Back to business as usual. The NBA was in rare form this week, with several exciting events, such as the trade deadline and a botched call
This week in the association, we will examine the call heard around the league. Which potentially cost the Portland Trail Blazers a game.
Some will argue that the game should have never depended on a single call, but the contest featured 16 lead changes. So yes, there are instances where a call in the waning moments can absolutely impact the eventual outcome. More on the Blazers botched call later though. Let’s jump into this week’s recap:
A salute to Kobe
Portland possesses a close-knit backcourt
Stats are fun
This is an eye-opening statement
Some impressive Kobe artwork
The NBA is a brotherhood
Feisty Grizzlies
It’s definitely not broken
Gotta put the baby down first
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8SjwzMht4_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Bradley Beal for the win
This must be why he did not fit in Golden State
Keep scoffing Morant
Rolling Raptors
A little?
Good company to be in
High praise from Carlisle
Marc Cuban might get me to join Tic-Tok
Social media in a nutshell
Kyle Lowry shares a cool moment with a fan
Howard’s comments hit hard
Looks like Eric Gordon is going to miss Clint Capela
That’s pretty interesting
Real talk
Classy Capela
I would buy this
The Business Side
More like the art game
Legendary quote
Andre Iguodala is a genius
This is how Iggy gained legend status
Doc’s quote could be taken two different ways
A tweet about a basketball game
We see you, Winslow
This is why Sam Presti did not surrender Gallo for less than his value
The full quote where Dillon Brooks fired shots at Iguodala
Fans first
I favor the Bucks in this matchup
Enes Kanter remains undefeated
https://twitter.com/EnesKanter/status/1225490053788569601?s=20
Every year at the trade deadline teams become obsessed with a random player
Kyle Kuzma is a powerful man
Dr. Tomorrow is one of the best in the business
Accurate
Breaking News the New York Knickerbockers made a smart trade!
Shameless plug from Mr. Booker
This seemed a little rushed
This is mean
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8ShchQhivZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
I don’t understand why IT cannot stick on a team
Adding JR Smith will end badly for the Lakers
This was literally a live look at all of NBA twitter on Thursday afternoon
https://twitter.com/BraidedRussell/status/1225509563878776837?s=20
Sometimes the best trade a team can make is the ones that never happen
Nothing but love from Marcus Morris
This is historic
Harsh reality
For anyone who says sports are not like real life, this harsh reality Andre Drummond experienced displays how they actually are. Sometimes a career path can take an unexpected turn, which is completely out of your control, and it’s not always fun. Hence, the origin behind the phrase it’s just business.
Drummond is not the only player bummed about being moved
The Raps are still rolling
This didn’t happen, but the tweet is still funny
Splitting up the pack
https://twitter.com/GorguiDieng/status/1225548534805618688?s=20
The opinion of a former teammate
Jae Crowder will fit right into the Heat culture
IT thanks Washington
Bill Simmons is was not satisfied watching the new-look Rockets
Never change Shaq
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Kn1ZZI7bK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
This is exactly what is going to happen
Intriguing thought?
Which former teammate will LeBron reunite with?
Another accurate depiction of social media
Smart strategy?
Why is Chris Webber still on TV?
PRESTO! However, they still could bribe Presti
Pun intended
Staggering does not work with Russell Westbrook
The Clippers are going to be a tough out in the playoffs
This debate is absurd
Westbrook is a special superstar
More from Carson Cunningham
Russ joins the 20k club
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1225653179968176128?s=20
To further reiterate Cunningham’s point, Westbrook has the potential to become the first player in league history to score 20,000 points, dish 10,000 assists, and pull-down 10,000 rebounds. He is currently 2,788 assists and 3,896 rebounds away from creating his own elite club. Regardless if you consider his numbers arbitrary or not, there is a reason no one has ever accumulated such statistics in the past.
However, it appears LeBron James will likely become the first player to compile such statistics as he currently only needs 749 rebounds and 821 assists to establish the 20-10-10k club.
Couldn’t have said it better myself
Quirky for the win!
Doing it for Kobe, on Kobe’s court
Yes.
Team LeBron is set
https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/1225578009748365312?s=20
They needed this win to convince their locker room?
