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I’ve at all times believed I’d dominate on “Grocery store Sweep,” most “Worth is Proper” video games, and that occasion on “American Gladiators” the place they shoot tennis balls at you.
Purchase or Promote?
Contenders and dumpster fires abound
We’re about one month into the 2024-25 season, and a lot has occurred already. The precise basketball has been phenomenal, despite the fact that the accidents haven’t. We’ve had tremendous compelling tales, each good and dangerous. So, what must you consider in and what must you dismiss after one month? It’s time to play: Purchase or Promote?
The Cavs are title contenders vs. simply contenders: Promote. I’m proper on the border with this one. I really like what the Cavs (16-1) are doing up to now, and we could be devoid of contending choices within the East to problem Boston (12-3). I really like what Cleveland did in opposition to Boston within the second half Tuesday night time. Kenny Atkinson’s offense is intricate and sensible. I simply must see extra earlier than I consider totally.
The Bucks are salvageable: Purchase. Principally as a result of I don’t perceive why Milwaukee (6-9) has struggled a lot regardless of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard being actually good this season. Khris Middleton will hopefully be again quickly, after which possibly Doc Rivers will probably be out of excuses.
Dalton Knecht is the most effective rookie up to now: Promote. He’s been scorching in opposition to two dangerous groups, however we actually haven’t seen him do a lot in opposition to the great opponents. Nonetheless, the seventeenth pick of Tennessee can actually shoot that factor for his squad (10-4). Sixers guard Jared McCain has in all probability been the most effective rookie up to now. It’s a bizarre class.
The 76ers tousled this summer season: Promote. They did what they wanted to do with the choices out there. And maybe at some point it’s going to work out for them throughout this new period of hoops for the Sixers (league-worst 2-12). Nevertheless, scroll all the way down to see the most recent. Spoiler alert: It’s not nice.
The Pelicans are in hassle: Purchase. I used to be so excessive on them coming into the season, and so they can’t get even near wholesome. We’re not speaking about a few accidents. The Pelicans are lacking 5 or 6 rotation guys most nights. They’re all the way down to 4-12 and 14th within the West. They want well being, and they should get on an enormous roll to compete for a Play-In spot.
The Warriors are contenders: Purchase. Even with some irritating harm information, I really like the make-up of this Warriors workforce (11-3). There are such a lot of similarities to what we noticed from them in 2022 once they received all of it. They might be my choose to return out of the West proper now.
The accidents are uncontrolled: Purchase. In response to harm guru Jeff Stotts, the NBA handed 1,000 missed video games on account of harm or sickness after Tuesday night time. That occurred on Nov. 28 final season. It’s already ruining so many gamers’ seasons.
The Lakers are contenders: Promote. I wish to purchase into them, and I’m not even saying they’ll’t get previous Denver just like the final two seasons. The Lakers’ offense has been stellar after being mediocre final yr. Nevertheless, their protection and rebounding are fairly dangerous. Can’t contend like that.
The Final 24
Khris Middleton needs to be again quickly!
🛞💰 Damon Sayles dominated. Our personal Damon Sayles, senior editor for tradition/NBA, went on “Wheel of Fortune” final night time and destroyed all people. Get buckets, Damon!
Fairly cool to see @DamonSayles kick butt on @WheelofFortune. Congratulations Damon. Good issues occur to good folks. pic.twitter.com/Bw87KaC4Fi
— Richard Davenport (@ArRecruitingGuy) November 21, 2024
👏 Large congrats to UConn’s Geno Auriemma on changing into the all-time winningest coach in school basketball.
🏀 The Bucks could be entire quickly. Khris Middleton is ramping as much as getting again on the court docket to make his season debut. Eric Nehm has the change with Doc Rivers.
🏀 Warriors lose a guard. After spraining his ACL, De’Anthony Melton can have season-ending surgical procedure on the ligament. How do the Warriors alter?
📖 Nikola Jokić debuts at No. 28 on “The Basketball 100.” Pre-order the ebook right here.
📺 Don’t miss this recreation tonight. Magic (9-7) at Lakers (10-4), 10:30 p.m. ET on League Move. Nice protection in opposition to elite offense.
Rule Change
Ceasing insanity round intentional fouls
A workforce is down three, has the ball and is advancing it up the court docket. Time is ticking away on the finish of the fourth quarter, and you’re questioning if this workforce can discover a solution to tie up the sport and get it to additional time. Free basketball on the horizon to settle an in depth, in all probability nice recreation! Then, earlier than the star of the workforce can get into their capturing movement to let it fly, they get deliberately fouled. Why? They’re within the bonus, and also you’d somewhat quit two free-throw makes an attempt than quit a game-tying try.
It’s sensible basketball and a superb technique. It’s the precise play to make because the workforce within the lead. It additionally sucks and ruins the leisure of the present product on the ground. This appears to be a common perception amongst mates of mine — whether or not they’re from the basketball world or simply followers of the NBA.
