This is the Hangover. This is where I get drunk on the NBA as I recap last night’s action as well as a few things going on around the league. Here’s your word vomit.
I am very aware that there are NBA games going on by the time this went live. Happy MLK Day, by the way. Enjoy the basketball.
In the meantime, yesterday!
01/15/2017
THE GAMES
MIN 87 (14-27) @ DAL 98 (13-27)
NY 101 (18-23) @ TOR 116 (27-13)
MIL 98 (20-19) @ ATL 111 (23-17)
HOU 137 (32-11) @ BRK 112 (8-32)
OKC 122 (25-17) @ SAC 118 (16-24)
CHI 108 (21-21) @ MEM 104 (25-18)
DET 102 (19-24) @ LAL 97 (15-30)
(PHOTO CREDIT: Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press/AP.)
KNICKS MELTDOWN
As of this writing, the Knicks lost to the Hawks. That means they’ve lost 11 of 13 games. On Sunday, they got plastered by the Raptors. The final score doesn’t indicate how bad they were smashed.
But that team is headed for yet another one of their disastrous seasons. Linsanity seemed so long ago. So did the years of Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell. And the successors to the Bad Boys.
Derrick Rose thought they were going to be another superteam. While he’s recovered to have a decent season for the Knicks, he’s also telling Jeff Hornacek to get on them for defense (Rose is the one telling this). And Carmelo Anthony and Phil Jackson are on a huge disconnect as Melo feels Phil doesn’t want him around.
All of this while a freefall is going on. Once again, 2-11 in their last 13 games.
Hornacek might end up becoming the scapegoat once again. Phil let go of Derek Fisher even though it wasn’t entirely Fisher’s fault that the team went 1-9 without Carmelo. Then Jackson had yet another disconnect with Hornacek as he wants to run the Triangle (which historically only seems to work with superstars).
But where do they go from here? Even if Hornacek goes, then what? If Melo goes, then what? There doesn’t seem to be any sort of plan with the Knicks here. You can do a little rebuilding on the side, I suppose, and build around Kristaps Porzingis.
Regardless of what their future plans may be, the Knicks are headed for yet another hopeless season.
THE REST OF THE LEAGUE
Once again, attention is more towards the football side of things. But the Lakers lost by five points to the Pistons. It wouldn’t be so damning if they didn’t let the Pistons make three buzzerbeating shots! The Pistons made those last-second buckets in the first three quarters.
As far as triple-doubles go? Russell Westbrook has an amazing 20 this season while James Harden has 12. Insert “what if they were teammates” joke.
Sure, the Clippers have the current longest winning streak at six. But the Hawks have won 9 of 10 to stay firmly in fourth in the East. Also, the Wizards (upon winning their game against Portland on Monday), have jumped to fifth after their disappointing start. It is a long season, after all.
LINE CROSSER
(PHOTO CREDIT: Rich Pedroncelli/AP.)
Another triple-double? Another triple-double. Russell Westbrook did this against Sactown:
36 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 steals.
James Harden also got a trip-dub, too. 22-11-11. But I liked Westbrook’s better so I went with that.
WATCH THIS PLAY
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
Andre Drummond ends up getting the steal and the three from this loooong heave that came from Disneyland.
Follow Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass for all tweets about the NBA. Also, check out his podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental.
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