Team of the Week
The NBA Cup came to an end in midweek with a heavyweight final, Milwaukee Bucks vs Oklahoma City Thunder, but in the end it was a game of defences with no team exceeding 100 points - something that has 'only' happened 12 times since the start of the regular season. But OKC, with their dreadful 5/32 record from three-pointers, were never going to be able to fight off a team that had been hungry for a trophy since they were crowned champions in 2021.
The Bucks, horrible at the start of the season, seem to have found something that could be called alchemy. Although they were not brilliant, they were solid, and when the going got tough, they kept their heads down to secure a 97-81 victory that could well prove to be a milestone.
Although Giannis Antetokounmpo has been on fire since the start of the season, his supporting cast has not been up to scratch, and this victory - and the cup and bonus that go with it - could well be the foundation for a successful season.
Underachievers of the Week
Things are going very badly for the Sacramento Kings. The week began with a defeat away to the Nuggets, thanks to a killer shot from Jamal Murray. That was nothing to be ashamed of, but the doubleheader with the Lakers did not provide the expected rebound, consisting of two defeats, before the week ended with a thrashing at the hands of the Pacers. Four defeats in a row is a stain on the season, especially in the Western Conference.
Indeed, this poor run of form has left the Kings in 12th place with an unenviable 13-17 record, and it's doubtful we'll see them in the playoffs given the competition. To make matters worse, rumours surfaced in midweek that De'Aaron Fox, who could be on his way out, may leave soon. Despite an attractive squad on paper, watch out for the risk of implosion in California.
Player of the Week
Have you heard of Victor Wembanyama? The Alien has hit the ground running this week. First against the Hawks in an overtime win, he got 42 points, 7/15 from the three-point line, six rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and a mountain of highlights to prove just how unplayable he is in attack as time goes on.
But the best was yet to come. Against the Blazers, Wemby made history with 30 points and 10 assists, a performance achieved only by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Artis Gilmore and Dwight Howard - familiar names, NBA legends.
Now the Spurs are in the ascendancy with their leader on fire, who is going to treat himself to Madison Square Garden for Christmas where he will probably continue to dazzle. Little by little, Wemby is building something big.
Play of the Week
Another Frenchman in the spotlight: Guerschon Yabusele. No one has forgotten his poster dunk on LeBron James in the Olympic final, but 'Yabu' has taken a liking to it and did it again against the Hornets. Perfectly integrated into the 76ers roster, he gave the fans what they wanted: a spectacle.
Story of the Week
In the midst of the debate about declining ratings, here's a statistic that's sure to keep people talking. During the Dallas Mavericks ' victory over the Golden State Warriors, the two teams broke the record for the most three-point shots made in a single game: 48!
The main reason was skill, as both teams shot a combined 50.5% (95 attempted), but that's still an anomaly as only the Cavaliers are averaging over 40% this season while no team is shooting less than 30 three-pointers per game.
But in a game like this, that's an average of two three-pointers attempted per minute, for every one made. Slowly, the NBA continues to increase its three-point figures and decrease its spectators who are tired of the uniformity of the game. When we pass 50 in a game, perhaps there will be a reaction.