The votes are in and final, and here we announce the Players of the Week
and Rookies of the Week for Week 8!
East
POTW – Kawhi Leonard
He’s back! The 76ers have been asking for him to be the saviour for weeks
and it’s here. 34.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6 assists, 1.8 steals and 50/55/100
for their star playing out of position at SG. The 76ers went 3-2 in the week
too, despite their other injuries. They’re not out of touch yet and the team is
still strong when healthy, but their lack of depth has been tested severely
this year. Look for them to rise.
West POTW
– Nikola Jokic
Thunder get their guys back and Jokic goes back to C, and bang, easily
his best week of the season. 3 games that are all his highest of the year, and
a 20 rebound game. 27 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1.8 blocks
on 53/69/94 shooting and only 0.3 turnovers a game. Maybe a sign of what is to
come once they stop having random outs? Look out!
West
ROTW – Dakari Johnson
He’s now a starter, and he’s now Alex Len in New Orleans. 20.4 points,
14.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists on 61% shooting and 82% from the line. He needs
to scrub up on the defensive stats, but damn that’s some production from the
guy called up to replace the now infamous Len. He’s got the lion share of the
big man minutes in NO and should make a strong push down the stretch.
East
ROTW – Ben Simmons
He’s
back up here! He smashed the 76ers for a career high 39 points this week, as
well as dropping 4 double doubles, 3 with points/assists and 1 with
points/rebounds, with 9 assists to boot. The walking triple double threat was
in full swing and the Pistons went 3-2. The parts keep moving round him, even
if they’re untouchable, but 27.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 9.6 assists continues to
float his rookie boat, despite still going 4.2 turnovers last week and little
or no defensive numbers. His shooting still isn’t coming along either, but does
it need to for him to win the award?
Congratulations to the
winners in Week 8 and may the odds be forever in your favour!