NFL
By: Stephen Garner
My apologies for last week but Friday Five’s are back with the top occurrences that have caught my attention since the start of November.
1.) Chris Paul compiling more accolades 📈
Through the first 10 games of the season for Phoenix, he’s continued to ascend up all-time ranks as well as do something no one in history has done.
He’d start with the latter, making history in becoming the first player in NBA history to compile 20,000 points and 10,000 assists in a dominant 115-105 win over the Lakers
Top 75 player of all-time.
Only player ever with 20,000 points and 10,000 assists.Quite a few days for Chris Paul. pic.twitter.com/Naq8eZGuz6
— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) October 24, 2021
He’d then leap-frog both Mark Jackson and Suns legend Steve Nash to take sole possession of third place in assists all-time in a 112-100 win over the Pelicans.
CP3 3rd all-time in assists & climbing 📈🐐
— Stephen PridGeon ☯️🏁 (@StayTrueSDot3) November 3, 2021
He’d do so while dishing out 18 assists and leading a 20-point comeback no-less.
At 36 years old, Pauls game has continued to age like fine wine. He’s still sharp in his trademark all-around game, and is as heady as they come.
A lot going on in the channel of the floor here. As CP3 gets the ball from McGee, he also picks up where Nurkic is while McGee begins his rim-run. CP3 then (slightly) veers into Nurkics trail lane, setting up McGee's separation for a hit ahead catch & finish, + 1
(via @nbastats) https://t.co/LxgAC1eAZv pic.twitter.com/79Vao0zr3l
— Stephen PridGeon ☯️🏁 (@StayTrueSDot3) November 11, 2021
He continues to both do and see things on the floor that really only he can do, and he’s doing so while leading the league in assists with 10.9 per game.
Also true to brand, he’s amongst the leagues best in the mid-range shooting daggers at a 53% clip (including 62% from 14+ feet).
He continues to just be great, and the moment he refound his rhythm and flow especially pertaining to his impact past the boxscores, the Suns 6-game win-streak commenced.
They’ve been the hottest team in the league behind the Warriors, thanks in large part to the Point God, salute!
2.) KD is HOOPING 😮💨
A four-time scoring champ, Kevin Durant is enjoying a career-best start through Brooklyns first 12 games.
On pace for career-high frequency in attempts from the mid-range, he’s enjoying a career-high 61% from the in-between (including a career-high 70% from 14 feet out).
That’s a career-high inside of a career-high, inside of a career-high.
He paces the league in scoring with 29.5 PPG (his highest mark since his last scoring title in 2013-2014), which was also when he won league MVP honors.
No game better entails his dominance and efficiency than their (most recent) 123-90 win over the Magic.
Durant scored 30 on 11-12 from the field, including 2-2 from deep.
He makes scoring look easier than anyone in the history of the game in my opinion, and has enjoyed great success in returning from his Achilles injury.
3.) Are the Dubs Legit? 🤔💭
What’s going on in San Fransisco has been the foundation of all early-season discussions.
They’ve been the “surprise” of the NBA through the first 10 or so games, and have staked their claim in the thick of the NBA.
As it stands, they’re atop the league with a 10-1 record, and are one of the two aforementioned teams amidst a 6-game win-streak.
They’re 3rd in offense at 113.9 per game, and are first in defense allowing 100.8 a night.
Even more, over the past two weeks (6-0), they’re first in offense (119.6), defense (97.9), and point differential (+21.7).
Defense is where they’ve been getting it done at.
Teams are scoring just 85.6 points in the halfcourt per 100 possessions against them.
To put it in context, that’s the best defense they’ve had since their first title run in 2014-2015 where they allowed 82.6 per 100 possessions in the halfcourt.
The interconnectivity they’ve show defensively is a testament to two things: leadership and experience.
The likes of Steph, Dray, and Iggy are out-numbered in the rotation by players who are “wet behind the ears” in terms of meaningful game experience.
However at their foundation still lies the remnants of a borderline dynastic core, with more help to come.
Offensively, they have four double-digit scorers, led by Curry who’s at 27.4 per.
He is the leagues poster child for pyrotechnic-like scoring performances, and really is unique from any player in league history when he enters THAT mode.
It’s been the “others” amongst Kerrs rotation, however, that move the needle for this team in supplement of Curry’s dynamic.
Jordan Poole, Damion Lee, and Gary Payton II are the three who’ve been most impactful.
Jordan Poole
Poole’s been the exuberant dynamic that provides a spark for the Dubs independent of Steph.
The Michigan product is second on the team in scoring (17.8) and is second on the team in MPG indicating the trust and leash Kerr has allowed him.
Poole hasn’t disappointed at all, in fact he’s even surprised more often than not, which has him at the top of the most improved campaign as my preseason pick to win said award.
As the Warriors continue to lay a foundation for their season, it’ll be the likes of these three plus their usual suspects (Steph, Klay, Dray, Iggy) and Wiseman (who’s yet to play) that determine just how good this team can be come April and May.
As it stands, they’re piecing together a trail that aligns them with success for this season.
