Top Eastern Conference teams Miami, Orlando, Atlanta and last season’s playoff debutantes Charlotte seemed to ‘say mi casa su casa’ (my house is your house) to the visiting Utah Jazz, Paul Millsap and Dereon Williams who averaged 23 points, 11.8 assists and 4.0 rebounds said thank you as they rallied to overcome double digit second half deficits to defeat them for a perfect 4-0 road trip. Dereon Williams was consequently named the Western Conference player of the week after that successful political sorry basketball campaign in the East.
Emeka Okafor averaged a double double as the New Orleans Hornets continue to sting opponents as they extended their winning streak to 8-0 and remain the only undefeated team in the NBA. While the return of maestro Chris Paul has no doubt been the key to their victories, sustainability is certainly due to improved defense anchored by Emeka Okafor and Marco Belinelli. They have succeeded in holding all their opponents under 100 points so far this season.
Meanwhile after running out of breath trying to climb the steep mountains of Denver, the LA Lakers went back home in defeat only to be burned by the 22 three points the Phoenix Suns fired at them to suffer a rare defeat at the Staples Center. Back to back losses put the defending champions in a 2 game skid after starting the season with 8 victories.
Do not sleep on the San Antonio Spurs who are once again playing efficient ball like they’ve been doing over the past decade, Tim Duncan alongside Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker who is averaging 18 pts, 7 rebs. and 2 steals are quietly compiling victories as the San Antonio Spurs remained undefeated this week to move up the standings with an 8-1 record in the deep west.
Despite a roster full of talent such as Eric Gordon, Blake Griffin, Baron Davis and Chris Kaman the LA Clippers have been staggering like a drunkard from defeat to defeat winning just once in 10 games.
On the other hand, a new jersey, a new coach and new owners have brought a new lease of life to the Bay area. Also the rejuvenated Golden State Warriors with the new friendship between guards Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis have held serve like Rafael Nadal to maintain a 5-0 home record to end a successful week.
Furthermore Kevin Love broke a 28 year old NBA record set by Moses Malone by pouring in 31 points and grabbing 31 rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the New York Knicks. The Knickerbockers on their part have so far failed to make a strong case for a new era @ the big apple as they continue losing.
Paul Pierce is talking trash after the Boston Celtics exposed the absence of elite big men on the Miami Heats roster, pounding them to submission for a second time this season. Now Lebron James is suddenly complaining of playing too many minutes! consider these a recent update to the “new king james version” as the “theoretical” Miami Heats failed to catch fire 2 weeks into the NBA season. The week also saw the headband-less Rajon Rondo chase a record of his own ( the 14.5 assist record for the season held by John Stockton since 1990) as the future hall of fame heavy team from Massachusetts continue their quest for another title
Derrick Rose was named the Eastern Conference player of the week as the Chicago completed the week undefeated; the Chicago Bulls guard averaged 21.3 points and compiled 27 assists leading the Bulls to a 3-0 record for the week of Nov. 7 – Nov.14.
Sadly, after flying off to a 6-0 start, the Atlanta Hawks failed to soar at home as they lost 4 consecutive games to last season playoff teams Orlando, Phoenix, Milwaukee and Utah. They bounced back quickly to fend off Minnesota but questions remain about their game especially when facing teams with winning records.
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