Russell Westbrook recorded his second triple-double of the season this week, posting 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists while making all seven of his shots.
The 36-year-old Westbrook has had a big effect on the Nuggets this yr, turning back time at times and getting the Nikola Jokic boom. He's all the time been a hyperactive player, nevertheless it was fun to look at him give you creative ways to assist the Nuggets.
When Denver acquired Westbrook, much of the expert class opposed the move. He was on 4 teams over time and his weaknesses became more pronounced as he got older.
But Westbrook was extremely productive for the Clippers last yr and was a gem for Denver. He starts supporting her within the non-joking minutes (any buoyancy aid is useful) and pushes the pace. With a career-high 53.1% 2-point shooting performance, Westbrook had arguably his best season since his last All-Star season in Houston.
Development isn't all the time linear, and Westbrook is just certainly one of several guards across the league doing a Geno Smith take (“They wrote me off; I'm not writing back”).
In Atlanta, Trae Young has reduced his appetite for points and the outcomes have been unbelievable. Young is all the time a fantastic passer, and that’s his best skill, leading the Hawks to an 18-17 record. He is making 17 field goals per game, his lowest number since his rookie season. His approach has helped Jalen Johnson turn into a legitimate All-Star candidate.
Remember how brutal last season was for Jordan Poole? Well, he's playing rather a lot more freely now and though the Wizards are bottom of the league, he's helped them look rather a lot more competitive. One of the worst players within the league last yr, Poole made a career-high 40.6% of his 3s and averaged 25.1 points in his last 10 games. Somehow, despite his four-year, $128 million contract, he's beginning to grow to be an asset again.
They're not all pure reclamation projects, but Young, Poole and Westbrook's stocks were each trending within the incorrect direction before this yr. Now they’re gathering like Nvidia.
Before he moved to the Warriors, Dennis Schroder was a special person. The Celtics couldn't wait to eliminate him a number of years ago, and his profession appeared to be entering a special phase. But with the ball in his hands more, the veteran looked rejuvenated in Brooklyn. Integration into the Warriors' system wasn't an overnight success story, but midseason acquisitions were rare.
Zach LaVine and James Harden – two veterans with checkered careers, to say the least – are also going strong this yr.
How a couple of Bounceback Player of the Year award?
To Jimmy Butler
After Jimmy Butler not-so-quietly quit, the Heat suspended him for seven games for conduct detrimental to the team. Miami is open for business for the disgruntled star.
Butler holding his team hostage should diminish his trade value. And if that's the case, it could open up the chance for the Warriors to make a proposal without involving Jonathan Kuminga.
It is not sensible to trade Kuminga for Butler. But a package around picks, Andrew Wiggins and other salaries would likely be competitive in comparison with what other teams are putting on the table.
The Athletic reported The Warriors usually are not a viable option for Butler right now. I feel that might change as its market develops.
Philly within the danger zone?
After looking like they might put their 2-10 start behind them, the Sixers are once more on the verge of defeat.
A brutal collapse in Sacramento – the Kings finished the sport with a 15-0 run – after which a humiliation at Chase Center capped the Sixers' 2-2 game on the West Coast. This is as brutal as possible.
Your schedule shall be way more relaxed. Their next five games are against the Nets, Suns, Wizards, Pelicans and Magic.
How hot will Nick Nurse's seat be if the 76ers lose two or three of those games? They're 13-19 with a comparatively weak Eastern Conference of their favor, but in the event that they're still that far under .500 around halftime…
Warriors New Year's Resolutions
In conversations with the team on and across the New Year, resolutions ranged from learning golf, taking things less personally, reading more books and, in Jonathan Kuminga's case, “winning.”
Here are a number of more things the Warriors should strive for in 2025:
– Take the time to learn and really do some more of Terry Stotts' stuff. They brought within the assistant to enhance their offense, but dropped his actions after per week since the team wasn't getting up to the mark with it in training camp. The idea of mixing Stott's Portland plays and Golden State's sets makes an excessive amount of sense to pass up.
– Integrate Schroder. He seemed a bit of more comfortable with each game. If he’s going to be involved in closing games, the Warriors have to keep that process going.
– Find some bags for Steph Curry to rest in. The 36-year-old is not going to play each games in a row on account of bilateral knee tendonitis. If the Warriors have enough of a lead within the standings again like they did in November, they might give him additional days off.
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