Welcome to the NBA Hangover. We jot down NBA stuff mostly from last night that we want to talk about. Check it out.
Devonte’ Graham has been splendid for Charlotte.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Neil Redmond/AP.)
We all know that American small-market teams don’t get as much publicity in the NBA (I said American because good grief, the Raptors don’t get as much respect as they should here in the U.S.) unless they make it deep into the postseason or they have a can’t-miss star on their team. So there will be players that are doing well that won’t get that pub.
So unless you’re a hardcore (fantasy) NBA fan, you may not know about Devonte’ Graham. Now the Hornets aren’t exactly doing the greatest; they’re currently 9-14 and sitting at 9th in the East. But just because the team isn’t doing super great doesn’t mean there aren’t any good stories out of them.
After Kemba Walker left Charlotte, the most well-known names were Terry Rozier (acquired from Boston through that Kemba deal) and Nicolas Batum. Heck, we’ll say even Marvin Williams. But Batum and Marvin are on the downside of their careers. There was some hope that maybe them leapers Malik Monk and Miles Bridges will break out this season. After the first game of their season, we thought it would be their first round pick PJ Washington, who scored 27 points in that opener.
It turned out that the one breaking out was Devonte’ Graham.
Now Graham wasn’t a sexy name coming out of the 2018 Draft; he was picked in the second round by the Hawks and was immediately dealt to Charlotte. He did have a pedigree, though, by playing four years in Kansas for college. But most of his rookie campaign saw him go back and forth between the G-League and the Hornets.
And then this season started. He started the season with games of 23 and 24 points. Graham would have a 35-point performance in a win against Indiana. He was inserted into the starting line-up and has had some dazzlers since then, including a game-winner at Madison Square Garden and a 33-point game on Wednesday night against the Warriors.
We all thought Kemba leaving and Tony Parker retiring would give Rozier a huge opportunity. It turns out that Graham had become the star for this team. He’s leading the team in scoring (18.7 PPG) and assists (7.7 APG). Graham has also become a much improved perimeter shooter (.414 behind the arc). There have been a lot of stories this season where players and teams have come out of nowhere but this might be the most impressive of them all.
Hopefully, Graham keeps this up. It’s too bad his play is not getting much media traction because he’s tucked away in Charlotte. It would obviously be a different story if he was in New York or Los Angeles.
Bullet Passes
You know when we say that there is no such thing as “traveling” anymore in the NBA? THIS is the perfect example:
(VIDEO CREDIT: BALLIN’ OUT.)
The dude just carries the ball like he’s serving at a restaurant, takes two steps, then dribbles. It’s AMAZING he didn’t get called for that. I mean, it happened so early in the game so it didn’t make a dent in the result.
LeBron said he had a malfunction on his brain. Hey, I get it. Sometimes, you just black out and, suddenly, you walked back home.
Anyway, the Bucks (winners of 13 straight) and the Lakers are tied for the best record in the league at 19-3.
Okay, so we’re wondering if Chris Paul is at the end of his line here. He’s averaging 15.1 points and 6.0 assists per game, both career-lows. The Thunder are 8-12. And man, he’s making a TON of money (over $38 mil, which I applaud but it just makes it hard for OKC to do anything with their roster). What to do with CP3…
It’s weird when I see people try to discredit a team’s record by showing “strength of schedule.” Of course, I’ve seen many people say that the Lakers’ 19-3 record isn’t that impressive because of their opposition or whatever loaded bull they’re saying. What were they supposed to do with the schedule that was laid out for them? Play Fortnite?
I think if it wasn’t for those stories that came out of Chicago and Minnesota, Jimmy Butler would be promoted more as an amazing feelgood story. He was the last pick in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft. He didn’t do much of anything in his rookie year. But he kept working and working and he suddenly became the #1 guy in Chicago, even overtaking Derrick Rose (yeah, yeah, I know). He’s been a legit Top 20 player the last few seasons and he’s in the MVP conversation this season.
I know everyone sees him as a star now but let’s not forget how he started.
Watch This Play
We need Aaron Gordon back for the dunk contest. He did this 360 dunk in TRAFFIC.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Sport Lights.)
I mean, that is ridiculous.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
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