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) The Western Conference is Still Very Competitive
We are at Christmas Eve. While the gap between #1 and #14 has widened just a bit, it’s still amazing that they are all so close together. One can’t afford to go on a losing streak because that means you can lose four spots in about a couple of days.
The Mavericks and the Pelicans have been on swoons as of late but nothing a three-game win streak and another team’s three-game skid can’t change.
(VIDEO CREDIT: House of Highlights.)
2) Larry Nance, Jr. and the Cavs End The Pacers’ Win Streak
The Pacers had been on an amazing tear as they had won seven straight. But they got caught against the Cavaliers and Larry Nance, Jr. made a tip-in to upset Indy. The Cavs haven’t had a great season so it’s nice to have a highlight win like this one.
(VIDEO CREDIT: CliveNBAParody.)
3) Stephen Curry Beats the Clippers Again
Meanwhile, the other NBA Finals team from last season (I’m so hilarious) were locked in a battle with the Clippers. Avery Bradley made an unbelievable putback jam (you can see at the start of the season) but Stephen Curry makes a clutch basket with 0.5 seconds left. And it’s a LAY-UP instead of one of those usual Curry outside bombs. The Warriors slay the Clippers yet again.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today.)
4) DeAndre Ayton is Surging
Not many people are talking about this but DeAndre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns had a hell of a week. And the Suns actually went 2-2 for the week so it didn’t feel empty. In four games this week, Ayton averaged 24 points and 16.5 rebounds while shooting .677.
Yo, I understand that Luka Doncic is amazing (more on this later!) but let’s not act like he’s the only good rookie this season.
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
5) Thomas Bryant Puts Up 14 Shots and Doesn’t Miss
It took three overtimes (more on this later, too!) but to put up 14 shots in an NBA game and NOT miss?! Incredible. He fell one short of the record (Wilt Chamberlain went 15/15). Bryant had the game of his life with 31 points and 13 boards against the Suns.
As someone who’s talked to him multiple times in the past while he’s in the G-League, I am very thrilled for Thomas Bryant.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Bleacher Report.)
6) Luka Doncic IS Good But…
…pump the brakes JUST a bit.
Again, I get that Luka Doncic is amazing. He does have his share of highlights this season (including that unbelievable shot against the Blazers that sent it to OT). And he’s probably having the best season out of all the rookies. Probably.
He did average 24.3 points, 6.0 boards, and 7.0 dimes in four games this week. Doncic wasn’t great from the field (.408) but he’s doing a lot.
The Mavs also lost all four games. In fact, they’re in a six-game skid.
What we glossed over in that same Blazers game? He went 7 for 21. He got dunked on twice. And people talk about Ayton’s defense but Doncic isn’t exactly locking down anybody, either.
My point is that let’s not get too high on Doncic. However, let’s praise this rookie class for being gamers. Both Doncic and Ayton are having very good seasons. So is Trae Young. So is Jaren Jackson, Jr. Let’s not forget Wendell Carter, Jr.. The New York rookie duo in Kevin Knox and Allonzo Trier. Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander is doing good for the Clippers.
This class could be something special.
(PHOTO CREDIT: AP.)
7) The Age of Buddy Hield
So it turns out that Buddy Hield from the Sacramento Kings is 26 years old, not 25, which was pretty much listed everywhere. I don’t know how that escaped every file but according to Hield, the Kings knew he was born in 1992.
Age is usually a pretty big deal for professional athletes. And when it comes to contract time in the NBA, everyone will see that he’s closer to 30 and it can become a game-changer in terms of earnings.
But hey, as long as he can keep himself in peak condition even into his 30s, this age thing may not matter.
By the way, I’M actually 25.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Ned Dishman/Getty Images.)
8) Wizards Going Triple OT on the First Game of a Back-To-Back
When you have a back-to-back, you want to try to take care of business early on so the players can rest up as much as possible for the second consecutive game. ESPECIALLY if they have to play on the road the next game.
Too bad, they played 15 extra minutes of game time. They did beat the Suns (in a wacky coincidence, by the way, since they just made a trade). But they got vanquished by the Pacers the next night.
Such is the grind of the NBA.
https://youtu.be/XQ5Wzcua2lQ
(VIDEO CREDIT: Sport lovers.)
9) Donovan Mitchell on the Line Against OKC
Donovan Mitchell had a chance to tie the game on the line after Russell Westbrook fouled him (as he fouled out in the process). 1.5 seconds left. If he made them, the Jazz would have a pretty good chance against a Westbrook-less Thunder in OT.
Mitchell’s first free throw went in and out.
So he needed to miss the second on purpose for a chance to get a tip-in.
His high-arcing foul shot swished through the net.
Not the greatest trip on the line for Mitchell. OKC would go on to take the win on the road.
(VIDEO CREDIT: CliveNBAParody.)
10) James Harden Steps Back Quite A Bit
Unlike most people, I happen to think the NBA refs do a very good job.
But I am aghast that they missed this one. Dude. James Harden basically party rocked back to the three-point line. Party Rock is still a thing, right?
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, y’all.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
His podcast is at Rey-Rey Is Fundamental.