With a 48-point performance, why can’t LeBron James share in the festivities with the great Martin Luther King? I mean, there’s actually some real answers here, like, you know, I don’t think MLK would let China get in the way of social equality. And if we’re still being serious, this performance came against the worst team in the league. But therein lies the LeRub, if you will… Monday’s performance is yet another reminder of how bad the Lakers as a whole actually are. Check this fun stat out; over the last 16 games, LeGreat has a +143. In the minutes he’s sat on the bench, the Lakers have accumulated a -106. Yikes. Granted, I get the feeling that Lakers’ ownership would rather miss the play-in than pay the repeaters taxes, but Pelinka and others need to get him some more help. A healthy AD isn’t enough. And as much fun as it is laying into the Lakers, it’d be true shame (even with the bubble Chip) to waste LeAgeless in his year 38 when he can still dominate. Here’s what else I saw during last night’s games…
Jayson Tatum – 40 MIN, 15-23 FG, 7-12 3PT, 9 REB, 5 AST, 4 TO, +15, 51 PTS. The main story is probably the 50 points, but after looking at the entire box score, the assists totals going up and down is pretty awesome to see. Obviously, the Celtics and Tatum are a long way from their hot start, but still a scary team, especially come playoffs time.
Jrue Holiday – 37 MIN, 13-19 FG, 5-8 3PT, 4-4 FT, 4 REB, 11 AST, 2 STL, 2 TO, +18, 35 PTS. The 130 points overall and 50%+ from beyond the arc from a Bucks team without Giannis? Bizarro.
Darius Garland – 40 MIN, 9-22 FG, 5-10 3PT, 7-7 FT, 6 REB, 11 AST, 1 STL, 2 TO, +16, 30 PTS. Nice win for the Cavs, but it was against a Pelicans team without Ingram and Zion. Still though, huge fan of Garland and this is a legit team. If the Browns didn’t exist, I might actually root for a Cleveland team. Good job Browns.
Ricky Rubio – 17 MIN, 1-4 FG, 0-2 3PT, 1 REB, +13, 2 PTS. Vintage Ricky Rubio.
Scottie Barnes – 45 MIN, 8-16 FG, 1-2 3PT, 9-13 FT, 7 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK, 3 TO, +8, 26 PTS. Always nice to get a reminder of Barnes potential, even after the slow start. Just year two, his playmaking and scoring is still improving and we saw flashes of that last night. Long ways to go and he needs to be more consistent, but what a solid week.
Kyle Kuzma – 40 MIN, 5-20 FG, 4-12 3PT, 2-4 FT, 11 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 6 TO, -15, 16 PTS. Typical Kuzma stat line, more shots than actual points.
Trae Young – 36 MIN, 6-13 FG, 3-6 3PT, 9-11 FT, 3 REB, 8 AST, 4 STL, 10 TO, +1, 24 PTS. This team just has too much talent to be as bad as they’ve been up until this point. Obviously that starts and ends with Trae (and I guess McMillan) and despite the trouble-double, he has been playing a bit better of late.
Rudy Gay – 10 MIN, 0-4 FG, 0-2 3PT, 1 REB, 1 AST, -9, 0 PTS. Really puts new meaning into “No, not this guy.”
Walker Kessler – 31 MIN, 9-13 FG, 2-4 FT, 21 REB, 4 AST, 2 BLK, 1 TO, 20 PTS. Kessler played great, but Rudy Gobert only played for five minutes and the match-ups were super favorable for him. But any 20/20 is still impressive as a rookie.
Ja Morant – 27 MIN, 11-20 FG, 5-8 3PT, 2-2 FT, 2 REB, 7 AST, 1 STL, 1 TO, +14, 29 PTS. You’re not beating Memphis on MLK day unless the FBI is on your side.
Desmond Bane – 27 MIN, 10-12 FG, 3-4 3PT, 5-5 FT, 3 REB, 6 AST, 2 STL, 2 TO, +25, 28 PTS. Honestly, 28 points on just 12 shots is ridiculous when you think about it.
Eric Gordon – 32 MIN, 7-20 FG, 3-10 3PT, 6-8 FT, 5 REB, 3 AST, 1 TO, -16, 23 PTS. I just wanted to mention that Eric Gordon airballed a layup.
Alperen Sengun – 37 MIN, 14-17 FG, 2-2 3PT, 3-5 FT, 15 REB, 6 AST, 4 BLK, 2 TO, -6, 33 PTS. #BuildaroundSengun
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.
