Pelicans Lose Davis to Injury, Beat Thunder

Anthony Davis left Thursday night’s home contest versus the Oklahoma City Thunder with a left shoulder injury, but the New Orleans Pelicans managed to secure an upset win.

Without Davis, forward Julius Randle and guard Jrue Holiday led the way. Randle finished with 33 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, while Holiday had 32 points, five rebounds and seven assists in the 131-122 victory. Holiday defended Thunder All-Star forward Paul George and held him to 11-of-29 shooting—including 3-of-17 from three-point territory. George scored 28 points with seven rebounds, six assists, one blocked shot and one steal.

Davis exited the Smoothie King Center with his agent, Rich Paul, in the second half. MRI results revealed the All-Star suffered a muscle contusion but "nothing too bad," according to ESPN. Davis will get treatment on the shoulder over the next few days. He will see how he feels before deciding whether he can play in Sunday’s All-Star Game in Charlotte.

Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry had no interest in discussing Davis—who publicly requested a trade but was ultimately not dealt before the NBA’s trade deadline—and shifted his focus on his players who carried the team to a victory.

"I'm gonna talk about the guys that play," Gentry said. "They did a great job. We found a way to win the game. That's what's important."

Gentry lauded his players for stepping up and winning a game against one of the best teams in the Western Conference, in spite of all the drama surrounding his squad.

"I'm happy for all of them," Gentry said. "Because to tell you the truth, this whole thing has been a dumpster fire. We want guys to be professional and we want them to do this, but it's hard for guys to go through what they've been through. And to be able to come out and beat a team of that quality, I'm happy for all the guys. I just thought they did a great job."

Thunder guard Russell Westbrook accomplished two incredible feats in the defeat. He increased his triple-double streak to 11 games—an NBA record—by scoring 44 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and dishing out 11 assists. Despite the loss, Oklahoma City is 9-2 during Westbrook’s streak. In addition to increasing his triple-double streak, Westbrook became the all-time leading scorer in Sonics/Thunder franchise history. He surpassed Gary Payton (18,207 points) and now has accumulated 18,247 points in his storied career.

Carmelo Anthony Commemorates $28 Million Salary by Laughing at His Haters

Carmelo Anthony has opted into his player option and will earn $27.9 million in 2018-19 as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He did not exercise the early termination on the final year of his contract, which he originally signed with the New York Knicks in 2014. His decision to forgo free agency and remain with the Thunder on a monstrous salary just shy of $28 million irritated his detractors, including some Oklahoma City fans who hoped they had seen the last of the 34-year-old aging forward.

Carmelo Anthony will return to the Oklahoma City Thunder after struggling in his first year with the team. (USA Today Sports)

Firing back against his critics, Anthony left a message for his haters on his Instagram and on his Twitter account.

Oh You Mad, Huh? 😂 “Take A Step Back, Evaluate, What Is Important, And Enjoy Life”#STAYME7O pic.twitter.com/emlzaQr5pH

— Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) June 24, 2018

Thunder fans have been vocal with their displeasure for Anthony’s disappointing play. They wanted Anthony to opt out after he posted career-lows in scoring (16.2 ppg) and shooting percentage (40.4 percent) in 2017-18. His assists (1.3) and minutes (32.1) per contest were also the worst of his 15-year career.

In the Thunder’s first-round loss to the Utah Jazz, Anthony averaged just 11.8 points in the six-game series.

Anthony doesn’t care about what his critics have to say. His contract of nearly $28 million handcuffs Oklahoma City—which still plans to offer Paul George a max-level contract, but in doing so will make its payroll one of the highest in league history—but that’s not Anthony’s problem. He can laugh all the way to the bank as one of the most overpaid players for the upcoming season.

NBA 2017-18 Western Conference Standings Predictions

With the summer drawing to a close and the NBA’s Opening Night tipping-off in less than two months, standings predictions are detailed here for the upcoming season in the Western Conference.

1. Golden State Warriors

By far the best team in the league, the Dubs brought back their championship core and added guard Nick Young and forward Omri Casspi in free agency.

The Warriors could reach the 70-win plateau for the second time in three seasons.

2. Houston Rockets

The Rockets are constructing their roster to dethrone the Warriors. Not only did they trade for superstar point guard Chris Paul, they also signed P.J. Tucker and Luc Mbah a Moute — two defensive stalwarts whom can guard (as best as one possibly can) Kevin Durant.

