Even as NBA75 is going by fast it doesn’t mean that it isn’t fun. In my opinion this is a fun year for Basketball. The West like the East has a few stacked teams but there is a massive gap from the contenders to the pretenders. Anyways what storylines are there right now?
Dallas Mavericks (Typical Kidd): This team reminds me of when Jason Kidd first arrives at a new team. Instant success at changing the culture of the organization. (Although the power struggle has yet to come) After a mediocre start the Mavs have been a much better team than I thought they would be. Their defensive efficiency has gone up big time this season even with Tim Hardaway Jr out. Jalen Brunson is back in Villanova form, and Maxi Kleber has been a decent stretch 5. If they are finally going to get out of the 1st Round dry spell, it will be behind one man. Luka. Just like he did in Milwaukee, Kidd’s main focus is putting the ball in his best players hands at all costs. Doncic has done that very effectively this year. Even if Porzingis got traded to Washington for Spencer Dinwiddie, they are still a successful team. Thank goodness they didn’t make a lousy trade this year. Because if they did it would be Michael Carter Williams all over again for their head coach.
Denver Nuggets (Jokic in Charge): I wouldn’t panic if I were a Nuggets fan. Most of their struggles are due to them missing their 2nd and 3rd best players. Both Jamal Murray and Michael Porter should be back come playoff time though. The reason that they are all but locked to the playoffs is due to a generational talent in Nikola Jokic. This man is putting together quite possibly the greatest season a Center has ever had in NBA History. It’s a shame that the National Media doesn’t acknowledge that. (All they talk about in terms of Centers is a certain man from Philadelphia) The Joker is putting up a season that Bill Russell, Wilt, and Hakeem never put up. In addition to Jokic, Jeff Green has picked up where he left off in Brooklyn, and Aaron Gordon has filled in nicely for Porter. In order to get the playoff monkey’s off their back, Denver is going to need everyone back at full strength. (That also includes Austin Rivers, and Boogie Cousins) I wouldn’t roast Mike Malone if they don’t go far in the playoffs. His coaching abilities and the Joker is why they are even in this position in the first place.
Golden State Warriors (They’re BAAACK!): Just as I expected. Golden State is back to being a force in the Western Conference. This is why you have to trust their front office and player development. They know how to elevate talent. Steph Curry has established himself as the greatest 3 point shooter of all time. (Breaking Ray Allen’s record and getting to 3000 made 3s will make sure of it) Draymond Green when healthy is one of the leading candidates for defensive player of the year. This is not including the long awaited return of Klay Thompson. Those 3 are still the faces of the franchise but look at the supporting cast they have around them. Jordan Poole becomes an outstanding 6th Man, Andrew Wiggins is now an All Star after almost a decade of promise, and Kevon Looney is back to full strength. With Andre Iguodala and James Wiseman set to return the pieces are in place for possibly another title. I think Steph wants to prove that he can win it all without a superteam like he did in 2015. With the way he is playing this year I don’t blame him at all. Just don’t bring up how their top reporter got poached by the Nets to cover them now. They need as much coverage as possible from the National Media DARN IT! (Even more insane is that the Warriors have even more outstanding prospects along the way too, LOOK OUT WESTERN CONFERENCE!)
Houston Rockets (“The PLAN” NBA Edition): “We’ve got outstanding prospects. We got Christian Wood, we’ve got Kevin Porter and Jalen Green. The Rockets are going to shock the league as NOPE JUST KIDDING WE’RE TANKING!” That phrase right there is how I describe the Rockets season. They are a bad team but their rebuild is only getting stronger. Just don’t trade Wood or Porter in the offseason please.
