Make sure to listen and add the 13 Rules: NBA Random Thoughts podcast to your list! Steve and Jose elaborate on these articles, discuss former greats and interview NBA champions and a current NBA referee! This week Steve shares his thoughts after NBA Week 13.
NBA Week 13 – Western Conference
- The Oklahoma City Thunder thrashing of the Cleveland Cavaliers last week made them the midway point favorite to win the title. The Thunder’s largest lead in the game was over 40 points. The Thunder did this without their two bigs, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. Luguentz Dort completely shut down Donovan Mitchell as Mitchell shot three for fifteen, scoring only eight points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the MVP favorite, went for 40 in 29 minutes. It was total domination by the Thunder.
- The Sacramento Kings have made a great turn around since the firing of Mike Brown. They have gone 8- 2 since. In those ten games the Kings have been a top five defensive team and a top ten offensive team. 5. Going back to the Kings, the hiring of Doug Christie as their coach receives a great deal of credit for the turn around. Mike Brown, the former coach, is a more experienced coach but the team wasn’t hearing him anymore. It has been said his pointing out mistakes both publicly and privately wore his players down. Christie, on the other hand, is considered more encouraging and positive. This doesn’t speak well of the modern players in their ability to handle criticism.
- Take a look at the Western Conference standings. The San Antonio Spurs are presently in 12th place but they are only 3.5 games out of 6th, where the Lakers sit. If the season ended today San Antonio (19-29) and the Golden State Warriors (20-20) would not make the playoffs. Those records are usually good enough to at least make the play-in game in most seasons.
NBA Week 13 – Eastern Conference
- The Boston Celtics have had some problems. They have gone 7-7 over their last 14 games. It’s difficult identifying exactly why. Two interesting points we can look at. First is they’re losing the fourth quarter. Over the 14 games the Celtics are seven points behind their opponent in the fourth quarter. This includes three Celtic wins of over 20 points which helped pad their fourth quarter numbers. The other points is their defense. They do not pressure the ball and are a mess on any screening action on the ball handler. Defending champions usually go through difficult times in the season after their title but this Celtic team is really struggling.
- The Atlanta Hawks have been playing through injuries to key players, De’Andre Hunter, Jalen Johnson. Trae Young, first pick in the draft Zaccharie Rissacher and for an extended time Larry Nance. The Hawks appear to be weathering this as they sit in 7th place but only 1.5 games behind the fourth place Milwaukee Bucks.
- The New York Knicks are also struggling. In the last week one of their defensive stalwarts, OG Anunoby has had a tough time. Sunday against the Bucks he was called four two quick fouls in the first four minutes against Giannis Antetokounmpo and Monday night he was torched by Cade Cunningham in the third quarter. In both games Mikal Bridges switched on to those two. With one of the Knicks problems – depth, the question is, if they could do it again would the Knicks have dealt Anunoby for RJ Barrett, who is averaging 22.4 points a game this year, and Immanuel Quickley? Debate that amongst yourselves Knick fans and let us know what you think!
