Table of Contents
Jimmy Butler is back.
After missing 7 games, Jimmy sent Boston a message on Instagram and on the court, leading a thus-far middling Miami squad to an impressive overtime victory on the road against arguably the NBA’s best team. Jimmy dropped 25 points to go along with 15 boards and hit an absolute dagger in OT to put Miami up 4 with less than 10 seconds to go. Maybe it’s my homer senses tingling or maybe Jimmy is going to bring Miami back from the mid.
Elsewhere in the league…
Back to Atlanta, we go. Just a week after Dejounte Murray was causing problems, it’s now come out that Trae Young and coach Nate McMillian are at odds. So much so that a disagreement over how Trae should be approaching shootaround led to an argument and ultimately Trae opting out of playing in Friday’s game. Tensions are continuing to rise down south and if this keeps up the Hawks could be headed for another early-round exit, or worse.
The Lakers beat the Bucks in impressive fashion on the road, even though the Bucks welcomed back Khris Middleton. And the beam team is continuing to thrive. We’re just about a quarter of the way through the season so now seems like the perfect time to give way too early MVP picks, here’s the top 3.
Jayson Tatum
As previously mentioned, Jayson Tatum is READY for his moment. The Celtics superstar is off to a scorching start to the 22/23 campaign by averaging career highs in points, rebounds, and blocks. All while shooting a personal best 62%TS and having a PER of 25. Couple that with the Celtics being an NBA best 19-5, and I’m not sure there’s anyone more deserving of being the MVP favorite right now.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
NBA writers & pundits tend to get bored with greatness, just look at LeBron, the guy is in year 20 averaging 26/8/6 but if you just listened to talk shows, you’d think he’s washed. Anyway, we aren’t here to talk Bron. Giannis is currently averaging a career-high in scoring at 31PPG paired with over 11 boards per game, all of this while being an absolute menace on defense. Yes, he already has 2 MVP trophies, but the Bucks hold the second-best record in the league and were without their second-best player until this past weekend.
Devin Booker
I’m a notorious Devin Booker hater, just ask my hoops group chats, but even I can’t deny the show D-Book is putting on this year. Averaging career-best numbers for points, rebounds, and assists, he belongs in this conversation. Not to mention, the two man game of Booker and Ayton has the Suns back on top of the west even with Chris Paul missing over half of the season so far. If D-Book keeps this up, he belongs in this conversation over some other names you’ll see in mainstream MVP articles.
Before you let me have it, I know who I’m omitting. I know Luka is averaging 33/8/8 with a ridiculous PER and win-share numbers, but Dallas is 11-11 and 10th in the West, call me when they’re a top 4 seed.
Week 7 Pick Recaps
Picks – Season (15-5)
Heat – L – can we pretend I chose Friday’s game?
Warriors – L
Thunder – W
Survivor – Season (11-3)
Suns – W
Nuggets – W
Survivor Traps (6-8)
Lakers – W
Kings – W
Week 7 Pool Picks
A 1-2 pick’em week was saved by 2-0 in survivor and 2-0 in survivor trap games. Shoutout to the Thunder and SGA for being my rocks, I can always count on them for a W. Onto week 8.
Game Picks
Lakers @ Raptors 12/7 – A 1-2 week won’t make me gun shy, AD is heating up, LeBron stays king, and Russ is figuring it out of the bench. The Laker’s turnaround wasn’t just a fluke of playing the Spurs 3 times, it’s just exactly what they needed to get right. Lock them in for a W on the road against a feisty Raptors squad.
Nuggets @ Blazers 12/8 – Two teams moving in opposite directions, the Nuggets have figured it out and are on a roll and the Blazers are struggling after a hot start. The Joker is barely shooting but that’s because the rest of his guys are balling. Punch it in.
Thunder @ Cavs 12/10 – Don’t fix what isn’t broken, the upstart Thunder upset the Cavs on the road. #SGAforMVP
Survivor
Nets over Hornets 12/7 – The Nets are quietly, thankfully so, 7-3 in their past 10 and hitting a groove on the court and finally shutting out the noise off of it. The Hornets have no identity, and the Nets are finding theirs.
Heat over Spurs 12/10 – The Heat are healthy. The Spurs are bad. Sometimes it’s simple.
Survivor Trap
Nuggets vs Mavs 12/6 – Just avoid survivor picks against one of the most talented offensive players in the league. You don’t want to be sweating a 44-12-10 night from Luka even if they’ll likely lose to the Nuggets.
Thunder @ Grizzlies 12/7 – On the off chance you’re actually at the end of this article and don’t know my feelings for this young Thunder squad, welcome! Here at DC’s Corner 3, we believe in SGA, Giddey, and Luguentz Dort. Don’t bet against this squad in survivor.
