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!
(VIDEO CREDIT: CliveNBAParody.)
1) Giannis Is Angry
So last week, Mario Hezonja stepped over Giannis Antetokounmpo after a dunk. It was the ballsiest move by a role player in quite a while.
The usual happy-go-lucky Giannis didn’t take to that too kindly. Last Wednesday, the Bucks had the Pistons at home. And Giannis took it all out on Blake Griffin.
That was rough. I think Giannis is coming for you, Mario.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Ziggi Hash.)
2) Luka Doncic Run
If you don’t know, now you know.
Luka Doncic had all the hype coming in as a rookie. But we all heard the doubts. “He’s too young.” “He’s European.” “He’s overhyped.”
He’s had a sensational rookie season thus far. But this run against the Rockets should silence everyone.
Luka scored 11 points by himself while the Rockets couldn’t muster up anything. The Mavericks would go on to win the game and I feel this is a signature performance by Luka.
Dallas got themselves another European dynamo.
3) Paul George Explosion
Paul George helped the Thunder come back from 23 points down by pouring in 25 points in the fourth quarter. George even hit the game-winning three and we know he is often criticized about his shots in the clutch.
George ended with 47 points AND the win. We also had Russell Westbrook‘s quietest triple-double of his career.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Reuters.)
4) What The Jazz Did to the Rockets
So Rudy Gobert got ejected very early against the Rockets. It looked like the Jazz was headed towards disaster.
Nope. The Jazz plugged in Derrick Favors and he throttled Houston with 24 points and 10 boards. They had four more players that scored in double figures and, somehow, Donovan Mitchell was not one of them. But it was inspiring play from the Jazz and it makes you think why they don’t have a better record.
Man, the Rockets had a terrible week.
5) Nikola Jokic Only Needed One Hand
This highlight is just… neat.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Ariel Cobbert/The Commercial Appeal.)
6) Joakim Noah Is A Grizzly Bear
The former Bull and Knick got signed with Memphis and he’s provided some help to the team. He joined Memphis on Wednesday and the team went 2-1 with him (the Lakers blew them out). Noah is averaging 7.7 points and 4.3 boards in 16 minutes per game. Not bad at all since everyone pretty much thought he’s washed or whatever the heck kids say these days.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images.)
7) George Hill Is Going to Milwaukee
Another week, another Cleveland Cavalier traded.
It went like this…
BUCKS got George Hill, Jason Smith, Wizards second round pick.
CAVS got Matthew Dellavedova, John Henson, Bucks’ first and second round picks.
WIZARDS got Sam Dekker.
I wasn’t too thrilled with what the Bucks gave up for Hill until I was pointed out about the protection on the picks. The cleansing of the salary cap makes a ton of sense as Khris Middleton is a free agent after this season. The Bucks can throw all the money to him. George Hill will also give depth to their guard situation.
Cavs get Dellavedova back. They also get Henson, who is currently on the shelf. The picks will help them on their current rebuild.
The Wizards get Dekker, a stretch four that can only help them in their three-point shooting.
Bucks are going all in, I suppose. Maybe the Wiz can snap out of it. And who knows what trade the Cavs will do this week?
8) The Suns’ First Quarter In Portland
It’s almost like the Suns and the Bulls are trying to outsuck each other.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images.)
9) The Mystery of Markelle Fultz Continues
Fultz was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome. It’s nerve damage on his shoulder/neck area, which explains why he’s been having difficulty shooting a basketball. I’m mystified on how it took this long to diagnose that problem (although I’ve read and I’ve been told that it’s a tough diagnosis because it’s so rare) and how there are reports that he could be back in three to six weeks.
If he comes back in that amount of time then I hope he can get his shot (and his game) fixed. I’m going to try to be as positive as possible. At least, he’s not out for the year? We hope?
(PHOTO CREDIT: Chicago Sun-Times.)
10) What Are The Bulls Doing?
The Bulls didn’t go winless; they upset the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday. But they did lose by 56 points the next night against the Boston Celtics.
It came out that the Bulls players NEARLY had a mutiny because new coach Jim Boylen wanted them to practice on Sunday. It got to the point where the union is getting involved.
I don’t know how long Boylen will last with the Bulls but with what we know today about player recovery and rest, doing a practice after going through a back-to-back is really not the cool thing to do. The organization had just fired Fred Hoiberg and now Boylen could get the axe, too. In the meantime, the front office of the Bulls (John Paxson and Gar Forman) are STILL there.
Lot of Bull crap going on in Chicago.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
His podcast is at Rey-Rey Is Fundamental.