Around the NBA — Week 8: Clippers are Climbing
When you put a team together that includes James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Russell Westbrook and Paul George, soon enough good things should happen.
After a shaky run post-trade for Harden, the Clippers are now 16–10 on the back of an 8 game winning streak, with the team clicking on both ends of the court.
Harden has been balling as the primary playmaker and facilitator for a Clippers team that’s been rolling— and he’s capped off this current win streak with a vintage performance against the Pacers, scoring 35 points including a career-high 21 in the 4th Quarter that included 4 straight 3s.
The chemistry has been noticeable on the court, and the Clippers are playing with a much greater freedom and focus. Harden’s ball-handling and playmaking allows for the rest of the Clippers to play to their strengths instead of exerting energy on facilitating and initiating the offence — and Kawhi Leonard has been the main beneficiary. Kawhi’s been especially great during this streak where he’s averaged 29.3 PPG / 5.5 RPG / 4.0 APG with shooting splits of 62.3 FG% / 54.8 3FG% / 95.1 FT% — insane stuff.
As a whole, the Clippers have been terrific on both ends of the floor. Currently, they sit within the top 10 of both Offensive Rating (8th) and Defensive Rating (7th) in the NBA and own the 2nd best Net Rating during their 8-game win streak.
They’ve had a great December so far and continue to climb up the rankings of the bloodbath that is the Western Conference this season. Could this finally be the year where we see their potential finally being fulfilled? Time is ticking for this ageing group but it’s the best that the team has ever looked in the Kawhi and PG era. Regardless, it’s just fun to see Harden do his thing and show why he’s one of the best players of all time.
Top Moments
Meanwhile, the Bucks are Running Up the East
From one conference to the other, we’ve got another contending team that seems to have found their rhythm on the back of a blockbuster trade for a superstar guard.
The Bucks are on a tear right now, winning 4 in a row and holding 2nd position in the Eastern Conference. They’re averaging 134.5(!) PPG and leading the league in overall FG% in their last 8 games.
The scariest thing is that they look like they could even reach another level with Damian Lillard finding his rhythm and Khris Middleton returning from injury. Dame’s been especially great during their recent run of games, averaging 28 PPG and shooting 46.6% from 3 point range over his last 8 games.
But this team starts and ends with Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is having a fantastic, MVP-level season. In his last 8 outings, Giannis is averaging 32.4 PPG / 11.8 RPG / 7.0 APG while shooting 63.4% from the field. This past week alone, Giannis made all of the headlines, scoring a career-high, franchise-record 64 points against the Pacers in a dominating display — give this man the damn game-ball!
There’s a lot of NBA left in this season but I wouldn’t be surprised to see this team at the top of the East at the end of the season. I’m excited to see how this group will perform come playoff time — it’s been a treat to watch their offensive dominance.
The Draymond Problem
Not again, Draymond.
In one of the most bizarre moments of the season, Draymond Green struck Jusuf Nurkic trying to sell a call with a violent swing to the head. He was immediately ejected, receiving a flagrant 2 for the violation and the NBA has now suspended Green indefinitely where the league has mandated for him to meet certain league and team conditions before he can return to action.
It’s already the 3rd time this season that Green has been ejected, and he’s now serving his 2nd suspension already — we’re only just 20 and a bit games in!
Green’s always been an enforcer but lately, his antics have seemed to have gone too far where they’ve been beyond reckless and borderline dangerous.
The Warriors just can’t afford to lose Draymond at this crucial point of their season — they’re in a precarious position staring at the play-in spots from the outside with wins needed. Green is a vital part of the Warriors’ offence and defence for his leadership, positioning and playmaking and without him, the Warriors face an even tougher uphill battle to force themselves into a competitive position in a Western Conference that’s been getting stronger around them since their last championship run.
Quick Hitters
- The Bulls without Lavine — This team looks completely different. They’re playing with greater freedom and energy (almost like removing a disgruntled star player can bring team morale up) and have looked competitive in their last couple of outings. Coby White has been shining, averaging 25.8 PPG / 6.8 RPG / 6.8 APG in his last 8 games.
- No 4th Quarters for Joel Embiid — Just this season alone, Embiid’s sat out the 4th quarter of 8 different games where he’s scored 30 or more that the 76ers have won — tied for the record for a season (Steph Curry in 2015–16). The 76ers have been steamrolling through the NBA over the last 2 weeks, averaging 126.6 PPG and blowing teams out early.
- The Short Debut of the Suns’ Big 3 — After much excitement for the debut of the Suns’ big 3 of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, all the air was sucked out of the building in the 2nd game as Beal came down with a serious-looking ankle injury. He’ll be out for only a couple of weeks but again we’re forced to wait and see what this team can truly do when all 3 stars are playing together.
- Anfernee Simons Returns — They’re not setting the world on fire in Portland but it’s an exciting time for Blazers fans as arguably their best player has returned from injury and has played his first games this season. Already making an impact and averaging 25.4 PPG this season.
- Shaky Time in Cleveland — The Cavaliers find themselves in a tricky position out in the Eastern Conference after their young duo of Evan Mobley and Darius Garland both succumbed to injuries that will keep them out for an extended period of time. They’re currently sitting 6th in the East and will be tested over the coming weeks to break away from the dreaded play-in zone while navigating rumours of Donovan Mitchell leaving for a new team in the off-season.
Performance of the Week
Jalen Brunson against the Phoenix Suns — 50 points / 9 assists / 5 rebounds / 5 steals / 17–23 from the field and 9–9 from three point range in a win.
He’s the first player in NBA history to score 50 points in a game without missing a three pointer. It gets even crazier — Brunson was damaging in the 2nd half, scoring 35 points on 12-of-12 shooting, including 8-of-8 from three point range!
The King of New York.
Play of the Week
Let me step back and KISS myself! The first buzzer-beating game winner of the season, delivered by the man that promised he’d get the next one — Jimmy. G. Buckets.
The G stands for GETS.
