Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander an underrated MVP candidate?
The Thunder are starting to show their potential as a contender as one of the best teams in the league led by their superstar in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who is having a phenomenal season. He is currently averaging over 30 points per game for the second straight year while leading his team to the second best record in the West and just a game and a half from the first seed. Though Embiid and Jokic have been early favorites for the MVP award but Shai made a statement with an impressive win on the road in Denver.
In a big time matchup between the Thunder and Nuggets, Shai dropped 40 points while leading the Thunder to a rare blowout home loss for the Nuggets who came into the game on a six game losing streak. This was a very important win for the Thunder who are looking to stay ahead of the defending champion Nuggets in the standings but also for Shai who had an MVP statement performance and win against one of the best teams and players in the league. With Embiid missing the last few games with an injury and Shai putting up his stellar number don't be surprised to see him leading the MVP race as the season goes on. He is already making history this season as he is just the third player to average 30-plus points and 2.5 steals per game through the first 25 games of a season. Gilgeous-Alexander could become the first in league history to average 30 points or more on 55% shooting with 2.5 steals per game.
Reacting to the Knicks-Raptors trade
A trade between two teams who made effective moves that made sense for both sides went down on Saturday between the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors. The New York Knicks acquired forward OG Anunoby in a trade that sends RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round pick to the Toronto Raptors, the teams announced Saturday. Anunoby has been a coveted trade prospect has been mentioned in conversations for multiple teams for the past couple seasons. The trade benefits the Raptors by moving a player who likely would have left in free agency while the Knicks get a talented young two way wing who have they will likely sign to a long term deal in the offseason. Anunoby has averaged 15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.0 steals per game this season and is a player the Knicks believe will gel alongside Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson.
Both teams are in vastly different positions this season as the Knicks are a talented playoff caliber team with draft assets to further improve the roster. The Raptors however are moving forward into rebuild mode as they have just a 12-20 record as the 12th seed in the East. This move will likely be followed by a trade of their All-Star Pascal Siakam who like OG Anunoby is also on an expiring contract. Still, the trade for Barrett and Quickley gives them two talented young players they can use a building blocks for their future. Barrett is averaging 18.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game this season while his teammate Immanuel Quickley is averaging career highs in points at 15 points per game. Last year, Quickley was the runner up for the Sixth Man of the Year and is top five in total points and plus-minus off the bench this season.
Are the Heat still a title contender?
The defending Eastern Conference Champion have been battled through adversity already this season. Not even half way through their season they already have had 13 different players start a game including 16 different starting lineup combinations. Still, despite all those challenges they are still top 4 team in eastern conference. A player who has taken advantage of his opportunities when typical starters are out have been out has been their rookie first round pick in Jaime Jacquez. The rookie best game of the season so far came this past week against the Philadelphia 76ers. With Jimmy Butler out Jacquez dropped a career high 31 points in the 119-113 win on Christmas Day.
When healthy, the Heat are a team I feel can still contend with anybody as still have their big 3 who all average 20+ per game in Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, and Bam Adebayo. Adebayo has been particularly special this season when healthy averaging a career high in scoring of 22 points per game. Similar to last year, they are not a great offensive team ranking just 20th in the league in scoring but make up for it with a stifling defense where they rank 7th overall. Though they would have to likely get through a two headed monster in Boston or Milwaukee to get back to the Finals they still should not be underestimated due to their toughness and championship experience.
Game of the week- Pistons snap their record tying28 game losing streak, Cade Cunningham leads the way with a 30 point 12 assist double double in the 129-127 win over the Raptors
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