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.
11/27/2016
THE GAMES
CLE 112 (13-2) @ PHI 108 (4-13)
DEN 120 (7-10) @ PHX 114 (5-13)
SAC 122 (7-10) @ BRK 105 (4-12)
MIL 104 (7-8) @ ORL 96 (6-11)
LAC 70 (14-4) @ IND 91 (9-9)
NO 81 (6-12) @ DAL 91 (3-13)
HOU 130 (11-6) @ POR 114 (9-10)
ATL 94 (10-7) @ LAL 109 (9-9)
(PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images.)
MESSED AROUND AND GOT A TRIPLE-DOUBLE
So before the season started, some pundits were thinking that Russell Westbrook would average a triple-double. Some even said that he might get 25 or more (our good friend, Brent Barry, predicted he even could get 41).
Now that we’re one month into the season, it’s incredible that this is even happening. Westbrook has 7 triple-doubles in 18 games. And he’s averaging a spectacular 31.17 points, 9.94 rebounds, and 11.17 assists.
And on Sunday afternoon, LeBron James got his third triple-double of the season. James Harden also has three triple-doubles. The only players that have trip-dubs this season are Giannis Antetokounmpo and Julius Randle.
While we’re on the subject of that stat, here are the players with the most career triple-doubles.
(CREDIT: Basketball Reference.)
The crazy thing is that Westbrook got 36 of those 44 AFTER the start of the 2014-15 season. I don’t think we’re going to see LeBron and Westbrook go back-and-forth on the career triple-double ladder but I’m pretty sure Westbrook is going to break into the Top Five. I’m sure Russ can get 16 more triple-doubles this season.
That sounds insane, doesn’t it? Messed around and got a triple-double? When I mess around, I eat pizza, watch sports all day, and lay in bed. I’m definitely far more productive in terms of messing around.
THE REST OF THE LEAGUE
The Clippers have lost two straight and the sky is suddenly falling, right? Well, it certainly feels that way. When your team is a good team that hasn’t won a title in a while and they go on a bit of a losing streak, which is what all teams go through (even the 2016 Warriors and it happened to them at the WORST TIME), it’s reason to feel a little scared. But remember that the games mostly count from April on. Still, everyone wants their favorite team to be at their best entering the postseason. If a team like the Clippers enter the playoffs with a losing streak, then the fans will feel they’re vulnerable (and they might be!).
The Kings and Nuggets are 7-10 and suddenly, I don’t know what to think of them. Recently, I didn’t think that the Nuggets were that good. Well, I still don’t. But they’re only three games below .500 and that has to account for something, right? I suppose we’ll see how they are by Christmas but I can’t exactly trust the Kings and the Nuggets at the moment.
The Pelicans have lost two straight after winning four in a row. The Blazers are below .500 and the Rockets are five game above .500. They were Western Conference Finalists two seasons ago. Should WE take them seriously?
Somehow, even without Julius Randle and D’Angelo Russell, the Lakers find a way to flourish. Their bench scoring leads the league at 52.0 points per game. Nearly every team has a good scorer off the bench like Lou Williams but if you also have Jordan Clarkson on your team, that’s quite a luxury. The Lakers are now 9-9 and I still can’t believe that they are .500 at the end of November. They somehow break their spell when they go against the Hawks.
I mean, this should’ve been a good omen for the Hawks but I guess it wasn’t.
Practice ended early today…because @KrisHumphries broke a backboard!!! pic.twitter.com/W9iGs4UpkI
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) November 26, 2016
Yeah. Cool guy.
LINE CROSSER
LeBron got his triple-double as he is now going back and forth with Westbrook in career trip-dubs.
26 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists.
Shoutout to James Harden (38 points, 10 assists), DeMarcus Cousins (37 points, 11 boards), and Kyrie Irving (39 points).
WATCH THIS PLAY
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
Watch LeBron down the runway, Sixers. Watch… never mind.
Follow Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass for all tweets about the NBA and terrible pop music. Also, check out his podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental.
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