Chris Paul holds his jersey up in his introductory press conference with the Houston Rockets. Houston’s general manager Daryl Morey (left) and head coach Mike D’Antoni (right) are also shown. (AP Photo)

Houston is the home for two of the 10 best players (James Harden and Paul) in the NBA. Will it also be the home of Carmelo Anthony come this winter?

3. San Antonio Spurs

It was a bit of a rough offseason for the Spurs. Not only did their in-state rivals acquire Paul, a player who the Spurs coveted, they lost Jonathan Simmons in free agency (Orlando Magic) and their biggest move of the summer was signing Rudy Gay, who is coming off a season-ending Achilles injury.

Tony Parker is out until January, as the Spurs’ floor general recovers from successful surgery on his left quad. Patty Mills will be manning the point guard duties in the meantime.

Even with Parker out and forward LaMarcus Aldridge reportedly unhappy in San Antonio, the Spurs remain a top-3 team in the West because of Kawhi Leonard, the best two-way player in the league.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder pulled off one of the most stunning trades in recent memory, acquiring superstar forward Paul George from the Indiana Pacers in return for mercurial guard Victor Oladipo — currently in the midst of a hefty contract — and backup forward Domantas Sabonis.

Four-time All-Star Paul George, a free agent in 2018, is the newest member of the Thunder. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)

Some think George, an impending free agent, may be a 1-year rental, but the forward made it clear if the Thunder reach the West Finals (or beyond) he’d be “dumb to leave” Oklahoma City.

Now serious contenders in the Western Conference, the Thunder re-signed defensive juggernaut Andre Roberson and inked stretch forward Patrick Patterson to a three-year contract.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves haven’t qualified for the postseason since 2004 but their woes appear to be in the past after landing Jimmy Butler in a Draft Night trade from the Chicago Bulls.

The Timberwolves signed Jeff Teague to join a (projected) starting lineup comprising of Butler, Karl Anthony-Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Gorgui Dieng.

The bench features free agent additions Jamal Crawford and Taj Gibson.

6. Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers squeaked into the playoffs last year — only to get throttled in a first-round sweep at the hands of the champion Warriors. Though it was a disappointing season for Portland, given its expectations, there is certainly room for optimism because of Jusuf Nurkic.

The seven-foot 23-year-old Bosnian center was traded from the Denver Nuggets to the Trail Blazers at February’s trade deadline. From the moment he arrived in Portland, Nurkic played like an All-Star, averaging 15.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.3 steals per contest.

Jusuf Nurkic will be critical to Portland’s success in 2017–18. (Sam Forencich/Getty Images)

Nurkic’s season was cut short after he suffered a non-displaced right leg fracture, as the center missed the final seven games of the regular season and appeared in just one game (17 minutes in Game 3) in the playoffs.

Assuming Nurkic returns to form, he can establish a powerful trio with Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. And if all goes well, the Trail Blazers can trade for Carmelo Anthony (they would first have to convince the 10-time All-Star to waive his no-trade clause and leave the New York Knicks) and acquire the star power needed to compete in a Western Conference loaded with All-Star caliber players.

7. Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets missed the playoffs by a mere game last season. After adding All-Star forward Paul Millsap in free agency, the Nuggets are poised to make the postseason for the first time since 2013.

Millsap will form a one-two punch in the middle with center Nikola Jokic, a bonafide superstar in the second half of last season who looks the part of a perennial All-Star.

Jokic is a walking double-double who improved on the defensive side of the ball as the season commenced. Jokic’s dominant interior presence will keep the Nuggets competitive in the West for years to come.

8. Utah Jazz

Gordon Hayward defected to the Boston Celtics in free agency, but the Jazz still have Rudy Gobert, a member of the All-NBA Second Team last season.

Replacing Hayward is an impossible task — at least for the upcoming season — for the Jazz who now must rely heavily on Gobert, the NBA’s blocks leader in 2016–17 who made the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

The Jazz traded for point guard Ricky Rubio — replacing George Hill, who signed with the lowly Sacramento Kings — and re-signed Joe Ingles. They also inked veteran forwards Jonas Jerebko and Thabo Sefolosha to two-year deals as the Jazz recovered relatively well from the Hayward departure.

Advancing to the West semifinals last year, the Jazz will likely be grinding just to reach the playoffs. They could find themselves battling with the Los Angles Clippers — who they defeated in a seven-game series last postseason — for the eighth seed in the West.

