Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.
The Knicks have won 5 straight games. Yup. You read that right.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Ron Jenkins/AP.)
So yeah. The New York Knicks are still REAL with 15 games remaining in their regular season. It’s still a very real possibility that they’d have to play in the play-in series since seeds 7 through 10 participate in those games; they are currently 6th in the East and a game and a half ahead of #7 Miami. But the point is that most of us didn’t think they’d be in this position now. We thought they’d be fighting for the #1 pick in this coming draft. Especially since this is pretty much the same roster from last season.
We went over Tom Thibodeau a few weeks ago. Again, he kind of went under the radar. He was another retread. It seemed like the league had passed him by. Yet the team that went 21-45 and was bottom 8 in defensive rating last season had a huge turnaround with Thibodeau at the helm. They are now 30-27 with a 5-game win streak going on and are somehow TOP 3 in defensive rating.
Julius Randle is a bonafide star in this league. He went for 44 points against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. RJ Barrett continues to be very good in his second season. Reggie Bullock and Alec Burks (when he’s healthy) have been deadly from behind the arc. Rookie Immanuel Quickley has been a gem. Derrick Rose has continued to provide some scoring. And Nerlens Noel has done well in Robinson’s place. They’re going to be such a tough out once the postseason starts.
And like I said, they weren’t expected to be here. Randle has a chance to win Most Improved Player. Thibodeau seems like a no-brainer for Coach of the Year. Gotham is very happy with this plucky team. It’s such a nice basketball story while huge media outlets can’t stop talking about who the MVP is or/and which star is possibly moving to a bigger market five years from now.
Exciting times for New York men’s pro hoops. FINALLY.
Bullet Passes
Russell Westbrook‘s triple-double streak stopped at 6 games but he did make the game-winning free throws against New Orleans in an important Wizards win.
That pulls them into a virtual tie with Toronto and Chicago for the coveted 10th seed. That would be good enough to do the play-in game.
I know. They’re 22-33. Woof.
And the Bulls are also 22-33. I don’t understand how they’re 3-9 since acquiring Nikola Vucevic. What is up?
The Utah Jazz had been one of the healthiest teams in the league. But now they caught the injury bug with Donovan Mitchell spraining his ankle against Indiana on Saturday. He will be reevaluated in a week. Ouch.
The Heat have lost three straight and that allowed the Hawks, Celtics, and Knicks to overtake them. Some wonder if they’re going to “flip the switch” come playoff time. I don’t think they’re honestly capable of that. And even if they are, it’s a dangerous game to play.
Clutch lay-up by Norman Powell as the Blazers upend the Spurs.
Sixers and Clippers had a marquee game but once again, a star player was out. We really won’t know ANYTHING until the playoffs start. Well, hopefully, everyone’s in full gear come postseason.
NBA Scoreboard
Apr. 16, 2021
Watch This Play
Nikola Jokic. With TNLP to P.J. Dozier.
(VIDEO CREDIT: House of Highlights.)
And you KNOW I always appreciate a good no-look pass.
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.