Stupid Power Rankings (Week 18 of the 2019-20 NBA Season)

Features, Power Rankings Leave a comment

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!

This week was a little short as games started back up from the all-star break on Thursday. Still, we can find 10 things easily from the last few days. Let’s get into it.

1) Lakers Vs Celtics

What a game that was on Sunday to renew that rivalry. Bill Russell was in the house to honor Kobe Bryant (who, by the way, was the inaugural winner of the BILL RUSSELL NBA Finals MVP award).

It was a showcase for the rising star Jayson Tatum. But LeBron James showed that he was still the top guy by burying a clutch turnaround jumper (reminiscent of Kobe). The refs kind of took over the last few minutes (more on THIS later) but it was the kind of game you would show to someone trying to get into basketball.

(PHOTO CREDIT: Wilfredo Lee/AP.)

2) Dwyane Wade’s Number Is Up On The Rafters

Last weekend was a celebration for Dwyane Wade. He is possibly the most revered professional athlete in Miami. What a career he had. Of course, his number being retired was academic. Now we await his statue.

(PHOTO CREDIT: John E. Sokolowski/USA Today.)

3) Emergency Goalie Victory!

First of all, I had no idea about the NHL emergency goalie rules. So it was quite amazing that this man, David Ayres, who operates the zamboni and plays goalie for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ minor league team, came into this NHL game and helped the Carolina Hurricanes score the 6-3 win over the Leafs. Considering he’s 42 years old and had a kidney transplant 15 years ago, it makes this even more remarkable.

The goalie rules are so fascinating in the NHL. You can put in whichever roster player on an NFL team to be the emergency quarterback and kicker. Any position player in MLB can be a pitcher. When the NBA needs players, they can call up whoever they need in one of their G-League teams. But in the NHL, the home team can provide a goalie from WHEREVER. It’s fantastic.

And shoutout to David Ayres for a job well done.

4) One Time For Harry Giles

Harry Giles has had injuries that have affected his basketball career after high school. Once a 5-star recruit, he fell all the way to the 20th selection overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. People knew he had potential (much like how people see Michael Porter, Jr.) but the injuries really stalled him. He would sit out his supposed rookie year and ended up only playing 58 games the next year.

This season hadn’t been much better. But against the Clippers, he played 30+ minutes for the first time in his NBA career. Giles would also throw down a clutch dunk and finish with a double-double for the first time (14 points and 12 boards.

Not sure if we’re still going to see sporadic time for Giles but I hope he can be an everyday player soon.

5) The Trampoline Wasn’t Enough

Detroit basketball has gotten so bad that it has spread to its attendees. We’re glad she’s okay, though, and she played it off really well.

(High up on my rankings for hilarity.)

(PHOTO CREDIT: Jason Miller/Getty Images.)

6) John Beilein Is Gone as Cavs Coach

Most people knew that it wasn’t going to be a smooth year for former Michigan coach John Beilein. His college coaching style didn’t work in the league. He apparently called the players thugs (which the players apparently trolled the coach over). He resigned from his post after the all-star break.

But he’s still staying with the team somehow. Earn that money!

7) Katy Stevens Has Gone Viral Again

So we remember Katy Stevens. She’s the courtside vendor that was accidentally bumped by LeBron James last December. That was quite the viral moment.

Then last Friday, she went viral again. This time around, her tray fell and there was much courtside spillage. That just sucks.

But, hey, going viral for two different reasons in two months is something that doesn’t happen often.

8) Jim Boylen Is Still Calling Timeouts Even if the Game Is Done

Zach LaVine was obviously not pleased. They were down 10 points and the game was essentially over. Why even waste time doing this? If it’s about teaching, do it after the game.

I don’t even know why Boylen is still there. I don’t advocate anyone losing their job but this one is CLEARLY not working.

9) The Travel Discussion

It’s so weird because only James Harden does this very often.

In any other basketball league, this is traveling. But the “gather step” has been in place in the NBA for a long time. It’s just that Harden is really the one that constantly takes advantage of this rule. My brother and I actually discussed this yesterday and “he” could see why this is not a travel.

I’m just sick of this. I do think that Harden is an outstanding basketball player and he doesn’t really need to do this to stay good in the sport.

Maybe I’m just sick and tired of all the complaining. That’s probably it.

10) The Officials Have Been Tough To Defend

Speaking of complaining, people always say that the NBA has the worst officiating ever. Why don’t YOU try officiating an NBA game.

With that said, this Hawks possession somehow was ruled a basket even though the made field goal occurred AFTER the whistle. Plus with a technical foul handed to Brad Stevens at the end of Celtics/Lakers was unnecessary considering how Brad is quite the easygoing dude on the sidelines. The refs have had a few glaring mistakes this season and it’s hard to sweep them under the rug when the fans (and players) are already constantly griping about the refs. They just gotta be better, man.

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.

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