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!
1) Mario Hezonja Dunks and Steps Over Giannis
THIS is hilarious.
So Super Mario gets a steal and dunk. Giannis Antetokounmpo tried to block it from behind but was unsuccessful. He did get contact on Mario on the way up and ended up on the floor. So what did Mario do? Treat Giannis like he’s Tyronn Lue. It wasn’t even a facial dunk!
The Knicks would win the game in overtime by two points. Giannis did his usual MVP work as he went for 33 points, 19 rebounds, 7 dimes, three steals, and two blocks. Mario Hezonja? That dunk was his only basket. BUT IT MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
What did the usual jovial Giannis think about it?
Giannis Antetokonmpo on Mario Hezonja stepping over him:
βOh yeah, Iβm gonna punch him in the stand next time.β pic.twitter.com/nEAHjYeJ4y
— Anthony Puccio (@APOOCH) December 2, 2018
I don’t think Giannis is joking, either. Wear a cup next time, Mario.
(VIDEO CREDIT: CliveNBAParody.)
2) Darren Collison Chops DeAndre Ayton Down
Good grief. Watch Ayton go down like a tree being chopped down.
HE’S GOING DOWN. I’M YELLING TIMBER.
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA GOAT TV.)
3) Josh Okogie With The Massive Destruction
This play seemed to go under the radar. It was so under the radar that the NBA themselves didn’t put this in their Daily Top 10 highlight countdown when it happened. Plus it happened during a huge blowout of a game.
Well, I didn’t forget. Just watch Josh Okogie dunk on two Spurs a thousand times over.
(VIDEO CREDIT: USA Today.)
4) Russell Westbrook Is Tied For Third In Career Triple-Doubles
Westbrook got his third triple-double this season against the Cavaliers last Wednesday, which honestly feels too low for the Thunder dynamo. But that put him in a tie with Jason Kidd for third in career triple-doubles. The only two ahead of him are Oscar Robertson (181) and Magic Johnson (138). If Westbrook gets back to his triple-double pace from the last two seasons, he could pass Magic late this season or early next season. Assuming he stays healthy, that is.
What I also don’t want to overlook? Westbrook is averaging 23.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 9.8 dimes per game this season. It would be amazing if he does a third straight triple-double season. And yet that kind of season was only done ONE OTHER TIME in history (Oscar).
Full clip: @bennythebull messing around in the background of the Spurs pregame. pic.twitter.com/E4B0u2lojf
— πΉππ-πΉππ π€πΎβπΎ (@TheNoLookPass) November 27, 2018
5) Benny The Bull Gets Down
Benny gets into the background of the San Antonio Spurs Pregame Show. Just keep watching until the end.
I thoroughly enjoyed Kevin Calabro, @L_Hurd, and @brookeolzendam doing that Backstreet Boys promo. pic.twitter.com/XCBzySnCkG
— πΉππ-πΉππ π€πΎβπΎ (@TheNoLookPass) November 29, 2018
6) Backstreet’s Back!
I am NOT sure if Blazers play-by-play man Kevin Calabro is really a Backstreet Boys fan but he sure as hell had a lot of fun doing the promo of BSB coming to the Moda Center (ew) next summer (NEXT SUMMER). Well, most people know I’M a Backstreet Boys fan so of course, this makes it into the my power rankings. Duh.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Chuck Burton/AP.)
7) Kyle Korver/Alec Burks Trade
Korver was traded to the Utah Jazz for Burks and two second round picks. I was fine with the trade. Burks had been with the Jazz for seven years and, while he showed flashes, never really blossomed into a consistent two-guard for them, partly because he couldn’t stay healthy. His playing time was inconsistent for the Jazz this season and the team needed to shake things up a bit so they brought back a familiar face in Korver.
We all know what Kyle Korver can do. He’s still a knockdown shooter but he’s also ancient for an NBA player at 37. But the Jazz needed a boost in their three-point shooting. And the Jazz will be fine on defense; Korver’s still a decent enough defender (and better than most people think). Will it be enough of a gamechanger, though (don’t laugh; Korver was once talked about as MVP once upon a time! I’m serious!).
As for Burks in Cleveland? It’s an audition for him! Show us what ya got, Alec.
8) Tribute To Craig Sager
Listen. I am ALL for a tribute to Craig Sager. We know what he did for the league and we know all about his very loud wardrobe.
But it’s just not right that the league and its network partners didn’t let his family know.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Chicago Sun-Times.)
9) Fred Hoiberg Is Fired From the Bulls
I normally don’t like it when people lose their jobs. But at the same time, NBA coaches will be just fine. They’ll either find another coaching gig or find their way to broadcasting.
And with Fred Hoiberg, it was only a matter of time. The Bulls are doing terrible at the moment (5-19) and he only made the playoffs once in three full seasons and change. Plus there was that tumultuous relationship with Jimmy Butler (Butler said they needed to be coached harder) and the time Butler and Dwyane Wade criticized the team openly. Hoiberg didn’t do much to quell the situation and I was honestly a little surprised he lasted longer.
Anyway, he’s gone. Jim Boylen will coach the team for now but I don’t think he’ll do much better with this roster.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images.)
10) The Suns Are Setting
0-4 this week. But they also lost Devin Booker on Sunday to a hamstring injury. There’s no word on when he’ll be back. As if it couldn’t get any worse for the Suns.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
His podcast is at Rey-Rey Is Fundamental.