Grizzlies forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. has been named the Western Conference’s Defensive Player of the Month for games played in December, while Cavaliers forward/center Evan Mobley has claimed the award in the East, according to the NBA (Twitter link). The 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, Jackson averaged 22.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.6 blocks … [Read more...] about Jaren Jackson Jr., Evan Mobley Named Defensive Players Of The Month
Central Notes: Mitchell, Pistons, Pacers, Bulls
Donovan Mitchell‘s points per game (23.7), assists per game (4.6), shot attempts per game (18.3), and usage rate (30.1%) are all down from where they were last year, but the Cavaliers certainly haven’t missed that production from the star guard, winning 29 of their first 33 games this season. As Brian Windhorst of ESPN details, Mitchell’s willingness to take a step back and … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Mitchell, Pistons, Pacers, Bulls
Daigneault, Atkinson Claim Coach Of The Month Awards
The head coaches of the teams with the best records in the NBA have claimed the Coach of the Month awards for their respective conferences, the league announced today in a press release (Twitter link). Mark Daigneault, who guided the Thunder to a 12-1 record in December, won the award for the Western Conference. Oklahoma City is currently 27-5, the second-best mark in the NBA … [Read more...] about Daigneault, Atkinson Claim Coach Of The Month Awards
Central Notes: Allen, Cavs Win Streak, Giannis, Buzelis
As he watches he role with the Cavaliers change this season, one-time All-Star Cleveland center Jarrett Allen remains a key part of the best team in the league by record in 2024/25, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Allen has ceded some touches and minutes to rising forward Evan Mobley this season, in an effort to help the All-Defensive Teamer take the next step in his own … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Allen, Cavs Win Streak, Giannis, Buzelis
Central Notes: Ivey, Cunningham, Mobley, Lillard
As his Pistons continue to improve into a frisky play-in-caliber team this season, guard Jaden Ivey has grown increasingly more comfortable in clutch moments, observes Hunter Patterson of The Athletic. Patterson writes that the Pistons have gone 8-4 in games where Ivey scores 19 or more points. During the last 15 seconds of Detroit’s 114-113 upset win over the Kings this week, … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Ivey, Cunningham, Mobley, Lillard