Rest of the Pack

9. Los Angeles Clippers

10. New Orleans Pelicans

11. Memphis Grizzlies

12. Dallas Mavericks

13. Los Angeles Lakers

14. Sacramento Kings

15. Phoenix Suns

Must-Watch Home Game for all Eastern Conference Teams

 With the NBA releasing its 2017–18 schedule on Monday, here is a glance at the must-see home contest for all 15 squads from the Eastern Conference.

Atlanta Hawks

Vs. Denver Nuggets (Oct. 27): Atlanta opted not to re-sign Paul Millsap, who compiled four All-Star seasons with the team before joining the Nuggets in the offseason via free agency. The Hawks will likely pay some sort of tribute to their former star Millsap, who conveyed his anger that Atlanta did not even make him a contract offer.

For a franchise in full rebuild mode, Millsap’s return to Atlanta might be the only thing Hawks fans can get excited about this season.

Boston Celtics

Vs. Washington Wizards (Dec. 25): The Celtics host a Christmas Day game for the first time in 53 years when the Wizards visit TD Garden in a rematch of last year’s seven-game Eastern Conference semifinals series.

John Wall and Isaiah Thomas will go head-to-head on Christmas. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

The two best point guards in the East — Washington’s John Wall and Boston’s Isaiah Thomas — take center stage in a rivalry that now includes both of the Morris twins — with Markieff Morris entering his second full season (acquired at the 2016 trade deadline) with the Wizards and Marcus Morris now a member of the Celtics.

Brooklyn Nets

Vs. Los Angeles Lakers (Feb. 2): Lakers president Magic Johnson chastised Nets point guard D’Angelo Russell after trading him to Brooklyn. Russell didn’t pan out as expected with the Lakers, something Johnson made clearafter dealing the guard. Johnson said the Lakers needed “a leader” and someone whom “players want to play with” and Russell apparently didn’t fit the bill on either accounts.

Russell gets the chance to make Johnson eat his words (at least for one night) and goes head-to-head against the guy who replaced him, Lonzo Ball.

Charlotte Hornets

Vs. Los Angeles Lakers (Dec. 9): Will the attention-seeking LaVar Ball, father of Lonzo Ball, make the trip for the Lakers’ only visit to Charlotte?

If so, it would be intriguing to see Lavar, who has manipulated the media into covering his every move, interact with Michael Jordan. Lavar — successfully boasting his way into the league’s limelight with his incessant, nonsensical trash-talking tirades and all — claimed he would have “killed” NBA legend Jordan in one-on-one. Jordan snickered at Lavar’s comment, saying he could defeat LaVar playing on just one leg.

Chicago Bulls

Vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Feb. 9): Jimmy Butler returns to the United Center — this time as a visitor and a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Former Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau, who is entering his third season as Minnesota’s coach and president of basketball operations, also makes his lone visit of the year to Chicago for what is the Bulls’ only scheduled nationally televised game of the season.

Minnesota’s Tom Thibodeau (left) and Jimmy Butler (center) visit the Bulls in February. (AP Photo)

Cleveland Cavaliers

Vs. Golden State Warriors (Jan. 15): The Cavs look for redemption against the defending champion Golden State Warriors, who defeated Cleveland in a lopsided five-game NBA Finals last June.

Detroit Pistons

Vs. Charlotte Hornets (Oct. 18): Opening night against Charlotte in the Pistons’ new home court, Little Caesars Arena, should make for a boisterous atmosphere in downtown Detroit.

Indiana Pacers

Vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Dec. 13): Expect boos when four-time All-Star Paul George returns to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. George demanded a trade and got his wish as the forward was dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Pacers and their fanbase are already geared up for George’s return to Indy.

Paul George makes his lone trip of the season to Indianapolis in December. (Robert Scheer/IndyStar)

Miami Heat

Vs. Boston Celtics (Oct. 28): Kelly Olynyk plays his first game against the franchise that drafted him back in 2013 after signing a four-year, $50 million contract with the Heat this offseason.

Miami faces Gordon Hayward, who chose to sign with the Celtics over the Heat this summer.

Milwaukee Bucks

Vs. Toronto Raptors (Jan. 5): The upstart Bucks get a chance early in the 2018 calendar year for revenge against the team that knocked them out of the postseason.

The Bucks hope to prove they are now on Toronto’s level.

New York Knicks

Vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (Nov. 13): LeBron James has put on a show at Madison Square Garden on multiple occasions, averaging 28.5 points per contest in New York’s home arena. MSG is the only arena where James has topped the 50-point plateau twice.

