Team of the week
Since 2008, the Detroit Pistons haven’t won a playoff series, making just four postseason appearances. After a wild attempt to become contenders around the Blake Griffin - Andre Drummond duo at the end of the 2010s, they have started rebuilding around the 2021 draft’s first pick, Cade Cunningham.
It’s a project that took time to bear fruit. But last season, Detroit returned to the playoffs, giving the Knicks a tough challenge. Expectations were high for the Michigan franchise to take the next step this season, and it looks like it’s happening: the Pistons have just won six straight games and sit atop the Eastern Conference.
Their point guard, now an All-Star, is a huge part of their success, and his one-two punch with Jalen Duren is one of the most dangerous in the NBA. The relative weakness of the conference certainly helps, but the team’s momentum is excellent, and the schedule is favourable - this could be a great chance to widen the gap.
Underperformers of the week
Last Monday night, Kawhi Leonard missed a game-winning shot against the Miami Heat. It was a sign of things to come for the Los Angeles Clippers. Sure, losing to the Thunder isn’t shameful, but back-to-back losses to the Suns are a real concern.
Their stars are missing in key moments - a bad sign. The roster is ageing, with most players making one last push for a ring, and now Kawhi is set to miss a few more games. There’s little doubt the Clippers will at least make the play-in, but right now, they don’t look like contenders - which is what they’re supposed to be...
Player of the week
Joel Embiid is playing on one leg, and Paul George hasn’t set foot on the court this season. The young core of the Philadelphia 76ers is promising, with rookie VJ Edgecombe and Jared McCain, but for now, their season is defined by one man: Tyrese Maxey.
We’re talking about the NBA’s second-leading scorer right now, averaging 33.2 points per game. Add 8.2 assists, excellent shooting percentages (44.1% from three), and a handful of big plays, and you’ve suddenly got a true team leader, a possible Top 10 MVP candidate who is keeping his team in the East’s top six. While waiting for the stars to return, they’ll be able to play in support of the 76ers’ new leader.
Play of the week
What a season it has been so far for Aaron Gordon. Right out of the gate, he scored 50 points for the first time in a game against the Warriors. He faced them again this weekend, and while he only put up 18 this time, he treated the Ball Arena crowd to an absolutely sensational poster.
Story of the week
Farewell to a legend. Not the most famous, perhaps, but we’re talking about the third-winningest coach in NBA history, behind only Don Nelson and Gregg Popovich.
Lenny Wilkens passed away yesterday at the age of 88. It is easy to forget, but before he was a great coach, he was also a great player.
No fewer than 15 seasons in the NBA, nine All-Star Game appearances, including being named MVP in 1971. He was good enough to finish second in MVP voting in 1968, just behind the legendary Wilt Chamberlain.
A genius playmaker, a natural leader, he’s in the Hall of Fame three times: as a player, a coach, and as a member of the original Dream Team, where he was assistant coach to Chuck Daly.
Four years later, he was the head coach for Team USA’s gold medal win at the Atlanta Olympics. One of the great moments in a truly remarkable career...