The NBA Finals Threematch - Takeaways from Game 1

For the third consecutive year, the NBA Finals pits two of the best teams the league has ever seen against each other in the Golden State Warriors  and the Cleveland Cavaliers.  In what has otherwise been a very predictable NBA Playoffs, the crescendo showcases a matchup that features two teams that have been leaps and bounds ahead of every other team in the NBA for the past 3 years, which will surely result a series full of exciting plays and thunderous dunks.

Golden State has steamrolled their way through the playoffs to this point, going a 12-0 after completing sweeps of the Blazers, Jazz, and Spurs.  Completing a perfect first three rounds is a feat only accomplished by the 2001 Los Angeles Lakers, who ended up 16-1 overall, and were one of, if not the, most dominant playoff team of all time.  In the Eastern Conference, Cleveland was almost able to replicate the incredible success of their counterparts, finishing 12-1 after their first 3 rounds of play.  Needless to say, all signs point towards this being an incredibly evenly-matched series, one that adds another entry to this epic three-year war, and will ultimately decide who the superior of the two superteams is.

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The lights went down in Oracle Arena on Thursday, May 2nd, and the minds of the players, coaches, staff, and fans swirled with questions. A series that places so many legacies the line was about to tip off.  The storylines of so many talented players clashing in the matchup that fans expected all year long.  Will Durant get his first ring?  Will Lebron continue to cement himself as the greatest player of this generation?  Will Klay Thompson break out of his playoff-long shooting slump?  Will Kyrie Irving get the best of Stephen Curry again?  A few of those questions took a few steps toward getting answered in the opening game of this epic series, and here’s a few things we learned...

1. Kevin Durant looks like the MVP

The 2014 MVP winner came out on a mission from the opening tip.  Durant poured in 22 points in the first half alone, and finished with an astounding 38pt/8reb/8ast line.  Just as we suspected here at reversejam, he looks absolutely unguardable.  Even LeBron James had a lot of trouble staying in front of him, typified by this turnover-turned-slam that conspicuously made its way right behind LeBron to set up this tomahawk jam. The Warriors ran the offense almost exclusively through him when he was on the floor, running high pick and rolls that allowed Durant to run rampant through the paint and use his one-of-a-kind combination of size, speed, and agility to finish with ease.  The Warriors also turned it over a Finals-record-tying 4 times the entire game, and Durant was responsible for… 0 of them. Combined with the 54% shooting from the field, 88% from the line, and being +16, he had one hell of a game.  With the performance he commandingly puts himself at the front of the Finals MVP race.

2. The Cavaliers’ Turnover Problem

Cleveland turned the ball over 20 times in Thursday’s game, which would be poor on any night, but when compared to their opponent, who turned the ball over just 4 times, it’s nearly impossible to win a game. The -16 turnover differential the Cavs brought upon themselves was inexcusable on basketball’s biggest stage, and it was largely due to LeBron James’ 8 turnovers. LeBron did get caught up in a couple of charge calls, but many of the miscues came from the Warriors playing the passing lanes excellently.  James has always had a knack for squeezing in high-velocity passes through hairpin gaps between unsuspecting defenders, and that usually works great against the other 28 teams in the association. However, the Warriors are a different breed entirely.  They hounded the lanes all game, and it resulted in 12 steals for the blue and gold, compared to a whopping zero on the other end. (You can take a look at some of the Cavs subpar defensive plays here) The Warriors have established themselves as one of the best defensive teams in the league, relying on extraordinary effort from every player on the floor at any given time, led by DPOY finalist Draymond Green. If the Cavs want to bounce back from the discrepant score in Game 1, the turnovers have got to go down.  The victor of the series will likely be the team that can take care of the ball better, as both are prone to being sloppy with the orange, and the Warriors have the early edge.

