What’s good, hoopers? We’re here to take you through the week that was in the NBA including, Jokic and Embiid returning to form, the Lakers turmoil plus Cleveland and Memphis’ latest tests.
Nikola Jokic is a God
Nikola Jokic is a goddamn national treasure and should be treated as such. No, not just in Serbia. In the United States of America. The MVP put up 49 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in a 130-128 OT W for the Nuggets. This clutch cross-court pass to Aaron Gordon solidified the triple-double and the win.
Jokic truly deserves more love for the MVP. His numbers are almost identical to last year’s campaign, with improved rebounding totals. The Nuggets haven’t had the same type of team success but that’s not any fault of Jokic’s.
With injuries to Michael Porter JR. and Jamal Murray, Jokic is carrying the Nuggets in damn near every statistical category. The Nuggets are going to be in a battle for seeding all year long with the likes of both LA teams, Dallas and Minnesota. Jokic might just be the superstar most suited to carry his squad among this group and if Jamal Murray comes back soon? Watch out.
Embiid’s Greatness and the Ben Simmons Effect
Meanwhile, Joel Embiid is carrying the Philadelphia 76ers on his goddamn back. Over the last month, he’s averaging over 31 PPG. The only reason the Sixers are even close to contention in the Eastern Conference is because he is putting up superhuman efforts every night to keep this squad afloat.
Which makes the latest Ben Simmons rumor from veteran and trusted NBA reporter Marc Stein, all the more interesting. Reportedly, Sixers GM Daryl Morey is eyeing next offseason for a potential Ben Simmons trade as he centers his search around one individual: James Harden. Obviously, Morey and Harden have history together from their time in Houston. He was centered around Simmons rumors at the beginning of the season.
The timing is curious, as we approach the trade deadline and Ben Simmons remains a 76er. Joel Embiid is once again playing at an MVP caliber level. He has taken his game to another level the last month, but his supporting cast is lacking. There is a Ben Simmons-sized hole in their lineup. Despite all of his offensive deficiencies, Simmons still provided a nightly 16-8-7 while playing All-NBA level defense. You can’t just make up that kind of impact with bit pieces.
If you’re Daryl Morey, you really have to start considering the possibility that you have made a misttep by waiting this long to make a Simmons deal. The idea of waiting for a James Harden trade in the summer seems INSANE to me.
You have a superstar Center, who has been a good soldier and incredibly patient in the public’s eye. But internally, seems to be getting impatient. Remember, Embiid started his career with serious injury troubles. There was a time when there was serious doubt that he would gain the world-class form he’s been able to reach over the past few seasons.
As a GM you should be doing everything you can to maximize the title window you have while Embiid is an MVP candidate. As a big man, with foot and back injuries in his past, it is likely that this is his peak. There aren’t a lot of cases of dominant big men into their 30’s because you take such a toll on your body. Don’t get me wrong, Embiid will still get numbers and be a force. But he needs help. And right now, in the most wide open Eastern Conference we’ve seen in YEARS, is the time to maximize his peak.
That brings us back to Ben Simmons. A trade needs to get done. My favorite destination is still Sacramento. A combination of Harrison Barnes, D’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield would be more than enough of a return and would fortify the Sixers’ starting lineup and bench. Sacramento makes the most sense. Let’s get a deal done.
Drama in Lakerland
The Lakers lost to the Pacers Wednesday night, one of their worst losses of the season in a year full of them. After the game, the Russell Westbrook drama took another turn.
The fact of the matter is, Westbrook hasn’t been good enough. Hell, he hasn’t been GOOD at all. Anthony Davis has been hurt for the last month. The two “superstars” that are supposed to produce next to LeBron, haven’t.
(LeBron slips by slander because A) he’s the second greatest player ever and has nothing left to prove and B) he’s playing like a freaking MVP).
Beyond that? I’ve spoken at length on Happy Hour Hoops (live on Tuesdays, check us out) about how this roster is just BAD. The closing lineup the other day with no Russ or AD? LeBron, Malik Monk, Carmelo Anthony, Austin Reaves and Talen Horton-Tucker. Doesn’t exactly scream title contender, does it?
My final word on the Lakers? Rob Pelinka screwed them over before the ball even tipped off this season. This team is not built for a playoff run and is not built to accentuate LeBron’s strengths in year 19.
It’s a failure by an organization that had all the opportunity in the world to improve this team in the offseason in different ways than they ended up choosing to. (DeMar Derozan would like a word) and that’s a damm shame.
Cavs, Grizzlies fail latest contenders test
Cleveland visited Chicago and Memphis visited Milwaukee on Wednesday night, both suffering double digit losses on the road to two of the league’s elite teams. Cleveland lost 117-104 in a matchup where Chicago was missing Lonzo Ball and Zach Lavine.
As a measuring stick game, the Cavs failed to live up to it. Against shorthanded Bulls squad is even more disheartening. But going into Chicago is always tough, especially the way DeRozan played. The young Cavs will need to look for ways to be more effective and efficient on the offensive end.
Darius Garland is their closer, but this is where the pressure of losing Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio comes in. The question is, when Garland is held in check, who can create open shots? That’s the biggest question going into the playoffs for this young Cavs team.
The Grizzlies fell to the Bucks 126-114, in a potential NBA Finals matchup. I took a harder stance against my Cavs than I will the Grizzlies in this matchup, as going into Milwaukee is probably the toughest environment in the NBA today to win in.
They held their own for the entire matchup, with the Bucks pulling away at the end. The Grizzlies didn’t look out of place though, however, they need to do a better job of defending the 3 ball. Easier said than done when you have to worry about Giannis, but I think this was a great learning experience for the Grizzlies going forward against the defending champions.
2022 NBA Finals, anyone?
Game of the Weekend
Chicago @ Milwaukee – Friday @ 8 PM ET on ESPN
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