Freaks of Week 3/24-3/30

 Freaks of Week 3/24-3/30

By: Spent Brockman


The past week was a busy one for sports fans. The NBA and NHL playoff races are tightening up and the MLB season has just kicked off. In order to commemorate a great week of sports, let's highlight some of the players who took their game to the next level over the past 7 days.


P.J. Washington, Charlotte Hornets

In what has turned out to be another lost season for the Hornets, Washington is the last standing true starter. Leading the team to a perfect 3-0 week, Washington has been dominant with 30.7 PPG 8.0 RPG 4.0 APG while also contributing a combined 6 steals and blocks. As the season winds down, look for Washington to continue to put the Hornets on his back.

Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz

The 22nd overall pick from the 2022 draft has been one of the lone bright spots in what has otherwise been a lackluster draft class. Before even finishing his first professional campaign, Kessler has cemented himself as one of the league's top defenders while also showing some flashes on the offensive side. This past week Kessler's full game was on display, with a career high 31 points against the Kings and tying his career high of 7 blocks against the Suns. Walker now has 4 games this season with 7 blocks, a game total that has only been topped by the likes of Jaren Jackson Jr and Evan Mobley who have each had games with 8. Sooner or later Kessler will put his dominance on display with a point, rebound, block triple double.

Marcus Stroman, Chicago Cubs

Multiple pitchers were in complete control during the season debut yesterday, but no one outperformed expectations more than Stroman. Facing the Brewers, Stroman was highly efficient tossing 6 scoreless innings allowing just 6 baserunners on 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 8. Opening Day dominance is not a new thing for Stroman as he has now compiled a 1.29 ERA across 3 Opening Day starts. After being in great form for the last few months of last season, that success has carried over to this season so hopefully this is just an indication of good things to come for Stroman and the Cubs.

Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles needed absolutely everything Rutschman had to offer on Thursday as after he went 5-5 allowing the Orioles to sneak away with a 10-9 victory over the Red Sox. Rutschman opened the scoring by sending a 2-0 pitch from Corey Kluber over Fenway's short porch in right. The young catcher also tacked on 4 singles, a walk, and 3 more RBIs to become the Orioles' obvious MVP in their opening game. This is just the beginning for Rutschman as he is primed for a big season with the hopes of Baltimore on his shoulders.

Filip Gustavsson & Marc-Andre Fleury, Minnesota Wild

The two Wild goalies helped lead the team to a perfect week topping the Blackhawks, Kraken, and Avalanche while only allowing 4 total goals. Gustavsson has been the Wild's rock being arguably the second best netminder in the entire league allowing a paltry 2.01 goals per game thanks to a .933 save percentage both marks good enough for second in the league. Marc-Andre Fleury is in the sunset of his career as the 38 year old's best days are most definitely behind him, but he is still capable of being utterly dominant like he was against the Kraken this past Monday. On Monday, Fleury was nearly impeccable against the league's 4th best offense stopping 35/36 shots leading the Wild to a much needed win as the team tries to lock up the top spot in the central division. Even with the injury concerns surrounding star Kirill Kaprizov, the Wild are primed to make a deep playoff run with these two studs protecting the net. 

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton Oilers

With superstar Connor McDavid as a teammate, RNH has been a crucial piece of the league's best offense. RNH's elite offensive ability was on full display this past week as he tallied 2 goals 7 assists across 4 games. Obviously being paired with a stud like McDavid elevates everyone's game, but RNH is no slouch. Over the course of the season, RNH has now totaled 96 points good enough for sixth in the league. As long as the Oilers keep RNH, McDavid, and Draisaitl fresh and healthy, this team looks like the team to beat when playoffs start in a couple weeks.

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