3. The Quiet Splash Brother

While Stephen Curry has regained his mojo and is filling it up in the playoffs, (28.5PPG on 50.2% shooting) his running mate has hardly stood out on the offensive end.  Klay Thompson has averaged just 13.8PPG on 36.6% shooting throughout the entire playoffs, numbers hardly near his regular season mark of 22.3PPG.  Klay hasn’t been a playoff choker either, last year he led the playoffs in total points while averaging 24.7PPG and 4.2 made 3-pointers per game. However, kudos to Thompson in that he hasn’t let the poor offensive showing affect him on the other end of the floor.  He’s still showcasing that he is one of the premier defensive 2-guards in the NBA, exemplified in Game 1 on multiple possessions of shutting down LeBron James and Kevin Love (both who have more than 35lbs on him) in the post. While his defense has remained impeccable, it has to be concerning for the Warriors to have their 3rd-leading scorer in this deep of a shooting slump.  However, the addition of Kevin Durant and his ability to put up big numbers on any night has more than amply made up for Thompson’s lack of production.  Still, it would be nice to see the homegrown Splash Brothers firing on all cylinders, and it would definitely help their chances in this series.

The Case for: KawhiVP and the 1-Seed Spurs

Calling the Spurs underrated has almost become a cliche in the modern NBA, and it’s that time of the year where people realize that -- woah!  They’re actually one of the best teams in the NBA!  The boys in San Antonio have managed to fly under the radar amongst the hype of the Warriors and Rockets and, as of today, are sitting just 2.5 games behind the Golden State Warriors and the 1-seed at a 53-16 record.

For the better part of the past two decades, San Antonio has been a team comprised of down-to-earth stars that don’t do much besides play smart and cohesive basketball. As famously said, “The only things guaranteed in life are death, taxes, and the Spurs winning 50 games.” They have masterfully drafted stars that fit perfectly into their team-first system for the better part of the past two decades.  The legendary future HOFer Tim Duncan was taken 1st overall in 1997, Manu Ginobili was scooped up in the 1999 draft with the 58th overall pick, Tony Parker a gem found at the very end of the 1st-round (28th overall), and most recently: Kawhi Leonard was made the 15th pick of the 2011 NBA Draft out of San Diego State University. Now the 2-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year and darkhorse MVP candidate, Leonard and the Spurs are on track to replicate the success that has become a commonplace in their organization, and are the West’s best chance to usurp the Warriors.

In a year many thought the Spurs were going to regress due to the retirement of NBA legend Tim Duncan after 19 seasons, they’ve actually had one of their best regular seasons in recent history.  Per usual, the front office was brilliant in preparing for the future. Luring LaMarcus Aldridge from the Blazers last year, and veteran Pau Gasol from Chicago this offseason has solidified their front line with two very intelligent big men that are willing to sacrifice their gaudy individual numbers (Aldridge went from 23.4PPG in '14-'15 with Portland to 17.4PPG with SA, and Gasol from 16.5PPG last year to 12.2PPG today) for a chance to play with one of the most successful basketball organizations of all time, one that has clinched a playoff berth in an NBA-record 20 consecutive seasons.

While Aldridge and Gasol are excellent pieces, they are both getting older, and aren't exactly the alpha-dog type anymore. The Spurs needed a new leader sans-Duncan, and they didn't have to look very far to get it.  There was one clear choice: Kawhi Leonard.  Leonard was drafted by the Spurs in the middle of the first-round, a pick they acquired from Indiana for point guard George Hill, a ballsy move at the time.  Leonard spent 2 collegiate seasons at San Diego State, where he averaged 15.5 points and 10.6 boards in his sophomore year, but shot just 29.1% from 3 and 44.4% from the field.  However, the Spurs organization saw something in him, a potential large enough for them to climb the draft board to capture. In just his 3rd season he won the hearts of NBA fans by being awarded the 2014 NBA Finals MVP for his efforts in defeating the villainous Miami Heat and their Big 3. He's shown extraordinary improvement in his 6 seasons in the association, averaging just 7.9PPG as a rookie and is now an absolute force of nature in today’s NBA.  He embodies the very essence of a lockdown defender, seemingly crafted by the basketball gods themselves. He currently ranks 7th in the NBA with 1.8 steals per game, and adds 0.7 blocks per game to the table as well.  His defense and anticipation are so good that other teams have actually changed their offensive gameplan to keep him as far away from the ball handler as humanly possible. (see Kawhisland)

While we could’ve possibly seen the Klaw’s incredible defensive ability as a prospect, (check out these hands) I don’t think anyone saw the offensive explosion coming.  After averaging just 14.1PPG in 2 college seasons, Leonard has become one of the most dynamic and aggressive scorers in the NBA. He is currently sitting at a 48.3/38.3/89.4 shooting slash while putting up 26.0 points per game.  He's also getting to the line 7.6 times per game, 3.0 times more than his previous career-high from last year, a testament to how aggressive he has been with the ball.  Take a look at the highlights from his most recent career-high that came against Lebron James in an OT win against the Cavs.  Cool, calm, and collected as he plays arguably the best game of his entire career. Almost every NBA superstar has had one commonality, and that’s the ability to get to the line.  Jordan had a career average of 8.2 FTA per game, Lebron has a career average of 8.3 FTA per game.  His scoring average has steadily increased in each of his 6 seasons, and is now possesses a polished offensive arsenal.

