Welcome to the NBA Hangover. We jot down NBA stuff mostly from last night that we want to talk about. Check it out.
Andre Iguodala has not played this season.
(PHOTO CREDIT: David Zalubowski/AP.)
No one can pretend people know what goes on inside Andre Iguodala‘s brain. Except for, well, Andre Iguodala.
The Golden State Warriors traded Dre and his $17.2 million salary to Memphis last summer as they attempted to reload (obviously, that didn’t go to plan this season). The Warriors also traded a 2024 first round pick as a sweetener for Memphis to take the salary hit. It was also known around basketball circles that Iguodala wasn’t going to report with the Grizz and Memphis was okay with that as they looked to trade him for more assets.
So far, nothing has gone on. And from David Aldridge of the Athletic:
I mean, sure. Honestly, who has it affected at this point? Andre continues to get paid as he sits out. The Grizzlies continue to look for takers as the rebuild has suddenly been accelerated. Their team is playing well. And the Warriors have a lost season (even if Stephen Curry comes back, I don’t expect them to make a big run to get to the postseason).
However, I don’t blame the Grizzlies faithful for being mad. The team is young, exciting, and getting better. Why NOT give Memphis a shot?
Maybe Iguodala is really sticking to his principles. Maybe he KNOWS that he’s going to leave Memphis at the end of the season, anyway, and with that feeling, he probably won’t give it 100 percent. Maybe he’s just resting his body after so many miles on the court. Again, I can’t pretend I know what Iguodala is thinking but if he’s sitting out for whatever reason, let him. It’s not the worst thing that can happen to him or the Grizzlies.
Of course, Dillon Brooks (who is playing REALLY well) had something to say about it. He understood why Iguodala was doing things his way but there’s also a little bit of sourness in this message:
Everything Dillon Brooks said about Andre Iguodala tonight. pic.twitter.com/1rDw0P2wp2
— Mark Giannotto (@mgiannotto) February 4, 2020
And the franchise, Ja Morant, was all about that. (Also, Iguodala appearing on TV wasn’t exactly the greatest move on his part but that was probably a bit overblown by some media.)
Now David Aldridge didn’t mention the “agreed-upon teams” Iguodala might want. The Lakers were mentioned but the Lakers are ALWAYS mentioned. The Clippers were also said to be one of the teams throughout the season. Shams Charania of the Athletic and Stadium just brought up Miami earlier this morning. That would be interesting.
It’s easy to worry about how Iguodala is now. He’s 36 years old. He’s played in the league for 15 years and he’s coming off 5 straight NBA Finals.
But he is still an incredible defender. He can calm the offense down and he just makes big plays on both ends. He could be the final piece for a championship team just like he was for the Golden State Warriors.
Will it happen this season? Who knows? I just know that everyone seems to be at peace with the current situation. Memphis is on the rise without Andre Iguodala. And Iguodala is getting his money without playing, which is the American dream. If he plays this season for a contender, it’s almost like it’s a bonus for him and the fans.
(Well, maybe not so much for the Grizzlies fans unless Memphis is beating Dre’s team to a pulp.)
Bullet Passes
We don’t deserve Kyle Lowry:
.@JimmyButler is his favourite player so @Klow7 hooked it up. #ThisIsWhyWePlay | #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/MA3QYV7r4e
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 3, 2020
Speaking of Jimmy Butler, his current team (the Heat) walloped his former team (the Sixers). Butler scored 38 points in the blowout win. And then he said he felt like Luka:
“I felt like Luka out there. That’s what he be doing.” 😂@3DTV catches up with Jimmy Butler after his impressive performance on #CenterCourt pic.twitter.com/ZufDsvA6tr
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 4, 2020
That’s actually an amazing compliment from one of the best in the game.
No Luka in Dallas but Kristaps Porzingis (yeah, I know) went for 38 points and 12 boards in a big road win over the Pacers.
What was going on here, Karl-Anthony Towns?
God got you, @KarlTowns pic.twitter.com/ow3aukfR38
— Negro Bane/Tha Shark (@thashark316) February 4, 2020
Jaylen Brown didn’t make the all-star team. So what to do if snubbed? Win Player of the Week for the East.
The Scoreboard
ORL 112 (22-28) @ CHA 100 (16-34)
NY 139 (15-36) @ CLE 134 (13-38) (OT)
DAL 112 (31-19) @ IND 103 (31-19)
GS 125 (12-39) @ WAS 117 (17-32)
BOS 123 (34-15) @ ATL 115 (13-38)
PHX 97 (20-30) @ BRK 119 (22-27)
PHI 106 (31-20) @ MIA 137 (34-15)
DET 82 (18-34) @ MEM 96 (25-25)
MIN 109 (15-34) @ SAC 113 (19-31)
SA 105 (22-27) @ LAC 108 (35-15)
Watch This Play
Defense and then offense by the Cavs. And you know I love TNLP by Cedi Osman and the slam by Kevin Porter, Jr.
LET’S GO!!! #BeTheFight pic.twitter.com/78ZV3LMTGw
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 4, 2020
Not much goes on in Cleveland basketball these days. (They also somehow blew this lead.) But hey, this was a nice effort on both ends.
GG.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.
For the rest of the season, I will sign off with GG, which usually means “Good Game.” But we also know “Gigi” is Gianna Bryant’s nickname. This will be my tribute to her.