People LOVE Power Rankings in sports. It’s pretty stupid. So, of course, I have MY Stupid Power Rankings. I take 10 things from the NBA (or not) in the past week and rank them accordingly. You don’t like them? Make your own rankings!
These are the notable events of Week 7 of the 2019-20 regular season.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Bleacher Report.)
1) Jaxson Hayes Devastates
I applaud Cheick Diallo for jumping but there is a risk on trying to defend a soul taker.
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
2) Steven Adams Touchdown Pass
More on this later but this was an amazing pass to the frontcourt. 1.1 seconds with no timeout and this was as perfect of a basketball play as you can get. Amazing execution.
This led to Oklahoma City winning in overtime.
NO FEAR.@gkittle46 | #GoNiners pic.twitter.com/g3vprcCOpX
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 8, 2019
3) George Kittle’s Yards After the Face Mask
This was considered the most iconic play of this year’s NFL season. With the 49ers nearly buried at their own 33-yard line, all-world tight end George Kittle made a move to get open and catch a pass from Jimmy Garoppolo, that EXTREMELY HANDSOME quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. Kittle rumbled down the sideline and got a handful on his face mask from Marcus Williams of the New Orleans Saints. He STILL ran 20 yards despite having his face mask pulled. It was fantastic. The Niners would convert the field goal and get a signature win against the Saints.
So why is this #3 even though it was “the most iconic play”? Because this is an NBA page, duh.
4) I Finally Had The Chicken Sandwich From Popeyes
I had it really late compared to the ones standing in line for eight hours or whatever three or four months ago.
Let me tell you that it is really good.
Is it to die for? Of course not.
It’s a chicken sandwich.
5) Chris Paul Gets Jordan Hill for the Untucked Rule
The reason why OKC was only trailing by two before that amazing Steven Adams pass was that the Wolves were called for a technical foul. For what? Chris Paul pointed out that Jordan Hill had an untucked jersey, which caused a delay of game. It also happened to be the second delay of game violation by Minnesota. You can watch the video in this link. You can hear Paul shouting, “His jersey is untucked! That’s a delay of game!” It’s an extremely smart play by Paul. Save the game by any means necessary.
Also, no one likes a snitch, Chris Paul.
(VIDEO CREDIT: BALLIN’ OUT.)
6) LeBron James Took A Walk
James said it himself; his brain had a malfunction. He dribbled, took two steps while carrying the ball like he’s a waiter carrying plates, and then took another dribble. It was amazing that he didn’t get caught.
Would he have gotten called for it, though, if Chris Paul was in front of him?
The TV commentator was way more savage than Kevin Porter Jr.’s flex. 😂 pic.twitter.com/W1cQaiKZwi
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) December 8, 2019
7) Kevin Porter, Jr. Flexed After Cutting Deficit to 42
This was a ballsy dunk by Kevin Porter, Jr. over the taller Norvel Pelle. The problem was that he celebrated when his team was down by 42 and there is just a time and place for everything.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images.)
8) Marc Gasol Couldn’t Score Against The Sixers
Last week, the Raptors faced the Sixers. And Joel Embiid was held scoreless. So I’m going to be fair and point out that on Sunday‘s game, Embiid’s main match-up against Toronto, Marc Gasol, laid an egg.
It’s not lowest on the list, though, because Gasol is not the #1 option on his team while Embiid (who scored “only” 10 points in their win over T-Dot) clearly is for his.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Bleacher Report.)
9) The Rockets Can’t Score On Dunks and Protests
Okay. You see that dunk by James Harden that went in and somehow popped back on the rim. The officials called it a missed dunk and it was never overturned. It’s easily the most bizarre play of the young season so far. The Rockets had a 13-point lead with 7:50 after that “missed dunk” but went on to lose in double overtime against the Spurs. Because of that, the Rockets decided they wanted to protest.
(PHOTO CREDIT: NBA.)
The protest was denied a couple of hours before this writing. The refs got disciplined for the incorrect call but the NBA was right for saying that the Rockets had enough time to “overcome the error.”
Also, they were up by 13. I mean, come on, Houston. I know it’s tougher than said but can’t lose focus like that. Mistakes happen.
The refs need to be better, for sure. But man, the Rockets only needed to be a bit decent for seven minutes and fifty seconds and they couldn’t do it.
THEY HAD A 13-POINT LEAD.
The Knicks are at the free throw line with 0.1 seconds left, and Julius Randle can’t convert.
After all that happened yesterday, this is how they end their game tonight.
Legitimately can’t make this stuff up pic.twitter.com/L56NbDtNBP
— Ben Stinar (@BenStinar) December 8, 2019
10) The Knicks Can’t Score Any Sort of Win
The Knicks haven’t won since November 18. On Friday, the team decided to axe head coach David Fizdale, who had been a dead man walking for weeks as Knicks troop leader.
So the Knicks get another new start. They have interim head coach Mike Miller (not THIS Mike Miller) so the team should be pumped. It’s like an automatic win, right?
Well, you see the video above. Julius Randle had a chance to send the game to overtime against the Pacers and he missed the free throw with 0.1 seconds left. Instead of a supposed reset, they somehow found another way to lose. It is so New York Knicks.
P.S. Speedy recovery to Rodney Hood of the Portland TrailBlazers. He tore his ACL last Friday. Please take care.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.