One of Leonard’s defining attributes is that he turns the ball over just 2.1 times per game, minuscule next to some of the league’s other superstars. (looking at you, Harden and Westbrook)  He’s incredibly efficient with the ball, and fantastic at getting open off-ball for layups and open 3’s. The amount of time he needs the ball in his hands to be this good is incredible, and pales in comparison to the crazy amount of possessions and time with the ball the other MVP candidates need.  He currently sits at 3rd in the league in win shares at 11.8, trailing only Houston’s James Harden and Utah’s Rudy Gobert.  His basketball IQ is off the charts, perhaps the defining reason for his incredible improvement since entering the league.  He’s an extraordinarily smart player and stays cool as a cucumber under pressure, already having proven he is capable of taking and making big shots.  See his 2014 Finals MVP where he averaged 17.8PPG on 61.2% from the field against arguably the most talented team the league has ever seen.

It would be a treat to see the Spurs make a deep run in the playoffs, and they are poised to do exactly that. The finals are a place where NBA fans have already seen Leonard thrive, even in a year where he averaged just 12.8PPG in the regular season. Imagine this year in the finals, seeing a new version of NBA Finals Kawhi emerge, a Kawhi that's averaging 26.0PPG during the regular season, more talented and confident than ever before.  

New Orleans Just Got BIGGER - The DeMarcus Cousins Trade

Stop everything.  Get the presses fired up.  The Boogie train is on the move, and the destination is the Big Easy.  Yes, the headlines are correct.  The Pelicans have just acquired arguably the most talented big man in the entire league.  Depending on how well he and superstar Anthony Davis mesh together, we could be talking about an all-time great frontcourt when it’s all said and done.

Demarcus Cousins and Omri Casspi were shipped from the Sacramento Kings to the New Orleans Pelicans for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, and a 2018 first and second-round pick.  At first glance, the looks like Cousins for a steaming pile of trash, at second look it looks like Cousins for garbage, and… yeah I give up.  Myself, along with all of us at reversejam.com, can’t figure out a great reason that Sacramento shipped away their franchise cornerstone for a couple of iffy picks and an underwhelming rookie.  Pelicans’ GM Dell Demps must have quite the silver tongue.

Hield has been quite underwhelming in his first season, averaging just 8.6 points per game on 39.2% from the field, not close to what many were expecting from the 4-year college vet.  Evans hasn’t been able to stay healthy for the better part of the past 2 years, and Galloway is likely going to be waived immediately.  Even worse, the two picks are likely not going to be home runs, as the Pellies currently sit at 11th in the Western Conference, and are just 2 games back from the 8th seed and a playoff spot.  Maybe they’re praying Tyreke Evans can average the 20.3/5.3/5.8 line he did as a rookie in Sacramento back in 2010?

Well that’s enough of trying to figure out why this trade happened, let’s get to salivating at the thought of an AD-DMC frontcourt.  There’s little doubt that the two are the best big men in the league, the only other man that should be mentioned is Karl-Anthony Towns, and while he is playing some amazing basketball he’s still a couple years from being at their level.  Take a look at these lines: Anthony Davis 27.7/12.0/2.2/1.3s/2.5b.  Demarcus Cousins 27.8/10.9/4.9/1.5s/1.4b Cousins has one of the most polished post games and the best finishing ability of any big man, and Davis is an absolute a freak of nature with a deadeye shot from mid-range.  The two should complement each other exceptionally well, as their versatility can allow Alvin Gentry to deploy a plethora of offenses.  They could run a stellar high-low post offense, Davis at the elbow with his knock-down midrange jumper, and Cousins at the block bullying defenders and putting back any misses.  Or they could run a 4-out with either of the two towers outside, since they are both threats from beyond the arc.  Essentially, I could go on for days about the amount of options they have with this incredible duo. It'll be fun to watch.

