NBA Covid-19 Update: How the League Can Stop Postponing Games

NBA Covid-19 Update: How the League Can Stop Postponing Games

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by | Feb 3, 2021 | Featured, NBA

 

When the 2020-21 NBA season kicked off, it was clear that this season would look a lot different due to Covid-19. From the empty arenas to the spread-out benches it has been clear from the jump that the NBA was going to do their best with the spread of the Coronavirus. All NBA players, coaches, and staff members have team rules, protocols, contact tracing programs, and testing methods in place if the effort to limit the chances of the virus negatively impacting teams. However, even with all these systems and plans in place, there was still no way the NBA schedule was going to get through this season without any Covid outbreaks. There is just no real way to prevent the virus from impacting a sports league that is going to travel all over the country to play. No matter if there are fans or not, we haven’t seen any professional sports league in this country been able to pull off a season without having positive cases. Even with health produces and precautions set in place by the NBA, which actually have been the best of any major professional sport, there isn’t a way to stop positive cases from coming up in some way.

 

Up to date, there have been a total of 23 games postponed in this 2020-21 NBA season with no set date of when they will make them up. Players have been sidelined for situations as simple as contact tracing, out for weeks from testing positive, and teams have even had to take the floor with a minimum of 8 players. This has begged the question as of late, is NBA’s Covid Prevention system in place is actually working? Rosters are thinning, and concerns are growing more about overuse and having too long of layoffs around the league. Even with all the postponements and cancelations, the league has no plans on pausing the season. They have mentioned, “tightening” the off-court restrictions but not a plan of pause or cancelation.

 

List of Games that Have Been Canceled this Season

  • Dec. 23: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets
  • Jan. 10: Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics
  • Jan. 11: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Dallas Mavericks
  • Jan. 12: Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls
  • Jan. 13: Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics
  • Jan. 13: Utah Jazz vs. Washington Wizards
  • Jan. 13: Atlanta Hawks vs. Phoenix Suns
  • Jan. 15: Washington Wizards vs. Detroit Pistons
  • Jan. 15: Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns
  • Jan. 15: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Jan. 16: Indiana Pacers vs. Phoenix Suns
  • Jan. 17: Cleveland Cavaliers at Washington Wizards
  • Jan. 17: Philadelphia 76ers at Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Jan. 18: Cleveland Cavaliers at Washington Wizards
  • Jan. 20: Washington Wizards at Charlotte Hornets
  • Jan. 20: Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trail Blazers
  • Jan. 21: Washington Wizards at Milwaukee Bucks
  • Jan. 22: Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trail Blazers
  • Jan. 24: Sacramento Kings at Memphis Grizzlies
  • Jan. 25: Sacramento Kings at Memphis Grizzlies
  • Jan. 25: San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Pelicans
  • Jan. 27: Chicago Bulls at Memphis Grizzlies
  • Feb.1: Detroit Pistons at  Denver Nuggets

 

 

 

George Hill of the Oklahoma City Thunder responds to a reporter about his feelings toward the NBA “fighting” restriction for players. — FFW 2:30  (via The Oklahoman)

 

 

The Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers are currently the best team in the Eastern Conference at 11-5 but even that hasn’t come without a combination of Covid-19 and injury complications. On January 7th, the Sixers were forced to play their game against the Denver Nuggets with only 7 active players due to injuries and Covid-19.

 

 

“Sixers have Enough Plays” … interesting. Hope this doesn’t happen in the playoffs..

 

Sixers Head Coach Doc Rivers Weighed in to Explain why he thinks it is not in the player’s and league’s best interest to let rosters with just 7-8 active players play:

 

 

This season is not going to be paused or postponed. That part is clear, if the NBA was going to do that they would have already. The NBA is focused on finishing this season as best they can now. It’s clear they are prioritizing safety as best they can as, but it’s only as long games can get played, even if you only have seven players. The NBA is committed to this season but they haven’t offered any type of solution for the teams that are having these unique roster problems. They have played these games with 7 or 8 active players but the 23 postponed games are still going to require active players and who is to say they won’t have similar complications when the NBA ultimately does reschedule?

