Good morning. Somebody stop the Warriors before they take over the world.
That and more in Thursday’s NBA newsletter.
Good morning. Let’s basketball.
NO CONTEST: It appears that the Warriors have solved the Grizzlies. Golden State went nuts from beyond the arc and crushed Memphis for the second straight game to take a 3-2 lead in the series. Stephen Curry and Harrison Barnes (Playoff Harry!) were extraordinary, and the defense was just impenetrable. Tony Allen sat with an injury so we couldn’t see Dave Joerger’s specific counters to the Bogut-as-rover strategy, but I’m not sure any counter could have gotten Memphis there on Wednesday.
SPEAKING OF OFFENSIVE WOES ... Al Horford’s (very) late offensive rebound and putback put the Hawks up 3-2 in their series with an 82-81 win. The rebound itself is just extraordinary considering where Horford came from on the court.
You may have noticed Paul Pierce turn to say something to the Hawks bench after his late three put the Wizards up one. He reportedly said “Series!” Moments later, Atlanta won. Welp!
John Wall played and was solid, especially on defense. This dude has five fractures in his left hand and wrist. And he’s doing this!
AND THE ACADEMY AWARD GOES TO: One of the better staged Kiss Cam gags you’ll see.
TONIGHT! Closeout games?
Cavs at Bulls, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, CLE up 3-2
Rockets at Clips, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, LA up 3-2
A JON BOIS SPECIAL: Grocery shoppin’ with David Blatt.
ANACHRONISMS: Paul Flannery and I talked about how we talk about Phil Jackson and other old-school basketball thinkers. Do we unnecessarily dismiss that which doesn’t fit the predominant basketball worldview?
ON BOUILLABAISSE: In that piece, I assert that bouillabaisse is gross. I have received some pushback on this. This is a subject about which I feel strongly. I am sure that there are spots in France that are very proud of their bouillabaisse. I’m sure there are places in major American metropolises that feel they have an authentic and worthy bouillabaisse. Some of you home Master Chefs probably have a strong bouillabaisse in your repertoire. But I’m sorry, in the end it is still fish stew. Mystery fish stew, usually. If you get another fancy stew like beef bourguignon, you’re not really going to get any surprises in there. Some good beef, a flavorful sauce, some basic vegetables. In bouillabaisse, there are fish no one would ever otherwise eat. Fish you’ve never heard of. National Geographic stuff. Nah, man. Do not want. Give me a lobster bisque and fried cod over a damn mystery fish stew any day.
THE UNDERRATED LEGEND: Flannery on Paul Pierce’s legacy.
OH DEAR: Dion Waiters: The Sequel.
OH DEAR THE SEQUEL: There is another Shaq.
HOW MANY TITLES SHOULD YOUR TEAM HAVE WON? Tom Haberstroh does the math.
ANOTHER YEAR ... Another opportunity for draft prospects to wear 3-inch lifts to measure out taller.
SKIP THIS ITEM, MEMPHIS: A pretty neat fan song set to the tune of “Let It Be” dedicated to Stephen Curry.
THE OCCASIONALLY UNSTOPPABLE: Zito Madu on LeBron’s part-time ultradominance.
THE NEXT LEVEL OF SCOUTING: How scouts are analyzing Myles Turner’s gait to see into the future.
Happy Thursday. See you next time.
