Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.
Aaron Gordon made his debut as a Denver Nugget on Sunday.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Joe Mahoney/AP.)
Maybe I’m underrating this Aaron Gordon acquisition a bit. Now that I think about this a bit more, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray have two big, super athletic forwards they can pass to for some potential highlight dunks. Add to the fact that these forwards (being Gordon and Michael Porter, Jr.) can also step outside for the three and this might actually become a little scarier.
Denver had been missing Jerami Grant ever since he decided to flee the Nuggets for a more expanded role in Detroit. Grant is doing very well as a Piston despite the team being terrible and Denver suffered because of it. But they were able to fill that void with the Gordon trade, sending Gary Harris to Orlando.
Gordon is also that versatile defender that Grant was and he’s going to help the Nuggets on that end. He’s also a decent rebounder even though he only grabbed a couple against the Hawks. No matter, though; that starting line-up Denver fields is HUGE. And Gordon seamlessly fit in as he debuted with 13 points in a balanced attack.
The Nuggets have been hot of late but can’t seem to shake the lower tier of the playoff picture. The Lakers won, too, so they stay 1.5 games behind them. Still, Denver is a serious team to contend with. They did make the Western Conference Finals and they can do it again or go even further as their growth continues within. We know that the stars are going to show out and we know that the X-factor comes down to the role players.
Maybe Aaron Gordon is that.
Bullet Passes
The Blazers and Raptors faced each other on Sunday and you know that those two teams recently made a trade. It was just a few days ago and Norman Powell still thinks he’s a Raptor.
(VIDEO CREDIT: House of Highlights.)
You’ll get it right at some point, Norman.
I was asked by friend Jameson Draper about not fouling up three during the March Madness game between UCLA and Alabama. Alabama made the game-tying three to force OT (they would eventually lose).
The same situation happened between the Lakers and the Magic. Magic were down three with seconds remaining against L.A. The Lakers didn’t foul. Otto Porter, Jr. got a pretty good look and missed.
I wouldn’t want my team to foul but I also want them to NOT give them a clean look. And still, the worst that can happen is OT. I still feel that if you decide to play the foul game, too many things can happen (like my team missing free throws). Don’t leave it to chance. Just guard one possession. You can’t convince me to do something else.
I can’t believe Eric Collins (Hornets play-by-play man) made HUM DIDDLY DEE a thing.
NBA Scoreboard
Mar. 28, 2021
Watch This Play
Miles putting up Bridges in the sky.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Sports Man.)
He’s always good for a highlight or two per game.
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.
R.I.P. Nala.