Welcome to the NBA Hangover. We jot down NBA stuff mostly from last night that we want to talk about. Check it out.
The Thunder are 17-6 after their loss to the Lakers in November 22.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman.)
Okay. So Russell Westbrook came back to Oklahoma City for the first time since being traded by the Thunder. He got a standing ovation and got all the love. He even got a tribute video during the intros. It’s fantastic stuff. Russ deserved it all.
With that said, man, the Oklahoma City Thunder continue to surprise everyone. They’ve won 7 of their last 8 and 11 of their last 13. Heck, they were given up for dead after back-to-back losses against the Lakers; they were 5-10 then. But they’ve been 17-6 since.
You look at the season stats and nothing really stands out. They’re in the middle of the pack on both sides of the ball. Or is it a certain line-up that stands out?
Apparently, the three-guard Detroit Piston Bad Boys line-up works out excellently.
So we know that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the future but he’s already showing what he can do in the present. He leads the team in scoring with 19.8 points and he’s just smooth and slithery on the court.
Danilo Gallinari is still an offensive threat and their best weapon on the perimeter. He’s shooting just under 40 percent and he’s a big dude that can shoot over anybody.
Dennis Schroder has flourished as the sixth man off the bench and is definitely one of the candidates to win the award. You live with his tendency to be out of control because he is instant offense. He’s the second leading scorer on the team at 18.4 points.
Steven Adams is just a bully inside. He’s averaging a double-double for the first time in his career (hey, those rebounds are open for him now!). We all know what his strength can do.
But this is a huge redemption year for Chris Paul.
His numbers aren’t high but still very good (16.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.6 steals per). But he comes through for the Thunder when they need him the most. He’s had big fourth quarters and clutch plays throughout the season. It’s the Chris Paul of old, if you will. He’s still got it, man.
Just like a lot of other pundits, my friend asked why not sell high while they could? Why not trade them while they’re hot? They’re not going to win the championship, he opined.
Yeah. They may not. But is there harm in seeing where this goes when they already have a TON of assets? They’re hot right now and they’re not going to go ahead and lose 44 in a row just to get that #1 pick. It’s obvious they’re having fun while winning with this team, too. They do have a date with the Lakers on Saturday so we’ll see how they do against a top team.
But besides Dallas, they’ve become a Cinderella team. Let’s enjoy the ride until someone acts the villain and ends their season.
(As for Westbrook in this game? He scored 34 points and appeared to be the only Rocket that played well.)
Bullet Passes
There will be no Joel Embiid for the foreseeable future but the Sixers did look great against the Celtics. I already know that Ben Simmons is a fantastic basketball player, whose weakness is shooting. But he has to prove to all the other so-called experts that he is good.
The Blazers continue to be frustratingly inconsistent. In the meantime, the Wolves, who haven’t had Karl Anthony-Towns in the last month, have won three of four. Every win counts in the battle for the 8th seed, considering #8 is San Antonio at 16-20. The Wolves are 15-22. Gag me with a spoon.
I had no idea Tristan Thompson was capable of scoring 35 points. He also grabbed 14 boards against the Pistons in an overtime win. And the Cavs celebrated his career night.
They haven’t had a lot to celebrate this year, especially after Coach John Beilein apparently said the Cavs were thugs. Beilein has apologized since.
(Honestly, I can see how Beilein would say that without even noticing. I forget what I say a lot of the time.)
The Scoreboard
CLE 115 (11-27) @ DET 112 (14-25) (OT)
BOS 98 (25-11) @ PHI 109 (25-14)
POR 102 (16-23) @ MIN 116 (15-22)
HOU 92 (25-12) @ OKC 113 (22-16)
Watch This Play
It’s our friend, Isaiah Hartenstein, in another highlight! Well, lowlight. Chris Paul dribbles between his legs and he had no idea until it was too late.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Bleacher Report.)
CHRIS, BY GOD, PAUL.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
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