I’m no doctor (sorry mom!), but in my professional opinion (in which my profession is nothing besides maybe making a lot of parentheses), I believe (and feel!) that whatever injury Harden was coming back from, well, it seems to have miraculously solved itself and this is the most 100% I’ve seen James Harden in a long time, not counting the strip clubs, of course. And that’s not to act glib, anyone can smirk injury statuses, it’s pretty much tradition in all sports leagues in this day and age. But I guess it’s always nice to see the confirmation right before your eyes, so without incredulously referring to Harden’s previous injury, I think after last night’s performance scoring 29 points, grabbing 10 boards and providing an easy breezy smorgasbord (totally a phrase) of 16 assists, I think we can say that whatever ailed him does no longer. Probably his previous injury was playing with Kyrie Irving…
Here’s what else I saw during yesterday’s “truncated” basketball schedule:
Joel Embiid – 36 MIN, 7-18 FG, 0-4 3PT, 23-27 FT, 9 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 4 BLK, 2 TO, +18, 37 PTS. It’s Harden (aye-oooo) to mention his resurgence without mentioned the heavy lifting Embiid did (and is designed to do). Pass-first Harden seems to mean MVP Embiid, so really no surprises here. Though, I know it’s only been about a minute since this pair got together, but Embiid was at the free throw line 27 times and Harden still managed 16 assists. This gonna be good folks.
Tobias Harris – 35 MIN, 3-9 FG, 2-5 3PT, 4-4 FT, 5 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, +25, 12 PTS. So yeah, I think I understand all the Tobias hate now. This against the Knicks? Yikes.
Donovan Mitchell – 37 MIN, 8-20 FG, 6-11 3PT, 4-5 FT, 2 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 2 TO, -3, 26 PTS. I feel the -3/26 PTS discrepancy is kinda the Jazz in a nutshell. Like, this still is a really good team, they just aren’t that great finishing games, kinda meh against other top teams, and the defense is a bit lacking, the health may not quite be there. but other than that… it’s a good team.
Deandre Ayton – 34 MIN, 11-15 FG, 1-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, 7 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK, 1 TO, +16, 23 PTS. Was on his way to a monster night before Gobert and the rest of the Jazz front adjusted in the second half and visibly played further out and together defense.
Oshae Brissett – 34 MIN, 9-14 FG, 6-9 3PT, 3-5 FT, 6 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, +24, 20 PTS. Okay, calm down there Mr. 32% Career Three-Point Shooter. Also, that’s a really long nickname Oshae, maybe you should shorten that down. And you heard it here first everyone, Next season’s Pacers are this season’s Cavs…
Kelly Olynyk – 24 MIN, 7-13 FG, 4-5 3PT, 2-2 FT, 8 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, -2, 20 PTS. Charlotte bro, did you just lose to Kelly Olynyk? (Not that the Hornets had a chance, I believe this is their seventh overtime loss in seven chances.)
Eric Gordon – 31 MIN, 2-9 FG, 2-6 3PT, 4 REB, 2 AST, 1 TO, -12, 6 PTS. #FREEERICGORDON
Spencer Dinwiddle – 31 MIN, 10-14 FG, 2-4 3PT, 2-4 FT, 4 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 2 TO, +17, 24 PTS. Dinwiddle in a lot of ways reminds me of Gal Gadot in that I’m in love with both of them, they just don’t know it yet.
DeMarcus Cousins – 18 MIN, 7-10 FG, 2-3 3PT, 3-6 FT, 8 REB, 6 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 3 TO, +27, 19 PTS. Denver is now 10-0 when the Boogie man plays. Makes sense when you realize that bench is Cousins, Ben McLemore and a bunch of names no one has ever heard of.
CJ McCollum – 34 MIN, 8-15, 4-7 3PT, 2-2 FT, 5 REB, 8 AST, 3 STL, 1 TO, +20, 22 PTS. Can this be blamed on Russell Westbrook? What a dumb question, you can blame anything on Russell Westbrook.
LeBron James – 36 MIN, 13-23 FG, 1-4 3PT, 5-5 FT, 6 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK, 7 TO, -22, 32 PTS. “Keep talking about my squad, our personnel ages, the way he plays, he stays injured, we’re past our time in this league, etc etc etc. Do me one favor PLEASE!!!! And I mean PLEASE!!! Keep that same narrative ENERGY when it begins! That’s all I ask.” – This Tweet has been deleted. 🤣🤣🤣
Jay is a longtime Razzball everything who consumes an egregious amount of Makers Mark as a vehicle to gain wisdom and augment his natural glow. Living in the D.C. area, he also likes spending time visiting the local parks and feeding lettuce to any turtles he encounters, including Mitch McConnell. You can follow him on Twitter @jaywrong.
