There’s a lot happening within the NBA proper now! Actually, there’s a lot happening within the basketball world with the stretch run within the NBA, the lads’s and ladies’s NCAA tournaments in faculty basketball firing up quickly, and even the ultimate week of motion within the inaugural season for Unmatched. The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers can’t lose. Groups are making their push for the ultimate few weeks, and a few groups are strategically tanking increasingly more with each Cooper Flagg spotlight. On the identical time, the Los Angeles Lakers have as soon as once more grow to be hyper-compelling. We’ve acquired all of it right here for you.
Right here’s your newest NBA Rewind!
NBA Inventory Report prolonged
Each Sunday, our analysis group powered by thousands and thousands of knowledgeable analytical employees my canine and me pore over each bit of information possible within the NBA. We try this so each Monday we are able to deliver you the best and lowest traits within the NBA world. Right here is that this week’s NBA Inventory Report.
📈 OKC Thunder (53-11): This may shock you, however the Thunder are on an extended profitable streak once more and profitable numerous video games by double digits. It’s not fairly as spectacular because the Cleveland Cavaliers being on one other double-digit win streak (third time this season), however we are able to’t have the Cavs in right here each week. Wait, can we? Ought to we? Regardless, that is concerning the Thunder! The Thunder have gained seven in a row, and 5 of these seven have been by double digits. The closest recreation they’ve completed throughout this streak is an eight-point win over Atlanta. They simply took down Denver with a dominant fourth quarter to bolster Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP case. They’re as much as 42 double-digit wins on the season. The NBA report is 50, by the 1971-72 Lakers.
📉 New York Knicks (40-23): Powerful week for the Knicks, they usually’ve simply began a West Coast street journey. New York has misplaced three straight video games, together with two in Los Angeles. You possibly can cope with shedding to the Lakers and Clippers of their respective arenas. However the recreation in opposition to the Lakers additionally value them Jalen Brunson for a few weeks. Now they’ve three extra video games at Sacramento, Portland and Golden State earlier than they go residence to face Miami. The Knicks have completed nicely with out him on the ground this season, however not having him in any respect may put that to the final word check. Excellent news is that they have a 3.5-game lead on Milwaukee for third.
📈 Sacramento Kings (33-29): Proper across the commerce deadline, the Kings fell beneath .500 with a loss in Portland. Since then, they’ve gotten their act collectively and discovered win these shut video games once more. The Kings have gained eight of their final 11. Their final 5 wins have been by double digits, together with a 42-point win over Charlotte, 24-point win over what’s left of Dallas, and ruining the De’Aaron Fox revenge recreation by beating San Antonio by 18. Throughout this stretch, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are combining for over 50 factors per recreation on higher than 50 % from the sector and 46 % from deep.
📉 Dallas Mavericks (32-33): Kyrie Irving (out for the season), Anthony Davis (adductor damage, missed 12 straight), Dereck Full of life II (ankle damage, hasn’t performed since Jan. 14), Daniel Gafford (knee damage, missed 11 straight), Caleb Martin (hip damage, hasn’t performed because the commerce), O-Max Prosper (out for the season), Jaden Hardy (missed three straight and out for a while with an ankle damage), and PJ Washington (missed 4 straight with an ankle damage). That is almost their complete rotation. They’ve misplaced seven of their final eight video games and don’t have sufficient good gamers left proper now. Possibly they get some huge guys again quickly and might shield the 1.5-game maintain they’ve on tenth within the West.
📈 Phoenix Suns (30-34): The Suns have gained three of their final 5 video games, so it’s not precisely a Cavs-esque streak occurring proper now. However wins are wins for the Suns, and that’s what they should keep away from the historic embarrassment of a $152 million luxurious tax invoice and never even making the Play-In Match. They’re eleventh within the West proper now, however just one.5 video games behind the Mavs after beating Dallas’ remaining wholesome roster on Sunday. It was huge as a result of it gave Phoenix the season sequence in opposition to Dallas. The Suns nonetheless have the hardest remaining schedule, with their last 18 opponents profitable at almost a 60 % clip (59.6). Nevertheless, Dallas won’t have a alternative however to slip out.
📉 Brooklyn Nets (21-42): All people has been questioning what the Nets really wish to do that season. All of us assumed they’d tank closely to seize their subsequent franchise participant from this loaded 2025 draft class. Then the Nets have been sort of good, or a minimum of strong, for a superb chunk of the season. And with the Philadelphia 76ers coping with huge accidents and the Chicago Bulls buying and selling away LaVine, the Nets discovered themselves inside shouting distance of creating the Play-In Match about two and a half weeks in the past. Since then, the Nets have cratered. Brooklyn has misplaced seven straight video games, together with to the Wizards and Hornets. They’re 4.5 video games behind Chicago for tenth, and nonetheless a half recreation behind Philly. That hurts the Sixers. With none lottery assist, Philly would presently lose its top-six protected choose to OKC as a result of the Nets have edged them out.
Large Story: The Lakers conversations in all types
The Los Angeles Lakers are at all times a subject of dialogue within the NBA. I imply … ALWAYS. It simply is that manner. The Lakers are one of the vital storied franchises in sports activities historical past, they usually exist in one of many greatest media markets. In addition they have employed LeBron James since 2018, and that’s going to garner further consideration. There are 4 totally different subjects of dialogue with the Lakers this week, so let’s rapidly dive into each. Beginning with the quantity of consideration they’re receiving.
