Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.
LeBron James got pretty close to a 5×5 game.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Mark J. Terrill/AP.)
The Lakers snap a four-game losing streak as they defeated the equally as cold Portland TrailBlazers. It’s really a win the Lakers needed in terms of their confidence and staying with the Jazz and the Clippers. Sure, they’ll be okay. Sure, they’re the defending champions and they’ve been there before. But there’s nothing wrong with stopping the bleeding before it gets too treacherous.
I think what really marveled me in this game is the way LeBron James played in that game. He seemed everywhere. Granted, we’ve seen him pace himself in some games and maybe even hold back some energy in others. But this is probably the LeBron the Lakers need right now and the Lakers will get in the playoffs. And at age 36, it continues to wow me.
The four-time MVP finished with 28-11-7-3-4 (three blocks and four steals!). He got close to a 5×5 game, which he surprisingly hasn’t done yet (coincidentally, the last 5×5 game belongs to Jusuf Nurkic of the Blazers; he did it on New Year’s Day of 2019 when he posted 24 points, 23 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 blocks, and 5 steals). But that’s the thing. He’s in his 18th season in the league. He’s still putting up these kind of numbers and he got close to a 5×5. That is incredible to me and, no matter how you feel about Bron, you have to acknowledge that kind of greatness.
You think of other men that played 18 grueling NBA seasons or more. We already think it’s an accomplishment when they get to a 15th season. And here’s LeBron James gunning for an MVP award in his 18th season. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was still very good in his 18th season but LeBron isn’t JUST very good; he’s still considered the best player by many. The late great Kobe Bryant had an Achilles tear in his 17th season and he never really sustained excellent basketball after that. Karl Malone was still averaging 20 points a game in Year 18 but, again, still not up to LeBron’s bar.
I’m just saying we really shouldn’t take this season for granted. For crying out loud, the man led the league in assists in his 17th season. If you tell me that a guy in his 18th season is having a 26-8-8 season, I would tell you that it was some Create-A-Player you made up on NBA 2K whatever version and you boosted all his stats while claiming he’s in his 18th season. But this is happening in real life and it’s amazing.
I know that at some point, we’re all waiting for that steep decline. I don’t know. I just want to continue to watch LeBron play basketball like this forever. I mean, don’t YOU want to watch great basketball from a legend like this as long as you can?!
Bullet Passes
Remember when we all waited for Capcom to get to Street Fighter THREE after years of enhancements and spinoffs from Street Fighter II? Well, this is what it feels like for the Golden State Warriors in terms of their streaks. THEY FINALLY WON THREE STRAIGHT.
Draymond Green got a triple-double with 11-12-19. NINETEEN ASSISTS.
Nick Nurse and 5 of his assistant coaches couldn’t do their jobs due to (ARE YOU READY FOR IT?!) health and safety protocols. I REALLY don’t mean to be flippant about that phrase because I understand it really is for the safety of these people. It’s just that we hear it so much nowadays.
Pascal Siakam was out for the same reason. We were all begging for Kyle Lowry to coach the team but player coaches have not been allowed in the league since 1984. Assistant Sergio Scariolo was tasked to coach the team instead. Scariolo’s resume includes coaching Real Madrid and the Spanish national team.
The Raptors did defeat the Rockets. Lowry settled for a triple-double instead (20-11-10).
Domantas Sabonis is replacing Kevin Durant in the NBA all-star game that should NOT be happening. We don’t know who will take over the captainship with Durant leaving.
That’s great news for the Pacers but they lost to the Celtics on Friday night. Kemba Walker scored 32 after many questions about his play this season.
Sacramento finally stopped a 9-game losing streak as they defeated, oh, it’s just Detroit. Hey, a win is a win, right?
The Heat continue to play good ball as they defeated the powerful Utah Jazz. Miami has won 5 straight and are 9-3 in their last 12. Their record was so bad, though, that they’re STILL under .500. But I think they’re gonna be just fine.
Utah will be fine, too. I think they really know who they are now. They obviously have a stout defense but they also know they can fly and score points from anywhere.
NBA Scoreboard
Feb. 26, 2021
Watch This Play
Dennis Smith, Jr., now a Detroit Piston, reminds us what he can do.
DENNIS. SMITH. JR. SHEESH. pic.twitter.com/VTBknRjOxM
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 27, 2021
He’s still got his 88-inch vert, man.
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.