Just a reminder, Trae Young watched Westbrook while he was growing up
https://twitter.com/TheTraeYoung/status/1225659392705495041?s=20
It’s not tampering because he is not on a team
The Pistons made a terrible trade
The sample size is small, but this strategy might work
Houston’s key edition seems pleased with the initial results
https://twitter.com/Holla_At_Rob33/status/1225725599924142080?s=20
More teams should give their players a defined role
The Wizards seem pretty high on Jerome Robinson
Presented without comment
I love Steve Kerr‘s brutal honesty
I think Russell will do just fine in his new situation
https://twitter.com/Timberwolves/status/1225652081089896448?s=20
This is the soup on D’Angelo Russell, he made a foolish mistake when he was a 19-year-old rookie, which spoiled his time in LA quickly. He got hurt his first year in Brooklyn, then in his second year, he led the Nets to the playoffs and garnered an All-Star selection.
His stint in Golden State was short, and it seems he possibly never got a fair chance because they had intentions of moving him from the start. Perhaps being reunited with his Kentucky teammate Karl-Anthony Towns will be the best scenario for both Russell and KAT.
Wiggins arrives in the Bay
LeBron is such a special athlete
https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/1225949464956788736?s=20
I love this attitude from the Thunder’s sophomore guard
Andrew’s got a point
This team is tight
My apologies if you don’t get the inside joke
Another sophomore with a great attitude
Celebrating GIGI
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8NSFuKgLBP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The Bucks have a lot of fun
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8P1YOsppRi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Steph Curry with a fan
Remember this for later
It’s nice to have a voice on the national stage
So funny
Here is the missed called
Money well spent
This is a bad look for the officiating crew
However, just like players, the refs are human and there will be human error. The problem here comes from the league itself because this should be review-able, hence the error could be corrected. The simple solution to this problem should be this, allow the coaches to use their challenge for whatever play they deem necessary, no call from the official required.
Coaches only receive one challenge per game, so they must use it wisely. Conversely, because coaches are only allotted a single challenge the fear of the game being slowed should not be an issue.
Bravo Ruocco
This seems good
NSFW
The Blazers players knew this when the game was still in play
THIS!
Donovan Mitchell celebrates Utah’s victory over the Portland Trail Blazers
Lillard sounds off
This was a good call
Big Perk has spoken
This is one of my favorite soundbites from the entire season
CJ McCollum hit the nail right on the head. Officials should be held accountable. In fact, they are, just not with fines. Unlike teams who earn a playoff spot with victories, refs earn the right to officiate playoff games based on season-long performance. Therefore, egregiously missed calls could cost an NBA official the chance to officiate a game in the post-season.
I want them all
Thibs is in the building
Keeping basketball alive
https://twitter.com/espn/status/1226182821481517056?s=20
I concur
Good to see you again, welcome back Enes
Enes Kanter is the best!
https://twitter.com/EnesKanter/status/1226298241374965760?s=20
More good stuff from Kanter
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8PQcgnlXe6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
I can confirm this is art
Friendly fire between former teammates
https://twitter.com/KendrickPerkins/status/1226363544653877248?s=20
Rebounding matters
An intriguing question, I’ll reserve my judgment until after the playoffs
Interesting
That’s one way to look at it
They’re Spuring
The Nuggets are good
This is pretty spot on
https://twitter.com/JoshEberley/status/1226363647099731968?s=20
Way to go, Seth
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8U77CWh426/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Even Steph had to laugh
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8VEVTBhH04/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
It will never feel real
Classy Dubs
Much bigger
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8VAYWXnY9O/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Not the best look for a contender
Doc was steaming after the loss
Kawhi couldn’t explain it
This made me laugh
This was a statement from the Wolves
Ring around the Westbrook’s
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8NRN-FHs4s/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Sharing is caring
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8JzTgbBwPt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The young man in the above video probably does not know who Terrence Davis is, but that did not stop the Raptors rookie from making his evening by sharing his pretzel after this adorable child shared some strawberries. Which, concludes our high note of the week.
That’s it for this Sunday, enjoy the final week of NBA basketball that will lead us into the 2020 All-Star hiatus.