Los Angeles Clippers (ComeBack Artists): There are a few things that surprise me about the Clippers. 1. They have not been the contender we all thought they would be. And 2. They are doing this with PG13 and Kawhi. Even if those 2 have been out because of injury long term they still have found ways to win. Terrance Mann may not be the stud he was last year in the playoffs, but is still a solid player. Luke Kennard has become an excellent 6th man. They also get the wonders of Reggie Jackson and his 3 point shooting from the Point. This team does have optimism for the future though. Even if Serge Ibaka is gone, they traded for an underrated talent in Norman Powell. With multiple years left on his contract plus their 2 stars both returning next year, this could be a scary team. As for this current season, just take this as a learning experience and gear up for future runs. With that new arena coming it should be a good time for Clippers fans. They don’t have to be roommates with…
Los Angeles Lakers (RIP (the name) Staples Center): If you wanted to witness for yourselves the construction of one of the greatest Boys Clubs in NBA History in a short period of time just take a look at the Los Angeles Lakers. A team that has been coasting on LeBron James’ reputation, and they have doubled down on it this season. The reason for this gong show is that they literally are playing real life NBA2K13… in 2022! Russell Westbrook has been super inconsistent. One game he looks like he’s back in 2017 form, the next he is getting benched. Carmelo Anthony has also dawned this profile since coming to the LakeShow. Anthony Davis getting injured and missing 17 games affected them, but let’s be real they still would have struggled with him. It also doesn’t help that Frank Vogel can’t adjust to the modern offense, with LeBron, and Pelinka breathing down his neck his timeline with the Lakers could be ending soon. Not to mention the neverending drama of this organization in terms of changing the name of Staples Center, to LeBron being vocal about the team’s lack of effort, to shutting down both Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan for a good period of time. It seems like every time that the Lakers struggle on the court or have drama off of it, ESPN (In particular Stephen A Smith) throws out a conspiracy theory to why this has happened. They’re just jealous that they don’t have the talent or chemistry to compete with the other good teams in the West. (1-25-22) “James has got the angle! LLLL LEBRON! JAMES!” (I had to take a phrase from the Sedrian Dictionary) Welp, well at least they can beat up the Nets some more. It probably doesn’t matter since they are trapped because of all of the Draft Capital they gave up to get AD and Westbrook. It’s like LeBron never left Cleveland at all! (Flint Lockwood, we don’t have time for NINKOMPU BLEH!)
Memphis Grizzlies (A New Age): After going through 2 years of building for the future with their current roster, the Grizzlies have played up to their potential with perhaps the most underrated duo in the league. Ja Morant, he and his highlight reel playmaking and likable personality has become the superstar Point Guard that this team has been missing since one year of Gilbert Arenas. (SAS even compared him to Giannis, and KD. WHAT?) Jaren Jackson has become a franchise cornerstone with his size, and scoring abilities. Even if Dillon Brooks suffered a sprained ankle, he has also been a wrecking machine. They may not have the experience that the other teams ahead of them have but this is a team you can’t overlook. In fact I saw this renaissance coming when no one noticed. Taylor Jenkins has had these guys dialed in and they are a treat to watch out for. But my concern is that they have little depth, and other than Jackson and Steven Adams they don’t have the size down low. Maybe they can overcome the narrative of being 2nd fiddle to the Suns and Warriors. A man can only dream.
Minnesota Timberwolves (Bizarro World): If there’s anything that needs to be said about the Timberwolves is that they do the exact opposite of what I say. Last year I had them as a dark horse playoff contender, yet had one of the worst seasons in team history and couldn’t tank because their 1st Round pick belonged to DubNation. When I expected this team to have another tank job of a season they become the most shocking success story in the Western Conference. Most of their success is due to the High End Talent that was blossoming at the end of the year in 2021. Anthony Edwards has taken the next step and has become one of the best Small Forwards in the NBA. Karl Anthony Towns is still the elite stretch 5 Center like he was a few years ago. And D’Angelo Russell is back to Nets form with a solid year despite a few injuries. This is a team that had no expectations at the beginning of the season and now they will most likely make it to the playoffs barring any collapse. I normally would want them to succeed but the reason why I don’t like this team is because of their ownership crew. ALEX RODRIGUEZ! (I hate him because my dad is a Red Sox fan and A-Rod played for the Yankees) Yes he is an unlikable personality and recently was with J-Lo for a good bit of time but his crew has brought instant success to this franchise on the court. Minnesotans please approve the voting for a new arena. Because we know Rodriguez is going to try to take the team out of the state to Vegas if he could.
New Orleans Pelicans (Where’s Zion?): I thought this team was done after that 1-11 start. The Pelicans looked like they would rev up the tanks back in November but then realize, oh right they still have some talent on the roster. Brandon Ingram has played up to his big boy contract and has been the catalyst for their return to playoff contention. Devonte Graham went from bum early in the season to key player following the full court shot in OKC. Recognizing that the playoffs are within striking distance, they decided to trade for CJ McCollum who like Ingram is a fearless scorer. There is one question involving the hopes and future of this team. Zion. Will he come back? If Williamson returns this team has a shot at the play-in. If he doesn’t they will probably won’t be able to make it. Benson Family please don’t ruin Zion like you did with Anthony Davis before he went to LA. For all of our sakes.
Oklahoma City Thunder (Rebuilding Year): Get the tanks out of the shed there’s going to be massive stretches without a winning streak. It’s honestly for the best with this squad considering that they have only 2 good players. You better hope the Draft Lottery is in your favor!