Here comes the absolutely essential section in today’s NBA: CAN THEY BEAT GOLDEN STATE?

All rebellions are built on hope, and that’s why they indeed do have a shot against the Warriors.  As stated before, New Orleans is sitting at 23-34 and only 2.5 games out of the 8th seed in the Western Conference.  They’d have to have a hell of a finish to this season to climb any higher than that, so we might be in for a 2015 first-round rematch.  In their first matchup, Golden State handily swept the Pelicans, who looked hapless whenever Anthony Davis was not on the court, though he played an incredible 43.0 minutes per game.  They now have another lethal weapon in DeMarcus Cousins, however they are still at least one move away from being able to contend with the superteam.  

Jrue Holiday is a great point guard, putting up 16.3 points and 7.5 assists while having his best year since he was an All-Star in Philly, but he can’t do it all by himself.  If you take a look at the depth chart on their website right now, they have a whopping one player at shooting guard: E’Twaun Moore.  That’s a problem.  If they can dump one of their many backup power forward/centers (Terrence Jones, Donatas Motiejunas, Alexis Ajinca...) for a solid 3-and-D shooting guard, say a Gary Harris-type player, they could be looking at an upset bid.  The combination of Cousins and Davis could prove to be too much for the Warriors, as Draymond Green’s 1st Team All-Defensive talents can only guard one guy at a time.  The other will be left to play against the likes of Zaza Pachulia and Javale McGee, and they’ll likely be feasted upon by the elite big men.  The Warriors did take a recent ‘L’ to the Boogie-led Kings, a testament to how Golden State could struggle against teams with a top-tier post presence.

Long story short, the Pelicans are going to be a fun team to keep an eye on as they fight for the 8th seed in the Western Conference.  Come playoff time, we could have an interesting matchup on our hands…

Defensive Player of the Year: NBA 1st Half Awards

John Askins

Staff Writer

@Reverse_Jam

Reverse Jam's NBA 1st-Half DPOY

While the NBA has witnessed a historic offensive explosion through the first half of the season -- boasting numerous 50-point performances and Westbrook’s historic triple-double run -- the defensive side of the game has been dominated by one name: Rudy Gobert.  Heading into the 2016-2017 NBA season, league analysts were extremely optimistic of the Utah Jazz, placing them in the middle of the playoff picture for the Western Conference.  Halfway through the season, those predictions could not be more true: The Jazz are currently comfortable in the 5th seed, and when the core of their starting five is healthy, they are a strong and cohesive force on both ends of the ball that consistently show potential to be a contender in the coming years.

The man at the literal center of Utah’s squad of promising young talent is Rudy Gobert, the former 27th overall pick out of France who has become a defensive force in today’s offensively-dominated NBA.  The Stifle Tower is averaging a league-leading 2.6 blocks per game to go along with 12.6 rebounds and 12.8 points.  He is an extremely versatile defender that can also step out to the perimeter and guard stretch bigs effectively, an increasingly important skill with the league’s shoot-first mentality.  His real value, however, is in the paint.  Facing the Jazz with Rudy on the court essentially means the rim is off limits, as it is shadowed by his 7’1” 250lb frame.  Along with being huge, in 2013 he set a draft combine record with 7 feet and 8 ½ inch wingspan.  Take a moment and imagine trying to shoot over that.  The Mr. Fantastic arms allow him to change almost any shot that comes within the paint, and quite often send it back in the opposite direction  Gobert’s truly astounding physical attributes, along with high basketball IQ and a willingness to learn has turned him not only into a great defender, but an incredible NBA player.

The Jazz are the 4th-best defensive team in the league with Gobert on the court, a mighty feat considering there aren’t any premier lockdown defenders on the Jazz squad.  They are an average of +12 per 100 possessions with him anchoring the D, but have a net minus with him on the bench.

