“4-Point Play,” is a weekly post where we’ll look at the 4 biggest storylines of the week in the NBA. GIFs and pictures may take a second to load on slower devices, but undoubtedly worth the wait.
Alright we’re back, another big week in the NBA, another 4-Point Play. Houston, Memphis and Golden State all remain undefeated, while the Lakers and Sixers haven’t won yet. Kobe is taking a hundred shots a game and leading the league in scoring, Boogie Cousins and the Kings look unbelievable, the Clips are struggling, and my adopted Charlotte Hornets are absolutely blowing my mind.
So here we go, round 2– less GIFs this time I swear:
1) I wanted to save this one for last, but I did that whole long intro, and then I just couldn’t hold it back any longer. Wednesday’s Cavs-Jazz game was the Game of the Century. The best player in the NBA going head-to-head with LeBron James and showing the world why he deserves them big bucks. First-ballot Hall of Famer, Gordon Hayward put the state of Utah on his back putting up 21pts/7ast/4reb and 1 MONSTER block (that was definitely not a goaltend) all right in LeBron’s eye– an inconceivable performance wrapped up in these videos…
Well said Matt Saracen. The “New Money Man” of Utah has arrived! But then again, he already saw this coming…
On the other end of the spectrum, the Cavs had 6 assists total in that game. Kyrie Irving, the point guard who plays with LeBron James, Kevin Love and Dion Waiters, had zero. ZERO. The 1-3 Cavs are dead last in assists/game, but me and my two favorite athletes aren’t losing sleep over it yet…
CUE THE MUSIC!!
2) Hayward’s fellow first-ballot Hall of Famer, Andrew Wiggins, officially arrived in a game at the Barclays Center earlier Wednesday night. The “offensive project” had 17 points against the Nets– the most of any rookie so far this year, while shooting 58% (1-1 from beyond the arc) and grabbing 4 boards. It was a beautiful bounce-back performance after the Bulls game that I’m not going to go into detail about. That dribble-step back might be the most unstoppable shot in NBA history (looking at you Dirk fadeaway). Add in some weight, muscle, and a couple years of development, and then watch out NBA.
Elsewhere in Wolves news, Ricky Rubio cashed in on a big extension. Lots of mixed feelings around the state and league about 4 more years with Pistola Rick, but I like it. Maybe I’m just a hopeless homer, but his loyalty to the Timberwolves and the state of Minnesota was unbelievably refreshing. His shot already looks infinity times better and will continue to develop a substantial amount over the course of the season and summer, his leadership has been noticeable (a nice change of pace from Captain Love), and damn it, there is not a more loveable athlete out there today…
Also Kevin Martin’s got BIG BALLS. And got fined for them. And got a warning from the league for flopping.
Big Daddy Canada tell ’em where you’re from…
Hope you had a fun Summer Vacation K Love!
3) Play of the week this week comes from the 0-5 Philadelphia 76’ers and KJ McDaniels on the oop from Tony Wroten…
You would think a game that included this play and a buzzer-beater to win would be fun to watch– it wasn’t.
4) It is never too early to start thinking about MVP, and through two weeks the race isn’t even close. One could make arguments for Kobe and Anthony Davis, but they’re not on winners right now. Boogie could make a run, but that just seems too good to be true. The Splash Bros are both looking unreal but also rely heavily on each other thinning out their votes and stats. If Andrew Wiggins continues to progress at the rate he is currently, he should get 2 MVPs at the end of the year. But the one guy who has done the most for a good team this year is Chris Bosh. 24.2pts/11reb/2.8ast/1.4stl, shooting around 50% (43% from deep) and being the consensus leader and most important piece of a contending team. Case closed.
Now one more round of applause for Matt Saracen Gordon Hayward…
Skyline Sports 