Welcome to the B-Ball Brunch. Enjoy reading about my NBA musings about last night during your brunch hours.
Eric Paschall led the Warriors to an upset over the Blazers.
(PHOTO CREDIT: AP.)
Well, I’m going to have to say this now: I promise you that I’m not a Golden State Warriors homer (they’re not even my favorite team and you should know that if you have followed me for years).
The same nine Warriors from Saturday night suited up against their Western Conference Finals opponents Portland TrailBlazers. And wouldn’t ya know, the Warriors STILL have the Blazers’ number. Let’s face it, though; this version of the Warriors winning was an upset over Rip Ci-dehhhh.
And Eric Paschall, second round pick from Villanova and noted friend of Donovan Mitchell, had the game of his life. 34 points and 13 rebounds. HE DA MAN.
Didn’t I say he was Mitchell’s homey?
LETS GO E!!!!! @epaschall
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) November 5, 2019
So because we have talked about the Warriors getting depleted by injuries and circumstance so much in the last few days, we had no idea Paschall was doing pretty well. Well, SOMEONE has to take the scoring load, right? Paschall is averaging 16.7 points per game so far. But as a starter (which would be three games), he’s going for a cool 26.3 points per.
And, yeah, we laugh all the time (I am definitely guilty of this) when we see names that aren’t exactly sexy take the court. We’re just all, “Who the hell is Ky Bowman? Eric Paschall? Where did this Jordan Poole guy come from?”
But for those guys, it’s a chance to show what they can do. How are they going to do under the bright lights? I mean, some of y’all play the NBA 2K video game series. In MyCareer Mode, we imagine ourselves as NBA players and try to prove to everyone that we belong. It’s the same thing for guys like Paschall. But for them, it’s real life. Because if they can’t do it in this situation, they may not get another opportunity.
And just because Paschall is a second round pick doesn’t mean he’s doomed to be a fringe NBA player. There have been plenty of second round picks that have become stars in the NBA. Nikola Jokic is leading the Nuggets. Marc Gasol was a franchise cornerstone for the Grizzlies and became a big contributor to the champion Raptors. Paschall’s own teammate, Draymond Green, was a second-rounder and he won’t let you forget who was picked ahead of him. These guys are ALL good. They just have to do well in the situation that they are being put in.
As for the Dubs themselves, a win could give them confidence in the next few games until Draymond comes back. Just remember that Paschall has to watch his back because now, teams are going to go after him.
It shouldn’t be new for head coach Steve Kerr, though. After all, his teams have had targets on their backs for the last five years.
Bullet Passes
And then there were none. Those pesky Phoenix Suns pulled an upset against the Philadelphia 76ers. There was no Joel Embiid since he’s still in exile. But these same Suns are now 5-2 and get this: second in the West. I know it’s only been two weeks but ya know, we wouldn’t bat an eyelash if they started off 0-7. Good for the Suns.
The Pelicans lost to the Nets but Brandon Ingram went off for 40 points. He’s really thriving on his role as the #1 option. Here’s the problem, though: I don’t think he would like to be very much known as the “best player on a bad team” his whole career. New Orleans is at the bottom of the West at 1-6.
Well, at least, the Wolves split their games while Karl-Anthony Towns was also serving his suspension. Minnesota is 4-2 and they should ease back into some winning as they get Memphis on Wednesday and the 2019 version of the WE BELIEVE Warriors on Friday.
We all know James Harden is a very crafty basketball player. He’ll do whatever he can to get an edge. And… well…
How Jae Crowder get called for a foul AND ejected for GETTING hit in dick???? His dick fouled James Harden? I’m so confused. pic.twitter.com/Cp9SpiyUfY
— Vic Damone Jr. (@KevChestnut) November 5, 2019
I think I KNOW what Harden was trying to do here (push off on Crowder as the defender was bodying up). And, again, I’ll be the first to defend the refs. But good grief. That’s pretty egregious right there.
I don’t blame Crowder for getting mad.
Because I am EXTREMELY mature, look at the names of the Pistons bench:
Don’t YOU want to play with the Bone-Wood-Maker trio? I know I would!
Watch This Play
Here’s an Al Horford follow jam.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Philadelphia 76ers.)
Big Al still has it, man.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
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