Gobert’s defensive prowess has improved exponentially since his entrance in the league.  The shotblocking numbers have always been there -- he averaged almost a block per game as a rookie in just 9.5 minutes -- but he has evolved from a raw, aggressive shotblocker into an all-around elite defender.  The numbers don’t do justice to how many shots he affects and people he rejects from rumbling to the rim, and his incredible interior defensive prowess has even worked to improve the Jazz’s defense as whole.  His teammates have so much confidence in his ability to deter shots inside that they can play more aggressively on-ball, preventing the opposing team from getting off too many 3-pointers.  The Jazz don’t possess a Kawhi Leonard or Andre Iguodala-type player that can lockdown the opposing team’s best perimeter threat, so it’s especially important that their players can take chances and play very aggressively on the ball to deny outside shots, knowing they have Gobert down low to wreak havoc if they get beat off the bounce.

Gobert got paid this past offseason after inking a 4yr/$102million extension with the Jazz, and it hasn’t made him complacent or content in the very slightest.  He remains hungry and prepared to whatever it takes to improve his game, and it really shows.  The improvement he’s made in just 4 short years in the NBA is truly incredible, and surely very few analysts and experts saw this coming.  Look for Gobert to continue to get better and better as he establishes himself in the upper echelon of NBA centers in the coming years.

Most Improved Player: NBA 1st Half Awards

This one really didn’t take much thought.  The answer was crystal clear the seconds after reading the question.  However, I did note a few other players who deserve an honorable mention for seriously stepping their game up:

Demar Derozan, Otto Porter, Jabari Parker, Zach Lavine, Dennis Schroder, Devin Booker

Without further ado, our first half (and likely full year) most improved goes to… Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Giannis came into the league 3.5 years ago with a whirlwind of hype surrounding him. He was quickly dubbed “The Greek Freak” and… to be honest at first it was difficult to understand why. He had very unique physical attributes, but watching him play in his first year wasn’t exactly inspiring.  He couldn’t shoot and looked hesitant -- qualities that are not found in a current-day superstar.  Many (including myself) were wholeheartedly rooting for him, but more production was needed before breaking out the Giannis bandwagon.  

However, with a few years under his belt, he has shown us a heck of a lot more.  Bucks fans witnessed a few glimpses of greatness towards the end of last season, but nothing could have prepared them for what has come this year.  Giannis has taken the league by storm, posting 23.7p/8.8r/5.4a/1.8s/2.0b, utterly god-like numbers across the board. He is the very essence  of a “do-it-all” player, and is a huge reason behind the Bucks being in the playoff conversation this year. His scoring has increased by 6.8 points, assists by 1.1, and he added almost a whole block per game. That’s all on top of his FG% jumping from 50.6% to an extremely efficient 53%, which is crazy given the spike in usage he is experiencing.

One could try and compare him with players like Lebron James or Magic Johnson, but it would be unfair to both sides.  Giannis possesses a combination of skills that the league has never seen before.  The guy is 7 feet tall and has a great handle, which allows him to attack the rim and nonchalantly pick up his dribble before the three-point line and throw down a ferocious dunk. Rarely ever does a draft gamble like Giannis turn out to become one of the league’s most talented players, but John Hammond is surely thanking his stars in Milwaukee.

At the time of he was drafted in 2013, Giannis was a 6’9” forward who did not have much besides potential. There sure was a lot of it, but he hadn’t really refined his game in any direction.  As stated before: he couldn’t shoot, didn’t have a great handle on the ball, two things essential to making a superstar player. However, for the better part of his first 3 years, the basketball world remained confident that huge things were coming from the Greek native. He weathered the ups and downs of being a young NBA player, steadily improving throughout each year. And boy, things have changed.  He is now 7’0” tall and arguably at his most dangerous when handling the ball in the open court.  His great length allows him to corral rebounds with the league’s best, and take off to finish on the other end of the court with ease, or drop a sweet dime to Jabari Parker.  The versatility he displays on a night-in, night-out basis is incredible.  From defense to playmaking to finishing, Giannis has truly become one of the league’s elite, and is deserving of his spot as an All-Star Game starter. Almost every aspect of his game has clicked harmoniously, and the league may have a perennial All-Leaguer on its hands.  

Now the only problem he has is figuring out which position he is best at.

