Friday nights normally consist of getting wasted, laughing at the work week that passed, forgetting a thing called “Monday morning” even exists and the occasional hook up with someone whose last name is the least of your concern. For the NBA, however, it was a busy, busy evening.
1. Let the record show, if the Wizards had been healthy since the start of the season, they’re in the playoff hunt out East. The Wiz Kids ruined Andray Blatche’s second homecoming in an 89-74 victory in D.C over Brooklyn. Washington’s a totally different squad with John Wall on the court, who looks to be finally accepting the role as “leader.” Not to toot my own horn – I just like being right because I’m wrong so often – but hark back to this. And go to point #2.
2. Sure, having to rally from down 20 at one point to the Division III Charlotte Bobcats was somewhat embarrassing. But the As The World Turns Lakers won and that’s all that matters behind Kobe Bean’s 18 points (all coming in the second half). The weird part was Bryant and Pau Gasol’s tweets to one another after the game. Assuming never got anybody anywhere, but Dwight Howard could not be reached for comment in regards to his teammates social media activity late Friday night. Has there been a fall from grace both on-and-off the court as bad for a “superstar” in the NBA as its been for Dwight these past two years? Probably not.
3. I’m willing to admit when I’m wrong. At least through the first handful of games, Rudy Gay seems to be adapting quite well in Drake’s hometown. Gay nailed the overtime game winner against the Pacers sealing a 100-98 victory and ending Indy’s 15-game home winning streak in the process. Of note, though, Paul George finished with 26-14-5. I’ll keep drilling this into the ground. That guy is a star in the making. Don’t screw this up, Danny Granger. Also, keep Indy far, far, far, far away from Miami.
4. All aboard the Greivis Vasquez bandwagon! #GravyVasquez (as Ed and I like to say) notched a triple-double (21-11-12) last night in N’awlins’ 111-100 victory over the Hawks. I know it’s only his second season, but he’s my lock for “Most Improved Player.”
5. Despite Tony Parker’s 31-8, the Spurs 11-game winning streak came to an end at the hands of the Pistons. There’s good news and bad news here if you’re a Pistons fan. Good news because Greg Monroe continues to show and prove why he’ll eventually be a top five big man in basketball (if anyone decides to pay attention) with his 26-16-5 against the team with the best record in basketball, albeit without Tim Duncan. Bad news because Andre Drummond will miss at least the next month with a stress fracture in his back. Mark my words, the Monroe/Drummond combination will eventually blossom in a bonafide problem; the new “twin towers” in a sense.
6. The NBA’s best-worst team, Cleveland, put Orlando deeper and deeper into misery Friday night with a 119-109 win led by a status quo night from Kyrie Irving. Dion Waiters also poured in 15 on an efficient 6-10 from the floor. Shabazz Muhammad has always been my fantasy draft pick for the Cavs this summer. Now I’m beginning to wonder what Kansas’ Ben McLemore – an off guard who can move wonderfully without the ball – would look like alongside Kyrie in that backcourt. Kyrie/McLemore/Thompson/Andy V, with Dion, Speights, Zeller and Ellington coming off the bench? Hmmm…
FYI, whenever 24-6-8 ranks as “status quo,” that’s a good thing.
7. Steph Curry’s 32-5-8-3 (steals) and David Lee’s 26 points weren’t enough to steamroll past Memphis falling 99-93. It looks like the Grizz are returning to what made them petrifying at the beginning of the season – realizing not many teams, if any, can go blow-for-blow with them when they play inside-outside. The combination of Z-Bo and Marc Gasol combined for 36 points, 23 rebounds and six assists.
8. The Thunder’s balanced attack and explosion of a third quarter helped my choice for the West’s representative’s in the Finals coast to a 127-96 win against Phoenix and improve to 38-12 through their first 50 games. How balanced was it? K.D. and Russy “only” had 21 and 17, respectively, while Kendrick Perkins stuffed the stat sheet to the tune of 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and three blocks.
9. Carmelo Anthony – in my eyes at least – is a top three MVP candidate this year and basically told the Knicks there was no way in hell last night they were losing to the Timberwolves. I mean, it sucks the whole city is under snow, but having to come back to that with a loss would suck even worse. Melo’s 36-9 led the way, but here’s the most interesting nugget. For all the talk about Amar’e’s return offsetting the Knicks, buddy has quietly been a model citizen adapting to whatever role they’ve asked. I mean, he still doesn’t rebound worth a damn, but he is riding a 13-game streak of shooting 50% or better, second to only Blake Griffin’s 17-game notch earlier this year.
10. There was no way the Bulls would follow the worst loss in the Tom Thibodeau era (126-98 Thursday vs. Denver) with another L. I mean, not unless they wanted to be tied to a chair, beaten and forced to watch the game in super slow motion the next few days in practice. Carlos Boozer’s homecoming in Utah saw him drop 11 straight points in the fourth quarter (19 overall) and help clinch a 93-89 victory over Utah. I guess this is what’s so frustrating about Boozer. He can play like one of the better four’s in basketball, but then turn around and be a bigger disappointment than George W. Bush not being at the Republican National Convention last fall.*
* – Which would have single handedly been the greatest and most unintentionally funny moment in politics in the last five years. The last? This.
11. The top 10 players changes from season-to-season. That said, James Harden has been a Top 10 player in basketball in the 2012-2013 season. Dear God, please, somehow, someway allow the Rockets to make the playoffs. Even if they lose in the first round, because they’ll end up having to play a team like San Antonio or OKC, I know for a fact Harden has a 50-10-7 game in him that instantly becomes one of those games we’ll see on ESPN classic for years to come. The Beard, Chandler Parsons (C-Par!) and Houston two-stepped to an easy 118-103 W over Portland thanks largely to Harden’s 35-7-11 on 13-16 shooting, including 4-5 from three and 5-6 from the charity stripe.
12. Speaking of efficiency – you knew I’d save this for last – LeBron scored 30 points on 11 shots in a 111-89 route against the Clippers (the league’s fifth best defensive team). He’s shooting 72% from the field in his last four games and over the past 47 games, he’s just been outright unstoppable. He’s in the midst of the best shooting season of his career. I could go on-and-on, and at some point I will, but I’m just leaving this here. Bron’s playing basketball at levels only reserved for all-time greats.** Argue amongst yourselves, but it’s his MVP and his league until someone outright takes it from him.
** – Appropriate given the fact he’s already a Top 12 player ever. Maybe #12, but Top 12.