Welcome to the NBA Hangover. We jot down NBA stuff mostly from last night that we want to talk about. Check it out.
Stephen Curry returned on Thursday night. The league is always better with him playing.
(PHOTO CREDIT: AP.)
It was a sight for sore eyes, especially for the Warriors faithful. Stephen Curry, the two-time MVP, scoring champion, three-time NBA champion, and Dell‘s son, was back on the court. His numbers were very good (23-7-7) although he only shot 3 for 12 from behind the arc. But he still made some wacky plays against Toronto on Thursday night. There was that three that beat the shot clock buzzer. There was that behind-the-back pass to Andrew Wiggins inside. There was that twisting reverse lay-up on the break. Most of all, there was that “gravity” that Curry provides. People make fun of that term but the fact is that Curry attracting the opposite team gets open shots for his teammates. Just the THREAT of Curry scares teams.
Now we all know this is a lost season for the Warriors. Why bring Curry back? Why not rest him and get him ready for next season?
First of all, do you see that team out there? Nobody from the active Warriors roster was in their playoff team last season. Damion Lee was on the team last year but he only played in the regular season.
Also, isn’t it all right for Curry to get some run with some of these guys? Like the Nets, they’re going through a preview of next season. See who fits in with Curry’s gravity (shut up). And then the front office can decide who should stay and who should go. It’s likely that Andrew Wiggins is going to stay with that exorbitant contract of his. Don’t you want to see how Curry and Wiggins fit together?
And here’s another question: do you like basketball?
Then why don’t you want one of the best players of the game today to play? Fear of injury? Injuries can, unfortunately, happen everywhere. And plus, he’s healthy. Why NOT play him? Are you one of those guys that complain about Kawhi Leonard‘s load management yet you don’t want Curry to play? Come on, man.
And of course, Curry would want to play. Even when hurt, he would want to play. Not only is it his job but it’s his passion. He obviously worked hard to get to this point. And not that Curry has to be prompted to play but the Warriors need to sell tickets, ya know.
I just don’t see the harm of having a healthy Stephen Curry playing. It’s not like he’s 66 years old; he’s still in the prime of his career (he turns 32 next week). It’s just like most people to stop the flow of life because there’s something that is deadly out there. People will be just fine if they continue to do the usual and use the same precautionaries (that means all of you who are extremely scared of some virus out there). (ED’s NOTE on JULY 7, 2020: BOY, DID THAT LAST SENTENCE AGE WELL. I APOLOGIZE FOR ACTING CARELESS ABOUT THIS.)
Anyway, I missed Curry. I’m sure you did, too. And I don’t know why some people would want someone this good to sit out when he’s healthy. Let’s just enjoy the game, okay?
Bullet Passes
Didn’t I just say that the Clippers will be just fine? I’ve said it several times over the course of the season. Look how they walloped the Rockets. Now they’ve won 6 straight games as we approach the homestretch.
I must have jinxed the Sacramento Kings because they lost a big game against the Sixers. It’s too bad, too, because the Sixers aren’t particularly good on the road. But it was definitely a win that the Sixers needed to keep pace with the Heat and the Celtics.
Fitting that Curry, who was one of the two all-stars left after the team was ravaged by injuries in the Finals last season, would return against the squad that unseated them from the throne, the Toronto Raptors. Of course, being a different Dubs team, the Raptors won. And man, Norman Powell continues to scorch (37 points). I’m not sure if he’s even on the radar but what about Powell for Most Improved?
Dion Waiters has been signed by the Lakers after they let go of Troy Daniels. Waiters had that one good season with the Heat. Not sure how much Waiters will play but he does offer that depth should he produce.
I love that Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office also gave him that bit of ultimatum like they did Dwight Howard. PRODUCE OR ELSE YOU DIE.
(No. He didn’t really say that. That would be sick.)
The Scoreboard
DEN 114 (42-20) @ CHA 112 (21-41)
LAC 120 (43-19) @ HOU 105 (39-22)
PHI 125 (38-25) @ SAC 108 (27-35)
TOR 121 (44-18) @ GS 113 (14-49)
Watch This Play
Denver was in a struggle against Charlotte. Thank goodness for Jamal Murray.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Bleacher Report.)
That win helped them keep pace with the scorching Clippers.
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.