Good morning. Never fall asleep when the Warriors are playing.
That and more in Friday’s NBA newsletter.
Good morning. Are we alive? Is this real? Did Stephen Curry murder us all in our sleep? Let’s basketball.
THE BABY-FACED ASSASSIN: If you went to bed after the third quarter, at which point the Pelicans led the Warriors by 20 ... well, that was a bad decision mate. The Warriors indeed came all of the way back, capped by an impossible-for-humans Steph corner triple, and capped again in overtime with the most important miss of Anthony Davis’ young career. The only thing you need to read in Paul Flannery’s crushing live report from NOLA. My heart hurts for the valiant Pelicans.
KEVIN LOVE! Everything thinks Kevin Love might bail on Cleveland this summer, but this is his first playoff experience and that big game on Thursday must have felt awesome. He led the Cavaliers to a 3-0 lead in their series with the Celtics. Cleveland can finish Boston on Sunday.
NO SERIOUSLY, DERRICK ROSE IS BACK: Derrick Rose carried the Bulls to a Game 3 win over the Bucks. Keep in mind that Milwaukee had the league’s No. 2 defense in the regular season. Rose has had a good offensive series against them. With him healthy, Chicago’s a different and altogether scary team.
THE 7 WAYS TO UNDERSTAND MIKE CONLEY’S BRILLIANCE: Mike Prada with a wonderful breakdown of how Memphis’ PG has killed the Blazers.
ANT MAN CAN LEGITIMATELY FLY: Anthony Davis’ reaction time and leaping ability are incredible.
DRAYMOND GREEN HAS FORFEITED THE HIGH GROUND: If somehow the Warriors end up playing the Clippers this spring, Draymond Green is no longer allowed to complain about flops. Not after this egregious acting job.
SPEAKING OF DRAY ... Kawhi Leonard won Defensive Player of the Year over Green in a very tight race. Draymond then compared himself to Al Gore.
WE’RE JUST GOING TO LEAVE THIS HERE: Shaq’s NOLA accent.
OLLIE IS OUT: Kevin Ollie reiterates that he will not jump to the NBA next season, which makes Billy Donovan the favorite in OKC. Bethlehem Shoals wrote a defense of Scott Brooks. I also enjoyed Zach Lowe’s piece on the Thunder without Brooks.
THE DEFIANT WITTMAN: Michael Lee with an excellent look at how Randy Wittman defies the jokes, criticisms and hate.
DEAR EVAN TURNER: Please don’t try to dunk on LeBron.
INTERESTING: Seth Partnow explains why intentionally fouling DeAndre Jordan is a particularly bad idea.
BEST CROSSOVER IN THE LEAGUE: Kyrie.
NOT BASKETBALL, BUT ... How a drug kingpin turned fitness entrepreneur became human.
Happy Friday. Never turn off a Western Conference playoff game, no matter the score. See you next time.