Phoenix Suns (Revenge Tour): There are 2 types of teams in the NBA this season. The Phoenix Suns, AND EVERYONE ELSE! This is a squad that has clearly proven that last year’s run to the NBA Finals wasn’t a fluke. Although they want a different ending than falling to the Greek Freak in 4 straight games. CP3 even in his mid 30s is still one of the top PGs in the league. Devin Booker has played even better than he did in the regular season, and has become a bonafide superstar. DeAndre Ayton continues to roast teams with no Center depth. (Ask the Bucks, Warriors, and Nets) Their bench is even stronger excluding the injuries to Cameron Payne and Landry Shemet. That crew features a revived Bismack Biyombo, JaVale McGee, Cam Johnson, and Aaron Holiday. My biggest concern with the Suns is that Golden State is on their tails. (Along with Memphis) If they are going to get the Top Seed in the West, they will need to win about 63 games to do so. They are on pace to get there but can they stay healthy? Even if the injury bug hits they still have enough pieces to crush the bottom playoff teams in conference. I expect big things from you guys down the stretch with the all in moves, DON’T LET ME DOWN!
Portland Trail Blazers (Operation Nuke): WHAT THE HECK IS THIS!? What kind of underachieving and agony is this! Wasn’t Chauncey Billups supposed to change the culture of this team and bring them a deep playoff run. All he has done so far is be completely underprepared to compete against the big boys. (The Steve Nash of the Western Conference) To be fair their record at home is near the top of the league and Damian Lillard loves playing in front of his home crowd when healthy. HAVE YOU SEEN THEIR RECORD AWAY FROM THE MODA CENTER!? At one point it was 4-18. This team can’t play on the road. And not to mention they have just wasted quite possibly their most consistent era of success since the 1970s. BRING OUT THE GUILLOTINE! CJ McCollum traded to New Orleans, Norman Powell traded to the Clippers, they had a deal with Dallas that would have given the Mavs Jusef Nurkic but that trade didn’t go through. I have one request for this team. TRADE DAME! You are not winning a championship let alone making another playoff run with this core. Get him out of here so he can join a real team. No wonder why they wasted Lillard the same way they did with Clyde Drexler. Now watch him create a superteam away from Portland. The Merry Band of Underachievers reigns supreme yet again!
Sacramento Kings (YOU DID WHAT?): Another year where the Kings are drinking the stupid juice both on the court and in the front office. To be fair they are within striking distance of a spot in the Play-in Round but they’re concern is that they are in the Pacific Division which features the 2 best teams in the West and the LA media sensations. For a team that fired Luke Walton early in the season and yet is still in the hunt just shows you how weak this conference truly is. De’Aaron Fox is playing up to his contract, no surprise there. They saw the opportunity of the 10th seed in the playoffs and went for it. Domantas Sabonis, and Donte DiVincenzo come on down to SACTOWN. It may cost their top prospect to the Pacers but they are starting to build for future runs. I would roast Ranadive for drinking the stupid juice but he like the franchise he owns is desperate for their 1st playoff berth in almost 2 decades. They need a Chris Webber type talent to save them now. (Who knows, maybe Fox or Sabonis can do it)
San Antonio Spurs (The Dawn of the Dinosaurs): Did you like the era where you developed great talents, and had the most underrated dynasty in NBA History? Well it just happens to be the time where the Basketball Gods want you to be punished. The Spurs have tried to avoid this fate for years thanks to their attempts to keep the playoff streak alive. Now they must suffer the fate of all of their big time players over the years leaving for new teams. At least they got out of the DeRozan and Aldridge contracts. I’ll give them that. The only reason that this team is in the hunt with the record that they have at this moment is because the Western Conference is a gongshow from seeds 7-15. This team is literally Dejounte Murray carrying a team of players that are old and mediocre, or young and mediocre. Not even Coach Popp can help lead this team far in the end. Even the great coaches struggle to carry bad teams to the playoffs.
Utah Jazz (Gaining Experience): The Jazz are a really hard team to crack this season. Last year they were the feel good juggernaut that got spanked by the Clippers in 4 straight, this year they have shown shades of that form but have struggled recently. Most of that is due to Rudy Gobert dealing with injuries as of late. If this squad is healthy with Gobert and Donovan Mitchell leading the way they are a dark horse candidate for a finals run. The biggest blow that they did suffer was Joe Ingles (CRACK!) suffering a torn ACL. At least Jordan Clarkson is there in his place. Like last year they have little expectations thanks to the media, and they have nothing to lose. All they can hope for is that they don’t run out of gas at the end of the season and fall victim to the big boys in the conference. How long until ESPN calls for Quin Snyder’s head? PAUSE.
The West is going to be very interesting in terms of the play-in situation. Any one who gets the 8 seed or 9-10 shouldn’t be anywhere near the playoffs but hey this is how this league works. I’m interested to see how Phoenix will do with Golden State returning to full strength. And will Memphis have enough gas in the tank to compete with the 2 headed monster. The All Star game better not be boring again.
Bragging Rights Sports 