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.
12/28/2016
THE GAMES
IND 105 (15-18) @ WAS 111 (15-16)
CHA 120 (18-14) @ ORL 101 (15-19)
NY 98 (16-15) @ ATL 102 (16-16) [OT]
MIL 119 (15-15) @ DET 94 (15-19)
BRK 99 (8-23) @ CHI 101 (16-16)
LAC 98 (22-12) @ NO 102 (13-21)
PHX 98 (9-23) @ SA 119 (26-6)
MIN 103 (10-22) @ DEN 105 (14-18)
SAC 89 (14-18) @ POR 102 (14-20)
TOR 111 (22-9) @ GS 121 (28-5)
(PHOTO CREDIT: Nick Wass/AP.)
BUILDING THE WALL
Quick! Name some of the best guards in the league!
Russell Westbrook! Stephen Curry! Damian Lillard! James Harden!
Any more?
DeMar DeRozan! Kyle Lowry! Kyrie Irving! Jimmy Butler!
Okay. Just name some point guards then!
Isaiah Thomas! Kemba Walker! Chris Paul! Dennis Schroder!
Wait! How come you haven’t said his name yet?
I said all the good ones!
What about John Wall?
Ohhhhhh!
Let’s not forget about Wall, who gets forgotten, sometimes. Remember when John Wall became the odd man out when Linsanity exploded? He recovered nicely and led the Wizards to the playoffs. Then they didn’t make it last season and are not doing well again this season. So Wall doesn’t get mentioned these days amongst the fans.
It would help if the team was better, for sure. But Wall is putting up some awesome numbers this season.
23.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 9.9 assists, 2.2 steals per game
Those are MVP numbers! But his team has regressed that he hardly gets a mention. When he was talked about, the media wanted to know whether he and backcourt mate, Bradley Beal, got along.
Also, here’s more fuel for Wall: ESPN phased out the Wizards against the Celtics from January 11 and replaced it with Grizzlies/Thunder. So the Wizards are even getting less exposure on national TV. Another reason why Wall isn’t getting as much press these days.
It has to be frustrating for Wall because he’s carrying such a workload. As for the Wizards themselves, they have played better as of late as they’re 9-4 in their last 13 games. Their bench is still not great; all five starters are all playing 31 minutes or more (Wall himself plays 36 minutes).
Anyway, maybe the Wizards will do better in the last two-thirds of the season. But let’s not forget what Wall is doing. When they start winning more, the masses can appreciate Wall a little bit more.
THE REST OF THE LEAGUE
https://youtu.be/tk-iijEwI74
(VIDEO CREDIT: Ximo Pierto.)
Carmelo Anthony and Thabo Sefolosha got into it in the Knicks/Hawks game on Wednesday night. These days, with replays everywhere (and obviously, reactions), you cannot get away with that kind of stuff, Melo. Anthony got tossed. The game ended up going to overtime and the Hawks took the duke.
Toronto doesn’t feel out of a game because they’re such a potent offensive team. But so is Golden State. Still, it’s impressive that the Raptors nearly came back from 25 points down. By the way, congrats to the NEW Mr. Raptor, DeMar DeRozan, who passed Chris Bosh to become the scoring leader in franchise history.
The Clippers can’t afford to go on a long swoon like this with Houston, Oklahoma City, Memphis, and Utah waiting to pounce. They did get Chris Paul back but the Pelicans still overwhelmed them at the end.
It’s about time Portland won.
Look at this impossible alley-oop toss from Andre Iguodala. Too bad, it didn’t count.
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
Finally, Knicks/Hawks and Clippers/Pelicans finished with identical 102-98 scores.
LINE CROSSER
So let’s give Wall some credit! Here’s his line from the Pacers game:
36 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists.
Shoutout to Karl-Anthony Towns for his first career triple-double.
WATCH THIS PLAY
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
Jimmy Butler wins it for the Bulls as he scores his 39th and 40th points in that game-winning stepback J.
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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