There’s a difference between being bad and boring as opposed to bad and entertaining. The Milwaukee Bucks are bad and boring. The Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic are bad and entertaining. Leave it to the two latter squads to play one a 126-125 double overtime slobberknocker (*word to Jim Ross*) with eye-popping stat lines from just about all major players involved. For example:
Glen Davis – 15-24 FG, 33 points
Arron Afflalo – 14-27 FG, 5-13 3PT, 10-11, 43 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals
Thaddeus Young – 10-20 FG, 3-6 3PT, 25 points, 12 rebounds
Evan Turner – 7-16 FG, 10-13 FT, 24 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists
Yet, Michael Carter-Williams and Victor Oladipo waltzed away with triple-doubles, making it the first time in league history rookies dropped triple-doubles in the same game. They also just happen to be the two leading candidates for Rookie of the Year thus far. MCW finished 27 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals on 11-19 shooting while Oladipo tallied 26 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals.
Looking out for the futures of both squads, hopefully the Sixers and Magic stumble upon quality draft picks.* That being said, MCW and V.O. are worth the watch (as are other players on their team, such as Arron Afflalo who is making claims as the NBA’s most underrated player). So, here, allow me to do you a favor: the next time Orlando and Philly play is February 26. That’s plenty of time to plan appropriately.
Oh, and by the way, the Sixers won this game.
* – Like, imagine the possibilities of Julius Randle on that Orlando squad in the post with Nikola Vucevic.