Good morning, Kevin Love is all you need
In Wednesday’s NBA newsletter: Kevin Love goes nuts again, DeMarcus Cousins goes nuts in a different way and everything else.
Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Good morning. Let’s basketball.
LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED: Kevin Love is singlehandedly carrying the Timberwolves toward something like respectability. He scored 30+ for the sixth straight game as Minnesota got a critical win over the Suns on Tuesday, and was one assist from a triple-double. He’s had a scorching hot February, and the Wolves are within 5.5 games of the No. 8 seed with the Grizz in their way.
BOOGIE NIGHT: The Kings got utterly blown out at home by the Rockets, and DeMarcus Cousins picked up his league-leading 14th and 15th technical fouls in the third for arguing calls and, well, screaming at ref Courtney Kirkland. Cousins is currently averaging a tech every 3.2 games.
HARDEN FAST: Cousins was only a small piece of the reason the Rockets won so easily: James Harden dropped 43 ... while sitting the entire fourth quarter.
MORE SCORES: Get all of your recaps here.
INVISIBILITY AND BIGNESS: David Roth with a beautiful essay on Jason Collins’ debut in Los Angeles.
SPEAKING OF WHICH: The Phoenix Suns and WNBA Mercury released a statement opposing an Arizona bill aimed at normalizing anti-gay discrimination.
A TANK TOO FAR: In Tuesday’s Hook I explored whether Sam Hinkie has made the Sixers too awful. Lots of interesting conversation in the comments.
DING DONG: Perk is gone. For six weeks at least.
BUYOUTS!: Caron Butler should soon depart the Bucks. He might end up in Miami. Jimmer Fredette is free of the Kings. Memphis is said to be interested. Recently waived Earl Clark will join the Knicks. (Surely this ...)
SPEAKING OF JIMMER: On Fredette and unfulfilled promise.
A SURPRISINGLY GOOD DEAL: Drew Garrison raves about the Warriors’ move to bring in Steve Blake.
NOPE: The NBA is not seriously considering adding a four-point line. Sorry, ‘Toine.
MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERED: Zach Lowe has five unanswered questions in the wake of the deadline.
D-LEAGUE: The Delaware 87ers are weird.
WELP: The great Nilay Patel at our sibling site The Verge on why the internet is screwed and how we can fix it.
Happy Wednesday. See you next time.
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