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!
Week 12 was pretty happening in the NBA (and the world of sports). Let’s do this.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Bleacher Report.)
1) We’ve Had Some YouTube Dunk Moments
Seriously, we’ve had some wicked dunks this week. You see that video of DeMar DeRozan absolutely destroying Chris Boucher. But there’s also Gary Harris shattering Matthew Dellavedova. There’s Kawhi Leonard bodying up the Warriors. Malik Monk having an absolute banger even if it’s against his own teammate. We have Jarrett Allen wrecking Mike Muscala. And we now know Sekou Doumbouya because he messed Tristan Thompson up.
What a week of dunks.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Nick Wass/AP.)
2) The Utah Jazz Are On Fire
Utah Jazz have won 9 straight. They won 14 of their last 15 games. They have risen to 3rd in the Western Conference. They are now looking more and more like the Western threat that many have predicted. Watch out for them.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Jeff Roberson/AP.)
3) The AFC Playoffs Are Drunk
Last week, we saw the Texans and Bills have a hilarious overtime game and the Titans upsetting the Patriots.
This week? The Titans absolutely tore apart huge favorite Baltimore. And then while the Texans held a 24-0 lead, the Chiefs took that away in 10 minutes of game time and went on a 51-7 run to get their AFC Title Game berth. What the hell, man.
I’m pretty much saying what everyone else is saying: the AFC Playoffs are drunk.
(Also, yay, Niners!)
(VIDEO CREDIT: House of Highlights.)
4) Russell Westbrook Returns to OKC
This is extremely cool for the Thunder to do. They didn’t do a tribute video for Kevin Durant and James Harden (who was not there long enough, anyway) but they did for Westbrook. This moment was awesome and I honestly wish Westbrook was never dealt by OKC.
He was also the only Rocket that played well as the Thunder carved them up in the game. So OKC fans got everything they wanted. Fan favorite Westbrook played well and the Thunder won.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Kathy Willens/AP.)
5) Significant Players Come Back From Injury
Kyrie Irving came back and scored 21 points (10/11 shooting) for the Nets in a blowout win over the Hawks. While the Raptors did lose a close game against the Spurs, Pascal Siakam (15 points) and Norman Powell (20 points) made their returns.
Good to see these teams getting closer to full strength.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Sue Ogrocki/AP.)
6) Kyle Kuzma Showing Out
I’ve known this. Some smart fans have known this. But Kyle Kuzma is a very good scorer. That’s why it baffles me when the so-called pundits pick apart his game as if he’s a G-League benchwarmer. He averaged 26 points in the last week, including a 36-point explosion when he led the team without LeBron James and Anthony Davis in a surprising win over the Thunder.
The guy can score. He’s a good NBA player. Shut up about him being “trash.” It makes me wonder about what you actually know about basketball.
7) Cavs Celebrate Tristan Thompson’s Career Night
This might seem overkill by the Cavs but they haven’t had much to celebrate. Let them have this night where Tristan Thompson scored 35 points in a hard-fought win over Detroit. Never mind that he got banged on by one Sekou Doumbouya the game before.
8) T.J. Warren Lost His Cool
This was not polite at all, T.J. I do find it hilarious, though, because I’m 12 years old.
Luka Doncic got frustrated after a missed free throw, so he ripped his jersey pic.twitter.com/hcMqVkpe6l
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) January 11, 2020
8b) Luka Doncic Jersey Rip
Luka lost his cool, too. I suppose it’s a show of manliness if you rip a jersey but I’m not really about ripping shirts and I love that Luka seemed bashful after he did it.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Mark J. Terrill/AP.)
9) The Warriors Are Back to Not Winning
They blew a lead against the Clippers and lost that game. And while they went on a 4-game win streak recently, they have lost 8 straight since. Ewwwww.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Brian Babineau/Getty Images.)
10) People Are Miserable During All-Star Voting
Honestly, the all-star berths matter most to the NBA players because that’s extra money and a bit more fame (no one announces how many all-NBA teams they make; people announce how many all-star teams they make).
For the people, though, they get SUPER heated over this, especially on a game that ultimately doesn’t matter. It’s a show for the fans. Sure, they can get angry for the players getting screwed but it’s not like they’re going to get a cut of the extra money. Plus, while there will always be snubs, the right players usually get into the game, anyway. I get that people can rightfully get angry over Alex Caruso and Tacko Fall potentially making the game but those guys won’t get enough votes to get in, anyway, especially if you count in the players and the media votes.
It’s much better for people to focus their energy on something else.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Bob Levey/Getty Images.)
10b) Houston Astros 2017 World Series Title is Tainted
I suppose that if you’re not cheating, you’re not trying. Houston Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow and skipper AJ Hinch got suspended for a year and were promptly fired afterwards by ownership. This was after Major League Baseball investigated that the Astros stole signs from their opponents during their 2017 World Series run. Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora was also implicated as he was the bench coach for the Astros during that year.
The Astros get to keep their World Series win but their title is forever tainted.
But, hey, since they’re cheating, let’s go ahead and bring back steroids. If everyone is cheating then it’s an even playing field, right?
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.