On the seventh day of Knicksmas, Michael Beasley gave to me
32 points, 12 rebounds, and a sweet MFing victory
Michael Beasley gave the Celtics BUCKETS for Christmas
We have that and more in Friday’s NBA newsletter.
Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images
Beasus is on one. The mercurial scorer had his second 30-point game in a week for the Knicks. He led New York to a 102-93 win over the Celtics on TNT, helping the Knicks survive despite a shocking 0-11 shooting night for Kristaps Porzingis.
The dirty little secret is that SuperCoolBeas was a useful, valued member of the Bucks last season. His move to New York had the potential to implode because, well, it’s New York and it’s Michael Beasley. But to his credit, he’s embraced his role, played it straight (outside of media appearances, where he’s been like Kyrie Irving on acid), and stayed off TMZ. He’s basically taken the J.R. Smith mantle both on the court and in the lore.
The Knicks are now three games over .500 and in the No. 8 spot in the East. Isn’t that mighty interesting? I wonder if, say, Carmelo Anthony finds that mighty interesting.
By the way, in perhaps the quote of the year, Beasus was asked when he started feeling hot. He responded: “Jan. 9, 1989.” All hail SuperCoolBeas.
Scores Galore ...
CHI 112, CLE 115
TOR 114, PHI 109
BOS 93, NYK 102
MEM 95, PHX 97
SAS 89, UTA 100
... And So Much More
Last day for the SB Nation audience survey! It takes but a minute and it helps us give you what you want! Thanks to everyone who has filled it out already. I have noted that you want more Carlos Boozer retrospectives.
Awesome project from a collection of writers detailing their favorite passers in the NBA and why.
Brilliant Candace Buckner piece on three secret NBA power brokers. Come for the story; stay for the incredible GQ-style photo of the legend Ronnie2K.
This is wild. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was sentenced to 25 days in jail for violating probation related to an impaired driving violation. (He was caught doing 70 in a 25 zone while impaired, somehow got a plea for allowing someone else to operate his vehicle impaired, but then didn’t follow through with the probationary drug screening.) But Caldwell-Pope has worked it out that he’ll get work release to play Lakers games within California during his sentence. After a game, he’ll head back to Seal Beach Detention Center. It’s not clear why he wasn’t able to defer his sentence to the offseason.
I wrote about why the Timberwolves — the most improved team in the league, by far — have been so joyless this season.
We asked the SB Nation team bloggers what their teams want for Christmas. Poor Grizzlies.
This is a really good New Yorker video on the black athlete in America, with interviews with Harry Edwards and Jelani Cobb.
Zach Lowe is on the front lines of the war to get the NBA to televise the dang All-Star draft!
Everyone loves what Zach Randolph is doing in Sacramento as a veteran teacher who gets buckets and punks opponents.
The Bulls are supposed to be tanking. Why can’t they lose (except narrowly to the three-time defending East champs)?
Be excellent to each other.
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