Houston Rockets: The D'Antoni Effect

Mike D’Antoni has done it again, this time in Houston. Innovator of the run-and-gun style and “7 Seconds or Less” philosophy, D’Antoni has proven himself a winner and one of the most successful offensive minds of the 21st century. He has led 3 different teams to the playoffs, often under less than ideal circumstances. And, invariably, D’Antoni has proven his ability to elevate guards to incredible heights. Steve Nash won two consecutive MVP awards at the helm of the D’Antoni-led Suns; Chauncey Billups had a reemergence at 34 on D’Antoni’s Knickerbockers; and of course, he was coach when Linsanity took over the NBA in 2012. In 2016, now with his 5th team as head coach, he is once again showing his aptitude for offense, elevating the Rockets to one of the top three offenses in the league, and quite possibly a top-5 team overall. But how exactly has he done it?

The Rockets have arguably the least starpower that they have had in the Harden era, losing the uber-athletic Dwight Howard to free agency along with other valuable pieces in Donatas Motiejunas and Terrence Jones. But two nifty offseason acquisitions have proven to be brilliant.  The Rockets signed sharpshooter Eric Gordon to a 4yr/$53million contract, and perhaps the best stretch big in the game in Ryan Anderson for 4yrs/$80million.  The addition of two of the league’s premier shooters have sent the Rockets offense to the moon, typified by having already twice broken the records for three-pointers made and three-pointers attempted in a single game, and we’re not even halfway through the season.  The Rockets play at a torrid pace, rivaled only by past teams that D’Antoni has also been at the helm of.  The style of play does result in a lot of turnovers, but it produces countless easy buckets and wide-open threes, something the Houston offense thrives off of.  

While the prolific offense has been a huge factor, D’Antoni has never been known for his defensive prowess.  His teams often choose to put their foot on the gas and outscore their opponent, rather than to grind it out and make their opponent score less.  On opening night the defense most closely resembled strawberry Jell-O with how fluidly the Lakers cut through them in transition, and it looked like it was going to be pitiful at best after the first few games of the season.  However, it’s actually improved to a solid not that bad.  Their weakness was especially glaring when the defensive stopper Patrick Beverley was out for the beginning of the season, but since his return the defense has looked alive and well.  Sometimes it only takes one man to inspire an army.

To this point, you’ve gotta be thinking “So D’Antoni has worked his magic and created a carbon copy of the ‘3 Seconds or Less’ Phoenix Suns! Right?” Not quite. Yes the Rockets are scoring at will, chucking 3’s at a historic rate, and have an elite playmaker at the helm; but there are a few defining qualities that make this Rockets team unique, quite unlike any team we’ve ever seen before.  And that is largely in thanks to the man, the myth, the Beard: James Harden.

Harden’s astronomical offensive numbers are largely due to a stroke of genius from D’Antoni, and how he has completely reimagined the offense by utilizing Harden as his full-time point guard.  Last year ranking 13th in touches per game and time of possession, Harden now leads the league in both; he touches the ball a remarkable 99 times a game and has possession for over 9 minutes. This has caused him to be directly involved in almost 60 points a game, scoring 28.4 himself and letting his league-leading 11.9 assists account for the rest.  A few aforementioned offseason moves have surrounded him with an abundance of floor spacers and pick-and-roll big men, allowing Harden to impose his will in the paint more effectively than ever before.  His offensive plus/minus leads the league at a whopping +7.5, a half point higher than even Russell Westbrook (who’s averaging a triple double).  Simply put, with Harden at the helm, the offense is nearly unstoppable.

Yes, Harden does have his flaws.  He averages a league-most 5.7 turnovers per game.  His defense is suspect.  There are questions surrounding whether he has the ability to lead a team to a chip.  But c’mon, with the kind of season he is having, it’s hard to deny his greatness.  The combination of talents he has in being able to shoot the 3-ball, score inside, get to the line over 10 times a game, and create offense for others is almost unprecedented, and allows him to slice-and-dice through defenses all game long.  Houston’s, and especially Harden’s, firepower was on full display throughout the month of December, where they compiled a fantastic 14-2 record.  The real fireworks didn’t go off until New Year’s Eve, however, when Harden posted an astounding 53point-16rebound-17assist triple-double in a 119-112 win over the Knicks.  It marked the first time in NBA history that anybody has posted a 50-15-15 game, and he tied the legend Wilt Chamberlain for the most points in a triple-double ever.  Truly incredible numbers.