Exactly how much success that will be is what looms.
4.) Brandish Bulls 👀
The Chicago Bulls are BACK.
Not only are they back, but they’ve established a “never die” identity that also includes the fun factor!
Coming into this season, much was said about both the Bulls and Hornets in regards to being the two most fun teams to watch this season, as I spoke on in my last Fives.
Both have held up their weight, but the Bulls are the ones who sit atop the Eastern Conference with a 8-3 record while doing so in the entertainment department.
LaVine & DeRozan
The tandem scoring dynamic between LaVine (25.9 PPG) and DeRozan (26 PPG) has been as good as can be, as they recently tied a 7-game streak of consecutive games with 20+ points each, which had been held solely by best friends Jordan and Pippen.
That’s a record this tandem is sure to break this season, maybe even by the all-star break (or even the new year) at this pace.
Both are also: hovering around 4 assists, 50% from the field, 34% from 3, 5.5 rebounds, and are north of 50% in eFG%.
They’ve been as dynamic of a duo as it gets through everyone’s first 10 games.
Lonzo Ball
The dynamic Lonzo has brought has been on paper with just what I expected upon finally acquiring his talents.
He’s actually leading the team in 3-pointers made per game, at 3.1 on a team-high 6.9 attempts. He’s knocking said shot down at 44.7 percent as well, which is the teams highest clip for anyone attempting more than two a night.
Lonzo has done an excellent job setting the table and getting the ball to the Bulls scorers in their spots, making their jobs easier (both are enjoying their career 2nd best in eFG% as a byproduct).
He’s also been solid as the Bulls point of attack defender, taking on the most difficult backcourt matchups nightly.
They’re +10.8 points better when he’s on the floor which ranks in the 89th percentile of the league, and perform defensively at a 101.3 rate which is also 89th percentile.
His activity, versatility, and situational awareness are the perfect balance to go with this rendition of the Bulls.
The ancillary efforts of Caruso, who’s been a menace in terms of activity all over the floor, have been instrumental. He’s continued to be a winning player, bringing all the grit as one of the leagues best guards off the bench.
Dosunmu has been effective in his stints as well as he finds his way in the league.
Ayo Dosunmu is getting a whole lot done in a short amount of time per night. Billy Donovan's afforded his rookie 13.6 MPG &, averaging 5.2 PPG, 2.2 RPG, & 0.9 APG, the U of I product has been all-impressive & highly-effective.
Quick thread ⤵️ #BullsNation
— Stephen PridGeon ☯️🏁 (@StayTrueSDot3) November 10, 2021
Defense
As a team, the Bulls are 7th in deflections (16.7) as well as loose ball recoveries (6.6).
They’re establishing a scrappy and gritty identity that is on-brand for the vibe of the city they represent.
Closing lineup
Their closing lineup of Ball-Caruso-LaVine-DeRozan-Vucevic has been a +16.2 on the season, which is near the top of the league.
DeRozans third in the league in 4th quarter scoring (7.9).
As a team, the Bulls are tied in 4th quarter scoring at 28.3 per and are a league-best +4.2 in the final period as well.
They enter what will be a telling 5-game road trip starting tonight @ GSW, then the rest of the trip goes @ LAC, @ LAL, @ POR, @ DEN.
They enter this stretch of games unsure as to how long they’ll be without Nikola Vucevic, who’d just enjoyed his best game of the season on Wednesday before it was announced on Thursday that he was entering the leagues health and safety protocols.
He’ll at least be out for tonight’s game, but him missing more than just tonight would hurt them as their depth is thin behind him.
Nonetheless, the Bulls continue to show they’re here and relevant in the landscape of he Eastern Conference.
5.) Paul George’s silent Dominance
Before receiving league recognition as the Western Conference Player of the Week on Monday, Paul George’s dominance had gone vastly unnoticed it seemed.
What Paul George is doing to start the season deserves WAY more attention, as he's been a top 4-6 player in the league. He's doing so with an increased workload no-less, on both ends of the floor
– 2nd in scoring (27.9)
– 2nd in steals (3.0)
– 7th in deflections (4.0) pic.twitter.com/Qj1Jg8rAia— Stephen PridGeon ☯️🏁 (@StayTrueSDot3) November 6, 2021
He’s averaging 26.7 PPG, *5.4 RPG, 7.8 RPG, *2.5 SPG. * Indicates career-high
PG is also 3rd in loose ball recoveries per game (1.5) as well as 6th in 4th quarter scoring (7.2).
I entailed a lot of my thoughts on PG13 in the Twitter thread above, but his level of play has been both MVP and DPOY caliber.
He’s back in the role of number 1 option, looks healthy, and his impact on this Clippers squad has been profound.
After last season which was a “reclamation” of sorts for him, he’s been playing some of his careers best basketball and has been all-impressive.
That’s a wrap for this weeks Five’s, here are my games to watch for the weekend:
- Friday – CHI @ GSW, 9PM CST on ESPN
- Sunday – MIL @ ATL, 5PM on NBALP
