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!
All right. Let’s check out Bubble and Wubble happenings in the past week!
Booker made him DANCE.
π€£π€£π€£ pic.twitter.com/Q3WoM547bv
β FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) August 13, 2020
1) Bubble Suns Went Undefeated
I had to put them here at #1 for two straight weeks. But for them to go 8-0 was extremely impressive. It sucked that they didn’t make the playoffs; they were just too far behind. But this might be the turning point for the Suns, who have been losing for far too long.
Monty Williams got the award for Coach of the Bubble. Definitely deserved.
(BONUS ROUND: The Suns’ organization even gave us a rare pure moment when family members introduced the Suns starters. That’s just so cool.)
DAMIAN LILLARD POSTER pic.twitter.com/cr3d7vvkp5
β Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) August 15, 2020
2) The Play-In Game
At least, this one was great. I am a bit mixed of having a play-in game so long as there’s little distance (maybe 2-4 games) between #8 and #9. I mean, that’s why they play 82 games,Β right (although we’re not even sure how the 2021 campaign is gonna go)?
But this one had all the drama. Ja Morant had to play the best game of his life to counter Damian Lillard. C.J. McCollum played hurt and Jusuf Nurkic had a heavy heart. Jonas Valanciunas had to fight Nurkic in an old-school big man duel. In the end, it was the experience of Portland that won the day. Speaking of Portland…
(PHOTO CREDIT: Joe Murphy/Getty Images.)
3) The Redemption of Melo
A lot of people said Carmelo Anthony‘s career was pretty much done after he got let go by Houston last season. A lot of pundits said that Portland picking up Melo reeked of desperation. Well, Melo helped the Blazers stay afloat, even hitting some clutch shots. And he came up big again as his three put away the Grizz in the play-in game.
I’m glad it worked out for Melo. I think even if he retires after this year, we can safely say he went out on his own terms.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Chris O’Meara/AP.)
4) The Seattle Storm Going Supersonic
They’re currently 10-1 after winning all four of their games in the last week by an average of 24 POINTS. They seem so far ahead of the league right now (although maybe Las Vegas might have something to say about that?) that it’s just ridiculous.
The Storm are so good that they looked bored at times. They lit up the Sky and won by 18. They sank a record-tying 18 threes against the Dream. The Wings had no chance against them. And then they cooled off the Connecticut Sun and won by 23.
Their match-up against Vegas will be the biggest test. Provided that they don’t slip on the way there.
5) Double Bubble Triple-Doubles
Jonas Valanciunas went for 26-19-12 while Ja Morant went for 12-13-10. They are the 10th teammates in NBA history to get triple-doubles in the same game. But we also know that they’re the first teammates in the BUBBLE to get it. Can’t take THAT away!
WHAT @SamBam32 π€―3β£π¨
The @seattlestorm lead the @ConnecticutSun 73-58 at the start of Q4 on ABC! pic.twitter.com/X9JWz9gjPN
β WNBA (@WNBA) August 16, 2020
6) Everyone Is Shooting 40-Footers
We already know about Dame pulling up from afar but he ain’t the only one. You see Sami Whitcomb from the Storm do the same thing. Granted, she’s trying to beat the buzzer but she seemed so casual doing it.
Stanley Johnson gets it to go and the Raptors take the lead with 4.9 seconds left! pic.twitter.com/z1DNEtGW3r
β TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 13, 2020
7) Where Have You Been, Stanley Johnson?
In the last two games, he made a clutch bucket against Philly. And then he scored 23 points against the Nuggets.
This might be something for the Raptors.
(This also might be nothing. And for Toronto, they might be okay with that.)
Here’s the whole Moe Wagner – Giannis Antetokounmpo headbutt incident pic.twitter.com/OzBIuyoWeI
β CJ Fogler #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) August 12, 2020
8) Fear The Deer?
Not so much in the last week. They lost three of their last four games and the game they won had Giannis Antetokounmpo headbutting Mo Wagner. Whoops.
This also might be nothing; I actually predicted them to sweep the Magic. But if they struggle, it’s because of their uneven play in Mickey’s playground.
Tough shot by Caris at the last possession. pic.twitter.com/ETM2bE2Qe9
β ππ¦πΊ-ππ¦πΊ π€πΎβπΎ (@TheNoLookPass) August 14, 2020
9) The Potential Caris LeVert Game-Winner
This shot could’ve eliminated the Blazers from contention. But good grief, the Nets couldn’t have gotten a better shot? That is a tough J from Caris.
Well, it didn’t affect the Nets any so whatever, I guess.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images.)
10) Butler/Warren Rematch Was Not Great
We anticipated this match-up but it turned out to be a Miami win going away with the Heat limiting T.J. Warren to 12 points, which pretty much took him out of Bubble MVP consideration (which went to Dame). The Pacers and Heat played one more game but the core players sat out so we didn’t get to see another duel.
At least, we have the next week or two to put some fire back into the rivalry!
Hope everyone in the NBA and WNBA stays safe!
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.