In this weeks 13 Rules: Random NBA Thoughts Steve dives into random NBA thoughts from Week 12 NBA games – KD’s bitterness, AD’s injury and of course the Trae Young trade. Make sure to listen and add the 13 Rules: NBA Random Thoughts podcast the Shot Clock Pod to your list!
Kevin Durant and the Suns
Kevin Durant saying he was a scapegoat for the Phoenix Suns has to make you wonder what he’s thinking. The facts are simple: Durant was the highest-paid player on the Suns last year. With the Suns going 36-46 last year, somebody has to take the blame, and it stands to reason the highest-paid player should be front and center. I think Kevin needs to understand that with the money comes expectations.
Phoenix Suns’ Surprising Turnaround
Speaking of the Phoenix Suns, they are an interesting study. Today, they are seventh in the West at 23-15. The aforementioned Durant was traded to Houston for Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green. Green has only played two games this year, but Brooks has been integral in their success, averaging over 20 points a game and being a pest defensively. Devin Booker is averaging 25.5, and unknown third-year player Collin Gillespie is scoring 13.9 points with 4.9 assists—a pleasant surprise. Overlooked is Mark Williams.
Williams is the guy the Lakers traded for and then canceled the deal due to poor medicals. Phoenix acquired him from the Charlotte Hornets this summer. Williams, in 23.8 minutes, is scoring 12.3 points and grabbing 8.2 rebounds per game. Keep in mind the Suns finished last year in eleventh place. There is something to be said for a younger, hungrier team.
Trae Young Trade
Trae Young was finally traded this week. It was something that was going to happen for a while. The surprise was that they didn’t get the haul they thought they would. They received CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. McCollum’s $30 million contract expires at the end of this season, and Kispert has two more years at $13 million with a team option for the third season. It’s surprising that Young was essentially traded for $30 million of cap room.
Anthony Davis Injury
Anthony Davis was injured last night, and the early reports are he may need surgery. The Dallas Mavericks were trying to trade him, but the injury could cause Davis to be out past the trade deadline. If so, it means the Mavs will probably keep him. Davis’ contract can be extended this summer, so Dallas needs to figure out what they want to do. Davis has this year and next year left on a contract that pays him about $60 million. Though Davis is talented, I don’t know if many teams want to extend him when he misses so many games. This year, Davis has played in just 20 of the Mavs’ 38 games.
Ja Morant’s Future
The Memphis Grizzlies are listening to offers for Ja Morant. I think his value has shrunk over the last few years. Ja, another often-injured player, has played 18 of 38 games. Coupled with the problems he had with his coach, Tuomas Iisalo, earlier this year, it doesn’t make him highly marketable.
James Dolan and the Knicks
This week, James Dolan, New York Knicks owner, was interviewed for the first time in a few years. He said Tom Thibodeau was fired because he didn’t collaborate with the hierarchy of the Knicks. This leads to the question: what’s more important—winning or making the front office happy? Keep in mind nobody expected the Knicks to beat the Celtics in the playoffs last year, and the Thibs-led Knicks pulled it off.
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Record Chase
Everyone, including myself, thought the Oklahoma City Thunder would have a shot at breaking the record for wins in a season. The record was 73 games by the Golden State Warriors. The Thunder have lost four games in the last ten and now have seven losses. This means they could only lose one more game to break the record.