But the main story-line here is Kyrie Irving playing against the Knicks (assuming Irving is still on Cleveland’s roster come mid-November), a team that is reportedly on his wish list for trade destinations.

According to reports, Kyrie Irving is interested in playing for the Knicks. (Darren Abate/AP)

A minor subplot is Derrick Rose’s return to New York, where he played one season and registered 18 points and 4.4 assists per game before signing with the Cavs this offseason.

Orlando Magic

Vs. Miami Heat (Oct. 18): No contest stands out in particular on the schedule for the Magic, who look destined for another losing season, so opening night against the in-state rival Miami Heat might be the game to attend for Orlando fans.

Philadelphia 76ers

Vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (March 24): The first overall pick in each of the past four NBA drafts — the 76ers’ Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons and Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins — will be in action for this contest featuring a bevy of young talent. Joel Embiid versus Towns could provide fireworks.

Toronto Raptors

Vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (Jan. 11): Cleveland has knocked Toronto out of the past two postseasons, as the Cavs swept the Raptors in the second-round last year.

It’s only a regular-season contest, but this game gives the Raptors a chance to see if they shortened any of the gap between themselves and the three-time reigning Eastern Conference champions.

Washington Wizards

Vs. Boston Celtics (Feb. 8): The Wizards host the team that defeated them in the East Semifinals for the first time in 2018.

The home team won every matchup (regular season and playoffs) last year.

5 Winners of 2017 NBA Offseason

                The 2017 NBA offseason has been an intriguing period, to put it lightly, after the league experienced its most lowbrow postseason in recent memory. With trades galore—some taking place before (and during) the NBA Draft and others occurring during the free agency frenzy—player movement has been abundant as the competitive landscape has again been remolded. Here’s a rundown of the five winners of the offseason.

Golden State Warriors

                The Warriors won the offseason for the second straight year. A summer removed from winning the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, the NBA champions re-signed Andre Iguodola to a three-year contract, gave two-time MVP Stephen Curry a supermax contract, retained Durant on a discount deal, kept backups Shaun Livingston and David West, brought back veteran starting center Zaza Pachulia and added guard Nick Young and forward Omri Casspi.

Shaun Livingston (left) and Andre Iguodala (right) re-signed with the NBA champion Warriors. (Russell Yip/The Chronicle)

                Curry, Durant, Iguodala, and Livingston have all proven their worth to the Warriors—so too have Pachulia and West, in limited roles, something Young and Casspi could do next season. Young shot 40.6 percent from three-point range last season and will get plenty of open looks on a loaded Golden State offensive attack. Casspi, inked to a veteran minimum contract of $2,106,470, can be slotted at both forward positions, shoots the three well and has the length to play reasonable defense. He dealt with injuries most of last year, but the season prior he registered career-high averages in points (11.8), rebounds (5.9), minutes (27.2) and 3-point percentage (40.9).

              It’s hard to imagine the Warriors not capturing a second consecutive title next season. They are far better than the second-best team in the league, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have done nothing to close the huge talent gap between the defending champion Warriors.

Boston Celtics

                Securing the No. 1 seed in the East was a huge accomplishment for the upstart Celtics, but they were clearly overmatched in the Conference Finals by the Cavaliers. While Cleveland remains the favorite to return to the Finals, Boston could give the three-time reigning Eastern Conference champs a run for their money. The Celtics signed All-Star forward Gordon Hayward—who has "unfinished business" to accomplish with his college (Butler University) coach and current Celtics head coach Brad Stevens—in free agency and now have a second scorer to take some of the burden off electric guard Isaiah Thomas.

                Trading Avery Bradley—a free agent in 2018—was a tough, but necessary move by President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. In shipping Bradley to the Detroit Pistons, the Celtics netted Marcus Morris, a lengthy defender who, in the past, has guarded LeBron James as well as any player possibly can.

                Though the Celtics relinquished the top pick to the Philadelphia 76ers via trade, they got their man in Duke forward Jayson Tatum with the third overall pick and collected an additional high lottery pick (the Los Angeles Lakers’ pick in 2018 if the selection falls anywhere from No. 2 through No. 5 in the Draft, and if not, the Sacramento Kings’ pick in 2019) and retained their deep cache of future draft picks.

