Welcome to the NBA Hangover. We jot down NBA stuff mostly from last night that we want to talk about. Check it out.
JaVale McGee had 5 of the Lakers’ 20 blocks against the Pistons.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA Today.)
The Lakers led the league in blocked shots. They took it to another level of old-school against the Pistons when they blocked 20 shots, the most team blocks since 2001 when the Raptors swatted 23 shots.
It was all about the big men corps by the Lakers. Anthony Davis had 8 blocks, JaVale McGee had 6, and Dwight Howard had 5. It’s all about rim protection for the Lakers.
We all had our doubts when the Lakers signed so many big men (and in particular, Dwight). After all, we’re in an NBA where it’s all about pace and space.
But things like rim protection is still valued. Anthony Davis is a do-it all big man but JaVale and Dwight mostly park inside. So a lot of pundits didn’t think the signings were optimal (JaVale was RE-signed; don’t get technical with me now). But the Lakers don’t play today’s style. They opt for the more throwback style of post-ups with their big men. And with LeBron James as a facilitator, it makes it that much easier to manage. Lakers are second in points in the paint at 53.4 behind Memphis (54.4).
And it’s not like the big men they got are lumbering hulks. Davis, JaVale, and Dwight can all run up and down the court. Lakers is known for Showtime so when we’re not getting the old-school post-ups, we’re getting fastbreaks. The Lakers are second in the league in fastbreak points (17.7 and they’re behind the Bucks, who have 18.6).
So the style works for them. They can post up. They can run. And they can have all the rim protection they want. Again, 20 blocks is ABSURD. And to no surprise, the Lakers lead the league in blocks (7.4 per).
Lakers mixing in the old-school with the new school and continue to be first in the West.
Bullet Passes
The Clippers let the Knicks score 45 points in the first quarter. The Clips came back to win after three of their players scored 30+ (Montrezl Harrell had 34, Lou Williams and Paul George each had 32).
Harrell didn’t say much in his postgame interview after he ranted about how the Clips weren’t a great team the day before. This also wasn’t the greatest of wins after they got smacked around by the Grizzlies.
The Heat continue to impress. Maybe it is the culture or whatever but they didn’t miss a beat against the Blazers (and their old teammate, Hassan Whiteside). They didn’t have Jimmy Butler but Goran Dragic went for 29 points in the Heat win.
Impressive back-to-back wins by the Grizzlies on the road. WHO COULD STOP JONAS VALANCIUNAS (30 points)?
Finally, there are reports out there that Derrick Jones, Jr. and Dwight Howard are in the dunk contest. DJJ is no surprise but HOWARD?! I would love this.
Now go get Vince Carter.
The Scoreboard
NY 132 (10-26) @ LAC 135 (26-12)
POR 111 (15-22) @ MIA 122 (26-10)
MIN 118 (14-21) @ CLE 103 (10-26)
MEM 121 (15-22) @ PHX 114 (14-22)
DET 99 (13-24) @ LAL 106 (29-7)
Watch This Play
Paul George with a H-O-R-S-E behind-the-backboard shot.
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA On Fire.)
That’s an H right there.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
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