People are obsessed with power rankings. So naturally, we have one of our own but it’s not about how good sports teams are. Every Monday, we look at 10 things in the NBA (or not) and rank them in order of how much we liked each thing. Don’t agree with them? Make your own rankings!
(PHOTO CREDIT: Steve Dykes/USA Today.)
1) Portland is Blazing
They don’t have the longest current winning streak (the Toronto Raptors do). But we knew Toronto was still going to be at or near the top of the East. Portland still has the same team but has improved within.
Wins over the Bucks, Clippers, and Celtics at home were all pretty impressive. They are now 10-3 and #2 in the West. And we can’t forget Portland’s resident Urkel, C.J. McCollum scoring 40 points against Milwaukee. DID I DO THAT??
2) Tyson Chandler Joining the Lakers
It was probably a favor from old friend James Jones (general manager of the Phoenix Suns) but Tyson Chandler was waived by the Suns so he could join the Lakers. He’s paid dividends very quickly. Now the Lakers don’t look as bad defensively when JaVale McGee goes to the bench. Chandler immediately saved a game for the Lakers with his signature rebound tapouts to his teammates. Then last night, he blocked Trae Young to preserve the one-point victory over Atlanta.
Three straight wins for the Lakers and Chandler!
3) Jamal Murray Scored a Lot of Points
48, to be exact. Murray more than helped topple the Celtics at home with his new career high (who isn’t toppling the Celtics these days?).
(VIDEO CREDIT: Prince Marcus.)
4) Domantas Sabonis Yams It on Joel Embiid
I wish younger Arvydas Sabonis existed today so he could do this but his son doing it was good, too!
(PHOTO CREDIT: Jim Mone/AP.)
5) The Sixers Acquire Jimmy Butler
It’s easy to judge a trade before the players even get on the court. But what I do think is that both teams should be happy with what they got.
We all know Jimmy Butler has wanted out of Minnesota. He goes to a winning team in Philadelphia and can potentially become part of a big trio with Embiid and Ben Simmons.
The Wolves get Robert Covington, who is a very good 3-and-D player. Dario Saric will also offer more shooting as well. Whatever Jerryd Bayless can do will be a bonus. But this is more about Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins getting another chance to break out. Will they be busting out as true stars? Or are they gonna stay gelatinous?
Of course, the true tragedy of this is that there will be no more drama in the Wolves. But there IS potential for drama in the Sixers…
(VIDEO CREDIT: HDXposure.)
6) Jimmer and Pierre in China
So get this: in a game in the Chinese Basketball Association: Jimmer Fredette went for 75 points!
Former Dallas Maverick Pierre Jackson wouldn’t have any of that as he scored 63 points and hit the game-winner for his team against the Shanghai Sharks (Jimmer’s team).
I hope there is a documentary about this duel in the future.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Cleveland Cavaliers.)
7) The Cavs City Jerseys
Teams were releasing their “city jerseys” throughout the week. The one that stood out the most was the Cavs. A lot of people thought they looked hideous.
I did NOT think they looked bad.
8) Vince Carter’s Dunks Are Getting Overlooked
One moment, Vince would spin on a Charlotte Hornet and dunk it. Then later, Miles Bridges would make us forget it by doing his own powerful jam.
Same thing against the Lakers. Vince (in the video above) would make a clutch dunk against L.A. Then a minute later, LeBron James would do a putback dunk to give the home team the lead. And we just forget about Vince.
Dude is 41 years old and still dunking in NBA games. I mean, come on.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Mary Altaffer/AP.)
9) The Fall of Carmelo’s NBA Career
For all intents and purposes, Carmelo Anthony will be fine as a person. He’s earned a TON of money over his career.
His NBA career has fallen pretty rapidly, though, especially with the news of his tenure POSSIBLY ending in Houston.
Two years ago, he was still averaging 22.1 points for the Knicks. The Thunder decided that, hey, they needed to form their own “Big Three” to compete and got Anthony in a deal to join Russell Westbrook and Paul George. It didn’t work out as his antiquated game didn’t go well with OKC. He was dealt to Atlanta but was waived so he could join the Rockets.
There were flashes of the scoring Melo; he’s gone over 20 points three times. And they were starting to win with him, too. Then he went 1 for 11 in a loss against the Thunder and now we’re wondering what’s going on again. He hasn’t exactly looked consistent with the Rockets even if he did have some big games. Reports are saying he might have played his last game with Houston.
Maybe he should go battle Jimmer and Pierre in China. You can still become a Chinese icon, Melo!
10) Blake Griffin’s Flagrant Foul
I understand that he was frustrated for not getting any calls against Charlotte. But that’s still uncalled for.
I’m even more aghast about the reaction to this. A few people have told me that this should NOT be a Flagrant 2 and that the league has been getting soft (which is typical for people who love their 90s NBA).
I just want to know one thing: would YOU like to get hit by someone while you’re in the air for a dunk or a lay-up?
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
His podcast is at Rey-Rey Is Fundamental.