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!
So here we go with the NBA in the last week!
(PHOTO CREDIT: Scott G Winterton/Deseret News.)
1) Jayson Tatum Leap
People will say he arrived during the Laker game as he followed up that 41-point performance with 36 against Portland, 33 against Utah, and 32 against Houston in the last week. Yes. He’s made the leap. Midseason, too.
But it didn’t suddenly happen in the Laker game. Yes, he’s still in my top spot in these stupid rankings but if I did this on a monthly basis, he’d probably top out February, too. Look at this:
(Data from Basketball Reference.)
I think he’s here to stay.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images.)
2) The Clippers Are Just Fine
Many times this season, fans and critics alike basically mentioned that the sky is falling on these Clippers. They’ve had some… I suppose, inexplicable losses. Never mind that they haven’t really had their stars playing for most of the season. And we KNEW this coming in. Kawhi Leonard will probably be monitored for the rest of his career. And Paul George had double shoulder surgery that would keep him out a few games this season.
Well, Paul George returned (and so did Patrick Beverley). They’ve rung off 4 straight wins this week. Their signature win in the last week was plastering the Nuggets by 29 at Staples.
Also, for a team that’s supposedly in danger, they’re 41-19 and tied for 2nd with the aforementioned Denver team. Geez. This is a team in danger??
(PHOTO CREDIT: Nick Wass/AP.)
3) Bradley Beal 50 and 50
Technically, Bradley Beal went for 53 points against Chicago two Sundays ago. But a 55-point game followed last Monday and it’s hard to ignore back-to-back 50-point games. Yes, they’re both losses; the Wizards are not good. But it’s hard to ignore this feat from Beal.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Mark J. Terrill/AP.)
4) Shake It Off
Yeah, you wish I was talking about Taylor Swift.
Anyway, SHAKE MILTON from the Philadelphia 76ers was a G-League stalwart last season. He was their second round pick in 2018 but he was hardly used on the main roster.
But the Sixers, searching for answers, had turned to Shake in the last month. Then against the Clippers, he exploded for 39 points. The Sixers lost but it got to the point where the Clips needed to contain him by halfcourt!
Shake also tied the record for most consecutive made threes at 13 (he did it across three games). The other two players that made 13 straight threes? Brent Price and Terry Mills. That’s a hell of a trivia question.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Bill Baptist/Getty Images.)
5) Scott Brooks Still Plays Pick-Up Ball
So there was this article by the great K.C. Johnson at NBC Chicago that talked about coaches that played in the NBA that STILL played the game after their playing careers were done. It turns out that only one of the 9 coaches still plays. And it’s NOT who you thought it was.
Scott Brooks’ career ended in 1998 and was part of the 1994 Rockets title team. He turns 55 in the summer. And he’s still getting some run out there. That’s a beautiful thing.
I stopped playing regularly at 29 after a scary roll of the ankle. I can’t afford to get injured out there anymore. Not that I want Brooks to get hurt but he can likely afford the best doctors and surgeons should he go down with an injury.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Lucy Nicholson/Getty Images.)
6) Michael Jordan’s Crying Face Reference
Disclaimer: I REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY dislike the Jordan crying face meme. It’s making fun of someone’s emotions in a very real moment. It sucks. It’s why I hated it when people made fun of Kevin Durant saying his mom was the real MVP. Nothing is sacred anymore, man.
With THAT said, I actually laughed when Michael Jordan, speaking at Kobe Bryant‘s tribute, said that he didn’t want to see another crying face for the next 3-4 years and mentioned that’s what Kobe made him do. I liked that he was super aware of what’s going on (because a lot of people just tend to ignore things).
Still, I really think people should stop with that. And if they choose to make fun of Jordan’s crying face again at ESSENTIALLY A FUNERAL?! That’s super messed up, man. They can go to hell for that.
Zach Lavine to a yelling Boylen
“i have fuckin 40 points” pic.twitter.com/anMhfgnTjS— Kenny Beecham (@KOT4Q) February 26, 2020
7) Zach LaVine Continues to be Sully Towards Coach
I just like that Zach LaVine continues to question everything Bulls coach Jim Boylen does.
8) Raptors Drop Three Straight
It’s one thing to lose to the Milwaukee Bucks. But to lose to the Hornets at home? Yikes.
I understand things happen in a long season. With that said, Toronto is on a 3-game skid.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.)
9) Stephen Curry Return Pushed Back
He was supposed to return on Sunday but the Warriors said nope. He is still due to return this month. But less Curry on the court means less fun this season. Woof.
James Harden on Giannis antetokounmpo:
“None of them can mess with me”
“I average more points & assists”
“I wish I could be 7 feet & Just dunk… that requires no skill.”
Lmaooooooooooooooooooo pic.twitter.com/jtBb0pZTUt
— Jonathan Liddell (@JonJonLiddell) February 28, 2020
10) James Harden Talking Some Mess
So Giannis Antetokounmpo had a bit of a quip towards James Harden during the All-Star Draft. Giannis joked that he wanted someone that could pass the ball. Harden led the league in assists in 2017. Kemba Walker, the man Giannis chose, averages 5 dimes per game. It’s whatever.
Harden must have taken it personally because he said that he wished he was 7 feet and could dunk… and that requires no skill. Harden should know more than anybody how amazing that is.
Harden has also been grouchy about not winning the MVP award last season. I’m not saying Harden doesn’t have a point but it does come off as sour grapes. Of course, everyone wants to win all the awards but he just has to let these things go.
Also, this is the kind of beef that the fans want. Unfortunately, all the bad takes start to fly and I absolutely want no part of that.
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.