Make sure to listen and add the 13 Rules: NBA Random Thoughts podcast to your list! This week Steve shares his thoughts after NBA Week 22. The Wolves, Wizards and Timberwolves are trending up – The Kings need a big – The Pistons are back and more NBA Random Thoughts!
NBA Week 22 – Random Thoughts
- If you have the chance, listen to Bill Simmons’ podcast from March 13. In the pod, he and Kirk Goldsberry discuss how to save the NBA. It was quite interesting, though I don’t think the NBA needs saving. Among their ideas: playing a 69-game season and starting the season in December, concluding in July, thus avoiding more of the football season. The idea made sense, but the only problem is that the NBA Players Association would never agree to fewer games because it would mean less money for their players.
- To be eligible for league honors, a player needs to play 65 games. The following star players are already ineligible for honors: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball, Luka Dončić, Kawhi Leonard, Norman Powell, Victor Wembanyama, and Anthony Davis. The following players need to play in games before the end of the season to be eligible: Jaylen Brown (9), Jalen Brunson (4), Damian Lillard (7), Giannis Antetokounmpo (8), Tyrese Maxey (must play every game), Jalen Williams (4), Nikola Jokić (3), Jamal Murray (4), LeBron James (7), Jaren Jackson Jr. (2), Draymond Green (9), Stephen Curry (5), Domantas Sabonis (7), and Kevin Durant (8).
NBA Week 22 – Eastern Conference
- The new Celtics ownership group, led by Bill Chisholm, just bought the team for $6.1 billion. This is the highest sale price of a team in sports history. It also opens the door for expansion in the league. Keep in mind, the Celtics pay over $500 million a year in salary and luxury tax. The big question everybody is asking: Are the Celtics going to continue paying this exorbitant fee, or will the new owners order management to cut salary?
- What to make of the Cleveland Cavaliers losing three straight games? It could be boredom, but a couple of things to note: Teams are putting Evan Mobley in isolation defending opposing teams’ guards and having success. Mobley is considered a defensive star. The Cavs’ hunt for the title makes losing three in a row unusual because teams at the top don’t usually lose more than two in a row.
- Every time you think the Bucks are figuring it out and can be dangerous, they struggle. They were rolling at 38-25; since then, they have gone 3-5. What’s alarming is that four of those losses are to Oklahoma City, Golden State, Cleveland, and Indiana. To be a good team, you have to beat good teams.
- What’s going on with the Knicks? They were blown out on back-to-back nights by San Antonio and Charlotte—two teams I wouldn’t consider NBA powers. I know Jalen Brunson is out and it’s a big loss, but you have to beat those two teams. This comes on the heels of a reported discussion between Tom Thibodeau and Mikal Bridges about starter minutes.
NBA Week 22 – Western Conference
- The Los Angeles Clippers have won four in a row and seven of their last eight. Despite this, they sit seventh in the Western Conference. This means a play-in game. In this stretch, Ivica Zubac has been dominant, averaging 21 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.
