Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. We jot down NBA and WNBA stuff mostly from last night that we want to talk about. Check it out.
LeBron James has helped the Lakers get the #1 seed in the West.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Kim Klement/AP.)
The Lakers have clinched the #1 seed in the Western Conference for the first time since 2010. 2010 was also the last year the Lakers won the championship.
Now granted, there won’t be a home court advantage for them in these very strange times since the NBA is all taking place in Disneyworld for this season (and maybe next). But everyone’s on the same boat right now and the Lakers themselves have advantages that no other team has.
Obviously, they have LeBron James. Even in his 17th season, LeBron has barely slowed down. In any given moment, he can still show that he’s the best player in the game. They have Anthony Davis, who is just a big man that can score anywhere and that can’t be scored on.
And they have a roster laden with veterans and young guys that are all about winning it all. Dwight Howard behaved himself for the most part to get one last shot at a championship ring. JaVale McGee has won two with the Golden State Warriors and is doing his part to help the Lakers get back to their glory days. Kyle Kuzma is adjusting to his bench role and even though his inconsistency is maddening, he’s sacrificed his game to help put the team in the best position to win. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was able to become a reliable shooter after getting off to a bad start. Danny Green brought championship experience from San Antonio and Toronto. Alex Caruso became a valuable piece from the G-League. I didn’t mention everybody but they’ve all come together to help the Lakers become a powerhouse once again.
Basically, it’s a long way from being THIS team:
Your starters for Knicks/Lakers! pic.twitter.com/fj9cSPbpc9
— 𝘙𝘦𝘺-𝘙𝘦𝘺 🤞🏾✌🏾 (@TheNoLookPass) March 13, 2015
Every team has had their ups and downs but this was the longest the Lakers were DOWN. This is the first time the Lakers have made the postseason since 2013. And like I said, this is the first time they’ve had the #1 seed since 2010. After all of the insults, all of the terrible basketball, all of the hardships (we know what happened in January), and this awful pandemic, nothing less than the championship will be satisfactory for the Lakers fans.
It must feel good for them to get back to that level of “championship or bust.” Then again, maybe not if it goes the other way…
Bullet Passes
I’ve talked about Michael Porter, Jr. being a secret weapon for the Denver Nuggets. Well, he was unleashed on Monday when he went for 37 points against Oklahoma City. The Nuggets won after overtime.
Toronto again showed what’s up. I really think people should take them seriously. But then again, the Raptors probably like it this way. After all, they gave people reason NOT to believe them when they kept getting choked out in the playoffs. But after that championship season, their swagger has them taking care of business. I mean, Fred VanVleet went for 36 points against the Miami Heat.
T.J. Warren followed up his 53-point performance with 34 points against the Wizards. Bubble T.J. Warren is now averaging 43.5 points in two games since the restart. These Pacers are looking more dangerous and remember that Domantas Sabonis is hurt and Victor Oladipo is not 100 percent.
I suppose virtual NBA fans are cool and all but they can be terrifying, too…
Look at this cool virtual Jazz fan. pic.twitter.com/F5RIFPFD7a
— 𝘙𝘦𝘺-𝘙𝘦𝘺 🤞🏾✌🏾 (@TheNoLookPass) August 4, 2020
Doris Burke is my favorite. Never mess with a legend.
“I do like being right. Ask my ex husband.”
GO OFF DORIS pic.twitter.com/2DB4pDcXvs
— Meredith Minkow (@murrminks) August 3, 2020
Lob it anywhere to Zion Williamson.
Lonzo with the pinpoint Lob to Zion 💥 pic.twitter.com/qq0ikMqJ3d
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) August 3, 2020
I wish Grayson Allen and J.J. Redick got in a fight on Monday. By the way, Grayson Allen went for 17 points. That was pretty hilarious.
Sometimes, jerseys with them messages look interesting. Let me show you Paul Millsap‘s:
.@Paulmillsap4 is a walking campaign 😆 pic.twitter.com/g1B9ZIfMxb
— ESPN (@espn) August 3, 2020
I mean, I would vote for him.
NBA Scoreboard
TOR 107 (48-18) v MIA 103 (42-25)
DEN 121 (44-23) v OKC 113 (41-25) (OT)
IND 111 (41-26) v WAS 100 (24-43)
MEM 99 (32-36) v NO 108 (29-38)
SA 130 (29-37) v PHI 132 (40-27)
LAL 116 (51-15) v UTA 108 (42-25)
Watch This Play
SHAKE MILTON GIVES PHILLY THE LEAD AND THE WIN.
Shake Milton FOR THE WIN. pic.twitter.com/gjl8QJ9Hb2
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 4, 2020
Not bad. Right after a rift was seemingly happening between Joel Embiid and Shake Milton.
Hope everyone in the bubble and wubble stays safe!
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.