People LOVE Power Rankings in their sports. Of course, we have one of our own but it’s not your usual rankings where we put them from best to worst team during the week. Every Monday, we look at 10 things in the NBA (well, not just the NBA) and rank them in order how much we liked each thing. Don’t agree with them? You can always make your OWN Power Rankings.
These were all from Week 5 of the NBA regular season. Let’s go from top to bottom!
(VIDEO CREDIT: Bleacher Report.)
1) The Bulls Comeback
A game is never over until there are all zeroes on the clock. I tend to stay and watch until the very end of NBA games when I feel there’s still a reasonable way to come back. An eight-point lead with less than a minute to go seemed reasonable enough.
Well, the Bulls scored 16 points in 55 seconds. Hell, they scored 11 points in a 25-second window. That was punctuated by Zach LaVine‘s game-winning three to steal the victory over the Hornets.
For a bonus, LaVine made 13 three-pointers (the third player in NBA history to do that) and scored 49 points. Woof.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Bryce Wood/Sports Illustrated.)
2) That Clippers NBA Jam Team
Paul George made his return 11 days ago but Kawhi Leonard was resting due to, uh, injury management. But the Clippers started off the week with a Paul George clutch three to beat Oklahoma City. Then George and Leonard were together for the first time against Boston, where they eeked out an overtime win with George and Beverley making clutch plays.
They did another comeback in Houston; this time, Leonard made the go-ahead basket. And they blew out the New Orleans Pelicans. It’s been a great week for the Clippers and they couldn’t have done it without big plays from their NBA Jam duo, who are playing together at last.
3) Patrick Beverley Looked Like He Was Shocked
THIS is how you sell a flop.
Unlike most NBA fans, I think flops are hilarious. And if they fooled the refs, good for them!
It’s because if I played in the NBA, I KNOW I would do the same thing. I would flop every day. I would do a back roll and slide on my back 20 feet. Maybe even do a barrel roll from baseline to baseline.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Bleacher Report.)
4) The Beverley/Westbrook Feud Resurfaces
In the 2013 NBA Playoffs, Beverley took Westbrook out of the playoffs by running into his knee as Russ called a timeout. Ever since then, they’ve had a long on-and-off beef. The feud resurfaced last Friday.
Westbrook missed the go-ahead three in the waning seconds. Beverley then mocked Westbrook’s shooting form. Russ called Beverley trash.
They might have to settle this in the cage.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Bleacher Report.)
5) Ben Simmons Made A Three
After missing his first 17 threes of his career, Ben Simmons made a corner three that sent Philadelphia to an orgasmic state.
By the way, that’s the only three he’s attempted this season. That’s 100 percent, ladies and fellas!
(VIDEO CREDIT: Bleacher Report.)
6) Duncan Robinson Made 9 Threes
In the meantime, Duncan Robinson broke out against Cleveland with a 29-point performance. He’s been an important part of Miami‘s excellent season thus far. Sometimes, all you need is a chance.
Why is he below Simmons? Duncan Robinson is EXPECTED to shoot threes. Ben Simmons is expected to do EVERYTHING ELSE BUT SHOOT threes.
— Taylor Griffin (@griffdunk) November 23, 2019
7) NBA Players with the Headers
I mean, this is cool. Thanks, Bojan Bogdonavic and Marquese Chriss.
8) Pau Gasol Was Released
It sucks that Pau Gasol‘s injury won’t heal as quick as he hoped for. Gasol has been released by the Blazers but I mean, he is at the twilight of his career. Retirement is looming. If not this year, then next year.
At least, Portland is going to look for a coaching spot for him. Pau is going to be okay. We just hope he’s as healthy as can be as the days go by.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Gerald Herbert/AP.)
9) The Blazers Are So Melo
The Blazers are 0-4 this week and continue to look bad. Carmelo Anthony started playing for them on Tuesday against the Pelicans. He’s not off to the greatest start as he’s averaged 13 points and shooting 34.1 percent in three games.
Other than shooting a little worse than usual, Carmelo is pretty much what you expect at this point. But the problem is that it hasn’t translated to any Blazers wins.
And there is no real solution for Portland on the horizon. Maybe make a huge deal once December 15 gets here?
(PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Slocum/AP.)
10) The Fall of the Spurs
They had lost eight straight and 10 of 11 overall before they finally won in New York. But it’s looking like the end of the Spurs as we know it. 22 straight playoff seasons. No superstar like Tim Duncan in the team to bail them out.
Life didn’t come so fast for the Spurs. But life does eventually get you at some point. And that time might be now for San Antonio.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
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