Welcome to the NBA Hangover. We jot down NBA stuff mostly from last night that we want to talk about. Check it out.
Allen Crabbe is now free from the Timberwolves.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Brad Rempel/USA Today.)
Allen Crabbe, who has played 37 games this season with the Hawks and Wolves, was released on Saturday night. He is free to sign with any team he wants and would be eligible to play for the playoffs if his new team is in the postseason. Also, Anthony Tolliver from the Sacramento Kings were given his walking papers as well.
Now I’ve followed the league for a long time and I love how this sort of thing is normal. Players that can CLEARLY contribute get released by bad teams and they end up helping a good team in the postseason. And back then, there was no rule that was preventing them from going back to the same team in the same season. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, for example, was traded by the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Washington Wizards. The Wizards released him and Ilgauskas ended up going back to the Cavs.
Jeremy Lin was waived by the Hawks last year and the Raptors picked him up. Lin didn’t play much in the postseason but provided much relief to the other guards during the regular season. Ersan Ilyasova was also waived by the Hawks two seasons ago and the Sixers picked him back up. Deron Williams got let go by the Dallas Mavericks and he became part of the Cleveland Cavaliers that went to a third straight NBA Finals.
This happens every season, too. I don’t know the talks that go on behind the scenes. But then teams have also been very generous about this sort of thing. It is obviously a two-way street. Veterans want a shot at a championship. And the teams that aren’t making the playoffs probably don’t have a use for a guy who’s been in the league for 12 years and would rather play young guys that need a lot of run. So yeah, it makes sense that this happens often.
But again, it doesn’t make it any less hilarious. Is it unfair? No, because, again, it’s an agreement that is made by both parties. But players and fans should not be surprised if no transaction is made. After all, players did sign contracts and they have to honor them unless the organization they’re working for decides to break it, per se.
It’s kind of a weird tradition or regular thing that happens in the league. Let’s not be shocked if Allen Crabbe goes to, say, the Boston Celtics and helps them make a deep run. Or if Anthony Tolliver goes to the Nuggets and helps them win a playoff series.
That’s why teams have to keep an eye out on anything and everything. That includes the waiver wires.
Bullet Passes
We were afraid that the Grizzlies, who were on a 5-game skid before Saturday, were going to get beat up by the Lakers. The opposite happened. Ja Morant went for 27 points and 14 dimes while Jonas Valanciunas had 22 points and 20 boards to help the cubs upset the Lakers.
This will relax the Grizz faithful for a bit as they continue to stave off other teams for the final playoff spot. They just hope that the Pelicans also don’t upset the Lakers on Sunday night.
The Blazers continue to falter and, man, this is just so disappointing. Even without most of their frontcourt for most of the year, I still thought they would be better than 26-35. Yes, I get that Damian Lillard hasn’t dressed in the last 4 games (the Blazers are 1-3 in that span) but it’s still a disappointing record.
The Suns couldn’t take of a golden opportunity as they fell to the… Golden State Warriors at home. Woof.
Stephen Curry‘s return was pushed back. He might be playing by mid-March. His return was originally going to be later on today. Oh, well.
The Scoreboard
CHI 115 (20-40) @ NY 125 (18-42)
POR 117 (26-35) @ ATL 129 (19-43)
BRK 113 (26-33) @ MIA 116 (38-22)
IND 113 (36-24) @ CLE 104 (17-43)
LAL 88 (45-13) @ MEM 105 (29-31)
HOU 111 (39-20) @ BOS 110 (41-18) (OT)
ORL 113 (27-33) @ SA 114 (25-33)
GS 115 (13-47) @ PHX 99 (24-37)
Watch This Play
It’s always hard to miss a free throw on purpose if you’re a really good basketball player (I suppose unless you’re Shaq). But Jayson Tatum does it. It leads to a Jaylen Brown for a game-tying 3.
(VIDEO CREDIT: House of Highlights.)
Too bad, the Rockets won.
Let’s go into March!
GG.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.
I sign off “GG” which means “good game” but also to honor Gianna “Gigi” Bryant.