The NBA should highly consider expanding rosters for this season. Give teams more rosters spots and even have a Coivd-19 reserve list of players teams could sign for times when teams are stripped down to only a few reserves. There are so many capable veteran free agents and young talented players that could help teams not only win games this season but help a team like the Sixers withstand this season so guys like Ben Simmonds and Joel Embiid are not burnt out come playoff time. Expanding rosters by at least 2-3 more spots would be the least the league could do in this pandemic year. It would provide such a great opportunity for players like Isiah Thomas and Jamal Crawford who are clearly capable vets. Imagine if a team like the Sixers or the Thunder on a night with a very depleted roster could rely on a seasoned vet like J Crossover. Expanding rosters might not be logistically as simple as I am making it out to be, however, its no doubt that it could benefit some teams and benefit some deserving players and also help organizations better get through this very strange season.

 

Feb 3, 2021 No Comments
Cleveland Cavaliers Kevin Porter Jr traded to the Houston Rockets

Cleveland Cavaliers Kevin Porter Jr traded to the Houston Rockets

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by | Jan 23, 2021 | Featured

Early yesterday evening news was confirmed that the Cleveland Cavalier’s 2019 first-round draft pick, Kevin Porter Jr, would be traded to the Houston Rockets for a future second-round pick. The pick is heavily protected, meaning there is a chance that it is not likely to actually convey.

At only 20 years of age Porter Jr, averaged 10.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists during a promising rookie year last season. With so much potential on the surface, it looks like the Cavs basically let Porter Jr. go for nothing right? Well, it was really a build-up of multiple things. Although Porter Jr. did show true promise with his performance on the court, it was off the court issues he had that lead to the Cavs ultimately deciding to trade him.

 

 

The initial reports from earlier this week of the Cavs looking to trade and or waive Porter Jr. came after an alleged outburst from Porter in the Cavs locker room. The reported “temper tantrum” came as a response to the Cavs acquiring Brooklyn Nets players Jarret Allen and Tauren Prince in part of the James Harden Blockbuster trade. After the trade had been confirmed, it was reported that Porter Jr’s locker was removed from its original spot to a different section of the locker room along with his belongings to make room for incoming Tauren Prince. Porter Jr’s frustration is easily understood as moving someone’s personal belongings, especially in his place of work without telling him, is a sign of disrespect or at least discontent. As rude as the gesture may have been, clearly there was a reason for the lack of hesitation from the Cavs. The Cavs and Porter Jr have had a rocky relationship over the past few months and his outburst in the locker room seemed to be the last straw for the Clevland Cavaliers organization.

The Cavs have done their best to keep the situation with Kevin Porter Jr. in-house until action needed to be taken. The team had granted him time away to hopefully find mental clarity during certain circumstances over these past few months when he had a lot going on. They even told him how they had a specific plan to reintegrate him into the roster when he returned. Unfortunately, it didn’t end up working out for both parties. However, both the Cavs and Porter Jr. want what is best for each other and the trade was the best way to achieve that.

 

 

On Monday, Cavs head Coach J.B Bickerstaff said the organization had done it’s best to help Porter, “We all want to see Kevin be successful and I still feel that way, so whatever it is that happens in the future for him, I hope nothing but the best for him,” Bickerstaff said. “It’s part of our responsibility as coaches to give everyone our all and try to make the best of every situation and I can say that we did that.”

The Locker room incident was not Kevin’s first time causing problems for himself within the organization. He was arrested on Nov. 15 after a middle-of-the-night crash when he flipped his Mercedes SUV. He had admitted to having been drinking before driving but when police searched the vehicle they found a handgun and a small amount of Marijuana in the glove compartment. Porter Jr was dismissed of the gun and a small amount of marijuana charges after he was able to prove he was unaware they were there and that they did not belong to him. However, this is still not the situation a 20-year-old NBA player wants to find themself in.

About a month before the incident Porter Jr also showed cause for concern when he posted a black background on his Instagram story where he typed over it, “Do you ever wish to see the end of your time?”. Shortly after finding out, the Cavs organization reached out to Porter Jr. to express their concern. He has since completely deleted his Instagram account. To ease the minds of some of his followers and fans he soon after deleting his Instagram tweeted out, “I’m fine. Been thru my worse times already, can’t get worse than what I already been thru. Love & Thank you.” This post has also been deleted since.

Before this Trade to the Houston Rockets, The Cavaliers picked up a team option on Porter’s contract last month, meaning he is owed $2.13 million for the 2021-22 season. He has another team option for $3.85 million for the 2022-23 season.

So what does this mean for Houston?