Long story short: The Rockets are legit. The beautiful combination of Point Guard James Harden, the offensive mind of Mike D’Antoni, and a plethora of shooters has caused a team that many weren’t predicting to earn higher than the 6th seed in the Western Conference to strike fear in the hearts of the league’s giants. They are a picture-perfect example of what a team can grow to become when the GM, coach, and players are all tuned to the same wavelength, and that’s exactly what Daryl Morey has accomplished: one of the most gifted offensive minds of the modern era paired with one of the most gifted offensive players of the modern era, chucking 3’s and dunking basketballs into the hearts of basketball fans.

NBA Hot Takes: Red Hot Rockets and "Kawhisland"

WHO’S HOT

Daniel: Chris Paul

Although the Clippers have stalled after a scorching start that took the league by storm, Chris Paul continues to show that he may be the single hungriest player in the league. Much maligned for his outward criticism of his… less savvy teammates, Paul has gained a reputation of striving for nothing less than basketball perfection. Last Saturday night, he came as close as any mortal could, scoring 20 while dishing out another 20 dimes without a single turnover. Chris Paul continues to add to his MVP résumé as he attempts to lead the Clippers to a championship (or at least the Western Conference Finals).

Marcus: The Houston Rockets

The Rockets have yet to lose in the month of December since knocking off Golden State on the 1st. Since then, they have won an additional nine games in convincing fashion, solidifying their rebirth under head coach Mike D’Antoni. They have shown that they can hang with the top teams in the West and are flourishing with James Harden’s incredible statistical season running the point. Don’t forget that the team has also twice broken the record for most 3’s made and attempted in a game this month. With a few tough matchups, against the likes of the Clippers and Spurs, before the year comes to a close, we will truly see if Houston can place itself among the elites and challenge the Warriors in the West.

John: Anyone that played the LA Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers were a very pleasant surprise in the early NBA season, where they defied projections and started 10-10 with a likable group of young budding stars. However, the universe righted itself again, and the Lakers are in free fall. They had an 8-game loss streak that was broken just last night against the Sixers. The streak included losses against the bottom-dwelling Suns, Nets, Kings, and a 39-point pummeling by the red hot Houston Rockets. Granted, quite a few of those losses have come without their two biggest stars, Julius Randle and D’Angelo Russell, but both have now returned and things still aren’t really looking up.  To make matters worse, Jordan Clarkson did not take advantage of the prime opportunity he had with Russell out, and really hasn’t shown much improvement after his great rookie campaign.

WHO’S NOT

John: Donatas Motiejūnas

Motiejūnas has had an interesting past couple of weeks, as his very extended contract negotiation with the Rockets came to an end after he received a 4yr/$37 million offer from the (hapless) Brooklyn Nets.  He signed it without hesitation, but the Rockets were feeling clingy and used their restricted free agent powers to match the offer sheet.  Motiejūnas really wanted out of Houston, so he decided that signing the offer and ducking on his team physical was the best course of action, which proved to be costly as he lost both of his offers completely.  He then grudgingly signed a smaller deal with Houston, and actually showed up for his physical, but got into a disagreement with the staff and was promptly released.  And he can no longer sign with the Nets.  Best of luck to you, Donatas.

Daniel: The Spurs Defense (feat. The Kawhisland)

Putting the back to back DPOY is guaranteed to make any lineup a little bit tougher defensively, right? Enter the “Kawhisland” (credit to CBS’ Matt Moore). Rather than having their best player go toe-to-toe with Sugar K, teams have opted to shove Kawhi’s man in the weakside corner, effectively removing him from the play. Playing 4 on 4 is inherently easier on the offense thanks to the extra space freed up by the Kawhisland©. Forcing the laterally challenged Tony Parker and Pau Gasol into any sort of pick and roll will result in easy buckets for any competent offense.

Marcus: Demarcus “Boogie” Cousins

What else is new? As talented as a player he is, Boogie has never learned in his years in the NBA how to control his temper. Annoyed by a reporter’s inquiry about a pending lawsuit involving himself and teammate Matt Barnes, Cousins got into the reporter’s face then subsequently refused to talk to reporters in the postgame interview unless the aforementioned reporter leave. This is just another incident in a long line of problems Cousins has caused in his time in Sacramento. It’s also another blow to his ever-relevant trade value, as the Kings have been shopping him before he inevitably leaves in free agency this summer. Hopefully, Boogie can live up to his immense potential in another city.

*Links to all photos embedded. Credit to respective sites