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. Time for my Top 10. OWNZ IT.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Renee Montgomery.)
1) Renee Montgomery Is Part-Owner of the Atlanta Dream
This is such a boss move.
We remember Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who co-owned the Atlanta Dream, being against Black Lives Matter. Renee Montgomery, who played for the Dream, sat out the Wubble season to concentrate on social justice. I’m sure Loeffler’s views didn’t sit well with Montgomery.
As we know, WNBA players wore shirts that said Vote Warnock, in reference to Loeffler’s opponent in the Georgia senate runoffs that was happening in January, Raphael Warnock. We all called for Loeffler to be off the Dream. That didn’t happen.
Until a few days ago. An investor group that included Montgomery bought the Dream. That was such a boss move; a former player that was championing social justice helped buy the team off a clueless politician who didn’t seem to care about black lives.
Montgomery will also serve as an executive for the team. It is such an unprecedented move (although I wish these moves were normal) that it would make black girls/women believe that they can now be professional sports team owners and executives.
Renee Montgomery forever.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Reaves/Getty Images.)
2) The Heat Have Caught Fire
The Heat are back at .500 now after they won their 6th straight game. And during the week, they beat the best team in the league, which was the Utah Jazz. They figure to be back in the mix for the East top spots in the second half of the season.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Elsa/Getty Images.)
3) New York Might Be Back, Baby!
New York went 3-1 this week but, more importantly, they’re over .500 at this time of the season. They’re also all alone at the #4 spot in the East. Plus Julius Randle was named to his first all-star game. It’s been really rosy for the Knicks this season. And now they concentrate on making their first playoffs since 2013.
MALIK MONK.
AND 1.
BALLGAME. #AllFly pic.twitter.com/DAarh2py6B
— NBA (@NBA) March 1, 2021
4) The Hornets Comeback
The Kings were up, 123-115, on the Hornets with a minute left. And then Charlotte just did about everything right as they went on a 12-3 run to finish and win the game. The run was punctuated by this three-point play by Malik Monk. Heck of an end for Charlotte.
LU DORT. NAILS.
THUNDER WIN!!! 🚨🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/S2olJl7bLr
— FOX Sports Oklahoma (@FOXSportsOK) February 25, 2021
5) Lu Dort For The Win!
Yes, we know Lu Dort is not a sharpshooter. And maybe you leave him open for this shot more often than not. But you probably don’t do that with the game on the line.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Morry Gash/AP.)
6) The Deer Have Recovered
Giannis Antetokounmpo had quite the week. He averaged over 37 points and 12 boards in the last four games. And the Bucks have made up for that 5-game losing streak by winning 5 in a row. It’s not a surprise that they won 5 straight but it’s also a nice comeback after their rare extended skid.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Jesse Johnson/USA Today.)
7) Devin Booker Becomes Two-Time All-Star Replacement
Maybe one day, Devin Booker will be named by an all-star by the coaches. For the second straight year, he replaces an injured all-star in the midseason exhibition. Last year, it was Damian Lillard he replaced. This year, it’s Anthony Davis.
Either way, it’s cool to be named an all-star. It’s just that it would be nice to be named on the original squad.
8) Chris Finch Becomes Wolves Coach and Promptly Goes 0-4
If you look deeper into that situation, it’s not totally Finch’s fault that he started off 0-4 and that the Wolves are in this quagmire of losing 8 straight overall. But the timing wasn’t great with everything going on (Malik Beasley and D’Angelo Russell are both out for different reasons). Not to mention that the team didn’t do the correct hiring protocol (giving minorities a chance for the vacant job). It just doesn’t look great.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle.)
9) Maybe The Rockets Really Are Going Full Rebuild Mode
The Rockets have lost 11 straight. And it’s been a while since they faced this kind of losing (they’ve only had two sub-.500 seasons since 2000). They also let go of DeMarcus Cousins because of this situation.
Losing Christian Wood to injury really sucked.
(VIDEO CREDIT: House of Highlights.)
10) This Final Possession From the Nuggets
We’ve gone over this ad nauseum. But when you have numbers on the break and you have a near-guaranteed basket for a tie, you go for that. I do understand the cahones to go for the win but I’d rather take my chances in overtime. They didn’t get a good-looking shot off!
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.