It’s officially the dog days of the NBA season. The teams are all tired, the countdown to the All Star break is on, but that didn’t stop this past week from providing us with some exciting, and crazy moments. There was a crazy slate of games on Monday, teams are sliding and rising, so here are my ten “dimes” of the week!
1) All Star starters announced
Russell Westbrook not starting is a travesty, but that’s the only problem I have with the voting outcome. Anthony Davis is amazing, and Jimmy Butler making it out East is well deserved.
2) Cavaliers are struggling
Whoa, what’s going on in Ohio? LeBron is speaking out, they’re losing bad games (against the Pelicans sans-Davis), and there need of another playmaker is a real problem. The Cavs need a break for All-Star Weekend more than any other team, and hopefully they can bounce back for the last stretch of the season.
3) 76ers have won 8 of last 10 games
Trust the process. Embiid and Saric are two of the top 3-4 rookies this year, and the team is really coming together. Okafor hasn’t played more than 8 minutes in any of the last 10 games, and if they get something for him at the deadline, this team has a chance of moving further up in the standings.
4) Waiters game-winner against Golden State
Waiters Island became densely populated during his performance against his former teammate, Kevin Durant, and the Warriors. His outside shot was en fuego, and him saying “This is my city” was just a great Dion moment.
5) Westbrook with the worst travel of all time
Nothing much to be said about this, just have to ask..why? Did you forget you were playing on live television Russ? That will be one of the best Shaqtin’ A Fool moments of the year.
6) Slam Dunk participants starting to get announced
According to multiple sources, Glenn Robinson III of the Pacers, Jonathan Simmons of the Spurs, and Aaron Gordon of the Magic have accepted invitations to participate in this year’d Slam Dunk Contest. That leaves one spot left for Zach LaVine to go for the three-peat, but it seems as if he’ll bow out. Therefore, it’ll be interesting to see who fills the last spot. Jaylen Brown of the Celtics has declined, along with Larry Nance Jr.
7) Lakers lose to Mavs by 49
On the anniversary of Kobe dropping 81 points, the Lakers failed to surpass that point total as a team, losing to the Mavericks by 49 points in the process. The Lakers have taken a step back, and that’s probably for the best. Continue to build through the draft, and try and put this performance behind you L.A.
8) Wizards wear all-black-everything to game against Celtics
This one I didn’t quite understand. In the last meeting between the Celtics and Wizards, John Wall and Jae Crowder confronted each other after the game, exchanging pokes and slaps. The Wizards as a team decided to show up to the arena in the rematch wearing all black. The Celtics laughed it off, but maybe they should’ve taken it more seriously because the Wizards came away with the victory.
9) Rudy Gay out for season with torn ACL
This is tough for both him, and the Kings. It was clear that he was going to be traded during the trade deadline, and now there’s no way any team will take him. Unfortunately for Gay, he’s also an unrestricted free agent this summer, and will have to rehab his stock after this major injury. Good luck Rudy, and come back better than ever.
10) Carmelo Anthony would waive his no-trade clause for the right situation
Could it finally happen, will the Knicks trade away the face of their franchise, the guy they mortgaged their future for, and allow the rebuild to full commence around Porzingod? Please, find a team that needs a scorer come Playoff time (…Celtics? maybe Grizz? I don’t know, I just want him off the Knicks).
Hoops Banter 