Welcome to the NBA Hangover. We jot down NBA stuff mostly from last night that we want to talk about. Check it out.
I would have no issues with Brandon Ingram becoming an all-star this year.
(PHOTO CREDIT: AP.)
It’s that time of year again where people complain about the all-star voting.
Here’s the deal: it doesn’t matter because it’s an exhibition for the fans. Unfortunately, it DOES matter because it’s likely a clause for extra money for the players if they make the all-star team. PLUS it’s an added accomplishment. They always say “15-time all-star LeBron James” but not “15-time all-NBA player LeBron James.” So some fame and money are on the line here.
But anyway, the complaints go on forever around this time of year. That includes from the players as well, who have opined in the past that players should be the only ones voting. Well, let’s take a look at an example of why that’s probably not a good idea.
The all-star voting for West guards last season.
Some pundits will tell you that Derrick Rose (yeah, yeah, I know) and Lonzo Ball didn’t belong in this game. Admittedly, Rose STILL has some star power so you might be able to make a weak case. But I am amazed that even media members would give both of those guys votes. I’ll just say that we are all human beings and all of us have mixed emotions about voting. Some will take it seriously, some won’t care as much, and some obviously don’t watch as much as they should.
For some, I can’t blame the fans. The so-called experts will complain that, “Hey, Stephen Curry hasn’t played much this season! Fans should stop voting!” Here’s the thing: a lot of casual NBA watchers do vote. Not everyone is a hardcore watcher. So a lot of them probably won’t know that Curry hadn’t played in a while. But that speaks to the star power of Curry. Even if Curry only played one game, some would rather have him in an all-star game than a LaMarcus Aldridge.
So what about a threshold for games missed? I’m actually okay with that because the all-star game should be a reward for players who have had a great season. I proposed that maybe a minutes/games cap should do? Maybe a player can only qualify if they played 500 minutes by the time the voting is over (which would be roughly halfway through the season). So that’s like 25 minutes times 20 games, which would be half the games. The NBA can then weed out the players that were voted in but didn’t play enough minutes. I’m somewhat okay with that although there would be another outrage if, say, Victor Oladipo came back, played the last 15 games before voting ended, averaged 30 points a game, and barely missing the cut by 5 minutes.
There was also outrage over whether players with bad records should get in. I think that should hold some weight but if Trae Young has overwhelming stats like 28.9 points and 8.4 assists, why not let him in? It’s not like it’s his fault that his team isn’t great; he’s practically doing nearly everything to keep the team looking like a respectable NBA franchise. So I don’t have a problem with a Trae Young making the squad. And if Brandon Ingram makes the team (I have to talk about him since I put his picture above), I’m okay with that. His stats are pretty good, too, even if the Pelicans aren’t doing so well.
Anyway, in the end, the starters that get voted in are usually the right players that deserve the nods. Sure, Alex Caruso and Tacko Fall will get votes or whatever but they won’t get enough to get into the team. There will ALWAYS be a few snubs when it comes to the reserves. And usually, the players that get in aren’t bad choices. So we’re just pretty much wasting all our energy complaining about the all-star voting. If only we can focus our energy on something more productive…
Bullet Passes
Once again, I will never understand the so-called pundits when they say that Kyle Kuzma is not a good NBA player.
Look. I very well understand his weaknesses. The narrative out there is that he’s a terrible defender. Yeah, he’ll have his bonehead moments defensively but he’s not as bad as people think. Inconsistent? Yes. But he’s done some good plays on defense.
And we also understand that his value is on offense. He’s still working his way back from an injury as he just came back right before Christmas. And, yes, he’s still adjusting to his role as the sixth man (just like Chris Bosh adjusted to his role as the third banana with the Miami Heat). But Kuzma is not doing as bad as people think and he is not a bad NBA player. I’m sure the critics are disappointed that he scored 26 points against the Mavs on Friday night.
It does get on my nerves to see some critics to be really harsh with their criticism of NBA players. I understand that the words to describe them is “relative” to other NBA players but it just kind of throws me off when some people say, “(Fill in NBA player) is not good at basketball.” It’s almost like… who are THEY to say that? And yeah, I’ve been guilty of it in the past, too, which is why I’m trying to be more careful with the words that I use. But it’s pretty obvious that they ARE good since they made the NBA. Yes, they could be a “little smarter” when it comes to basic things. But there’s a reason why they made it.
