I watched both games last night after spending two hours at the Integris Cancer Center receiving my first of six chemo treatmentss which will come in three week intervals going through the month of March. I thought it went well. I’m familiar with the place and the wonderful people who work the infusion room.
My wife and I got to hang out with Rizzo the large poodle cancer dog.. and then we watched a Christmas movie as I was infused. The one where Santa Claus is put on trial in NYC. It was a wonderful afternoon all things considered.
So about last night in the Round of 8 in Emirates NBA Cup play.
In the first game Milwaukee outlasted the injury plagued Orlando Magic in what was a fairly entertaining game. Watching these two as they are structured per today…neither is a candidate to win the NBA championship right now.
I enjoyed watching the Bucks’ AJ Green for my first close look this season at this point in his NBA evolution. He’s a much better fit for the Bucks over the defenseless Pat Connaughton. I would trade Connaughton after we reach the Dec. 15th deadline to resume NBA trades. If I were the Bucks—I’d look for a more reliable two way wing player for more depth or a defensive minded big who can give the Bucks more depth there as well.
It was nice seeing Khris Middelton back on the floor. He and Bobby Portis are two of my favorite non-All-Stars in the league.
Orlando is clearly a team to watch, but not just yet as far as a potential threat to win a championship. I like their core when healthy. I think they’re pretty much at the same level as the Houston Rockets at this juncture.
The Thunder easily beat a Dallas team without who I think is their third most important piece on their team. That being PJ Washington. With the aging of Klay Thompson it appears PJ is the newly designated Thunder killer in the Western Conference. So what I’m saying is the Thunder played a very nice game aginst a team without their best two way role player.
I think at some point for the betterment of the team… Klay will need to start coming off the bench… like a Kyle Korver type of three point assassin. I still think he plays a significant role for the Mavs, but not as a starter. The Mavs are deep and they need to better use that depth once we get to late February.
Now for the Thunder. They’re an elite NBA defensive team and they are even better with Isaiah Hartensteing manning the lane than Chet Holmgren. He is proving to be the perfect fit for the Thunder. The Thunder’s defensive rebounding woes are now a thing of the past with Isaiah on the floor. Sam Presti…you nailed that one.
When Chet returns he should be the four so as he doesn’t get broken in half defending the lower paint area. I love his hubris, but he’s too damn skinny for that role.
If you look at current NBA team stats you know what you see? The Thunder pretty much first in every meaningful defensive stat as a team. First in points allowed, first in defensive rating per one-hundred possesions, first in steals, first in points created off turnovers.
This Thunder defense coupled with my MVP co-leader Shai GA is built to play either the Boston Celtics or ‘perhaps’ the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.
Nicola Jokic, who is having an even more incredible season than Shai… is the guy I have tied at the top of my current NBA MVP Ladder.
Lu Dort last night on Luka was fabulous. If you watched that closely at all what you saw was more physicality than Mike Gundy’s putrid defense showed in twelve football games this season. Mike Gundy, dude, maybe you should call Lu and have him address your defense next summer and explain the basics of taking away space and time and the art of tackling in space.
I don’t think Lu will get away with that leevel of physicality in playoff games in Dallas, but man oh man I love watching Lu Dort shut down elite star NBA scorers.
So the Thunder advance to play the winner of tonight’s other Western Conference advancement game between the Rockets at the Warriors.
I can’t wait.
I’m all NBA basketball from this point this week through next week’s Emirates NBA Cup Final. I love that the NBA created this event. I do wish though they’d tweak it for next season. Cleveand and Boston have the first and third best overall records and both are sitting at home watching the Great 8. The format needs to be tweaked.
Have a great Wednesday in Oklahoma.
Miguel J