Welcome to the NBA Hangover. We jot down NBA stuff mostly from last night that we want to talk about. Check it out.
The Lakers took the huge win over the Bucks on Friday night.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Harry How/Getty Images.)
This was a litmus test for both teams. We knew how dangerous the Lakers are, especially since we’re approaching the homestretch. Meanwhile, the Bucks have been rolling over everyone, including the Lakers at one point.
LeBron James and company took the win at Staples Center. And what a confidence boost that was. The tension felt palpable. The environment felt like a playoff game. Giannis Antetokounmpo was on a mission to prove why he IS the best in the game.
But the Lakers got into a flow defensively and LeBron James, on that Friday night, showed that the old man (relative to NBA players) was still a force to be reckoned with. He won the duel against Giannis (Bron had 37-8-8 while Giannis had 32-11-6). More importantly, the Lakers contained most of the other Bucks. This is why Khris Middleton doesn’t get as much respect as the other second bananas in the league. Middleton went for an icy 5 for 19 from the field and ended up with a pedestrian 12 points. Meanwhile, it helps to have an MVP-calibur #2 man in Anthony Davis, who did his job on both ends (30 points and 9 boards).
Giannis should STILL win MVP. After all, look at his body of work throughout the season; it’s amazing and there honestly SHOULD be no debate. But this is the type of game that shifts the narrative for a lot of the media; if Giannis was so damn good, why didn’t the Bucks win this game? It’s unfair and it sucks. But a lot of people operate under the most recent of recency biases. I will say that LeBron has had an amazing season but Giannis has been more dominant throughout the year. I really don’t think it’s particularly close.
But now there’s also the possible narrative shift of what the Bucks can or can’t do. This is why a lot of pundits acknowledge that while the Bucks are the favorites to win the championship, it is still not a given when they’re healthy. While Donte DiVincenzo had a great game, the rest of the Bucks particularly didn’t stand out against the Lakers. Khris Middleton can’t disappear for some games. Eric Bledsoe was much maligned throughout last year; he can’t ghost the Bucks, either. This is why Malcolm Brogdon leaving might be key because he could be counted on for his production.
As for the Lakers, their defense is still key. They pack the paint with JaVale McGee, Davis, and Dwight Howard. Avery Bradley, Alex Caruso, and Danny Green give the opposing perimeter fits. Kyle Kuzma can give them that offense but he does have to be more consistent. His defense has been a bit more encouraging as of late, though. And of course, they hope to get good shooting from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Green as well as some from Markieff Morris and, hopefully when pressed into action, Dion Waiters.
If this is the Finals match-up, I don’t think the most diehard NBA fans are going to complain. We have the young buck in Giannis trying to unseat the old lion (again, the league in relative) in LeBron. And this might be the best time to do it because the last dynasty, the Warriors, are pretty much in the infirmary this season.
And as a bonus, the Lakers are officially in the playoffs for the first time in 7 seasons! Yeah. It’s been THAT long.
Bullet Passes
Kenny Atkinson has left the Nets coaching post. Ex-Orlando Magic head coach Jacque Vaughn will take over the rest of the season. But nothing beyond that.
The Nets are 28-34 and looking likely to make the postseason. So the timing is a bit questionable. There were some murmurs that some players wanted him out but there were no confirmation and specifications over who wanted Atkinson gone. Still, Atkinson won’t get to coach Kevin Durant and only got 20 games from Kyrie Irving.
This just seems like a weird time to part ways.
Aron Baynes was a MONSTER against Portland. He went for 37 points and 16 boards. Not only that but he was an assassin from deep, making 9 threes. Baynes slowed down quite a bit after a fast start but goodness, did he show in this game how capable he was.
Also, it was brought to my attention that the Suns have won 25 games and it’s the most wins in a season Devin Booker has experienced. Booker is in his 5th season. Yikes.
Speaking of the Blazers, Jusuf Nurkic is due back on the Ides of March. For you people that fell asleep in History class or hated reading, that’s March 15th. Nurkic had compound fractures on his tibia and fibula against the Nets in late March last year. Don’t look up the injury. It’s gross. Well, I guess unless you really like that kind of stuff. I’m not going to stop you.
I’m so dumb. It took me THIS LONG to realize that the Bulls have a Coby and Shaq pairing. That would be Coby White (who had 26 points off the bench on Friday night) and Shaquille Harrison, who went for 24 points as the starting one. I’m so fired.
The Scoreboard
ATL 112 (19-45) @ WAS 118 (23-39)
SA 120 (26-35) @ BRK 139 (28-34)
OKC 126 (39-24) @ NY 103 (19-44)
UTA 99 (40-22) @ BOS 94 (42-20)
IND 108 (38-25) @ CHI 102 (21-42)
ORL 132 (28-35) @ MIN 118 (19-43)
MIA 104 (40-23) @ NO 110 (27-36)
MEM 96 (31-32) @ DAL 121 (39-25)
POR 117 (28-36) @ PHX 127 (25-38)
MIL 103 (53-10) @ LAL 113 (48-13)
Watch This Play
Giannis. Feetwork. Slam.
Giannis spins and slams! 🌪️@Bucks 38@Lakers 34
📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/VMBOMfeicf
— NBA (@NBA) March 7, 2020
Still my MVP this season. But not last night, I guess.
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.