Charles Barkley thinks we’re speaking an excessive amount of Lakers
Throughout TNT’s protection on Thursday evening, Charles Barkley determined to go on a rant. It appeared to be directed at ESPN and its NBA protection, however at a sure level, Ernie Johnson tried to make clear that Barkley was speaking about your complete business. Barkley took exception with a lot protection concerning the Lakers and the Warriors, quite than the 2 groups in first place in every convention. That is a part of his rant:
“Let me inform y’all one thing. And to start with, I would like all of the smoke. I don’t whistle once I stroll by the graveyard or something like that. The Lakers are doing nice. Received an extended solution to go. However the season’s been going nice for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. Y’all simply wanna discuss concerning the Warriors and the Lakers. They’re each doing nice, don’t get me incorrect. If I turn into incorrect, I acquired no downside with that. However y’all are idiots as a result of y’all discuss concerning the Warriors and the Lakers on a regular basis.”
Barkley went on to speak concerning the Cavs’ profitable streak (which they pushed to 14 in a row on Sunday). He talked about OKC has Gilgeous-Alexander, calling him the MVP. He stated they’re additionally on fireplace, which they’re! Seven in a row! He stated he will get mad as a result of everyone is speaking about who’s in second place (referencing the present No. 2 seed Lakers). He additionally referred to as the LeBron-Michael Jordan debate “lame a–,” which I believe nearly all of us can agree with at this level. It’s been talked about for 15 years. We are able to shelve that for some time. However again to the Lakers as a spotlight of protection.
Up to now, I might agree with Barkley. Even about six weeks in the past, I might have agreed with Chuck. The Lakers discuss on so many platforms can really feel fairly pressured, exterior of basic beat protection and the occasional dialogue of what’s the most recent with a extremely popular group. You see it in social media protection. You see it on nationwide tv very often. There’s a lot give attention to an especially in style group as a result of everyone has payments to pay, and that subject tends to cowl these payments. I perceive when individuals get bored with it. It’s why I like to recommend testing the implausible protection of your complete league we’ve right here! It’s why I encourage everyone to subscribe to The Bounce, our free basketball publication! It’s why I encourage individuals to seek out the individuals speaking concerning the components of the league they need lined, which is a straightforward web search away.
The place I might push again in Chuck’s rant is two-fold: 1) He stored saying the Lakers and Warriors have had two good weeks. The Warriors? Sure. The Lakers? We’re taking a look at two months of this. 2) The Lakers traded for Luka Dončić a bit over 5 weeks in the past. If ever there was a time wherein this protection and a spotlight have been warranted, it’s now. Whereas the Cavs and Thunder are nice tales and needs to be celebrated and lined, the Lakers have grow to be essentially the most attention-grabbing story proper now with the Luka dynamic. It additionally ropes within the fall of the Dallas Mavericks to their story.
I believe there’s loads of protection to go round, however buying a 25-year outdated supernova, who simply took his group to the NBA Finals and is, at worst, one of many 4 or 5 greatest gamers on the earth, makes the protection professional. Why?
The Lakers may really be contenders
When the commerce occurred, I used to be with nearly all of everyone else. Nice deal for the Lakers, nevertheless it doesn’t make them contenders this season. Then the protection stored getting higher, they usually ran off a bunch of video games in a row to seize the No. 2 seed. They’ve had the very best protection within the NBA because the Dončić commerce, and it was trending that manner earlier than the deal. JJ Redick having to swap out Anthony Davis for Dončić and enhancing the group protection is greater than noteworthy. It’s an unbelievable teaching job that has thrust him onto the highest three of the poll for Coach of the Yr.
Preserving this defensive degree and having Luka acclimate to LeBron and what the Lakers wish to do offensively is greater than noteworthy. Doncic’s presence on offense has allowed LeBron to repurpose a few of his power and energy again towards the defensive finish of the ground, which makes the protection really feel extra actual for what may very well be within the postseason. They’ve loads of holes they’ve to determine fill or cover in the case of the playoffs, however the Lakers are as harmful as anyone else within the West as presently constructed.
There’s nonetheless loads of season left, and perhaps the Lakers will cool off in a manner that now not makes it appear possible they may win the West and compete for a title. So long as they keep wholesome …
The LeBron damage throws a wrench into it
Through the Lakers’ loss to the Boston Celtics on Saturday evening, James injured his groin. It’s going to trigger him to overlook one-to-two weeks as he tries to verify he’s good to go for the postseason. This issues as a result of it may have an effect on the Lakers’ place within the West. The Lakers aren’t in peril of falling into the Play-In. They’ve a five-game cushion there. However the Lakers are neck-and-neck with Denver for the No. 2 seed, they usually’re solely two video games forward of fifth-place Houston. They’ve to determine survive this stretch with out LeBron. That will get simpler with Dončić working the present, however they’re additionally lacking Rui Hachimura out with a knee damage.
LeBron goes to overlook a three-game street journey to Brooklyn, Milwaukee, and Denver. He’ll seemingly miss the house recreation on Sunday in opposition to Phoenix. If this stretches into two weeks of absence, the Lakers play San Antonio, Denver, Milwaukee and Chicago at residence. That’s a troublesome stretch to be with out James for half or all of it.
I’m with Barkley. We should always completely discuss concerning the Thunder and Cavs. Different good/profitable groups, too. The defending champion Celtics, the Detroit Pistons, the Memphis Grizzlies, and Rockets have all been huge success tales. Even Minnesota, Indiana, and Milwaukee have seemed harmful at instances as of late. However for the primary time in years, the Lakers aren’t a pressured dialog. They’re legitimately compelling.
(Picture of LeBron James: Elsa / Getty Photos)
