Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.
Zion Williamson had nothing but good things to say about New York.
We had a Pelicans/Knicks match-up that went overtime on Sunday. Julius Randle went for 33-5-10 to go with 5 steals to help the Knicks get their 6th straight win. Zion Williamson handled his own biz by going for 34-9-5.
But OF COURSE, what everyone else talked about was the presser that happened after. Zion talked about how much he loved playing ball in New York. He said it was his favorite place, other than New Orleans, to hoop. He went on to say that it’s the Mecca of basketball (but, really, that’s debatable at this point).
It’s not Zion’s fault. He seems to genuinely love New York. And that’s great! The problem is everyone else picking it apart. It basically signals to a lot of people that Williamson will inevitably be a Knick. That he will leave New Orleans for New York in 2023. It’s unusual for a star to leave his first team after his rookie deal is up but it’s not going to stop people from talking.
And that’s the problem. This has actually been a huge thing that’s bothered me the entire time I’ve been writing. Sometimes, people seem to love speculation and transactions than the actual basketball. And I even hate that I’m talking about this but this is the only time I’ll talk about it for a while. Big networks last season spent a chunk of air time speculating where Giannis Antetokounmpo was going the next season. Whatever the player decides to do? More power to them. But Giannis ended up staying and I LOVED it.
A lot of media and fans are obsessed with small-market stars and imagining them in bigger markets like L.A., New York, or Chicago. When Paul George‘s free agency was coming up, everyone immediately put him with the Lakers (he got traded to Oklahoma City then re-signed with them before actually getting trade to the L.A. Clippers). I brought up Giannis and most people thought he would end up with the Lakers. We remember the Decision with LeBron James; I honestly wished he stayed with Cleveland at the time but he went to a glamour city in Miami. But it’s stuff like that that turns me off. I’m sure there’s already a section talking about Trae Young moving on from Atlanta.
I remember that this was explained to me but no matter what, I just think it’s weird to speculate where someone is going 2 or 3 years from now, let alone SEVEN. I just want to see how each player does with their respective teams. And if they bolt to another city, fine. But people seem to rather take transactions and speculation before the action itself.
When I say, I LOVE basketball, I meant the SPORT. NBA, WNBA, college ball, Eurobasket, etc. There’s a chance I’ll leave whatever basketball game is on (no matter what level) when I run into it. Transactions and speculation can be good and all but I’m here for the dunks, passes, lay-ups, rebounds, swats, and getting buckets.
I still can’t believe the Knicks have won 6 straight. That’s a bigger story to me than whatever Zion said. But that’s the world we live in and it’s extremely unfortunate.
Bullet Passes
I got excited when Lu Dort scored 21 points in the first quarter. He only ended up with 29, though. Chris Boucher, in the meantime, went for 31 points and 12 boards as his Raptors defeated Dort’s Thunder.
The Mavs have had a chance to gain ground on the Lakers but they’ve lost 4 of 5 games. Portland is 2-5 in their last 7 games.
One of these teams are going to end up being in the play-in game. I still don’t like the play-in.
Paul George continues his torrid streak. He’s actually shooting .437 from three in 7.5 attempts per game. That is fantastic bucket-getting.
Clint Capela went for 25 points and 24 boards as the Hawks defeat the Pacers.
Atlanta is 17-6 since Nate McMillan took over.
And, really, Indy should be better than 26-30.
Kevin Durant had a left thigh contusion and exited the first quarter against the Heat. They say this latest injury is serious but he’s taken so much pounding in his legs that I wonder about his immediate future. He has been in and out of the line-up this year A LOT.
NBA Scoreboard
Apr. 18, 2021
Watch This Play
Bam Adebayo got to his spot and sank the game-winner against the Nets.
(VIDEO CREDIT: House of Highlights.)
Another story that’s gone under the radar: Bam Adebayo yet making another leap to his 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.