Is it too early to be talking contenders just yet? Well, If I had to put my dosh on three teams right now, it be Warriors, Cavs, Spurs, with the Heat in there too. Here’s Week 4 of Pick N Roll and some of the things I learned this week.
By Justin Robertson
CLIPPERS SLUMPING HARD
They won their first four games and everyone went WOW. Since that Nov.4 loss to the rampaging Warriors, the one they were up 10 in the last quarter, they’ve won two from the last eight outings. Some of those losses were against teams they beat earlier in the season. Did the Warriors break them mentally? One thing is for sure their defence has taken an early holiday. Opposition teams were averaging 99.7 ppg against them in the four matches and from the past eight that has climbed to 120.1 ppg. That last game against the Raptors is a concern because not only did the Raptors burn them with 63 in the first half, their shooting is starting to fall away with 39 per cent from the field and 21 from threes. And that was their biggest asset. Well, form is temporary. They just need to be smarter, work harder on pressure and forcing turnovers, setting better screens. The normal stuff. By the end of this week, if they can rediscover their early form they could be 10-7. If they continue down this inconsistent path, it doesn’t bode well for them in being contenders in this season. Less Hello Kitty nights and grittier ball and I’m sure, they will break their slump.
NEW AND IMPROVED REGGIE JACKSON
After some lean years, this season he has produced some beautiful numbers, averaging 19.4 ppg, 4 rebs, 5 ass and was one of the key cogs who brought down the Cavs a few games back with 23 pts, 12 ass. At the start of the season, he went 22, 20, 23, 40, 20. He’s been super consistent and only scored single digits twice and makes the Pistons a better unit when he’s setting up and knocking them down. The Drummond-Jackson duo is fast becoming my favourite double-act.
MIKE BUDENHOLZER v. BEN TAYLOR
Have we all gone a little bit too soft? Yes, we all know there is not contact to be made with the referees, but what is “contact?” A punch to the face? Yes. An aggressive bump or charge. Yes. I would argue Budenholzer got damn close, but his intent was never there. As you can see in this Vine, as soon as he gets breathing distance from Taylor, he stops and his intent is focused on the court. Never at anytime does Taylor even acknowledge, or look at Budenholzer until he feels a gentle blazer graze on his skin. The fine of $25,000 is ridiculous. Taylor should be embarrassed that Budenholzer had to fork out 25,000 brushing one’s forearm. NBA: you are a joke for letting this happen. Budenholzer is clearly the better man this week.
THE SPURS DOING SPURS THINGS
So while the NBA world is drooling over the Warriors and their early numbers and winning streaks and Curry (and rightly so), the Spurs are plotting one of those 007 sneak attacks, chasing villains through elevator shafts and on top of buildings then waiting patiently until the next assignment. They are 11-3, if you didn’t know. But no-one should be surprised because they always do this. It’s very Spursy of them. Since 1999 the Spurs have won five titles, five Western Conference titles and have qualified for 16 playoff series. Arguments are being made about Tim Duncan’s “all-time great” status. Tony Parker is shooting at 55 per cent. Leonard could be an All-Star this season (21.5, 7 rebs). Aldridge is earning his keep (15.3, 9 rebs). And Ginobili is workman like (11.6, 3 rebs, 3 ass). They lead the league in defence and give up a stingy 91 points per game, so every bucket is earned when teams lace up against them. Miami Heat (91.8) is the next best defensive unit with the Warriors at 100, Cavs at 97.1 for points against. If there is anyone besides the Warriors right now to place your bets on, as a contender, it’s the Spurs.
6 THINGS I LIKED THIS WEEK
1 This Leonard shot chart explains a few things about Leonard: good in the paint, good at the side threes. If you are going to dominate the NBA, those are two good areas to dominate at.
2 Dwyane Wade wants to become a referee at some point judging by his reaction to the Porzingis foul. He’d make a fairly intimidating ref.
3 This ten-touch tap in that involved at least six players was magic. Volleyballers, pay attention.
4 LeBron still has tricks up his sleeve. And we are thankful for that.
5 This Wiggins steal, then dunk to tie the game was pretty damn amazing.
6 This Clippers rap song of all their worst plays, is actually pretty incredible.
Justin Robertson (@justinjourno) is a freelance journalist and Hooped Up contributor based in Toronto, ON.
