Fan of Deshaun Watson’s jumpman impression?
“Of course because he’s bringing life to my Houston Texans” – Ogwumike
“True story: His college coach said passing on him would be like passing on Michael Jordan” – Arnovitz
Panel:
First Half
Monologue: It’s all Dwight in LA
Dwight’s hot start sustainable?
“I absolutely think it’s sustainable. He has no choice but to have focus because he’s on a non-guaranteed contract. He’s having success because he’s coming off the bench and he’s surrounded by veterans and proven winners” – Ogwumike
“It is sustainable. He’s going to be just fine. He’s always had the power to do this” – Arnovitz
Surprised by Lakers top-ranked defense?
LeBron on Lakers defensive identity:
“Yes and no in this sense: We all knew the margin for the Lakers this season would be is this going to be a LeBron Cleveland era defense or is this going to be a team that really actually takes advantage of some really good defensive personnel? They’ve had the personnel to do this, but are they going to make it a cornerstone of their identity or wake us in April?” – Arnovitz
“The Lakers defense is better largely because they’re bigger. It seems like their defense is the culture that they’re creating” – Ogwumike
OTD in 1995 – Scottie Pippen with the nasty poster dunk on Junior Burrough (Celtics)!
Who did it better?
Sean Corbin:
Joey Crawford:
Nichols: Sean Corbin
Does Josh Hart need a beard to pull this off?
“We need like a cam because he does so many funny quirky things that make you laugh, but James’ was better because it was on purpose” – Ogwumike
76ers led for 7.9 seconds of win vs Portland!
Blazers led by as many as 21 points
“This was the game of the year…so far” – Arnovitz
Should Kenny Atkinson invest in some chapstick?
De’Aaron Fox taking out frustration vs Knicks?
“I don’t know if this is going to be the season for the Kings” – Ogwumike
Moving on…
Are Heat real contenders in East?
“I think they are because they have good team chemistry. They’re playing true team basketball” – Ogwumike
“This looks like a March defense that has been together for 5 years. They just don’t make any mistakes. They’re really hard to score against. The other thing is, every guy on that roster is out to make a point. They have something to prove, but Jimmy more than anybody has something to prove that he is the fulcrum of a contending team” – Arnovitz
D’Antoni on Rockets: “We were soft”
Trailed 46-14 after the 1st quarter vs the Heat on Sunday
In the last 10 years, home games for Miami on a Sunday: 39-16 (70%), including Sunday’s win vs the Rockets!
“This looks like a team that had a Saturday night off in Miami. There is absolutely no bite to this defense. It’s a flabby defense with no purpose and intensity” – Arnovitz
“When you take so many threes and you’re missing, those are long rebounds for the other team, easy points in transition for them. If they start making shots, the Rockets defense can improve” – Ogwumike
Second Half
Like sands through the hourglass, these are the…
Warriors situation avoidable or inevitable?
“This is avoidable and inevitable just because injuries do happen. But it’s unlucky. It is out of their control” – Ogwumike
“What’s going to have to happen in the organization is a change of focus. They’re going to have to do a ‘Miami Heat’ and find some of those guys” – Arnovitz
RJ Barrett: 41 mins in 113-92 loss to Kings
Fizdale: “We gotta get off this load management crap”
Fizdale on Barrett’s minutes:
Discussion:
LeBron opens “I Promise” transitional homes
Is Jordan the best comparison for Kawhi?
Had 18 points in the 4th quarter on Sunday vs the Jazz!
Kawhi on the MJ comparison:
“Obviously, he’s one of the guys that everyone looks up to. Just from a competitive standpoint. And you know how he approached every game. You just try to nitpick what you can take from him and bring it into yourself”
“I do. When you watch Kawhi sort of hold the ball, it is very reminisce in that respect. When you watch him work, it’s almost a throwback early, mid-90s game” – Arnovitz
“Kawhi and Michael Jordan are better efficiently. You have to be so talented on both ends and he’s the new age version of that. He plays with a slow tempo” – Ogwumike
Better Center-less win [from Saturday night]: 76ers or Timberwolves?
“76ers. This is a a team that’s coming out with a purpose” – Ogwumike
“76ers. So far, the game of the year. The two most interesting teams right now in basketball are the Sixers and the Lakers in terms of narrative, tantalizing us with potential dramatic storylines. That was a really big win for them” – Arnovitz
OTD in 2002 – Richard Jefferson of the then New Jersey Nets dunking it over Rasho Nesterovic (Timberwolves)!
Mr. 20-20
Drummond more dominant than he gets credit for?
Depth Chart
Trouble Zach Collins out indefinitely (Shoulder)
Old School vs New School
More impressive weekend: LeBron or Luka?
Kyrie showing growth as a leader with Nets?
“I think it’s early, but he is showing growth by saying the right things because he always got caught up with what he said, probably saying too much. But how will he empower his teammates and make them better?” – Ogwumike
“We can’t really put this to the test until there are real consequences” – Arnovitz
76ers at Suns
Are Suns the team to take down 76ers?
“Sixers have more on them. They are a team on a mission” – Arnovitz
“Don’t sleep on the Suns” – Ogwumike