                Jaylen Brown earned playoff minutes last season and could serve as a crucial piece to Boston’s team in 2017-18 and beyond. And if LeBron opts to bolt Cleveland in the summer of 2018, the Celtics could rule the East for the foreseeable future.

Oklahoma City Thunder

                The Thunder pulled off the shocker off the offseason by acquiring Paul George…for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Even if George is just a 1-year rental and leaves for Los Angeles next summer, this deal is 100 percent worth it. The Thunder scraped Oladipo’s bloated contract and picked up one of the league’s best players all in one single move.

                With George on the Thunder, NBA MVP Russell Westbrook, fresh off averaging a triple-double for the 2016-17 campaign, now has a superstar teammate again—merely a year after Durant ditched town in taking the easiest path imaginable for a title by joining the 73-win Warriors.

                Adding forward Patrick Patterson and re-upping defensive stalwart Andre Roberson to a three-year, $30 million contract was icing on the cake for Oklahoma City, which is now in the conversation with the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets for the second-best team in the West.

Paul George and Andre Roberson are now teammates in Oklahoma City. (Brian Spurlock/USA Today Sports)

Houston Rockets

                Speaking of the Rockets, the 55-win franchise acquired Chris Paul, a top-10 player in the league and now-former Los Angeles Clippers superstar point guard.

                Though it cost the Rockets NBA All-Defense First-Team member Patrick Beverly, the 2015 Sixth Man of the Year (Lou Williams) and frontcourt youngsters Sam Dekker and Montrezl Harrell, this trade is a home run for Houston, which now has a juggernaut 1-2 punch of James Harden and Paul that is every bit as talented as any duo in the league.

                The logistics of a Harden-Paul duo—two players who love to have the ball in their hands—shall be interesting. But it was clear last year that Harden deserved more help after the NBA’s assist leader looked absolutely gassed in the team’s second-round postseason defeat at the hands of the Spurs.

                The Rockets are rumored to have interest in 10-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony. This trio would be full of star power, and while Anthony really feigns holding onto the ball, the hope is he can be utilized as a power forward who is switch-impervious in the pick-and-roll with Harden and Paul.

Minnesota Timberwolves

                The Timberwolves look destined to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2004. They landed Jimmy Butler in a Draft Night trade with the rebuilding Bulls. Butler rejoins forces with Tom Thibodeau, who coached the three-time All-Star in Chicago.

Tom Thibodeau and Jimmy Butler will be reunited in Minnesota. (Tom Zanine/USA Today Sports)

                Minnesota also added Jeff Teague, a formidable point guard who is two years removed from an All-Star Game appearance, and signed veterans Taj Gibson and Jamal Crawford.

               Adding Crawford, the three-time Sixth Man of the Year nearing the end of his career, adds a needed three-point maker, but the shooting-deprived Timberwolves still need more guys to hit buckets from the outside on a consistent basis to join the likes of the elites in the West. With that said, Karl Anthony-Towns, Butler and Andrew Wiggins are a trio to be feared for years to come and gives a Minnesota franchise its first real excitement since trading away Kevin Garnett in the summer of 2007.

NBA Player Rank 2014: Nos. 10-1

10. Stephen Curry (PG) - Golden State Warriors

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 24.0

REB 4.3

ASST 8.5

FG% 47.1

Curry recorded career-highs in points and assists in 2013-2014, earning him a spot on the All-NBA Second Team. He became the first Warriors player to earn second team All-NBA honors since Latrell Sprewell in 1993-94. Curry knocked down 261 three-pointers, leading the NBA in that accolade for the second consecutive year. He had four triple-doubles this season, tied for second in the league with Joakim Noah and trailing only Lance Stephenson, who recorded five.


9. Dwight Howard (C) – Houston Rockets

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 18.3

REB 12.2

ASST 1.8

FG% 59.1

In the center's first season in Houston, Howard finished in the top-five in rebounds (fourth), double-doubles (tied for fourth with 57) and field goal percentage (third). He made his seventh All-NBA Team, this time earning second team honors. Howard was a dominant force in the postseason--despite the Rockets bowing out to the Trail Blazers in the first-round--averaging 26.0 points and 13.7 rebounds.


8. Paul George (SF) – Indiana Pacers

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 21.7

REB 6.8

ASST 3.5

FG% 42.4

A year after winning the NBA's Most Improved Player award, George was named to the All-NBA Third Team. George's contract included the "Rose Provision," which allows for a bonus in maximum contracts if the player wins the MVP, starts two All-Star games, or in his case, is named to two All-NBA teams (he was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2012-2013 as well). George cashed in on $7 million as a result of the provision in a season that saw him average 21.7 points, 6.8 boards, and 1.9 steals in 36 minutes per game. In the Pacers' run to the Eastern Conference Finals, George recorded 22.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per contest.

