NBA Highlights From November 8th-14th

While we're at that time of the NBA season where everyone prematurely claims a specific player or team to be "back," the Golden State Warriors indeed appear to be the team they once were a couple of years ago. And in the spirit of confirming one's return or new status solidified across the league, there is much to discuss between the likes of the Washington Wizards and Paul George. Down below are my four takeaways from the NBA's latest week in action!

Even though various fans, media members, and even the rest of the NBA enjoyed Golden State’s struggles over the previous two seasons (59-83 in the regular season and no playoff appearances), an organization of the Warriors' caliber wasn't going to struggle for much longer. As we're approaching the end of the NBA's opening month, the Warriors aren't only good; they're potentially the best team in the league.

Whether it's because of Stephen Curry leading the way and producing another all-time MVP-caliber season in the process or because of their deep collection of depth and youth, the Warriors' 11-2 start is legitimate. And amid the Warriors' hot start, you should remember that they're doing this without All-Star guard Klay Thompson, who is inching his way back to the court following two consecutive season-ending injuries.

As easy as it has been for NBA Twitter and other viewers to criticize and make fun of Paul George's failures consistently, it's only right his success gets highlighted the same way! PG13 has elevated his game to begin this season following his redemptive postseason performance this summer, and the Los Angeles Clippers couldn't be more grateful about it.

Alongside averaging 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists per game while also providing two-plus steals per game, George's leadership and clutch play have lifted the Clippers into early postseason contention at 9-5, which included a seven-game winning streak. With fellow star teammate Kawhi Leonard still out with a torn ACL, George has and will accept the responsibility of leading the Clippers until further notice.

In recent weeks, one of the more common things to watch and react to as NBA fans is players getting used to these new foul rules. The league's greater focus on not calling fouls created by unusual moves by ballhandlers has impacted various stars, most notably James Harden. But despite his slow start to this season, the Brooklyn Nets superstar might be heading in the right direction.

Harden had his best game of this young season by producing a 39-point and 12-assist performance against the New Orleans Pelicans last Friday night (yes, we know it's the Pelicans) while also maintaining a solid mini-stretch of basketball. Since Nov. 7th, Harden has averaged 23/8/9 while shooting 47% from the field. And as for the free throws? The "Beard" did attempt 15 freebies against the Pelicans.

For any of the teams that made the NBA Finals and lost, it was customary for them to have a slow start the following season, and the Phoenix Suns joined that group because of their 1-3 start. But unlike their counterparts, the Suns have flipped the switch, and as winners of seven consecutive games, they've looked every bit of the team that not only made last year's NBA Finals but was two games away from winning it all.

In between obtaining notable wins over the Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies, the Suns currently have six players averaging double-digit points per game, and that number could reach eight if Cameron Payne and JaVale McGee round out their scoring production to double digits too.