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: Harry How/Getty Images.)
1) The Lakers Had a Great Weekend
The Lakers beat the two other best teams in the league this weekend. They took care of business against Milwaukee on Friday and then defeated the Clippers on Sunday. Since we’re talking about the WEEK here, they also played around with Philadelphia and handled them on Tuesday.
The Lakers are finding the peak of their powers, it seems, with a month left in the regular season. These are the championship Lakers their fans were expecting this season. And it’s going to be both awesome and insufferable (THANKS, FANS).
Anyway, fantastic weekend by the Lakers.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Chaz Clavant.)
2) Marcus Smart Packs Jarrett Allen at the Rim
Jarrett Allen seemed like he was going to have an easy dunk, right? But Marcus Smart, who is 8 inches shorter than Allen, wouldn’t let him have it. What a defensive play. It might be the best defensive play of the year.
Also, did you guys just giggle when I said “8 inches shorter”?
(PHOTO CREDIT: Joe Camporeale/Reuters.)
3) Aron Baynes Went Off
I was going to say that I missed early season Aron Baynes. Then he went off for 37 points and 16 boards. He also made 9 threes! ASSASSIN FROM DEEP ARON BAYNES.
(PHOTO CREDIT: AP.)
4) Stephen Curry is Back (Even If It’s For One Game)
It is so good to see him back. The game is just much better when he’s playing. And he provided his usual amazing entertainment. That pass to Andrew Wiggins. The three-pointer to beat the shot clock buzzer. We feel the joy just watching him play the game.
The comeback was cut short when he caught the flu over the weekend. It is terrifying since we know that virus is out there. Hope he gets well soon.
5) Tim Duncan Won His First Game as Head Coach
First of all, that picture will always crack me up.
Anyway, Tim Duncan, the incredibly charismatic soon-to-be hall-of-famer Spur great, was tabbed to be the head coach against the Hornets. The Spurs won the game although that win will be recorded for Gregg Popovich, who took the game off for personal reasons. I still can’t believe Tim Duncan is coaching and I never thought we would see him in that position. I mean, what does he even say?!
Late night tik toks @JLo 😂 #WaitForIt
.
Follow me at arod13! https://t.co/YsJyDBC8IB pic.twitter.com/40U6O5G5hp— Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) March 9, 2020
6) This A-Rod/J-Lo Tik Tok
I got nothing.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Mary Schwalm/AP.)
7) So Much For Nets Culture
First of all, shoutout to Caris LeVert for scoring 51 points. But that was overshadowed this week by Kenny Atkinson leaving the Nets. Jacque Vaughn will be coaching the rest of the season.
But this talk about the “culture” Atkinson built just kinda went down the drain, didn’t it? Supposedly, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant chose the Nets because of this culture yet, supposedly, Atkinson didn’t want to coach them after what he saw. And there were murmurs that Irving soured on Atkinson. Whatever it is, the players seemed to have won out and now they get to choose their own culture.
“Luke you’re an idiot. You have the three-point champion. Play him. Where is Buddy?”
This Kings fan was livid after Luke Walton left Buddy Hield on the bench late in the game. pic.twitter.com/zt8PaxFU1x
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 9, 2020
8) This Fan Doesn’t Like Luke Walton
I just don’t get Walton’s handling of Buddy Hield, who is a very good player. I suppose I would have no issue if he wasn’t paid like a franchise player. He makes way too much money to come off the bench and is certainly too talented to come off the bench to only play slightly more than half the game. I feel like one of them has to go but we’ll see if they come to some sort of compromise by the end of this season.
9) Pushing Clocks An Hour Forward
Losing an hour of sleep always sucks.
(VIDEO CREDIT: ESPN.)
10) The Knicks Against Spike Lee
It all comes down to communication. If they didn’t want Spike Lee to come through the employees’ door, then let him know. Spike Lee is probably the most famous NBA fan; certainly, he’s the most famous Knicks fan. But James Dolan and the Knicks are pretty much being jerks about this and now they’re alienating their most well-known fan (in addition to Knicks legend Charles Oakley). And now Spike won’t be seen at the Garden the rest of the season.
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.