Better Call Paul

In 2016, Daryl Morey hired Mike D’Antoni as head coach. It was a match made in heaven, as Morey believed that three-pointers, layups, and free throws were the most efficient shots to take. D’Antoni? Did someone say three-pointers? Three-coooooola. The Rockets improved from 41-41 in 2015 to 55-27 with D’Antonio at the helm. They blitzed the league with 115.3 points per game, just 0.6 fewer than the vaunted Golden State Warriors. They hoisted up an absurd 40.3 three-pointers a game and made a league-high 14.4. Then the playoffs happened. After disposing of the Oklahoma City Thunder, D’Antoni and Morey were bested by Greg Popovich. Pop did not figure out the magic formula to shut down the Rockets O. What he did do was disrupt the rhythm and force the Rockets to do what they were most uncomfortable doing: shoot the midrange. Pop would use Kawhi Leonard to chase James Harden all over the court and plant Pau Gasol in the middle of the lane. The other three players would be paparrazi and follow their subjects wherever they went. As a result, three-pointers, layups, and free throws were defended. Everything in the midrange was conceded. Result? Spurs 4. Rockets 2. There was only one option to pursue. Better Call Paul, as in Chris Paul, who just happens to be one of the best mid-range scorers in the game. The league adjusted to the Rockets. In response, Morey and D’Antonio adjusted to the adjustment. Can the league adjust to the adjustment of the adjustment? Last night, Paul played 35 minutes and went:

Can’t wait to see what the adjustment to the adjustment  to the adjustment would be, if anything at all. I ranked Paul 6th overall in the offseason. Early on, it looked like that was a huge mistake, as Harden was dominating the usage and Paul got injured. From what we’ve seen lately, though, it could still come to fruition, as he’s currently the 7th player in fantasy right now and is putting up a ridiculous line of:

It’s a good thing Morey called Paul.

Here’s what else I saw last night:

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Dwight Howard –

I hope one day I can visit the parallel universe where Evil Dwight plays ball. Smiling, caring-what-everyone-thinks-about-me Dwight just didnt do it for me. I want to see F U, who gonna sex me tonight, I’ll-sweep-the-leg-then-dunk-the-ball-into-your-grill-while-you’re-writhing-in pain-on-the-ground Dwight. All pleasantries aside, Dwight is 8th in turnovers per game and just murders your FT%.

Nicolas Batum returned from injury and played 34 minutes.

How about we go to that parallel universe where Batum is still injured?

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist –

Did you remember that Kidd-Gilchrist was selected 2nd overall in the 2012 NBA Draft? I sure didn’t. Does a percentage of his check get automatically transferred to Anthony Davis’ account?

Russell Westbrook messed around. Stocktonator on the other hand? Always dead serious. Had Russ as the number two play last night.

Steven Adams –

A portion of Adams’ check has to get auto deducted into Russ’ for sure, right?

Alex Abrines got the start again and played 32 minutes.

Thaddeus Young –

He’s a smooth criminal! Top 40 player on the year.

Bojan Bogdanovic –

Has scored double figures in all but six games. He’s played 27 on the year. 42% on 5.1 shots from downtown ain’t too shabby.

Wesley Johnson –

Played 14 minutes and had a +/- of -12. Ooooh, sooooo close to the pure binary code line. If you haven’t figured it out yet, that’s not a good thing to have unless……a certain player takes it up infinity levels and posts a binary code line that, when inputted into a computer, starts showing highlights of his career. I think my brain just exploded.

DeAndre Jordan –

DJ is glad all the good players are out for the Clippers, as he gets to pad his rebound stats. Cha-ching. Maybe someone needs to investigate this a little further. Sounds a little Tonya Harding-esque.

Milos Teodosic –

Played 25 minutes and finally dished out a dime or two or three or four or five or six. Dime means ten, Milos. You have many things to learn about this country.

Austin Rivers –

Rivers left the game due to a concussion. He’s already been ruled out for Friday. We need helmets in the game!!!

Lou Williams –

Can’t Lou sue the league for discrimination? How is he not a starter?

Jonathan Simmons –

Played 39 minutes and soaked up a ton of usage because Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier were out. Kostas told you to buy last week. Did you listen? If not, you have time to repent for your sins.

Mario Hezonja got the start at shooting guard and played 35 minutes.

JaMychal Green –

Where did that come from? The rebounds and shot attempts were season highs. Oh, Mike Scott was opposing him.

Andrew Harrison –

That’s back-to-back games scoring in double figures. The answer is no.

John Wall –

Returned from injury and played 28 minutes. A Wall returning is excellent news in this context.

Marcin Gortat –

Dead cat bounce?

Jamal Murray –

Back-to-back games with 28 points. See, loyalty does get rewarded, unless you sign up for one of those cards.

Gary Harris –

Top 35 player! Must be a ninja because he’s been sneaky good.

With Al Horford sitting, the Celtics rolled out a starting unit of Irving, Smart, Brown, Tatum, and Baynes.

Aron Baynes –

Kyrie Irving –

How would Kyrie answer this question: The world is? Flat or mine?

Jaylen Brown –

Shane Larkin –

Why am I writing up Larkin? When else would I ever write him up? Don’t be a scrooge. Let Larkin get a little love.

Al-Farouq Aminu –

Aminu is like that girl in high school who wasn’t the prettiest or the smartest, but she wasn’t ugly or stupid and was super chill to hang out with.

CJ McCollum –

James Johnson almost messed around.

One of the five members of the 1/1/1 club last season. Can he repeat?

Justise Winslow left the game due to a knee strain. The Heat are really banged up right now and could be forced to utilize a super tight rotation.

Wayne Ellington –

With all the injuries, he could in line for a ton or minutes.

Donovan Mitchell –

Let’s cut to highlights of Mitchell:

Rodney Hood and Alec Burks both played 25 minutes. Hood went 5-for-12 from the field while Burks went 6-for-13. I’d much prefer if it was Ralec Hoburks that went 11-for-25.

Nikola Mirotic –

All the credit must be given to Bobby Portis for the pep talks he’s been giving Mirotic. “Yo, Nikky. You better ball out tonight or I’m gonna F you up.”

Kris Dunn –

He Dunn did it again.

Khris Middleton –

In honor of Kris Khris:

Anthony Davis did not get hurt.

DeMarcus Cousins almost messed around.

Nine turnovers! Nine! That’s good for a bunch of malnutritioned kids. Not for basketball.

E’Twaun Moore –

MOORE! Played 35 minutes and will continue to get open looks. It’s nice to see him grabbing boards and dishing out dimes.

Serge Ibaka –

Another assist! That’s five straight games with one assist in a game. Only two games has he dished out more than one assist in a game. With that said, he’s been balling the F out.

Jonas Valanciunas –

Back-to-back 20/10 games. He’s alive! Until he’s dead again.

With Tyson Chandler sitting, Greg Monroe got the start and played 30 minutes.

Chandler will rarely play on back-to-backs.

Troy Daniels –

Could get more time because Josh Jackson doesn’t know how to shoot.