Views from far far away Vol. 9

Views from far far away- Out-shadowed by the Tournament  
March is among us and what that means is that the college game will dominate headlines with the madness that is happening in the tournament. What basketball people don’t necessarily pay attention to this time of year is the pro game and the battles that are happening for playoff positions. Everyone who is a fan of the game is concerned about the MVP race and “who deserves it,” when Denver and Utah are in a heated double overtime game that could be the deciding factor on whether or not the Nuggets are playing meaningful basketball in the end of May into the early weeks of June. Currently, the Nuggets are two games up on Portland in the West, and Detroit and Miami are tied for the 8th spot in the East, with Chicago lingering just one game behind.

Speaking of Chicago, bad news came out of Bulls camp today with the news that Dwyane Wade will be missing the rest of the season with a fracture in his elbow. Jimmy Butler is now faced with more pressure to perform with the Wade injury and the trade that sent Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott to Oklahoma City. Seemingly, Chicago has gone from a team at the beginning of the season was sought to be a top 4 team in the East, to a playoff team when the All-Star break rolled around, is now a team just holding on for dear life.

But, even with all the heated playoff hunts going on, you can’t help and stop to look at an amazing performance but up by one of the games’ elite. What James Harden has done this week is one of the reasons why he is considered for the MVP. Harden is also my Player of the Week. Over this past week the Houston guard has put up on average: 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 12 assists, while also shooting 45% from the field. Harden has carried his team to the 3rd seed in the West this season and with these type of numbers, there is no doubt why he is MVP consideration.

Moving onto the young guns in the league, the conversation for Rookie of the Year gets murky now with no Joel Embiid in the mix. Only play 31 games, it puts his legitimacy at risk, but to me he is still clearly the best rookie in the race and should get the award. Philadelphia 76’ers guard Dario Saric and Milwaukee Bucks forward Malcolm Brogdon have been getting most of the headlines, but someone who has flown under the radar and is just making his name known in the Rookie of the Year race is Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown. Brown is my Rookie of the Week and here is why. Not only is he on the best team out of any rookie in the running but the Celtics have found a way to use Brown and make him effective at all times on the floor. Over this past week Brown averaged: 10 points, 3 rebounds, and just under a steal per game, while 49% from the field and just over 21 minutes during the 3-game stretch. Brown might not get the award at the end of the season but to overlook him is doing the league a disservice.

Getting into the upcoming games for the week, it is a light schedule with the NCAA Tournament going on but defiantly some good games to watch. On NBATV tonight the Cavilers go to Salt Lake City to face Gordon Hayward and the Utah Jazz at 7PM EST. Tomorrow on NBATV, the Wizards host the Wade-less Chicago Bulls at 7, then at 8 the Timberwolves travel down to Miami to face off in Waiters Island, and finally the country splits games on NBATV rounding up the night with Magic and Suns and Bucks and Lakers. Moving onto Saturday where two members of the “banana boat brother’s” face-off. Chris Paul and the Clippers host Lebron and the defending champs. On Sunday, Paul George and the Pacers travel north of the boarder to play the Raptors. Getting into the work week, things start to pick up… Steph Curry and the struggling Warriors to Oklahoma City and face Westbrook and his band of misfit toys on TNT at 8. Then another duo of the “banana boat brother’s” face off. Carmelo and the Knicks go out to L.A. to play Chris Paul and his Clips. Tuesday showcases a double-header on ESPN, first Jimmy Butler goes north of the boarder to play DeMar DeRozan and the Raptors. Following that up is the Klaw going to Minnesota to play the T’Wolves. Wednesday is another ESPN double-header, the Wizards host the Hawks at 8 and the Knicks stay out west and play in Utah at 10:30. Hopefully you enjoy all the hoops action in the pros and in the tournament, but remember step behind the line when you shoot.
Sources:(espn.com, nba.com)

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