Friday Five's (11.9-11.15)

This week, things have seemingly began to normalize. Early season hot streaks have cooled off, and teams expected to contend this season have began to put it all together.

Also this week, there was plenty of drama. From the Rockets and Carmelo Anthony agreeing to part ways, to Draymond Green and Kevin Durant having a heated exchange in a game where they lost in overtime.

Lastly, Caris Levert unfortunately suffered what seemed to be a gruesome injury, which turned out to be a "best case scenario" result after doctors took a look at his injury.

With these things being said, let's dive into this weeks five standouts.

1.) Descension

This season, there were a handful of teams that got off to red hot starts like the Pistons, Pelicans, Jazz, and Nuggets. All but the Nuggets have now found themselves at or only one game above .500 roughly 14 games into the season. Utah, known for their defense, have found themselves involved in some rather high-scoring contests by their typical standards. They have held their own for the most part, but their defense completely fell apart in their most recent game against Dallas, where they lost by 50 (yes... FIFTY!). Their last five games, they've allowed 118, 88, 115, 102, and 124 points. Their typical game holds teams around the century mark, but early on, they are allowing 108.9 ppg. Expect for them to get back to their identity as things normalize. For the Nuggets, after enjoying their early season successes, The Nuggets, losers of four of their last five games, still sit solid at 10-5. For them though, inexplicable losses to the likes of Brooklyn then a loss in a close game to Memphis show that their young guys still have a ways to go as they endure minor growing pains early on.

2.) LeBron James

The King, often criticized for his "lack of aggressiveness" or "lack of scoring styles" has found himself in great company... again! This week, LeBron surpassed Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time scoring list as he cracked into the top five for bucket getters in league history. A great honor, LeBron still has a good chance at entering the top three of all-time in scoring. For a player whose best ability is not scoring, this is an outstanding accomplishment. Respect greatness, as we have the great opportunity to watch an all-time great continue to get it done while staying true to himself.

3. Houston Rockets

Amidst the drama and noise that has spiralled borderline out of control regarding their relationship and handling of Carmelo Anthony, the Rockets have quietly crept back up to .500 as they are 6-2 in their last eight games after their putrid 1-5 start that featured a Chris Paul suspension, and multiple games missed by both the MVP James Harden, and Eric Gordon. Finally (almost) healthy and whole with Brandon Knight progressing back, the Rockets are putting it together. Their offense is not quite where it was last season just yet, but they have made a concerted and collective effort to handling their business on defense. In this stretch where they are 6-2, they have beaten the Pacers two times, the Nuggets on the road, and the Warriors in the Toyota Center by 21. Six of those eight games, they have also held teams under 100 points, which for them, is almost always a guaranteed win when they are clicking. Paul has rediscovered his scoring touch after a rough three game stretch, the MVP has gotten back to his MVP ways, Gordon is finishing at the basket (which he struggle mightily with early on), and Capela has rediscovered his dominance in his role. Capela did not have that same energy early on, and lacked that gravity he typically has when rolling to the basket off of ball screens. He has however found those paces again, and has been that force they've needed. PJ Tucker has also remained the league's best catch-and-shoot corner 3-pt marksman, as he is shooting .63% from the corner. His shots are all assisted on, but that high volume clip is unbelievably efficient. He just knows exactly how to spot up opposite of Harden and Paul after their initial pick and roll action, or isolation play. Another

emergence is the lockdown defense of Gary Clark. The undrafted rookie has climbed the ranks into main rotation minutes for the Rockets on the wing. He has vastly outplayed both Carmelo Anthony and James Ennis so far this season, resulting in an uptick in trust and minutes from coach D'Antoni. Clark is currently averaging almost a block and a steal per game, and a DBPM of 1.2, which, of the main rotation guys, would place him fourth behind the team's big 3. Keep in mind this kid as the season progresses on, as he is also featured in a handful of the teams most efficient and effective five-man line-ups. This core enjoyed 3 double-digit win streaks last season, and it was play like this collectively that ignited said streaks. Look for the Rockets to jump in the ranks of the conference as we enter December.

4.) Caris LeVert

Averaging 18.4 ppg, 3.7 apg, and 4.3 rpg, the former Michigan Wolverine was enjoying a career year for Brooklyn. He was proving to be one of the pillars in their progression from tanking to youth development. However, those manifestations through hard work took a breathtaking stop as LeVert had a very bad fall on Monday. The great news is, as bad as it looked, he was officially diagnosed with a right foot dislocation, and he is expected to return this season as surgery is not required.

5.) Chemistry

Earlier this week, Durant-Green got into a heated conversation where expletives were exchanged after Green did not give the ball to Durant as time expired against the Clippers, and instead dribbled across half court and fell. Which then led to an overtime loss at Staples Center on Monday. In the media, but acknowledged that they were not seeing eye to eye, but both also were adamant that they would not let the disagreement impact their collective goal of winning. Well, they have uncharacteristically lost four of their last five games. Although they have been without Curry, this lack of continuity and production is not something expected. There is correlation between the mounting frustration growing between Durant and Green, and the team record. This is something that should be followed as the season progresses. Winning seemingly always cures all, but with Durant's well publicized pending free agency only months away, there is plenty of ambiguity regarding what the team will look like by the season end, and beyond as they move into their new stadium next season.

*All stats and information accurate entering games on schedule for Friday, November 16th*