thelesterlee
With the All-Star break approaching, this feels like a perfect time to look around the NBA and see where everything stands. Sample sizes are large enough to assess what’s going on out here.
The Phoenix Suns are the best team in the NBA, the Detroit Pistons are the worst. We all saw this coming. But here are 9 random thoughts about the rest of the league at the halfway point of the 21-22 NBA season:
1. Trade Russell Westbrook and John Wall for each other every season
When Russell Westbrook and John Wall signed their stupid contract extensions a few seasons ago, many people thought their deals were untradable. Until they were traded for each other. Now both players are stuck in shitty situations. Westbrook looks like he’s playing with his eyes closed and John Wall straight up isn’t allowed to play for a Rockets team focusing on a group of ragtag teenagers getting their ass beat by grown men every night.
There are rumors saying Houston is down to send Wall to LA in exchange for Westbrook which would be the most hilarious outcome possible. For the remainder of their careers, I want them swapped for each other. Every season. Please.
2. The Clippers are still a problem
The Los Angeles Clippers just completed a 35-point comeback against the Washington Wizards with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard sidelined with injuries. Sitting at the 9th seed, it was easy to assume they’d drop out of the playoff picture entirely with their two stars out but nope, this team is actually battling on a nightly basis.
When the playoffs start, the Clippers will not only be participating but PG and Kawhi will be in uniform. Shout out to the Jazz or Grizzlies for thinking they have a shot at the title only to be jettisoned from the postseason when playoff Kawhi returns and slits their throats.
3. The Nets suck
Obviously, Brooklyn will make the playoffs and have some spectacular games and blah blah but this is year 3 of Kevin Durant’s big move to New York. This team is nowhere closer to winning a title than they were when D’Angelo Russell and Jarrett Allen were running the squad.
There are stories about James Harden not loving his life in Brooklyn and being disappointed with Kyrie Irving being a part time player which is totally understandable. Harden has his jersey retired in a Houston strip club. Brooklyn strip clubs are full of hipsters listening to Animal Collective and sipping bubble tea. Not a boner in sight.
4. The Grizzlies are who the Kings thought they were
The Sacramento Kings tanked for De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley. Lol. Fox was supposed to be the next John Wall in his prime and Bagley was supposed to be a guaranteed 20 and 10. Fox looks like present day John Wall and Bagley is averaging 9 points and 7 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Ja Morant is actually the explosive point guard carrying a city on his back and Jaren Jackson, despite tough injury luck, looks like he has a 20 and 10 future. Sacramento is already looking to trade 24-year Fox while Ja Morant is starting this year’s All-Star game. Yike.
5. Julius Randle isn’t that good at basketball
Randle went from an All-NBA player to a decent role player making All-Star level money. Literally all of his stats dropped this season compared to last including his 3-point shooting falling off a cliff. Shooting 41% last year and 30% this year makes him a completely different basketball player.
Not to mention him being a weirdo during games sinking his head when a teammate makes a mistake or needing to be physically held back from shouting at referees. Randle went from a workhorse who created his own stardom to a straight up whiny asshole who isn’t talented enough to behave as such.
6. The Celtics are irrelevant
Before the season started, Brad Stevens moved up from the sidelines into the front office. With zero general manager experience, Stevens immediately brought Al Horford and Enes Kanter back into the building. Ok. One of those players is having the worst shooting season of his career and the other works for the CIA.
Jayson Tatum is going to get his 27-40 points a night. Guaranteed. Cool. But the rest of the team kind of sits around watching him audition for a Mamba Mentality commercial. The only good thing about Celtics games is Nia Long on the sidelines.
7. Nikola Jokic vs. Joel Embiid
In a league with so much focus on the perimeter and the wing and old media personalities complaining about players taking too many 3’s, two players are dominating on a nightly basis and they are 7-footers.
There is also something to be said about foreign-born players running the NBA but we don’t care about that shit here at Deadseriousness because…who cares? No but seriously, it’s so odd how frequently it’s mentioned where Luka Doncic or Giannis is from. Sorry, the days of Larry Bird are over. The only good white homegrown talent is Tyler Herro and he’s one rapper shout out away from turning his back on the caucasians altogether.
8. Evan Mobley will make an All-NBA every season he’s healthy
Speaking of big men dominating the NBA, the Cavaliers are currently 2 games out of first place in the East and a lot of that success can be contributed to Rookie of the Year, Evan Mobley, who walked into the NBA this year and established himself as one of the best defenders.
9. DeMar DeRozan 4 President
WATCHING THIS OVER AND OVER
DEMAR DEROZAN GAME WINNER@NBCSChicago | @DeMar_DeRozan | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/nd7NcXDkvq— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 31, 2021
DEMAR DEROZAN BACK TO BACK GAME WINNERS pic.twitter.com/oJGk1qlUf0
— Barstool Sportsbook (@BSSportsbook) January 2, 2022
When fully healthy, the Chicago Bulls are the best team in the NBA. Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso are top tier on-ball defenders while DeMar DeRozan puts the team on his back in the 4th quarter. He won’t win the MVP this season but he deserves it.
What are your thoughts about the 2021-22 NBA season? Leave a comment below. Respond on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Or shoot me an email at Deadseriousmailbag@gmail.com. Let’s chat, bay-beeeee. Let me know if you think Julius Randle is good so I can give you a thumbs down.