7. Russell Westbrook (PG) – Oklahoma City Thunder

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 21.8

REB 5.7

ASST 6.9

FG% 43.7

Failing to make an All-NBA Team for the first time in four years as a result of 36 games missed due to injury, Westbrook still had another stellar season as the emotional torchbearer for the Thunder. His finest moment of the regular season came in a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, when he tallied a triple-double in a mere 20 minutes of play (second fastest triple-double in NBA history). He averaged 26.7 points, 8.1 assists, 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 steals during the 19 playoff games the Thunder played this postseason. Westbrook, who recorded a career-high 1.9 steals during the regular season, has said he plans to spend the bulk of his summer refining his defensive skills. 

6. Blake Griffin (PF) – Los Angeles Clippers

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 24.1

REB 9.5

ASST 3.9

FG% 52.8

The fourth-year forward had his best season as a pro in 2013-2014, leading the Clippers in scoring (career-best 24.1 ppg) as he shot 52.8 percent from the field and a career-best 71.5 percent from the free-throw line. Griffin was able to improve his jumper immensely--the Achilles heel in his game--to become a more versatile scorer. His defensive interior presence was felt this season, likewise his usual dunk theatrics on the offensive end. Griffin finished third in MVP voting and was named to the All-NBA Second Team for the third straight year.

5. Kevin Love (PF) - Minnesota Timberwolves

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 26.1

REB 12.5

ASST 4.4

FG% 45.7

Love, by far the biggest name on the trade market, led the NBA with 65 double-doubles this season while averaging 26.1 points and 12.5 assists in 36 minutes per game. Love was named to the All-NBA Second Team, the second time he has earned these honors in the past three years. He also set Timberwolves franchise records for three-pointers made (190) and free throws made (520) in a season. Love posted otherworldly numbers in the month of February (34.1 ppg, 14.1 rpg), becoming the first player since Moses Malone in 1982 to average at least 34 points and 14 rebounds over an entire month. Love finished third in PER, fourth in win shares, sixth in wins against replacement, fifth in true shooting percentage and posted the best assist rate among all power forwards in 2013-2014.


4. LaMarcus Aldridge (PF/C) - Portland Trail Blazers

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 23.2

REB 11.1

ASST 2.6

FG% 45.8

Aldridge earned his second All-NBA Third Team honors this season, posting career-highs in points (eight-most in NBA) and rebounds (seventh-most in league). He shot a career-best 82.2 percent from the free-throw line. Aldridge cemented his status as the best power forward in the NBA in the eyes of many with his heroics in the first-round of the playoffs versus Houston, putting together consecutive 40-point games as he led the Trail Blazers to the Conference Semifinals for the first time in 14 years.


3. Chris Paul (PG) - Los Angeles Clippers

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 19.1

REB 4.3

ASST 10.7

FG% 46.

Paul was named to the All-NBA First Team for the fourth time in his career, leading the league with 10.7 assists and 2.48 steals per game this season. Undoubtedly the best point guard in the league, Paul steered the Clippers to a franchise-best 57 wins this season, reaching the 6,000 career-assist milestone in the process. 


2. Kevin Durant (SF) - Oklahoma City Thunder

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 32.0

REB 7.4

ASST 5.5

FG% 50.3

Durant won the MVP award in 2013-14, notching his fourth scoring title of his career in the process. He averaged career-highs in points (32.0) and assists per game (5.5), as well as posting 7.4 rebounds per contest. Durant had a streak of 41-straight games with 25 or more points scored. He was named to his fifth consecutive All-NBA First Team.  Durant shot 50 percent from the field and 39 percent from behind the arc. He also had two 50-point games and 14 40-point contests. 


1. LeBron James (SF) - Miami Heat

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 27.1

REB 6.9

ASST 6.4

FG% 56.7

The four-time MVP and two-time Finals MVP shot a carer-high 56.7 percent from the field in 2013-14. James was named to the All-NBA First Team for the eighth time in his career. He also got a spot on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. The highlight of his regular season came when he scored a career-high and Heat franchise-record 61 points in a March win versus the Charlotte Bobcats. James guided the Heat to their fourth consecutive Finals this season.