NBA Week 10 Rewind: West elite emerging above all others
By Tom West
Weekly NBA Rookie Watch
Kristaps Porzingis is still having a great rookie campaign with plenty of stellar performances, but last week was another that showed why he’s still a rookie. As always, there’s going to be ups and downs, and 37 percent shooting over his last four games sums that up. It’s bound to happen for a player who is still miles away from reaching his potential, and even more so for a player who still only has a small amount of time actually playing in the U.S., let alone the NBA.
However, a 16 point, 12 rebound, 2 steal, 3 block game to start the week against the Celtics is more indicative of what he can do, even if he’s going to be somewhat inconsistent for the time being.
Bobby Portis is appearing here for the first time, and you need to get excited about his NBA future. He’s only appeared in 12 games for the Chicago Bulls so far, yet he’s shown signs of such great promise that some fans must be frustrated by his minimal role. He hardly got off the bench during the first 24 games of the season, but after appearing in each of the last eight and averaging 21 minutes, he’s finally had a chance to prove himself.
As a 6’11” power forward with reasonable agility, a soft touch from range and good enough ball handling to take slower big men off the dribble, Portis has a valuable combination of size and skill. Add on his high motor, and he looks like the kind of player that could have serious potential. So, after averaging 10.4 points and 6.8 rebounds in just over 20 minutes per game over his last eight outings, not to mention his five made threes and mid-range shooting, he’s putting up some numbers to back up his talent. A 16 point, 10 rebound performance when facing the Knicks and Porzingis on January 1 is a definite highlight.
Maybe with the likely departure of Pau Gasol at the end of the season and the decline of Joakim Noah, Portis can find more time in the Bulls’ frontcourt going forward.
Karl-Anthony Towns had another similar week as one of the Timberwolves’ future stars. With averages of 16.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks over his last four games, he’s continually recording the kind of numbers that will project him towards the forefront of the race for NBA Rookie of the Year. Plus, with two games of at least 22 points on 58+ percent shooting, he’s doing so much more than just playing defense.
Jahlil Okafor sat for two games on December 26 and 28, but made a solid return in a rare win against the Kings. With 10 points and 10 rebounds (5 offensive), he did his part as the 76ers somehow found a way to actually win a game, as they defeated DeMarcus Cousins and Co. 110-105.
He followed that up with a fairly modest 12 point, 4 rebound performance in 23 minutes against the Lakers, before putting on a low-post clinic against the Clippers on January 2. With 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting in only 17 minutes of action, his elbow jumper, footwork, and hook shots in the post were fully on display.
The real question is why 76ers head coach Brett Brown didn’t play him more. It must just all be part of the process.
Next: Under-the-radar Players to Watch Next Week