In this weeks 13 Rules: Random NBA Thoughts Steve Purciello dives shares more random NBA thoughts. Wild NBA Playoff Results Spark Coaching Changes and Offseason Questions and more. Make sure to listen and add the 13 Rules: NBA Random Thoughts podcast the Shot Clock Pod to your list!
Nuggets Face Roster Decisions
Seeing the Denver Nuggets lose to a depleted Minnesota Timberwolves team leads to a very interesting offseason for the Nuggets. It’s refreshing to hear that Nikola Jokic wants to remain a Nugget, but unless the Nuggets make some changes, they will not be a title contender. The Nuggets have decisions to make as they are over the cap. It probably means trading Aaron Gordon or Cam Johnson. Remember, the Nuggets’ young potential star, Peyton Watson, is a restricted free agent. Signing Watson, which will be expensive and without any other moves, would push them further into the tax. I don’t think any owner wants to pay a tax on a team not expected to contend.
Wild NBA Playoff Results: First-Round Lessons
Two of the worst teams to make the playoffs were the Portland Trail Blazers and the Phoenix Suns. They both were quickly eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, arguably the two best teams in the playoffs. Something to think about is that since 2014, every NBA champion has won the first round in five games or fewer.
Knicks and Hawks
The New York Knicks’ total destruction of the Atlanta Hawks by 51 points made it clear that if you didn’t think the Knicks were talented, hopefully it convinced you. I don’t think they could play that well consistently, but they are dangerous. As for the Hawks, this was a transition year as they moved away from Trae Young. This loss shouldn’t in any way ruin their summer. Keep in mind Atlanta was 20-7 after the All-Star break. They still have a ways to go, but this season was a good step forward.
Magic and Mosley
The horrible loss the Orlando Magic took at home last night changed things for their coach. It was looking like Jamahl Mosley might survive and come back next year as their coach. As you know, Mosley was rumored to be in trouble this year, but the Magic have more than held their own against the first-seeded Detroit Pistons, going up in the series 3-1.
Last night’s loss at home evened the series and put Detroit back as the favorite going into Game 7 in Detroit. The killer for Mosley was that the Magic were leading 60-38 at the half, only to score nineteen points in the second half. If Orlando won the game, the series would be over, but for Mosley, collapsing at home in a big game isn’t healthy for a coach.
Udoka in Houston
Another coach I’ve written about as being in trouble, Ime Udoka, will probably return to Houston next year. His team lost to the Lakers last night to end the series. Two factors that are in Udoka’s favor are injuries during the season to Steven Adams, before the season to Fred VanVleet, and before the Lakers series to Kevin Durant. The second factor was that with Houston down 3-0 in the series, they didn’t quit, coming back to win two games before bowing out.
Cavaliers and Game 7
Kenny Atkinson is another coach that needs a win in Game 7. I don’t know exactly where Atkinson stands with the Cavalier brass, but if somehow Toronto pulls the upset, he could be in trouble. Another problem for Cleveland could be Donovan Mitchell, as he may want out since he can be extended this summer. If he wants out, it could start a chain reaction. A key in Game 7 for the Cavs is James Harden, who has a long history of struggling in big games.
Rare Shot History
Speaking of last night’s Toronto Raptors-Cleveland Cavaliers game, for the second time in two years a game-changing shot was made that hit the back rim, went straight up in the air, and straight down into the basket, a rare occurrence. This was done by RJ Barrett, last year by Tyrese Haliburton. Prior to these two shots going off the back rim like this, the only other shot in my many years of watching NBA basketball was in the 1969 playoffs. Don Nelson, of the Boston Celtics, made that shot the same way in a crucial moment in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers.