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!
I am very aware that I am writing this on a very busy NBA day. But I’m sure you can take some time in your busy basketball day to read cool things that happened in the last week or so. Let’s do it.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Ball Kingdom.)
1) Grizz Bizz
Ja Makin’ Me Crazy!
The Grizzlies have won 7 straight games. They are in the 8th spot in the Western Conference. Ja Morant has arguably been the most exciting player in the league this season. Everything is coming up on these guys. And they’ll be on national television against the Pelicans in about 90 minutes (as I typed that sentence).
Get it done, Memphis.
(PHOTO CREDIT: CNNA.)
2) Give Me My Overdue 49ers/Chiefs Super Bowl
I didn’t think the San Francisco 49ers were going to be any great this season. Yet here they are making Super Bowl 54 as they defeated the Green Bay Packers with their bruising running game and punishing defense.
In the meantime, Patrick Mahomes and their prolific offense put away the cinderella Tennessee Titans, setting up their game against the Niners.
This was the Super Bowl I wanted in 1994 when the 49ers (with Steve Young) and the Chiefs (with Joe Montana) were on a collision course. But the Niners couldn’t get past the Cowboys and the Bills made their 4th straight Super Bowl appearance.
Hey, it’s 26 years too late. But we’re here now?
(PHOTO CREDIT: The Canadian Press.)
3) Shai Went For a 20-20-10 Trip-Dub
I think it’s amazing that the smooth Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t have a triple-double before this game. He certainly went out and did his thing against Minnesota. What a first triple-double it was, too. 20 REBOUNDS.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Chaz Clavant NBA.)
4) Aaron Gordon Off The Glass
I’ve been saying a lot of people should join or/and return to the dunk contest.
Aaron Gordon should return to the dunk contest.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP.)
5) Norman Powell’s Return
I feel like nobody is talking about Norman Powell‘s most consistent season by far.
Ever since he returned on January 12, the dude is averaging 22.8 points per game. Also, the Raptors won all their games this week. Powell is not getting enough pub so here I am giving him credit. He deserves it.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Scott Wachter/USA Today.)
6) The Hawks Finally Won In San Antonio
On the surface, people are looking at this as a minor upset.
Then when you realize that the Atlanta Hawks hadn’t won in San Antonio since 1997, it becomes a huge deal. 23 YEARS?! Good grief.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images.)
7) Markelle Fultz Continues to Flourish
I love that his redemption story has continued. The, uh, “average Orlando Magic” went in to Staples Center and upset the L.A. Lakers as he made clutch shots on his way to his second career triple-double. He also went for 23 points against the Golden State Warriors. This week followed up his career-high 25-point game against the Nets.
The Magic went 2-2, though. Like I said, the’re average. Whoops.
(Fultz certainly is capable of being more than average.)
(PHOTO CREDIT: Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images.)
8) The Nets Aren’t Doing So Well
Speaking OF the Nets, they went 0-3. The good news is that they’re still in the 8th spot in the East but the ground is becoming shakier the more they lose.
JJ Redick is concerned that some players in today’s game don’t have their priorities in order. pic.twitter.com/570jfN5Csg
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 16, 2020
9) J.J. Redick Wants You To Get Off His Lawn
So is J.J. Redick saying young NBA players can’t multitask?
First of all, David Stern made a dress code in the mid-2000s just so NBA players can look more “professional” (you can’t help but think of the racial undertones, though). Still, the NBA players (much to many people’s surprise) embraced the dress code and has even made their walks to the arena like an extended runway to show off their looks.
Somehow, old vet J.J. doesn’t seem to think players care about winning anymore. But no matter if he’s around the players WAY more than us, it’s literally impossible to read people’s minds. Besides, Russell Westbrook is KNOWN for his stylings. There is no way you can tell me Russ doesn’t care about winning (no matter what people say about him).
Also, professional athletes don’t have long playing careers in the big picture. The biggest stars usually stay around for 15 years, sure, but there are some who won’t last maybe even three years in the league. For those players, an Instagram pic could be a doorway to maybe becoming a spokesperson for a big company. That way, they could have side hustles while they’re playing and it could be something they do after their playing days are over.
So don’t worry about the old men yelling at the crowds, players. Get your Instagram fits in. Get your side gigs in while looking good doing it.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Slocum/AP.)
10) Kyrie Irving Is Alienating
First of all, I understand Kyrie Irving‘s frustrations. He said that the Nets need more complementary pieces to help out the team. However, he singled out players like himself, Kevin Durant, Garrett Temple, DeAndre Jordan, Caris Levert, and Spencer Dinwiddie needing help. He didn’t say the team.
Again, I get where he’s coming from. And of course, the team needs to get better. He just didn’t… express it the right way. Kyrie came biting back after he was criticized and said that he’s not like he’s an a-hole yelling at everybody. Still, he’s gotta do a better job of saying certain things without hurting other people’s feelings.
For what it’s worth, Jarrett Allen and Kyrie have talked it out and things seem to be okay. But things could get worse if they don’t win more games anytime soon.
I’ve defended Kyrie many times in the past but he does have to be careful of what he says.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.