Red Hot

Image: Source

Well, we don’t have anymore undefeated teams, but there are those one loss – The Boston Celtics, with a 7-1 record, leading the Eastern Conference, with an amazing defense that’s allowing just 84.4 points per game while scoring 98.5. They did lose their first game of the season this week to the Phoenix Suns (probably the hottest team in the league right now), but they won another three on the road. Rajon Rondo, despite not being the top scorer (Paul Pierce is, with 18.8 per game), is doing everything  – 14.8 points, 3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 3.8 steals (!!) per game.

Image: Source

The Chicago Bulls don’t have the best record in the league (4-2), but they did win all three games this week, including the 86-85 win at Cleveland on Thursday. Joakim Noah hasn’t been the most consistent guy offensively for the Bulls, but he has his nights, and his 21 points – 16 rebounds night against the Charlotte Bobcats was his third double-double of the season. He’s also been pretty good with the blocks, rejecting 5 against the Bucks and four against the Bobcats.

In the West, Phoenix are still going strong, leading the Conference along with the Los Angeles Lakers, with the Suns 7-1 and the champions 6-1. Steve Nash continues to lead this team at an amazing pace, and despite their first loss of the season coming this week at Orlando (122-100), Nash’s weakest performance of the week, he’s on a roll. Nash averaged 18 points and 12.2 assists this week, including a 21-20 nights in Philly on Monday.

Image: Source

The Lakers? Currently on a five game winning streak, including a big week at Houston (103-102) and a very easy win over the Hornets on Sunday (104-88). Kobe Bryant is taking it all on him, averaging 35.3 points this week, with 28 being his lowest output. He had two 40+ nights this week, bringing him to three this season (all of them 41 point outings).

Ice Cold

Well, there are three one win teams in the league (Knicks, ‘Wolves, Grizzlies) but no wins is a big problem, and that’s where the New Jersey Nets are right now. Lawrence Frank is missing his best player, Devin Harris (only 2 games this season), and without him, the Nets look lost. The only positive with the Nets so far this season has been Brook Lopez, scoring 18 points with 7.7 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game, but the Nets need their point guard back, or Frank might no be the head coach anymore when Harris returns.

Performance of the Week – Dirk Nowitzki

Image: Source

Tuesday, November 3 – Dirk Nowitzki scores 29 points in the fourth quarter, as the Mavs came from behind to beat the Utah Jazz 96-85. The Mavericks had 52 points after three quarters, and Nowitzki’s eruption, a franchise record, paved the way for the win. Nowitzki finished the evening with 40 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 5 blocks.

Week 2 Starting Five –

Guards – Chris Paul (1st in efficiency – 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 11 assists) and Kobe Bryant (3rd in efficiency – 35.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 steals).

Forwards – Chris Bosh (2nd in efficiency – 27.5 points, 9.3 rebounds) and Lebron James (4th in efficiency – 28.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7 assists and 2.3 steals).

Center – Chris Kaman (6th in efficiency – 20.7 points, 8 rebounds).

These players are also the top performers of the season so far, except for Kaman. The best Center according to the Efficiency rankings is Andrew Bynum, with 20 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.

Rookie of the Week – Tyreke Evas, Sacramento Kings

Image: Source

The 6’6 point guard out of Memphis has been fantastic this week, although he’s playing more like a shooting guard. He averaged 23.3 points, including a 32 point and 7 assists game against Utah, as the Kings stunned the Jazz in Salt Lake City. His first week in the league was shaky, but it seems he’s found his place in that young Kings team. He’s 3rd in rookie efficiency so far this season, behind Jonny Flynn and Brandon Jennings.