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 (or not) in the past week and rank them accordingly. You don’t like them? Make your own rankings!
The NBA rolls on despite the scary virus. Here we go…
(PHOTO CREDIT: Sarah Stier/Getty Images.)
1) James Harden’s Nets Debut
How do you prove that you’re a huge commodity to your new team? Drop a 32-point triple-double like James Harden did. Good grief.
.@TonyRomo is LEGENDARY on this call 😂 #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/0JSzsCYMvR
— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2021
2) Chad Henne Seals the Deal for Kansas City
This is just the best. The Kansas City Chiefs were hanging on to a 22-17 lead against the Cleveland Browns. A first down would put the game away. And on 3rd and 14, back-up quarterback Chad Henne (Patrick Mahomes was knocked out of the game with a concussion) ran for his life and NEARLY got the first down.
And on 4th and inches, everyone (including wizard color commentator Tony Romo) thought that they would call timeout as they try to draw the Browns offside. Nope. And they didn’t do a running play, either! Henne throws it to Tyreke Hill for the game-clinching play and the KC Chiefs are going to their third straight AFC title game. Gutsy plays by head coach Andy Reid and Chad Henne.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Hickey/Getty Images.)
3) Rockets Came Out With a Haul in Harden Deal
So yeah, the Pacers and Cavs were also involved in this huge deal. But take a look at what the Rockets got. Dante Exum and Rodions Kurucs may not do much but if Victor Oladipo returns to his all-star form, that is huge. The Nets also essentially gave up their first-round picks for the next 7 seasons: outright unprotected picks in the even years (2022, 2024, 2026) and the Rockets have the right to swap picks in the odd years (2021, 2023, 2025, 2027). If the Nets end up sucking at some point in this 7-year period, that is a HUGE win for the Rockets.
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 13, 2021
4) LeBron James Doesn’t See His Three Go In
Apparently, he made a bet with Dennis Schröder about this. Either way, this is kind of disrespectful and kind of cool. I’m always in for that move.
OH MY GOD DE’AARON FOX pic.twitter.com/peOc1rz8Tr
— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) January 12, 2021
5) The Quick Brown Fox Jumped Over The Lazy Dogs
There were plenty of dunks that made our jaws drop this week. Paul George launched himself against the Pacers. Zion Williamson nearly erased another man’s existence. And Miles Bridges had a two-hand tomahawk for the ages.
However, I’ll take De’Aaron Fox burning Domantas Sabonis, powerslamming over Malcolm Brogdon, and the yell to cap off a clutch dunk against Indy. The audacity and ferocity of this guy!
(PHOTO CREDIT: Chris Graythen/Getty Images.)
6) Tom Brady Is Back in the Conference Finals as a Buc
Well, I guess it ain’t just Bill Belichick. In Tom Brady‘s first year away from the New England Patriots, he helps the Tampa Bay Buccaneers go to their first NFC Final in forever. All this guy does is win. It’s his 14th conference final game in 20 seasons!
JA MORANT IS BACK 😤 pic.twitter.com/ki7eW8Y9fp
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 17, 2021
7) Ja Morant Has Returned
Thank goodness, Ja Morant is back. And he’s here to let you know.
Shaq: “I owe you an apology. I wasn’t really familiar with your game.”
Christian Wood: “Oh man, you’re a casual.”
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(via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/OGiWtvhM0f
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 15, 2021
8) Christian Wood Called Shaq A Casual
When NBA legend and now TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal admitted he didn’t know Christian Wood‘s game, Wood came back by saying he’s a “casual.” I love that from Wood.
What I don’t love is Shaq admitting he didn’t know much about Christian Wood. Come on, man. I get that they’re legends and they can skate by nearly everything about the league. But at least, do the work and take the job seriously as an analyst?
(Unless the job description just says “Entertain while talking about the NBA. Don’t worry about research.”)
(PHOTO CREDIT: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images.)
9) The Celtics Scored 75 Against the Knicks
In the lowest-scoring game for a team this week, it had to be the Celtics against the decent Knicks. Yes, I get that the Celtics are still working their way back but man, the “casuals” had a field day. The Knicks have sucked forever, too, so that’s another punch to the gut for Boston.
James Harden says Rockets are “just not good enough … I love this city. I literally have done everything that I can. I mean, this situation is crazy. It’s something that I don’t think can be fixed.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 13, 2021
10) Harden Threw His Rockets Teammates Under the Bus
I mean, read that. There really is no other way to read that as disrespectful. And maybe Harden wasn’t trying to do that. But when you say that your team isn’t good enough (in ANY situation!), that puts such a dagger to your heart, man. Your star player is essentially saying YOU SUCK.
And I’m not saying I disagree with him that the Rockets weren’t in the higher tier of teams this season. But there are other ways to go about this without having to hurt your teammates’ feelings. There is such thing as tact to go along with that honesty.
But whatever. Life moves on. You just hope that Harden and DeMarcus Cousins don’t run into each other in the streets anytime soon.
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.