In this weeks 13 Rules: Random NBA Thoughts Steve dives into random NBA thoughts from Week 16 NBA games – NBA Tanking, Loyalty, and Locker Room Turmoil: What’s Really Wrong With the League? Make sure to listen and add the 13 Rules: NBA Random Thoughts podcast the Shot Clock Pod to your list!
The NBA’s Growing Problems
A couple of weeks ago, I said the league has to do something about this problem. Suddenly, the league is facing multiple problems. You combine tanking with the investigation of the LA Clippers over payments to Kawhi Leonard. Throw in an All-Star weekend where people are disappointed the league’s best players don’t play hard. The NBA went from a league that was booming to one with problems.
The NBA Tanking Issue
Staying on the tanking issue, take a look at the teams that are tanking. In the Eastern Conference, it seems the Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers, and Washington Wizards are tanking. That leaves eleven teams fighting for ten playoff and play-in spots. In the Western Conference, the Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans, and Sacramento Kings are tanking. That leaves the ten non-tanking teams in the playoffs or play-in games.
One more league problem that isn’t helping the league is James Harden. This week Harden said, “The whole quote-unquote loyalty thing, I think it’s overrated.” The fans don’t quite agree with this because most fans root for teams. They like to build a love for the players over time and want to believe the players like playing on their team.
The Pistons–Hornets Fight
The Detroit Pistons–Charlotte Hornets fight earlier this week was significant. To me, it represented a team—Charlotte—looking for respect and telling the Pistons, “You can’t bully us anymore.” The Pistons were playing their physical defense that frustrates and incites opponents. The physical play of Detroit gets under their opponents’ skin. When the Pistons are playing like this, fights aren’t a surprise.
The Knicks’ Consistency Struggles
If you are following the New York Knicks this year, you have to wonder about their consistency. After playing a great game Sunday against the Boston Celtics, they lost to the tanking Indiana Pacers and the next night blew out the Philadelphia 76ers. I’ve said it before: the Knicks have the most talent in the Eastern Conference. They need to be more consistent to get to where they want to go.
The Rising Cavaliers
Don’t look now, but the Cleveland Cavaliers appear to be figuring it out and are now a team to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference. They have won five straight and are 34–21, sitting in fourth place in the East, one game behind the New York Knicks and one and a half games behind the Boston Celtics. James Harden has played in three of those games, averaging over 19 points and 8.7 assists. Not only has Harden played well, but the Cavs are getting production from that position. Darius Garland, who they traded for Harden, had only played 26 games with the Cavs. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Cavs end up in second place.
LeBron’s Message to the Lakers
LeBron James this week said about the Lakers, “We are not a championship team.” LeBron rarely says anything randomly, so the question is: who was that message for—his teammates, management, ownership, or just an attempt to make his exit more comfortable for everybody?