There were many highlights during the Warriors/Raptors game last night, including Andrew Bogut's fine return to the Warriors.
(This picture makes me so happy.)
Though In a losing effort, Aaron Gray, who is usually known for winning the award of "least likely player to look like an NBA player in an NBA game", scored a career high high 22 points and also included ten rebounds.
While I'm sure the faithful Toronto fans are giving him a nice pat on the back, the rest of the United States had no idea he dropped 22. That is because Harrison Barnes decided to ruin another life, with yet another tomahawk jam.
The outbreak of teams like the Clippers and Warriors in the Pacific Division has been one of the biggest stories of the NBA season thus far. Both have thrived by having solid benches that have been able to help them surpass the Lakers and be very much in the playoff picture. What is even better, is a bit of a rivalry has begun to form. Last night, the Warriors got the most even tilt, with a 106-99 win at home.
While Blake Griffin had an excellent game last night(26 points, 13 rebounds), he was forced to attempt a three late in the shot clock. Blake, not really known for his outside shooting(shocker right?), naturally air balled a very ugly shot. Even better, the Warriors bench LOST IT, in particular Warriors bench mob captain Kent Bazemore.
Now this in itself was awesome. After reading this on twitter, I decided to search for this video, and realized that this isn't a one time thing. The Warriors bench loves when Blake Griffin misses three pointers. Check out this video during their game on January 2nd. Bazemore and the mob break it down to Blake missed three. This shot might actually be the worse of the two, as Blake puts it off the side of the backboard.
A few things here:
1. The Clippers probably shouldn't pass it to Blake Griffin late in the shot clock if he isn't already in the air with his crotch in some guys face.
2. The Warriors bench must be SUPER pumped every time they notice the shot clock is winding down.
3. Mark Jackson pretty much can't play Kent Bazemore against the Clippers because it is pretty safe to say the Clips will go out of their way to get him ISO'd on Blake.
4. It's also pretty safe to say Kent won't play against the Clips anyway, as he is currently averaging 2.7 minutes per game.
I don't really care, Bazemore is starting to work his way into total Scalabrine territory here with these reactions and some more of his work which is below. Here's to Blake Griffin taking more threes late in the shot clock, and hoping Kent Bazemore is in the building for them.
1. Los Angeles Clippers: 25-7, 9-1 During the Clippers 17 game win streak, Blake Griffin shot above 50% from the field in all of the games. While this team has no identity(read a great piece by the Daily Dime here), maybe they don't need one. 17 wins is 17 wins. (BF) 2. Oklahoma City Thunder: 24-6, 8-2 -The Thunder would be widely considered the best team if LAC wasn’t on a historic run. They have shown their championship meddle and will continue to improve with their young core. (EJ)
(Reggie Jackson has given the Thunder yet another boost off the bench.)
3. Miami Heat: 21-8, 7-3 -The Heat have somehow stayed out of the headlines with two of their west rivals stealing the show. Expect them to shoot back into it with games against Dallas and Chicago this week. (BF)
4. San Antonio Spurs: 25-8, 7-3 -This team has some of the greatest offensive balance of any NBA team in the league. Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobli continue to play at a high level on scaled back minutes. Second in points and third in point differential, this team is a beast. (AL) 5. Golden State Warriors: 21-10, 7-3 -With every win, the Warriors are becoming more battle tested for the playoffs. It's a complete reflection of Mark Jackson's tough guy mentality that this team is 4th in rebounds without their star center. (BF)
6. New York Knicks: 21-10, 5-5 -An injury to point guard Raymond Felton will hurt; can they weather the six weeks without him by leaning on extra minutes from Jason Kidd? This team continues to rely heavily on the three point shot, but for now they are falling. (AL) 7. Atlanta Hawks: 20-10, 6-4 -The Hawks are putting themselves in contention for a three or four seed in the East with other contenders failing. The question always remains, what do they do with it? (BF)
8. Memphis Grizzlies: 19-9, 5-5 -The Grizz need to continue slowing the game down and letting there bigs do work on the interior. I need to see Marc Gasol play better after the team has lost 2 of its past 3. (AL) 9. Indiana Pacers: 18-13, 8-2 -Indiana was able to win their brawl of a contest against Memphis this past week. They have shown all season that they are elite rebounders and defenders. The question remains can they score enough? (EJ)
(The Pacers could really use Granger's scoring right about now.)
