NFL
By: Stephen Garner
Week nine’s players of the week, both MVP candidates, would share back-to-back honors as announced yesterday. This makes for their third individual player of the week honors, and second consecutive in tandem this season.
For the East
Averaging 18.7 PPG, 11.7 RPG, and 3.3 RPG through three games (3-0) was Jonquel Jones of the Connecticut Sun.
Jones, still my resident front-runner for MVP, has been on a season-long tear. She’s averaging career highs in points (20.6, second in the league), assists (3.2), and free throw percentage (83.5%). She’s also averaging a league-leading 11.2 rebounds a night, which is far ahead of the field.
Even on her volume, she’s third in effective field goal percentage (60.3) and true shooting percentage (64.5). She’s also the only player north of 30 in PER at 30.4. Her rankings as league leader in win shares, offensive and defensive rating, then her third placing in defensive win shares all indicate how dominant she’s been on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, she scores in a litany of ways. Post ups high or low, isolation, pick and roll play as a screener or ball-handler, with either hand on the perimeter or at the cup, she’s just a bucket.
Her versatility as a scorer and how she operates has drawn plenty of comparisons to the great Kevin Durant, to which KD himself agrees.
"Jonquel Jones is the one that comes off top of mind. She reminds me of myself with her length and how she shoots the ball. I'm a huge fan of her." — Kevin Duranthttps://t.co/jbJaTjzKoV
— Meredith Cash (@mercash22) July 15, 2021
It’ll be interesting whether or not the five games she missed earlier this season because of EuroBasketball will be held against her in the end, but her dominance is downright undeniable. Jonquel Jones for MVP.
For the West
Averaging 20.5 PPG, 10.3 RPG, and 4.3 APG was Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury.
To say she’s doing everything for the Mercury is an understatement. Her placing in first in win shares helps show just how effective she’s been.
She’s shown tremendous ability to assess the court on her post touches, and been correctly decisive in her decision making.
Griners patience in the post is great to see. Saw it plenty in the Olympics & here she went playmaker, finding Sophie Cunningham for a big shot to go into the half down 5
— Stephen PridGeon ☯️? (@StayTrueSDot3) August 20, 2021
Whether it’s moves to evade defenders, timely passes, and even operating as a pure secondary playmaker after an initial screen in pick and roll, or even high-low passes to Mercury cutters. Her visions has been excellent and she’s carried the Mercury.
Forever a deterrent and paint presence on the defensive end, she’s also third in rebounds (9.8) and first in blocks (2.1).
Her athleticism and length are as intimidating as anyone. She even tips plenty of passes in pick and roll defense and is plenty skilled enough to initiate a break when need be.
Griner’s continued excellence will be imperative as the Mercury is in the top third of the league. As it stands, they’re one game behind the Lynx, presently positioned in fifth place.
These two are certainly in my top five MVP candidates, and how they operate on the offensive end helps their teams slow the game down and control the pace.
As the finish line nears and games take on more meaning, they’ll surely prove their worth.
*All stats and information used come directly from basketball-reference.com unless stated otherwise and are accurate entering play on 8.24*
