More shakeups in the standings around the NBA this past week. The Golden State Warriors have moved to 15-0 and are one win away from the best start to a season in NBA history. But while they have hogged the headlines, here is a look at what other teams and players have gotten better or worse over the past week in the NBA.
*All stats recorded prior to Monday night's games
Best Team
The New York Knicks are riding a four-game win streak thanks to a pair of road wins against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets, which was preceded by victories against the New Orleans Pelicans and Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden.
During those four games, the Knicks have held opponents to 26.5 percent shooting from three-point range and allowed an average of 93.3 points-per-game. While they are 3-4 at MSG, their 5-2 road record is among the best in the league. Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis have led the way, while Arron Afflalo has made steady contributions.
Melo averaged 21.5 points-per-game during the win streak, with Porzingis behind him averaging 17.5. Both players averaged 8.8 rebounds-per-game during their past four games. The Knicks have been playing good basketball and, at 8-6, have slipped into a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Worst Team
The Los Angeles Clippers were a collapse away from becoming the first team to beat the Golden State Warriors since the Cleveland Cavaliers did it in Game 3 of the 2015 NBA Finals. Instead, they allowed the Warriors to climb out of a 23-point deficit, which subsequently sent the Clippers into a tailspin.
Beginning with the 124-117 loss at home to the defending champs, the Clippers have lost three straight and seven of their last nine. Their current losing streak has pushed them under .500 (6-7), placing them eighth in the Western Conference. They averaged 96 points-per-game in their three contests last week while allowing 105.7 to opponents. The Clippers were outrebounded in each of the past three games. They travel to Denver to face the Nuggets Tuesday before returning home for six straight games at the Staples Center, which should allow them to find their rhythm.
Best Player
Kristaps Porzingis is quickly finding nicknames as he establishes himself as one of the best young players in the league. The fourth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft is making a serious case for Rookie of the Year and has been on fire as of late. "Airzingis" scored a career high 29 points against the Hornets last Tuesday, while grabbing 11 boards for his sixth career double-double.
On Saturday, "Godzingis" neared a triple-double with 24 points, 14 rebounds, and seven blocks. Yes, you read that correct. The once-hated lottery pick is shaping up well above expectations for the Knicks. Or maybe it was the rest of the league that failed to see what they saw in "Three Six Latvia". Make that 7'3" Latvia.
Worst Player
Gerald Green returned from suspension last week and was missing his shooting stroke. In three games for the Miami Heat last week, Green shot 3-for-16 from the field, making just one of his nine three-point attempts. Green's minutes were reduced to an average of 17.0 over the course of those three games, in which the eight-year veteran averaged 4.3 points-per-game.
Best Moment
The Warriors looked as though their win streak was all but destined to end at 12 games. But, after falling behind 41-25 at the end of the first quarter against the Clippers, Stephen Curry returned to the floor with two fouls and brought the defending champs back from 23 points down to move to 13-0. Curry finished with 40 points and 11 rebounds and kept the storyline rolling as the Warriors were able to win two more games to tie the NBA record for best start to a season.
Worst Moment
During a 109-97 win at home against the Atlanta Hawks, LeBron James turned the ball over in his own zone and proceeded to walk off court and sit on the bench. It resulted in a technical foul for an illegal substitution which left just four Cleveland Cavaliers on the court. While the Curry and the Warriors have stolen every comparison to Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls, James and the Cavs have quietly won the most games in the Eastern Conference. But, always aware of who he lost to in last year's NBA Finals, James is clearly frustrated and showed it by quitting on his team.
Fantasy Watchlist
Eric Bledsoe
The Phoenix Suns have quietly rolled off to a good start to the season. After trading two of their three-headed monster at guard at last season's trade deadline, the Suns have surprisingly maintained their backcourt strength. Bledsoe led averaged 23.3 points-per-game last week and shot over 50 percent from the field and three-point range on two occassions.
Brandon Knight
Bledsoe's teammate has led the way for the Suns and had an even better week, averaging 27.5ppg. He dropped 30 points or more twice, part of a double-double and triple-double performance. He is the hot hand in Phoenix.
Hassan Whiteside
He was on last week's watch list, but has since recorded a triple double with 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 blocks. Whiteside is looking more and more like the next Hakeem Olajuwon.