10. Houston Rockets: 17-14, 7-3 -Houston has lost back to back games, but is playing well winning 5 in a row before the losses. James Harden is playing great basketball and Omer Asik is strengthening his case for most improved player of the year. (AL) 11. Chicago Bulls: 16-13, 5-5 -As the season lets on we are seeing the Bulls miss Derick Rose more and more. Their offense is based on execution not elite scoring. This means that their offense has a higher degree of difficulty, which is what you have seen in recent losses. (EJ)
12. Milwaukee Bucks: 16-13, 6-4 -The Bucks have shown great offensive strength throughout the season. But can this team beat the best when the game is slowed down come playoff time? (EJ) 13. Denver Nuggets: 18-15, 7-3 -The Nuggets have played a ruthless schedule on the road. Since when did the Nugs piss someone off in the NBA office? (BF)
14. Portland Trailblazers: 16-14, 8-2
-Portland has a very good starting five and no bench at all. If they are going to make a playoff push I look for them to be one of the more active teams in trade talk. (EJ) 15. Minnesota Timberwolves: 14-13, 6-4
-The Timberwolves are around a .500 team without Ricky Rubio. With a healthy Rubio they are a much better team. The question is if they can get enough of a healthy Rubio to get in the playoffs playing their best ball. (EJ) 16. Los Angeles Lakers: 15-16, 6-4 -Kobe claims the Lakers are old, and that is why they are struggling. The excuses are getting pretty old for the fans in purple and gold as well. (BF) 17. Brooklyn Nets: 16-15, 4-6
Firing Avery Johnson won't solve the Net's issues. Listen to our podcast and you will know, but I put this on Deron Williams, who continues to play poorly. This team can be dangerous but right now no one is fearing them, even after winning both games of the new PJ Carlesimo regime. (AL)
(Okay Deron, is this going to work?)
18. Philadelphia 76ers: 15-17, 3-7 -They have lost 8 of 10 and looked horrible in doing so. Andrew Bynum needs to get healthy if this team wants to make the playoffs. (AL) 19. Utah Jazz: 15-17, 3-7 -This team is either playing under their capabilities or is just not very good. Either, way it seems times to give Favors and Kanter more minutes. Expect Jefferson and/or Milsap to be moved, especially with the Jazz playing so poorly. (EJ) 20. Boston Celtics: 14-16, 3-7 -Disappointing losses to both the Clippers and Golden State have left this team under 500. Maybe they can grab a win tonight against the Kings, but this team needs to turn it around soon. The return of Avery Bradley when they return from the west coast should help. (AL)
21. Dallas Mavericks: 13-19, 2-8 -Dirk is back but he is not curing all this teams' ails. OJ Mayo continues to play well, but the rest of the group lacks consistency. Darren Collison may have had the play of the year with his one footed three to force OT, but they lost anyways. (AL)
22. Toronto Raptors: 11-20, 7-3 -Toronto has won 7 of 8 and has turned around their season. Demar Derozan looked great the past couple weeks. They may pass Phili in the Atlantic if both teams continue in there current directions. (AL) 23. Orlando Magic: 12-19, 4-6 -The Magic have really been hurting since Glen Davis went down to injury. Even with Arron Afflalo dropping 26 and 28 in games last week, this team couldn't break the slide and has now lost six in a row. (BF)
(Arron Afflalo has quite a heavier load on his shoulders these days.)
24. Detroit Pistons: 12-22, 5-5 -With Drummond coming along quicker than anyone thought he would the future now seems extremely bright for the Pistons. Right now Drummond is only playing 20 minutes a game, this number will increase as the season goes along and the Celtics will be better for it. With Drummond, Monroe, and Knight coming along the Pistons are the best of the basement. (EJ) 25. Sacramento Kings: 11-20, 4-6 -With the Cousins Scandal supposedly behind them(maybe), this team can try to get back to winning. As good as they looked against Boston, it's tough to think they can stay that consistent, and Cousins can stay out of trouble. (BF)
26. Phoenix Suns: 11-21, 4-6 -Ohh the Suns. After losing a buzzer beater to the Knicks, they followed it up with three more losses on the road. This team is crashing, having lost six straight. (BF)
27. New Orleans Hornets: 7-24, 2-8 -Eric Gordon is finally healthy and scored 24 points in 24 minutes in his debut. I can't wait to see what this team does in January with a fully healthy roster. Davis and Gordon are the futures of this franchise. (AL)
28. Charlotte Bobcats: 8-23, 1-9 -They won! They won! Now the big step is where do they turn to prevent the next losing streaking from happening. (BF)
29. Cleveland Cavaliers: 7-25, 2-8 -Tristan Thompson’s improved play might make trading Varejao more palpable. As the season move along I warm on the idea of Cleveland moving Varejao. AV is a good player who is on a light contract but by the time his contract is up Cleveland might not be a playoff team. (EJ) 30. Washington Wizards: 4-25, 1-9 -The Wizards currently don't have anyone averaging over 16 points a game, anyone averaging over 8 rebounds a game, or anyone averaging over 5 assists a game. Thank god for RGIII. (BF)
