Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.
Christian Wood has had quite a breakout season thus far.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Logan Riely/Getty Images.)
Christian Wood continues to turn heads in the NBA world. I mean, a few days ago, LeBron James had warned Marc Gasol that Wood is trouble. When LeBron is saying that, you know something’s happening.
And Wood proved himself how much trouble he was in the Rockets’ win over the Spurs. He scored 8 points in the closing minutes of that game as Houston pulled it out against San Antonio. He would end with 27 points, 15 boards, and three blocks.
We know the Rockets had been through some drama lately with the James Harden exit. But Wood has been a boon for Houston. If anything, he was really sought after by teams after his potential was seen in Detroit. It was why Houston got him for 3 years and $41 million. Now it’s looking like a bargain.
Wood is averaging 23.1 points (20th in the league) and 10.1 boards (12th). For someone who went undrafted and on his 6th team in his 6th season, that’s pretty damn good. Shaq would even admit that he didn’t follow his game, which had Wood roasting him pretty good.
Shaq: “I owe you an apology. I wasn’t really familiar with your game.”
Christian Wood: “Oh man, you’re a casual.”
ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
(via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/OGiWtvhM0f
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 15, 2021
(That’s another story for another day for these analysts.)
You definitely can’t say that Wood didn’t work hard to become a mainstay in the league despite switching teams seemingly every season. Look at this.
Look at the numbers go up.
(Data from Basketball Reference.)
So yes. Definitely an early favorite for Most Improved Player.
With Wood moving to the forefront, I’m not sure how Harden could say this wasn’t fixable. It’s NOT a bad team with Wall, P.J. Tucker, Eric Gordon, and Wood as the core. Anyway, Harden has moved on now but with the addition of Victor Oladipo, this seems to be a pretty decent team. And Christian Wood might end up becoming the guy that leads them the way he’s going this season.
Bullet Passes
Jusuf Nurkic has such bad luck. Now he’s dealing with a fractured wrist. I hope he recovers sooner than later.
With that said, the Blazers were walloped by the Pacers. A 33-10 second quarter was the culprit.
Chris Boucher went for 25 points and 10 boards as the Raptors get a much-needed win over the Hornets, who are down a bit after losing Gordon Hayward last game.
In another big game by a Sixers guard, Shake Milton went for 31 points in a win over Miami. The Heat continue to be affected by COVID and that just really really sucks.
Ben Simmons went for a triple-double (10-10-12) after being dangled in a possible Harden trade.
Nikola Jokic went for 23-14-10, his 5th triple-double this season, as the Nuggets beat the Warriors. The Dubs got 35 out of Stephen Curry but it wasn’t enough.
Jokic is still averaging that trip-dub at 24.2 points, 11.2 boards, and 10.4 dimes.
NBA Scoreboard
Jan. 14, 2021
Watch This Play
Miles Bridges just erased Chris Boucher‘s existence.
Every angle of @MilesBridges‘ MONSTER JAM! pic.twitter.com/crU3M7i3rE
— NBA (@NBA) January 15, 2021
This is some video game stuff. Geez.
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.