People LOVE Power Rankings in sports. It’s pretty stupid. So, of course, I have MY Stupid Power Rankings. I take 10 things from the NBA and WNBA (or not) in the past week and rank them accordingly. You don’t like them? Make your own rankings!
It’s a little bit late. Today is Tuesday. But the conference finals is set for the NBA. We sprinkled a bit of the WNBA, too. Let’s go!
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
1) The Clippers Win With the Mann
First of all, this has to be looked at as a big upset. The Clippers didn’t have Kawhi Leonard for Game 5 and 6 and beat Utah both times. Granted, Utah didn’t have Mike Conley for all but Game 6 of the series and even then, he was very limited. But Kawhi is obviously the #1 guy for the Clippers; no disrespect to Conley.
But good grief, did Terance Mann step up in a huge way. He made them pay by being left open and scored an eye-popping 39 points as he was a huge reason on why the Clippers came back from 26 down against the Jazz. It’s definitely one of the greatest playoff moments ever and likely the best playoff moment in Clippers history as they make the conference finals for the first time.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Bill Streicher/USA Today.)
2) Upstart Hawks Shock Sixers
Ya know, nobody outside of the Hawks thought they would make it this far. It has to be surprising that these Atlanta Hawks, who were probably thought of as a borderline playoff team by most, are now one of the four teams left in the postseason. They eliminated and upset the #1 seed Philadelphia 76ers. Trae Young‘s star has never shined brighter.
And they draw…
(PHOTO CREDIT: Elsa/Getty Images.)
3) Somehow, The Bucks Survived
For most of the postseason, we’ve seen the Bucks muck it up and mess it up on the offense. But that offense came through at the right time for them. It certainly didn’t hurt that James Harden was limited and Kyrie Irving was out. But Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday came through when they needed it the most and they pulled out a close Game 7 in Brooklyn.
Giannis Antetokounmpo carried them all playoffs. But even he needs some help. He got it in the fourth quarter and overtime. And now they’re four wins away from the NBA Finals.
4) Devin Booker Was Phenomenal
No Chris Paul for Game 1 in the Conference Finals. So Devin Booker did his best Paul imitation by playing a classic point guard in the first half. Then he did what he did best in the second half by getting all the buckets. All in all, you see in that pic what he did. A 40-point triple-double in his first conference final? Fantastic.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images.)
5) The Chicago Sky Have Won 5 Straight
Ya know, it was easy to give up on the Chicago Sky after we saw them lose 7 straight games. And then Candace Parker came back and, suddenly, they magically cannot lose. MAYBE THAT WAS THE KEY ALL ALONG.
It certainly helped to get back on the winning track by beating the lowly Indiana Fever twice. But beating Connecticut twice is no easy feat even if they did not have Jonquel Jones. Now they’ve won 5 in a row and they are now back at .500.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Atlanta Hawks.)
6) John Collins’ Shirt
So John Collins did Joel Embiid dirty with this jam. After the Hawks won the series, Collins had the audacity to pull up with a shirt that had the very highlight. WHAT A BALLER.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Brad Penner/USA Today.)
7) Kevin Durant Was Exhausted
So Kevin Durant had a fantastic Game 5 for the ages when he had 49-17-10. It’s probably the best game he’s ever had in the postseason.
And then in Game 7, he could’ve won the game in regulation but his shot was deemed a two-pointer because his feet were too big (yes, he stepped on the line). And Durant tried to win the game in overtime but he was just so exhausted that his shot fell way short (not that it mattered since he missed but… he stepped on the line again).
From the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. But most of all, Durant was really really exhausted.
Self Defense 🤝 #Sunsin4 pic.twitter.com/SpzRyvGWtw
— Lil Book (@muslimbooker) June 15, 2021
8) Suns In 4 Dude May Have Set Bad Precedent
So a couple of weeks ago, a Suns fan named Nick McKellar defended himself against a couple of Denver Nuggets fans in Game 3 of the Suns/Nuggets series (held in Denver at the time). McKellar won the fight and then said SUNS IN 4 at the end. For the most part, I thought it was awesomely hilarious.
Devin Booker got wind of the video and got him tickets for Game 1 and a signed jersey. Yup, he was there.
Of course, after Game 1, Suns fans got into it with Clippers fans, which prompted the Suns to make a statement. Um, you kinda promoted a guy who was involved in a fracas so now you’re saying no more fights? I find that hilarious.
(Yes, I get that McKellar was doing it in self-defense. Still, it’s kind of a funny and questionable situation.)
(PHOTO CREDIT: Chris Elise/Getty Images.)
9) Clippers Don’t Get Much of a Break
So you’re telling me that they couldn’t move Suns/Clippers to Monday or even Tuesday after the Clippers won their series? They get only one day off in between series? What’s the hurry? The Finals date is set, regardless. Why couldn’t they get more rest?
Meanwhile, the Suns had a week to rest for getting a sweep so of course, they’re fresher than the Clips. That’s a bit unfair.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Slocum/AP.)
10) Ben Simmons’ Stock Has Never Been Lower
Gosh. I’ve defended Ben Simmons quite a bit but his timidness on offense really reached a new level. He only attempted four shots in Game 7 and passed up a wide open lay-up/dunk under the rim in a critical time. There has to be something mental there. It didn’t help that Doc Rivers and Joel Embiid threw him under the bus.
Anyway, I hope he recovers from this but man, oh, man.
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.