It’s the one time you received’t see gamers look incredulous for a name going in opposition to them. Now, as an alternative of all of us watching this shot sail via the air like we’re Carlton Banks, we’re questioning in the event that they know easy methods to deliberately miss the second free throw to hope for a tip-in to tie it. That’s if they make the primary one. That isn’t leisure, and it’s not good basketball.
The NBA desires to enhance the product, proper? They’ve added the take foul in transition conditions, however these are take fouls with the sport within the stability. The NBA ought to undertake the intentional foul to take away these conditions from the sport. We wish to see heroic moments. Not the equal of utmost couponing with basketball technique. Defenders ought to must make an actual play on the ball there, or danger giving up free throws whereas the shedding workforce retains possession.
It’s not hurting the main workforce unfairly to make them play a bit of protection. And it’ll assist the dramatic conditions really get an opportunity to turn into legit moments, somewhat than be an exhibition of accounting on the court docket.
About Final Night time
This 76ers isn’t getting any higher
Lastly! The 76ers had been going to begin Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and Joel Embiid collectively. After a tough 2-11 begin, the sunshine on the finish of the tunnel was now not beginning to appear like an oncoming prepare. After which they performed in Memphis final night time. The 76ers had been down by as many as 19 within the fourth quarter earlier than a little bit of a comeback to make the 117-111 loss look extra respectable.
After 17 minutes on the court docket, Paul George hyperextended his left knee. Once more. You may bear in mind he did that a couple of month in the past and missed a while. Embiid had 35 factors and 11 rebounds, and the Sixers had been plus-seven with him on the ground. It was the primary good recreation he’s had this season, and he had some issues to say afterward. However the Sixers nonetheless can’t work out easy methods to play good basketball for prolonged stretches on the court docket.
Wednesday night time, Joel Embiid mentioned that he heard the criticism from Tyrese Maxey throughout a current workforce assembly.
He made it clear that he’s accountable for these actions.
And that he didn’t like the small print leaking into the general public.
✍️ @tjonesonthenbahttps://t.co/N5xxyOoJWh pic.twitter.com/2IuLEvXuYt
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) November 21, 2024
They couldn’t decelerate Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane and Jaylen Wells. No Ja Morant? No drawback. Memphis has Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jay Huff. Philadelphia is fifteenth within the East and a half-game behind the Washington Wizards. The 76ers do owe their choose to the OKC Thunder (like all people else), however at the very least it’s top-six protected.
Bucks 122 (6-9), Bulls 106 (6-10): Giannis Antetokounmpo determined he’d had sufficient. He had 25 of his 41 factors within the third quarter and loved 16-of-20 capturing … within the paint! He had 32 factors within the paint by himself. The Bulls had 34 factors within the paint as a workforce. Antetokounmpo made 17 of 24 general and had 9 rebounds and eight assists to outlive a robust push by Chicago. Zach LaVine appeared good with 27 factors.
Cavs 128 (16-1), Pelicans 100 (4-12): Time to begin a brand new streak! After the Cavs misplaced their win streak Tuesday, they beat up on an injured Pelicans squad to get again on monitor. Ty Jerome received the beginning rather than Darius Garland and led the workforce with 29 factors. And sure, that field rating is appropriate: Elfrid Payton began for the Pels. He hadn’t performed since 2022.
Rockets 130 (11-5), Pacers 113 (6-9): These aren’t the Pacers you count on. That they had 23 turnovers and simply shot 5 of twenty-two from 3-point vary. The rationale? Houston does that to you. The Rockets received once more to stay fourth within the West behind 31 factors and 12 rebounds by Alperen Şengün. Jabari Smith Jr. added 23, whereas Tyrese Haliburton had one other dangerous one. 4 factors on 1-of-7 capturing with eight assists.
Thunder 109 (12-4), Blazers 99 (6-9): Isaiah Hartenstein made his OKC debut, and it was a superb one. It was additionally a lot wanted. Hartenstein had 13 factors, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks to assist maintain off a scrappy Portland squad. Shaedon Sharpe had 21, however it wasn’t sufficient to beat 30 from Jalen Williams and 28 from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Knicks 138 (9-6), Suns 122 (9-7): The Suns dropped their fifth straight and badly want Kevin Durant again.
Warriors 120 (11-3), Hawks 97 (7-9): This was one other dominant defensive effort by the Warriors. They held the Hawks to 33.3 % capturing from the sphere and 26.1 % from deep. Andrew Wiggins led them with 27 factors.
Clippers 104 (9-7), Magic 93 (9-7): The Clippers, sans Norman Powell, dominated the Magic to snap Orlando’s six-game win streak. James Harden picked up the scoring slack with 24 factors.
(Prime picture: Brian Babineau / Getty Photos )
