Over the past week in the NBA, the Brooklyn Nets were finally able to pick up a win, the New Orleans Pelicans were dealt more injuries, and Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki reminded us that the 1990s generation of players is not yet extinct. While some teams have turned their play to a positive direction, others have trended the opposite way. The Detroit Pistons, for example, had one of the better starts to the season and have now lost four straight.
*All statistics and records were recorded prior to Monday night's games
Best Team
After two weeks of neglecting the true best team, the defending champions finally get the credit they deserve in this week's edition. The undefeated Golden State Warriors are far and away the best team in the league to this point.
They hold a 14-game winning streak dating back to the NBA Finals and have won all 11 games this season under interim head coach Luke Walton. The Warriors are averaging a league-best 114.1 points-per-game and are one of just three teams in the Western Conference allowing less than 100 points per game to opponents.
Stephen Curry is the early favorite to win the MVP award and has officially taken the reins in Oakland. The Baby-Faced Assassin is averaging 33.4 points per game and is doing it with the same effortlessness that he showcased last season. The Warriors were the team to beat coming into the season and have maintained a target on their backs through the first three weeks of this year.
Worst Team
Another team that has been neglected in this weekly review of The Association, the Philadelphia 76ers have made the cut for the wrong reasons. The Sixers have been one of the worst teams in the NBA three years running and, even after stealing Jahlil Okafor with the third overall pick in this year's draft, the Philly kids have failed to notch a win through 10 games. Pitiful basketball to watch, management has done a horrific job of forming a successful roster.
Joel Embiid was a wasted draft pick and Nerlens Noel is not an adequate alternative. Okafor will have to lead the way for years to come, but the 76ers are in dire need of help. Philadelphia fans must only wonder if their losses would be cut in half if the team did not trade away Michael Carter-Williams last season.
Best Player
Keeping with the trend, Stephen Curry was left off this list last week, but has been the best player in the NBA all season. His absurd three-pointers have returned as he continues to climb the charts towards being the best three-point shooter of all time. Curry's heaves from near halfcourt against the Memphis Grizzlies last week were a joy to watch. More circus shots to come, Curry will be one of the favorites to make this list all season.
Best Division
The Central Division sent three teams to the postseason last year, headlined by the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls. Each of the five teams had their share of hiccups to begin this season, but all are currently .500 or better.
The Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks began the season with losing streaks, but have since found ways to garner consecutive wins. The aforementioned Pistons are on the wrong side of the tracks, having lost four in a row and are now 5-5. Each team will play a division rival this week, which could make for an interesting shakeup to the standings.
Worst Division
The Atlantic Division is currently home to two of the worst teams in the NBA, including the winless 76ers, who are the only team without a victory. The 18 combined wins among the five teams is the lowest total in any division. Just two of the teams in the Atlantic Division have winning records.
The Toronto Raptors lead the way at 7-4, while the Boston Celtics reside in second place at 5-4. Each team will play out-of-conference games this week and all will be on the road for the majority of those contests. Basically, it doesn't look like things will get much brighter for any of the teams in the Atlantic.
Best Moment
In an overtime victory against the Brooklyn Nets, Stephen Curry passed his father, Dell, on the all-time three-point list. Currently tied for 40th all-time, the young Curry will likely cut that list in half by season's end. Dad's legacy lives on in his son and there truly is not much more special than that.
Worst Moment
Seeing the impact the terrorist attacks in Paris had on several NBA players hits home. Tony Parker, Boris Diaw, Nicolas Batum, and Clint Capela are all French natives and present a sad reminder of those who lost loved ones over seas.
Fantasy Watchlist
A double-double machine, Hassan Whiteside has been scoring, rebounding, and blocking as well as any big man. Whiteside leads the lead in blocks, averaging 4.0 per game. He is fifth in rebounding and, when he can score, his fantasy value skyrockets.
Marcus Smart is coming off a career game against Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Smart's Celtics topped Westbrook and the Thunder behind a 26-point performance from the second-year man. He made 64 percent of his shots and added eight rebounds, while his defense was a reminder of why he was selected sixth overall a year ago.
PG-13 is back. Paul George has been cinematic of late and has gotten it done in all aspects of his game. He averaged over 26 points and nearly eight rebounds in three games last week, while distributing the ball effectively to his teammates. With the Pacers on the upswing, George is a must-start.
Speaking of must-start, DeMarcus Cousins has been tenacious. After an outburst directed toward head coach George Karl had the media swarming, Boogie scored over 30 points in three of the Sacramento Kings' four games last week, including a 40-point, 13-rebound showing against the lowly Nets last Friday. The Kings have won three in a row, largely in part to Cousins, who is making his case as the best big man in the game.