The Team of the Week will consist of 10 players that shined the most during the week in the NBA. The first 5 players will be known as the ‘Starters’ and the other 5 players will be known as the ‘Reserves.’ The starting lineup must have two guards, two forwards, one center, and the reserves will have no particular criteria. This list will be on an opinion basis and it’s sole purpose is to highlight the top players of the week throughout the season. The criteria for this list will come from personal stats, key moments, and team record will all be put into account when making this team. Without further ado, here is your week one Team of the Week!
Starters
Guard: Trae Young, Point Guard, Atlanta Hawks
Known as one of the best shooters in the league, Trae Young came out of the gates hot this season with a three-game stretch where he averaged 35 points, shot 52 percent from three, and 9 assists. He’s the leader of a very young Atlanta Hawks team, but he is not afraid of going head-to-head with anyone. Many picked the Hawks as their sleeper team in the Eastern Conference to possible sneak into the playoffs as a 7th or 8th seed. It’s safe to say if Young continues to play like this, the Hawks could very well be that team people thought they could be. However, Young will be tested as the season goes on and teams will start to focus more on him.
Guard:James Harden, Shooting Guard, Houston Rockets
The former MVP is simply one of, if not the best scorers in the league and guarding him is virtually impossible. James Harden is the league leader in points averaging an absurd 36.8 points per game. Harden headlined this week by scoring 40 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder and then two days later dropping 59 points against the Washington Wizards. Harden has perfected his game and at this point he almost seems un-guardable. He will lull you to sleep on the offensive end and the defender is essentially at his mercy. You could try and go for the steal but he’ll more than likely draw a foul or if you give him any space he’ll hit any and all jumpers. I thoroughly expect him to continue to dominate this season, as this could be the Rockets best chance to get to the NBA Finals this season.
Forward: Kawhi Leonard, Small Forward, Los Angeles Clippers
The reigning Finals MVP has picked up where he left off and has a legitimate argument as the best player in the league. Kawhi Leonard is averaging 27 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. Leonard also continues to be one of the best defensive players in the league as well. The Los Angeles Clippers look like a powerhouse led by Leonard and the scary part is they don’t even have their second best player, Paul George, as he’s recovering from a shoulder injury. It will be interesting to see how the Clippers’ season plays out and whether or not Leonard can stay healthy as well. It surely seems like the Clippers will be butting heads with in town rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, for the top spot of the Western Conference.
Forward: Anthony Davis, Power Forward, Los Angeles Lakers
Anthony Davis has fit next LeBron James perfectly and frankly nobody is surprised. Davis is averaging 28.8 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. His week was capped off with a 40 point and 20 rebound game against the Memphis Grizzlies in just 30 minutes of playing time. Davis is the sixth ever Los Angeles Lakers player to ever reach that feet. In his 17th season, LeBron has been paired with one of the best players in the NBA, when healthy, and him and Davis will more than likely pick and choose which nights one of them wants to dominate. The Western Conference should be worried because the Lakers are a force to be reckoned with.
Center: Karl Anthony-Towns, Center, Minnesota Timberwolves
Karl Anthony-Towns has led the Minnesota Timberwolves to a surprising 4-1 start and it’s all thanks to his hot play to start the season. As a center, Towns is averaging 27.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, and is shooting a league leading 52 percent from the three-point line. Towns ability to spread the floor has always given him the edge over other centers and his pure athleticism is extremely fun to watch. The talent has always been there for Towns, but this season we will get a chance to see his leadership qualities, as the Wolves have a relatively young core and a brand new coach. Expect big things from him this season and watch out for the Wolves as a surprise team in the West to possibly make the playoffs.
Reserves: Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Pascal Siakam, Luka Doncic, and Joel Embiid
NBA Insight 