The forgotten brilliance of Russell Westbrook: @jackhaveitall
So obviously everyone wants to talk about the Anthony Davis shot, and well that makes sense, because it was one of the most impressive basketball moments I’ve ever seen. But what’s crazy is that Davis’ shot in essence erased what was a brilliant performance from Russell Westbrook. Poof, irrelevant, just like that.
When people say #LetWestbrookBeWestbrook, this is what they want to let happen. The other night Russ dropped 45 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists on the Pelicans to lead the Thunder to a much needed win, and then tonight he just went out and played even better!
In 40 minutes he was a one man wrecking crew, barreling through the Pelicans defense time and again for 48 points (on 15-28 shooting), 9 rebounds, and 11 assists. Plus he chipped in 4 steals, because, hey, why not? Plus, he hit three free throws to tie the game in the waning seconds, which should have sent it to overtime, if not for Mr. Davis’ heroics.
He was drilling pull-up threes, he was getting to the rim, he had the mid-range working, he was screaming and celebrating as only he can; it was an all-time great regular season performance. So watch this, because we can’t let it be forgotten.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKYTxHGYj7g
Giannis rising: @jackhaveitall
The other night Giannis set a career high with 25 points, which was sweet. But then tonight he came out and one-upped himself, dropping at 27 and 15 spot on the Rockets.
And low key, but Gianny is now averaging 17 and 10, with 2 blocks and 3 assists a night over his last five games. This kid can play, man, and he just barely turned 20. He’s just a little less than two years younger than me, and I can’t take it. Like, how can he be so good so young?
He had a sequence tonight where he was guarding Terrence Jones one-on-one, and he moved his feet, stayed in front of him, and forced Jones into a spinning lefty hook that ended up being a brick. Then Giannis went and snatched the rebound, pushed it up the floor himself, and fired a laser from halfcourt to Ersan for a layup.
That’s not just a young kid using his athleticism to get on the highlight reel, that is a damn good player showing the first signs of his possibly transcendent ability.
George Hill’s magical streak-ending shot: @jackhaveitall
I didn’t watch the Cavs-Pacers game because me and a few buddies were tuned into Warriors-Hawks instead. And anyway, we checked the score early on and the Cavs had a comfortable lead, so we just assumed it was over.
And then all of a sudden we spotted the scoreboard on League Pass said the Pacers were winning. Which, of course, we had to double-check to make sure it wasn’t a typo. I mean, the Cavs That’s one very underrated aspect of having nights with a dozen games. You check a score early on, then forget about that game. Then all of a sudden you catch the score an hour or so later, and it’s completely different and you have no idea what happened, and it’s all very confusing and hectic.
This wasn’t supposed to happen. The Cavs were on a 12 game winning streak, marching through the league like Godzilla, trampling anything that came in their path. Just last night they eviscerated the Clippers, going up by 30+ points in the third quarter. To lose to the Pacers, that was unthinkable. No, the streak would continue right along.
“Nah” – George Hill and the Basketball Gods. Of all the ways for the Cavs’ streak to end, this was the most absurd. I don’t even think Hill thought that making that shot was a possibility. It’s just an instinct to fling the ball as the basket once you get fouled. It’s too bad for Hill that his shot came on the greatest regular season night of NBA basketball in a long time. On another night, this would be the leading story, the number one play on Sports Center. But tonight? Relegated to subheadings and back pages. Sorry, George.