Good morning. Let’s basketball.
Good morning. David Blatt just bought himself some drama.
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EVERYONE’S A WINNER: Paul Flannery’s Sunday Shootaround focused on the fact that there have been so many trades so early. Why? A big reason is that there are no clear favorites in either conference, so teams in the mix can convince themselves to make big moves to leap up. A very interesting discussion. Plus, all of your other weekly Shootaround goodies. Check it out.
OH BLATT: So the Cavaliers lost their fifth straight, getting blown out by the Kings on Sunday. After the game, David Blatt made a real unfortunate mistake in talking about Kevin Love’s contract. That is going to bite him in the tail very hard.
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED? The Hawks’ streak continued with a complete and utter dismissal of the Wizards. Atlanta has a 3.5-game lead in the East. WHAT THE HAWK?
MEANWHILE, THE KNICKS ... They did not have a very good Sunday. Getting smoked by the Hornets is usually not recommended.. New York is now four games behind Philly for the worst record in the East. Here’s your reminder that Atlanta was exactly one game better than the Knicks last season. At least Phil Jackson is talking the blame for his team’s demise.
DEAR DAME ALMIGHTY: Damian Lillard had one of his signature fourth quarters to get the Blazers past the Lakers, but wasn’t content with just that, so he gave two Lakers the gift of Basketball Death. May they find peace in a place where no big man is ever dunked on.
NURKIC IS EVERYTHING: Not a lot of rookies stepping to DeMarcus Cousins and taunting him, but Jusuf Nurkic is not a normal rookie.
TIME MANAGEMENT: Interesting Insider piece by Tom Haberstroh on rest, minutes management and the long NBA schedule.
AWESOME: Hank Aaron is now involved in the neat local team ownership bid for the Hawks, reports Marc Stein.
TREVOR BOOKIT! On Friday Trevor Booker hit a contender for Weird Trick Shot of the Year on an expiring shot clock. Literally dozens of young Utahns will be practicing that one in their snow- and ice-covered driveways.
THE J.R. SMITH ERA IN SIX SECONDS: It’s about five days old by now, but whatever, it’s the perfect Vine to explain the heretofore 0-4 J.R. Smith era in Cleveland.
YESSS: John Henson has arrived!
MORE TRADES! Brandan Wright to Phoenix for a highly protected pick in a move that could haunt Dallas. Jeff Green to the Grizzlies in a convoluted deal that will be completed on Monday.
ON MARK JACKSON AND CATERPILLARS: Mark Jackson worked the Warriors’ Friday night game, which led to some commentary on the state of Golden State. Jackson elbowed out some credit for the way they are playing. That’s probably not fair to Steve Kerr.
Happy Monday. See you next time, my friends.
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