In this weeks 13 Rules: Random NBA Thoughts Steve Purciello dives shares more random NBA thoughts. 13 Rules: NBA 65-Game Rule, Celtics-Thunder, Rockets Struggles, and 76ers Playoff Outlook and more. Make sure to listen and add the 13 Rules: NBA Random Thoughts podcast the Shot Clock Pod to your list!
NBA 65-Game Rule Makes Sense for All-NBA Selection
The 65 game rule used to determine if a player should receive honors has come under fire from the NBA Player’s Association. I think the rule is good and doesn’t need to go away. If you think about it, a player is being asked to play 79% of his team’s games. If a player misses the eighteenth game, he has only been a part of 64 games. For a good team that has won 70% of their games, that means he has probably taken part in about 45 wins.
This means he has been out for 13 wins. Thirteen wins is a large part of a team’s season. If that player is making All-NBA, is it fair to compare his stats with someone who played 80 games? The player with 80 games played quite a few of those games while having some sort of injury, making it more difficult to have comparable stats to someone out 17 games.
Celtics vs. Thunder: A Statement Game for Boston
The Boston Celtics-Oklahoma City Thunder game Wednesday night was significant for both teams. For the Celtics, they showed they are to be taken seriously as a championship contender. For the Thunder, it could have been a chance to put a dent in Boston’s hopes. The Thunder are 2-6 against Detroit, Boston and San Antonio this year and needed to beat a team considered to be a top contender.
Why the Houston Rockets Have Fallen Short of Expectations
To say the Houston Rockets have not met expectations is an understatement. The latest though is that Ime Udoka has gotten some heat as their coach. I don’t think he will get fired, but his star as a coach has dimmed. It can’t help him in the locker room that after a loss, Udoka is known to criticize his players to the press.
Charlotte Hornets Are Emerging as a Serious Playoff Threat
After Thursday night’s beating of the New York Knicks, they won by eleven, I’m ready to believe the Hornets are a very dangerous team come playoff time. The Hornets have gone 23-6 after a poor start. I think it would be wise for Detroit, Boston, New York or Cleveland to hope they don’t see them in the playoffs. If nothing else, the Hornets will make the series a tough one, and no top team wants that in the first round of the playoffs.
Bulls’ Poor Defense Was Exposed in Loss to the 76ers
The Chicago Bulls were beaten by the Philadelphia 76ers 157-137 Wednesday night. This was with Philly’s star, Tyrese Maxey, out, but a rare occurrence did happen. That was both Joel Embiid and Paul George playing in the same game. I understand the Bulls are tanking and traded half their team at the deadline, but if you are playing in the NBA, you have to be able to defend better and bring a better effort.
The Philadelphia 76ers’ Playoff Ceiling Depends on Health
How good can the Philadelphia 76ers be if their whole team is healthy? That means Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey and the rest of the crew are all playing at the same time. There is no doubt they are talented and dangerous, but to make a prediction with any certainty is next to impossible. The only thing I can say on this is that teams that have played together throughout the season and survived the ups and downs usually do better in the playoffs. So I’m guessing Philly will not go far in the playoffs.
When Cade Cunningham was injured, people expected the Detroit Pistons to struggle. The Pistons have gone 4-1 since. A big reason for this is the play of now starting point guard Daniss Jenkins. In the five games without Cunningham, Jenkins has averaged 37 minutes a game. In those minutes, he has averaged 19.8 points and 8 assists. This includes 30 points and 8 assists in a three-point win over the Lakers.