Mike Prada wrote a very nice article about LaMarcus Aldridge changing the offense because he decided to step back a few feet to shoot threes. He actually made five against Memphis. Some thought that was going to be the turning point for the Spurs but, alas, they still can’t play defense, which is what I had been saying for weeks now.
The Clippers received a scare against the Warriors on Friday night but they came back from 10 down from the start of the fourth to win the game. It was a 36-17 final quarter edge from the Clips. Woof.
Luka Doncic was so frustrated playing the Lakers on Friday that he ripped his jersey, Darko-style.
Luka Doncic got frustrated after a missed free throw, so he ripped his jersey pic.twitter.com/hcMqVkpe6l
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) January 11, 2020
For a little treat, I understand that I’m putting up a wrestler/gamer YouTube video. But this is actually an interview with one of the most iconic voices ever, the voice of NBA Jam, Tim Kitzrow!
(VIDEO CREDIT: UpUpDownDown.)
That game changed video game AND sports culture. If it wasn’t for him, our lexicon wouldn’t have “he’s heating up“, “he’s on fire“, and BOOMSHAKALAKA! Legendary.
The Scoreboard
ATL 101 (8-31) @ WAS 111 (13-25)
NO 123 (14-25) @ NY 111 (10-29)
MIA 113 (27-11) @ BRK 117 (17-20)
IND 116 (24-15) @ CHI 105 (13-26)
SA 121 (16-21) @ MEM 134 (17-22)
ORL 94 (18-21) @ PHX 98 (15-23)
CHA 92 (15-26) @ UTA 109 (26-12)
LAL 129 (31-7) @ DAL 114 (23-15)
MIL 127 (34-6) @ SAC 106 (15-24)
GS 100 (9-31) @ LAC 109 (27-12)
Watch This Play
Kawhi Leonard, man. This is a mauling.
(VIDEO CREDIT: House of Highlights.)
What a fun guy!
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.
It’s been forever since the All-star game had players actually trying. I can remember the 2001 one where Iverson and Marbury led a big comeback (was it in 2001?). That was entertaining. But it was one out of the blue, I didn’t know what basketball in the early 90’s, but I watched the 1990 and 1992 and those guys were going hard like, really hard. That toughness was making them show why they were all-stars.
My bold theory is that Shaq broke it. It’s quite a statement, but if I had to pick one reason over the others it would be this one. He started dribbling (because he had certain skills too, let’s admit it) and doing things he wouldn’t do at a normal game. And he was the face of the NBA at the time. A three straight times champion, and he won again later. You could say a lot of players were looking up to him, to get his dominance and spotlight. Even in the 2001 game I mentioned, you could tell nothing mattered until the 4th quarter came. It was like players realized that this game, in the end, didn’t count at all, and they just try not to look bad. If Shaq himself doesn’t care, then why should I? And then the 150/200 points per team started coming.
I don’t know, I used to watch them and it’s been at least 8 years that I just refuse, it’s trash, whatever they do I have it seen it in the And1 mixtapes, done by barely professional players. You don’t see rivalries between players, they just hate each other personally like Westbrook and everybody else, or they become teammates. Kobe had a couple good games because he had this kind of mentality where he doesn’t hate you, he just wants to beat you. And LeBron looked serious in a couple others but on these ones looked almost like the single one that cared a bit.
Sorry for the long rant. I feel that what it used to be a really good game of basketball is almost like the celebrity game but with a bit more athleticism.
Yeah. The game itself is another story. It became more and more lax as the years had gone by. Historically, the game has always been played in an indifferent manner for the first three quarters before they try to a degree in the fourth quarter. I also think that players, especially with the way coaches and management want them to take care of themselves (load management and all), don’t want to get hurt and use too much energy for the game. Even though the all-star break lasts a week now.
As far as rivalries go, there are some but not as pronounced and dramatic as it were years ago. Players get to know each other as early as AAU now so they mostly become friendly with each other as they come up. Warriors/Cavs could’ve been an awesome rivalry (four straight years as Finals opponents was unprecedented) but we all know Kevin Durant tipped the scales to the Warriors’ favors.