Views from far far away Vol.4

Views from far far away- Craziness is why we love the NBA
Crazy week in the world of the Association, probably the best week of the season. The week that was, is around the time that the NBA starts to hit the forefront of the sports media, and what an introduction to have. The Washington Wizards have won 14 straight wins at home, also introducing a “rivalry” with the Boston Celtics. Wearing all black to the game against the C’s to having an old school ball game (without a huge brawl) is refreshing for the NBA. Even with everyone on either side saying that the rivalry doesn’t exist. This is the closest thing to a rivalry that the NBA has, and it is good for the league. Hatred in sports feeds fans, the media, and makes the games that much more memorable. After the Wizards-Celtics game, you have Russell Westbrook continuing his amazing play and proving everyone wrong. Lebron James has been a TMZ reporter for the NBA stirring up the pot with his comments about his team. Jimmy Butler and D-Wade are furious with their teammates after a bad loss to the walks, calling for the rest of the roster to play better. Oh, and the All-Star starters were announced.

If you have learned anything this week; it should be not to anger Russell Westbrook anymore (I’m worried his head might explode). Westbrook had 38 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists on Monday against the Jazz in a narrow 2-point win (which Westbrook hit a game-winner). Westbrook is an All-Star snub in the Starting Lineup for the Western Conference, and based off his play—he is proving to all the fans who voted in Steph Curry why he should be the Starting PG.  Westbrook is now in 5th All-Time in Triple Doubles, passing Larry Bird. Westbrook tied Bird in that Monday night win over the Jazz, and last night exploded into 5th place with a 27, 12, and 10 triple double against the Pelicans. And, even with that, Westbrook isn’t my Player of the Week. That goes to Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters. Waiters exploded this past week averaging 25.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 4 rebounds this week. The highlight of the week is a huge home win against the Golden State Warriors were he scored 33 points and grabbed 4 rebounds—hitting the game winner with 6 tenths of a second left on the clock against the “Super Team.” Waiters has always been a decent player (who was drafted way to high {4th Overall in the 2012 draft}). Waiters has bounced around the league, including a rough relationship with Kevin Durant last year. Waiters with this week has found a place (for now) in Miami and needs to become more of a consistent player for the Heat.

Moving on to the Rookie of the Week, which is a little different this week. Joel Embiid didn’t play this week, getting rested by the 6’ers. This week hurts me to do this. I say this because I am highlighting a player that I personally dislike. That is Brooklyn Nets guard Caris LeVert. I am knocking my own team because of the pain and suffering LeVert gave to me when he played his college ball at Michigan. Personally, I blame not having the 2014 National Championship because of LeVert and what he did in that game. I will not go into detail because you can google it. Anyway, my personal feelings aside, LeVert had a good week as far as rookies are concerned. LeVert this week averaged 9.5 points per game, 3.5 assists, and shot 50% from the field during this stretch which is amazing. With a week were the best rookie not playing this week, the league got a snapshot at what the rest of the class has, which is not much, but this rookie class isn’t the worst ever. The best of luck to LeVert and the Nets for the rest of the season (they need it), and please Caris don’t doom my team, please.

Looking ahead to tonight and the week coming up, this week should be interesting. Tonight the selection of games of TNT isn’t the best, it’s what I could call “B talent” in the NBA. At 8PM the Mavs go to Oklahoma City to face the ball of fire that is Russell Westbrook. After that, the Lakers travel to Salt Lake City to face the Jazz at 10PM. These aren’t the best games to have broadcasted, but with the craziness that has happened this week—like the great Kevin Garnett said “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!”

Moving to the weekend, the 6’ers host MVP candidate James Harden and the Rockets at 8PM on ESPN. Two other games that aren’t on national TV are the Bucks going north of the boarder to play Toronto, and DeMarcus Cousins travels to Indiana to play Paul George. On Saturday, an “old rivalry” is renewed when the Clippers travel down the highway to play Steph Curry and Kevin Durant in Oracle on ABC at 8:30 EST. Then, if you stay on ABC for the weekend, the basketball gets better. The Cleveland Cavilers travel to OKC to play Russell Westbrook for a great matchup of incredible talent on the floor. Traveling into the work week, fast-forward Tuesday were the Knicks face-off against John Wall and the Wizards, trying to break Washington’s home winning streaks. And finally, on Wednesday, Lebron James goes to Minnesota to play the up and coming Timberwolves—which to me is a great game to watch due to the young talent on Minnesota. But, that is it for the week of January 26th and step behind the line when you shot, and keep your eyes tuned to the association.
Sources:(espn.com, nba.com)

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