Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.
Kevin Porter, Jr. put on a show in Houston against the Milwaukee Bucks.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Robert Seale/Getty Images.)
A few months ago, Kevin Porter, Jr. was arrested for a weapons charge. He was also accused of punching a woman. His short NBA career was immediately in danger after a good rookie season. Cleveland wasn’t going to play him and they looked for weeks for a trade partner. They finally found on in Houston for a measly second round pick.
But on Thursday, he went off for 50 points and 11 assists in the Rockets’ upset win over the Bucks. He’s the fourth NBA player under 21 years old to score 50 points. It’s quite a feat.
But there always seems to be a disconnect between sport and reality. We have glorified people in the past for doing something amazing in sports while they have done something heinous off the spotlight. And it’s almost like we’re giving them a pass because they scored 50 points in a basketball game, scored five touchdowns in an NFL game, or hit a grand slam in an MLB playoff game.
At the same time, maybe there really is a genuine effort of becoming a better person. Yes, it takes a whole lot to recover in our eyes after those kinds of events. Maybe the actual comebacks are the ones where we know people learned their lesson and instead not make the same mistake and help people in need because of what happened. Scoring 50 points in a game should just be a footnote instead of making it front and center.
I do hope Kevin Porter, Jr. has learned from what has happened in the past. And I hope that he has a prosperous career in the league. I’d also like to think that he’s a good person who made some terrible decisions that nearly cost him an NBA spot.
The thing about life is that we always seem to get second, third, fourth, and 82nd chances. It does seem that Porter is trying to make something out of it.
And I’d like to think Porter knows that scoring 50 points in a basketball game doesn’t solve problems. Becoming a better person does (just like what I’m trying to do and what YOU’RE trying to do) and I hope Porter’s future becomes brighter and brighter as we all move forward in life.
Bullet Passes
Giannis Antetokounmpo did sprain his ankle very early in the game against Houston. Hopefully, he’s all right and it’s nothing serious.
Kelly Olynyk is actually having a hell of a time in Houston. He’s averaged 18.8 points and 8.3 boards in his 19-game stint thus far in Tex. That could be something come free agency.
Kevin Durant scored 42 points against Indy. I guess he’s back. Caris LeVert, former Net, did score 36 points against his old team.
Tim Hardaway, Jr. also put in 42 with Luka Doncic sitting out against Detroit.
Since Jamal Murray went out, Michael Porter, Jr. has averaged 25.7 points and 6.7 boards. He’s also shot .507 from three. HMMMMMMMM.
Current longest winning streak in the NBA? Four games by three teams. The Nets, the Nuggets, and… the MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES?
NBA Scoreboard
Apr. 29, 2021
Watch This Play
Karl-Anthony Towns says hello to his fellow teammate, Andrew Wiggins.
(VIDEO CREDIT: House of Highlights.)
That’s how I say hi to my friends, too.
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.