NBA Northwest Division: Mid Season Report

The first half of the regular season, the all-star break is over, and the trade deadline has passed. Teams in the Northwest Division are looking to get in a spot in the play-in tournament, and a spot in the playoffs.

Utah Jazz

Record: 40-14

PPG: Donovan Mitchell 26.3

RPG: Rudy Gobert 13.4

APG: Mike Conley 5.4

The Jazz are having an amazing season and looking like the best team in the West. The Jazz are entering into the second half of the season with three all-stars: Mitchell, Gobert, and Conley. The bench is also giving great support. Players like Jordan Clarkson who is averaging 17.2 points off the bench without starting a game in the season so far.

This team is built to compete for a title. They have not had any serious injuries in the season.

Denver Nuggets

Record: 34-20

PPG: Nikola Jokic 26.2

RPG: Nikola Jokic 10.9

APG: Nikola Jokic 8.8

The Nuggets are on a mission this season, and that is to go to the finals. That’s why they added Aaron Gordon in the trade deadline. So far, he is looking good for the Nuggets and the team is looking great this season. Nikola Jokic is playing like a MVP and probably right now is the favorite to get it.

Jamal Murray is looking amazing this season just like how he was in last season in the bubble. Michael Porter is showing us why people said he has potential to be an all star one day. This team is still young, a title is expected soon.

Portland Trail Blazers

Record: 31-22

PPG: Damian Lillard 28.7

RPG: Enes Kanter 11.9

APG: Damian Lillard 7.6

There is one player that we all love, and his name is Damian Lillard aka “Dame Time.” He is playing like an MVP right now and I would say he is right behind Nicola “Joker” Jokic for the race. CJ McCollum had the injury bug, but he’s back and playing wonderful. They bought in Norman Powell in the trade deadline and is adjusted well for them.

This team is different than last year’s Blazers who was in the play-in spot and fought to get the 8^th seed. This season they have some fresh year sitting in the 6^th seed. They can still lose their spot in the playoffs because how hard the West is.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Record: 20-33

PPG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 23.7

RPG: Al Horford 6.7

APG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 5.9

OKC is a different team than what they were last season. Chris Paul”CP3″ is a player that can get a team into the playoffs because of his leadership and point guard skill. But, this season they do not have him and are more interested in building their young players.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has already shown that he is the franchise player for this team.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Record: 14-40

PPG: Karl Anthony Towns 25.0

RPG: Karl Anthony Towns 11.1

APG: Ricky Rubio

Injuries and COVID has hunted this team for the season but, their number one draft pick Anthony Edwards is showing them there is nothing to fear for the future. Right now, he is the favorite for rookie of the year. Towns was hit with COVID-protocol which made him miss most of the first half of the season. He is still playing really great. D’Angelo Russell was hindered by a knee injury which needed surgery, but he is back, and did not show any rust.

Next season, this team should be able to go to the playoffs if injuries do not hunt them like this season.