since then they’ve rattled of 14 50+ win seasons and are on track to surpass that mark once again. It is one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history and testament to an organization led by a mastermind in Popovich and one of the greatest to ever grace the hardwood in Tim Duncan. After the all-star break the Spurs have gone 9-1 beating teams such as the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago Bulls and the Portland Trailblazers twice, losing only to the Phoenix Suns. Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard have been pivotal for the Spurs who are on a 5 game win streak and are looking every the bit the part as they have since 1997.

LA Clippers

The LA Clippers have won nine straight games and are only two games behind the Thunder for second in the Western Conference. Doc Rivers’ squad, formerly known as ‘lob city’ have emerged from the All Star break as a true contender and with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin firing on all cylinders, the Clippers have all the pieces towards a long playoff run. 

Teams on the rise

 FP

•  San Antonio Spurs
• LA Clippers
• Brooklyn Nets
• New York Knicks

NH -San Antonio Spurs (48-16) 1st Western Conference

I could have put Clippers in this as they have won 9 straight but I’ve put the Spurs as they have taken the number 1 spot in the West. The Spurs have been very good since the All Star break having won 8 straight and have over taken the Thunder for the number 1 spot in the Western Conference. They have played quality teams as well as they have beaten the Clippers, Portland twice , Heat and the Bulls over that span and have to be the team on form at the moment and are again heading into the playoffs as one of the favorites to win the Championship.

Teams on the slide

FP

• Philadelphia 76ers
• Orlando Magic
• Atlanta Hawks
• Portland Trailblazers

NH - Philadelphia 76ers (15-49) 14th Eastern Conference

The Sixers have been bad this season and their record clearly shows, however they have been struggling more than usual and they have lost their last 18 games. They are in a huge slump and have come close maybe a few times over these games but have had many blowout losses as well. They have had games against weaker opponents in which they have still struggled but all is not lost, they may have the Rookie of the Year in Micahel Carter-Williams as well as rumors about the return of Nerlens Noel and also a top 3 pick in the next draft. Their season is lost and they’re struggling majorly at the moment but there could be a light at the end of this tunnel.  

Play of the week

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n1Vv1u7ZJk

Undercover Brother

FP - Joakim Noah

One of the league’s most underrated big men has been on a tear for the Derrick Rose-less Chicago Bulls. Noah recorded two triple doubles in three games, his third in the span of a month and came an assist shy of another in today’s win over the Houston Rockets. Chicago are sitting 4th in the East and considering they have played the majority of games without their ‘superstar’ point guard, Noah has stepped up in his absence and been integral for the Bulls success.

Storyline Watch/Random thoughts

FP - Kobe Bryant shut down for the season

As you may have heard, Kobe Bryant (and Steve Nash) have been declared out for season with both Lakers stars playing only a handful of games this year. Laker Eight’s article discusses the season struggles for the famed franchise and it comes as no surprise that we won’t see them for the remainder of the season. A Laker’s fan myself, I have been hugely disappointed with this season as well as the personnel decisions over the past 18 months and it looks to have gotten worse with the potential return of Phil Jackson to another franchise.

The New York Knicks are the benefactor of Jackson’s likely return, with the 11-time champion head coach rumored to be named as the president of basketball operations.  Hoping to have a Pat Riley-like (Miami Heat President) impact on the Knicks, Jackson was the head coach who guided the dynasties of the 90s Michael Jordan led-Chicago Bulls and the 2000s Los Angeles Lakers. It’s great news for Knicks fans and NBA fans alike to have one of the greatest minds of basketball back in the game and back with the franchise he began his career with as a player in the late 1960s.

NH – Carmelo Anthony

The Knicks have been a border line embarrassment this season and it could get even worse if star player Carmelo Anthony walks this offseason. However, after their season looked like it was lost, Melo has shook off all the rumors and is leading his team, trying to get his Knicks a playoff spot. They are currently on a 5 game win streak, are 9th in the East and still may rise to 8th sneaking into the playoffs. Melo is averaging 28.9 ppg and 7.3 rpg over the last 10 games and is now really leading these Knicks. It’s working as he is finally receiving some help from his teammates. Watch out for  Melo and Knicks as he is a man on mission at the moment.

 Games to watch (All NZT)

 Nets @ Wizards on Sunday

Warriors @ Trailblazers on Monday

Rockets @ Heat on Monday

Thunder @ Bulls on Tuesday

 Heat @ Cavaliers on Wednesday