Actually, DeMar DeRozan rules the world

Hello. I’m glad you’re here. Let’s basketball.

DEMAR DEGOD: DeMar DeRozan continues to tour the world engulfed by flames. He dropped 37 on the Thunder to lead Toronto to 112-102 victory. He’s scored at least 30 in six of Toronto’s seven games, and is averaging 34 per night. What a start!

IN OTHER NEWS: The Otto Porter Game! Otto Porter went for 34 and 14 in the Wizards’ big win over the reeling Celtics. Zach Lavine dropped 37 in a Wolves win, and the Warriors had four players each hit four threes for the first time ever. Plus ...

THE BEARD DECIDES: James Harden had a triple-double to lead the Rockets to a big win over the Spurs. That triple-double came with 15 assists. All beard, all the time. Here’s Zach Lowe on the present and future of Harden and Houston.

INTRODUCING: REALITY INDEX. I have a new weekly column running on Wednesday called Reality Index. I’ll look at a handful of teams, players, trends or things and assess just whether to believe in them or not. The first edition focuses on whether Anthony Davis deserves any blame for the Pelicans’ sad start. I also look at the Wolves, Hornets, and Thunder. Check it out.

THEY’RE BAAACK: Flanns and Gonz talk about how fun the Lakers have been on the Drive & Kick podcast.

SCORES GALORE ...

Nets 96, Knicks 110
Celtics 93, Wizards 118
Jazz 98, Hornets 104
Wolves 123, Magic 107
Sixers 115, Pacers 122 (OT)
Bulls 107, Hawks 115
Raptors 112, Thunder 102
Pistons 100, Suns 107
Rockets 101, Spurs 99
Blazers 80, Clippers 111
Mavericks 95, Warriors 116

THE ELEPHANTS IN THE ROOM: On Wednesday, the NBA (along with the rest of the world) reacted to the election of Donald Trump as the next President of the United States. Stan Van Gundy had a most righteous rant about not wanting to perform in front of Trump voters in Phoenix on Wednesday. (He probably should not look at the Michigan electoral map when the Pistons’ road trip ends.) Steve Kerr compared our national political conversation to The Jerry Springer Show. Carmelo Anthony said he and other prominent folks have more responsibility than ever to set an example for young people. Doc Rivers tried to calm nerves. Rachel Nichols breaks down the intersection of sports and politics through the prism of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s career. Meanwhile, both the Cavaliers and Trump will be visiting the White House today to chat with President Obama. Presumably at different times.

IN RELATED NEWS: Marc Spears on how Gregg Popovich became the most woke coach in the NBA.

SURREALITY: Nice piece at The Ringer from Micah Peters on what it was like to be at a Lakers game as it became clear the country elected Trump.

ALL OF THE LIGHTS: Tom Haberstroh has a wicked story on how Steph Curry and Kawhi Leonard uses strobe lights to train their brains.

THIS IS COOL.

AND ANOTHER ONE: The Hawks announce they are creating a D-League franchise that will play in College Park.

SUPER FAKE: Andrew Bogut had some not-thinly veiled comments on the fakeness of relationships in the NBA.

THIS HAPPENED: Trey Kerby, in full regalia, talks to Robin Lopez about superheroes.

I MEAN, SURE: Joakim Noah, out of ideas, resorts to throwing the ball at the backboard.

R.I.P. GREG BALLARD.

NEXT UP: Your TNT doubleheader is Bulls-Heat (8 p.m. ET) and Lakers-Kings (!) (10:30 p.m.). Pelicans-Bucks (8 p.m.) and Warriors-Nuggets (9 p.m.) are on League Pass.

AND FINALLY: If you need a little joy in your life right now, here’s the aptly named Memphis Grizzlies mascot Grizz stripping to Ginuwine’s “Pony.” You’re welcome.

Be excellent to each other.