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 and WNBA (or not) in the past week and rank them accordingly. You don’t like them? Make your own rankings!
Let’s check out these stupid rankings involving the NBA and the WNBA in the last week!
(PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images.)
1) The Undefeated Suns
This is kind of cool. The only team that hasn’t lost in the Disney bubble is the Phoenix Suns.
And since only the playoff teams are allowed in the bubble, that’s pretty damn impressive. In the last week, they beat the Mavs, Clippers (that game-winner by Devin Booker!), Pacers, and the Heat. It’s all coming together for them. They may not make the postseason and if they do, they might not last but this might be the turning point for the franchise.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Minnesota Lynx.)
2) Bridget Carleton Breaks Out
Little-used Bridget Carleton of the Minnesota Lynx got extended minutes since the team was ravaged with injuries. She did play 23 minutes in her previous game so she was starting to get some PT. What she did on Wednesday, though, was awesome after scoring only 13 points in her WNBA career, which started last season.
She went off for 25 points and 7 boards (the third player to do that in her first start; the other two being Candace Parker and Napheesa Collier). Sometimes, all you need is an opportunity to show what you can do. And Carleton took full advantage. She’s earned a spot in the Lynx rotation since then.
luka 👀 pic.twitter.com/t4Vn1i8j0u
— mike taddow (@taddmike) August 9, 2020
3) Luka Magic
Those two triple-doubles that Luka Doncic did in the last week is something. First, he went off for 34-20-12 against the Kings. Then against the Bucks, he went off for 36-14-19 (that last dime where he went between the legs was dazzling).
The guy is actually averaging a triple-double in the bubble: 33.4 points, 11.6 boards, and 11.6 assists. Unbelievable.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images.)
4) Michael Porter, Jr. Has Had a Week
Some of us saw it coming. I wrote about it in January. Michael Porter, Jr. has undeniable talent. It was only his health stopping him and if Michael Malone started to give him PT, he would be a fantastic option for Denver.
He’s become more than a fantastic option; he’s become THE option, it seems. Over the last week (four games), he’s averaged 29.3 points and 12.5 boards. This is terrifying and just adds another dimension in the Nuggets offense.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images.)
5) Bubble T.J. Warren Continues To Wreck Shop
I would have had him higher if he handed his former team, the Suns, a loss. Instead, he got a paltry 16 points in a loss against them.
Other than that? 34 against the Wizards, 32 against the Magic, and 39 against the Lakers. Bubble T.J. Warren would be the Disney MVP if there was such a thing. He’s been scorching.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Ned Dishman/Getty Images.)
6) Candace Parker Barely Missed the Rare Triple-Double
There have only been 8 triple-doubles in WNBA history. Parker actually has one of them and if the Sparks bench didn’t blow out the Lynx on Sunday, she would’ve been the first woman in WNBA history to have TWO triple-doubles.
She fell an assist short (11-10-9). Still, extremely impressive from Candace and she showed everyone that she still has a lot of game left in her career.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Kim Klement/AP.)
7) The Lakers Are Officially The #1 Seed But…
Seven nights ago, they clinched the top seed of the Western Conference for the first time in 10 years. That’s great news.
Whatever they did after may not matter. However, they have really not looked good the last three games. They went 5 for 24 (.208) from three in a blowout loss against the Thunder. They were even worse against the Rockets when they went 2 for 19 (.105) from distance. Granted, LeBron James didn’t play that game but still.
They looked a LITTLE better against the Pacers but then they went against the unstoppable force, T.J. Warren. And Anthony Davis couldn’t do anything against him; the man with the unibrow went for a weak 8 points.
Yeah, the Lakers are #1. But they’ll have to look sharper than this as they go into the postseason. However, they didn’t look sharp going into the 2010 playoffs, either, and they won the championship.
(From the Bleacher Report Instagram.)
8) Beef That’s Going Nowhere
Damian Lillard missed clutch free throws in the Blazers‘ game against the Clippers. Patrick Beverley called THAT Dame Time (which is usually the term we use when Lillard takes over a game).
Lillard wasn’t too happy about that and he talked about how he eliminated Beverley and George in playoff series in the past. That quote was put on the BR IG and you see the back-and-forth these guys had.
The beef would involve family members later, which I’m not too happy about. What’s also not great is that unless both teams miraculously make it to the conference finals, there are no more Clippers/Blazers games in the bubble that could further or end this beef. So we’ll have to wait until next season (which is still a bit up in the air) for this thing to meaningfully resume.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Bill Baptist/Getty Images.)
9) J.J. Redick’s Playoff Streak Is Over
Going back to high school, J.J. Redick has made the playoffs every year. For his first 13 years in the NBA, he’s in the NBA postseason.
With the Blazers winning Sunday, the New Orleans Pelicans were eliminated from playoff contention. J.J. is not making the playoffs this year.
That’s too bad.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Ned Dishman/Getty Images.)
10) The Mystics Have Come Crashing Down
After a 3-0 start, they’ve lost four straight since then. It makes me sad. They were the toast of the WNBA the first week but missing their stars have finally caught up to them. It really would be nice to have Elena Delle Donne right now.
Actually, both Washington basketball teams are having a hard time. The Wizards haven’t won a game in the bubble. The difference is that the Wizards were really expected to suck lemons.
Hope everyone in the NBA and WNBA stays safe!
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
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