Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. We’re here to talk about the daily happenings in the NBA!
The Suns are 5-1 for the first time since 2010.
(PHOTO CREDIT: David Zalubowski/AP.)
So this is notable. The Phoenix Suns have the best record in the league 11 days into the season.
The Disneyworld Bubble must have really changed them. Remember that they ran the table that summer. They still missed the postseason because they were simply too far behind. But for the first time in a long time, there was optimism in Arizona.
Granted, they had someone that could calm them down in the offense in Ricky Rubio last season. But then they went and got the POINT GOD in Chris Paul, who is the MASTER of settling it down.
Chris Paul has mostly paced his teams slower throughout his career and the Suns have recently been (mostly been) a fast-paced team. This season, the Suns are the slowest team in the league while going 5-1. They seem to be in control.
What else has been in control? Their defensive prowess. They’re 4th in defensive rating at 101.8 points allowed per 100 possessions. They also allow the fewest points in the league at 98.7 points. Yes, the normally high-octane Suns are doing this.
Because suddenly, the Suns have a collection of perimeter defenders. Mikal Bridges has been rising in that department in the last few years. Cameron Johnson‘s length has frustrated opponents. Jae Crowder was brought in to help in that department. We all know Paul has been an all-world defender throughout his career. And even Devin Booker has done the job. Their versatility on that end has been showing this young season.
DeAndre Ayton has done his job inside. And Cameron Payne was a find in the bubble and continues to prove he belongs. These Suns are serious.
Not everything is clicking in Phoenix. Booker hasn’t found the groove on his shooting yet. Neither has Paul. What’s great, however, is that the other Suns have made them pay. Six players average in double figures and they have come through as defenses key in on Booker and Paul.
Can the defense key up? I think it can. But what’s scary is that once their stars’ shots start to fall more consistently, the Suns might become a hard out in the postseason, a place that they haven’t been since 2010. You know… that year when Rihanna told us she loved the way we lied.
Things are in the zone in ‘Zona.
Bullet Passes
The Hawks aren’t doing bad themselves as they go to 4-1 after beating Brooklyn. They’re killing everyone on offense (first in offensive rating). More on said offense in a bit.
Russell Westbrook didn’t play on Friday but the Wizards finally left the land of the winless with a huge victory over Minnesota, who have their own problems going on.
Not to be outdone, the Pistons upset the Celtics and won their first game. So everyone has lost and everyone has won. No more unbeaten teams and no more teams that have zero wins.
The Milwaukee Bucks have won three games. Their margins of victory? 39, 47, and 30.
It’s funny. Portland and Golden State were 2-2 coming into their game and they couldn’t be more apart currently as teams. The Blazers throttled the Warriors.
On that same game, Carmelo Anthony passed Tim Duncan in the all-time scoring list. Anthony now ranks 14th and is currently 169 points (heh heh) the 13th place Dominique Wilkins. There’s also a pretty good chance he could be in the Top 10 by season’s end.
Luka Doncic was mad.
Luka took his frustrations out on the video board 😳 pic.twitter.com/1glAyIsD1n
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 2, 2021
But he still put on a show.
Luka had Bam lost 😬 pic.twitter.com/47etvIRAoI
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 2, 2021
Bismack Biyombo putting up a three is threatening in one way.
The Hornets announcer had the best reaction to Biyombo’s three attempt 😭 pic.twitter.com/UIMuxEF8gH
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 2, 2021
Jerami Grant, this is bullying.
This Jerami Grant poster 😳 pic.twitter.com/OHrPi2uMoS
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 2, 2021
And look at these showoffs from Atlanta. My gosh. Off the backboard.
JC literally ended the game with a BANG🤯 pic.twitter.com/gyXrj2qFJ8
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 2, 2021
We got one more in a bit.
NBA Scoreboard
Jan. 1, 2021
Watch This Play
And here’s one more from the unstoppable John Collins. THIS was a knockout punch on Jarrett Allen.
BRUHHHHH 🥴 pic.twitter.com/IsaAqcX5P8
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 2, 2021
For the love of ‘Nique.
And speaking about the Suns, former Suns player and coach Paul Westphal passed away at the age of 70. Rest in peace.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.