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!
We had all-star weekend! But since we are ranking stuff from the WHOLE LAST WEEK, this will still include stuff from regular games. Who are we kidding, though? This will be mostly from all-star weekend.
(PHOTO CREDIT: TSN.)
1) The All-Star Game Itself
For the first time in what seems like forever, the NBA all-star game was really good. With charity money on the line (more on this later), the stakes seemed higher. And when the two teams got the target score (24 points added to the leading team’s score which equaled to 157 on Sunday), the game felt like it had a playoff aura. We got actual defense played. Kyle Lowry was drawing charges. Giannis Antetokounmpo was blocking LeBron James. Chris Paul was working the officials. We even got replays! It was intense.
The game ending on the free throw line doesn’t take away anything from it. With this game being a success, I don’t see how the NBA goes away from this format next year.
Me: “Luka don’t pass it, pull it from half..”
Luka: “Ok, Watch this”
Us both after:@luka7doncic 🤣 pic.twitter.com/Z1Wu667E0R
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) February 15, 2020
2) This Trae Young/Luka Doncic Reaction
In the Rising Stars Challenge, Trae Young dared Luka Doncic to pull up from halfcourt. Doncic made the shot and we got this pure reaction. I love it so much. They will be linked and compared their entire NBA careers but I love the friendship that they have built.
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
3) That Exciting 3-Point Shootout
First off, I disliked that they added those 29-foot shots (that zone that was sponsored by a soda brand). I hope they take those away next year. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the 3-point shootout in its first incarnation.
Anyway, the game came down to the final shot with Buddy Hield. It was great drama. Hield won the contest and perhaps that will convince Luke Walton to start Hield again.
Maybe not.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Miami Heat.)
4) Heat Index
Derrick Jones, Jr. won the dunk contest (more on this in a bit) and Bam Adebayo won the Skills Challenge (more on this later, too). Duncan Robinson didn’t win the 3-point shootout but 2 out of 3 ain’t bad for the Heat at all.
2020 Dunk Contest in 52 seconds pic.twitter.com/R1PAdbDR5L
— John Asileaux (@johnedwardasilo) February 16, 2020
5) The Controversial Slam Dunk Contest
We’ve gone over this and many others have as well a billion times. Maybe it’s time to make 10s harder to give. Maybe it’s time to put more judges in the mix.
The contest was fun and it was the best dunk contest in 4 years. Just remember that controversy will always happen in a judged and subjective competition.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Rusty Contanza.)
6) Zion Williamson Is Scary
Dude. He’s had back-to-back 30-point games. And his missed dunks in that Rising Stars Challenge was really something to behold. Here’s hoping he stays healthy and reaches that potential.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Bleacher Report.)
7) This Steven Adams Fling
So casual. And check out that shimmy!
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
8) The Skills Challenge Was Okay
You know, watching is pretty fun. It’s a quick race involving dribbling, lay-ups, passing, and making a 3. I suppose you can do more with this but I don’t think it’s something I’ll ever ever get excited for. It’s just… there. And it’s fine. I guess.
(VIDEO CREDIT: ESPN.)
9) Chaka Khan Singing The National Anthem
We all know how some singers want to oversing the hell out of the national anthem.
Yeah, this is one of those times. Not as, uh, great as last year, though.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Eric Cox/CBS Chicago.)
10) Why Not Split the Charity Money on Tied Quarters?
I love that the all-star game has become four mini-games (every quarter) so that they can have a chance to donate money to a charity of their choice.
But then after the third quarter ended up in a tie, they decided to carry the money over to the next quarter. Why not just split it? The money isn’t for the players themselves; the money is for the charities. I thought it was just… common sense to do that?
Hopefully, they look into changing that next year. I assume the format will stay the same.
GG.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.
I sign off “GG” which means “good game” but also to honor Gianna “Gigi” Bryant.