Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.
The Utah Jazz keep humming.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Spenser Heaps/Deseret News.)
I can honestly tell you that while every game counts and every game is important, the stretch before the homestretch is usually the most tedious part of the season. The trading deadline is over and everyone is trying to get their new acquistions acclimated into their teams. And it’s also important to stay focused because, yes, while this might seem like a slog for both teams and fans, the games all still count. We’re still one month away from the NBA postseason starting and this is usually March on the NBA calendar. It’s kind of the doldrums of the NBA campaign.
And it’s why the Utah Jazz staying on top of their game is impressive.
Granted, they’re still not getting the credit that they deserve. They usually don’t, anyway. They’re not in a big and glamour market. Their stars are also not getting that respect. And their team overall feels underrated.
But look what they have been doing. They have had winning streaks of 11 games, 9, and 9. They’re on pace to set the record for most three-pointers made and attempted. Donovan Mitchell is having a career scoring year. Rudy Gobert could win Defensive Player of the Year again. Mike Conley is having the season that he’s capable of as he made his first all-star game. Joe Ingles has been on fire from three.
And they smashed the Orlando Magic by 46 on Saturday.
Sometimes, I hate that I say it myself that it may not matter what they did on the regular season. But we all have that tunnel vision and it’s just really all about the championship. It does matter, though, when you’re trying to get in the best position possible. This is a team that hasn’t been deep into the postseason so why not try to have the best record and have that home court advantage (some fans are already coming back to arenas and there’s nothing like being at “home”, right?).
So yeah, I’m very curious how this version of the Jazz does this season. I always felt like they had been ready to break out for years now. This could be the season for the ring.
Bullet Passes
I have no idea what is happening but these blowouts were prevalent on Saturday. Portland defeated OKC by 48. The Knicks squashed the Pistons by 44.
Rick Carlisle was cleared to coach the Mavs on Saturday. Everything seems fine thus far. So I guess it is a false positive.
Jrue Holiday has signed a hefty extension to stay in Milwaukee. Another contract distraction they don’t have to worry about. I just love that the Bucks continue to go all in.
We know Karl-Anthony Towns and Joel Embiid have had beef for years. But on Saturday’s game, it was just some nice physical hoops that resulted in nothing but sore bodies.
Russell Westbrook continues to average a triple-double. This would be his 4th season of that. That’s honestly beyond remarkable.
Not NBA but holy hell, that finish between UCLA and Gonzaga at the Final Four…
NBA Scoreboard
Apr. 3, 2021
Watch This Play
Like I said earlier, Karl-Anthony Towns and Joel Embiid aren’t best friends. And Towns sure showed Embiid here.
(VIDEO CREDIT: House of Highlights.)
They’ll probably be fighting on the court forever.
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.