This is a strategic pick up for Houston. Kevin Porter Jr. is a first-round draft pick type of talent and can positively impact winning, he just needs to find a place where he can be comfortable and get his mind right simultaneously. For a player to perform at the level they were projected to be, they need to feel supported in all aspects. Houston should be the best fit for him because not only do they have a revamped roster this year, but the Houston coaching staff will give him the support he needs. Rockets Head coach Stephen Silas could just be the type of coach Porter Jr needs. A young black head coach who will provide guidance could really make a difference. It was also reported the Rockets intend to have assistant coach John Lucas, work closely with Porter Jr. on some of his off the court issues. Lucas has experience with both NBA and NFL players helping them overcome struggles away from the sport that was holding them back. The Rockets will be a great fit for this young talent trying to find his way because they are showing they actually want to help him. The Rockets are giving Kevin Porter Jr a new start on a very competitive team in the Western Conference and while giving him the assistance he needs to have success off the court. It will be exciting to see how Porter Jr takes advantage of this new situation. Hopefully, he can get back to giving out buckets soon and his career will keep trending in the right direction!

 

Jan 23, 2021 No Comments
What To Make of the 2020-21 Boston Celtics

What To Make of the 2020-21 Boston Celtics

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by | Jan 5, 2021 | Featured, NBA

The Boston Celtics

 

The 2020-21 NBA season is off to quite an entertaining start. The Boston Celtics have been one of the most interesting teams in the league this year for many different reasons. Whether it was Jayson Tatum’s Game-winning banked in 3 over the reigning MVP and defensive player of the year Giannis Atetekumpto, The emergence of Jaylen Brown as an Offensive stud, or the trade rumors around James Harden there is a lot to talk about when it comes to the Boston Celtics so let’s dive into it.

The Boston Celtics currently sit at 4-3 which is the 6th best record in the Eastern Conference. Coming off a good win against the Detroit Pistons last night. It is a good win not because the Pistons are necessarily a good team but the Celtics are, and early in the season good teams have to make sure they are beating those teams that aren’t really looked at as playoff teams. This is only important to note because the Celtics previously played the Pistons on Friday and lost. The Celtics got off to a bad start Friday night in Detroit and since it is early in the season the Pistons were giving them everything they had and after falling behind 27-12 in the first quarter they could never recover. Last night’s win should be considered good because the Celtics showed their ability to improve on the fly and make adjustments to an opponent after just one game.

The Boston Celtics offense currently has the 4th best field goal percentage in the NBA (48.8%), the 5th best three-point percentage in the NBA (40%), and they are 5th in total field goals made with 43.1. Offense production during the regular season has not really been the problem with the team even though having top 5 team stats in 3 offensive categories is reassuring. The Boston Celtics defense is also 3rd in the league in steals averaging 10 a game right now. This stat is great to note because if they can keep this up, taking 10 possession from an opponent will be huge down the stretch.

 

Top 5 Most Impressive Players:

 

Jaylen Brown

Brown is playing at an all-star level. The absence of Kemba Walker has given him the chance to operate more and get into more pick and rolls as the ball handler. Brown has really unlocked different parts of his game this year. In the past, we have seen tangible things such as his jump shot, ball handling, and defense improve. This year it’s simply just been his feel for the game. He’s always had all the tools to but it was just about going out and doing it and he’s now doing it and consistently.

 

Jeff Teague

Teague has seemed to gel very well in Boston. He’s really replaced that Brad Wannamaker role for them and provided some solid veteran leadership for this young Celtics team. His ability as a composed point guard is something I can see the Celtics taking advantage of in games that come down to the wire.

Robert Williams

Robert William is a beast and it’s been great to see that more and more this year. He’s a great compliment to the guard play of Brown and Tatum and has been improving his pick and roll game since he has got to the league. Both Tatum and Brown are so good at manipulating ball screens and Williams has really been the beneficiary of that.

Peyton Prichard

Pritchard has really taken advantage of Kemba being out. He’s only averaging about 7 points in the first 7 games but coming off the bench and playing when he has really capitalized. He is another guy that can really fill that Brad Wannamaker role and just energy off the bench for this team. He has a great ability to create for others when he gets into the lane. He has a high basketball IQ and is really good about getting the ball to guys in position.

Tristan Thompson

Thompson has actually fit into the mix well. He’s run the floor really well and you can tell how much time he spent this offseason working on his touch around the rim. He’s a great dump-off big and awesome to have off the bench. He’s another guy that can help guard Giannis which was a big problem for the Celtics last season.

 

What to make of Jayson Tatum as “The Guy” this year?

On the season Tatum is averaging 24.3 points per game, shooting 45% from the field and 40% from 3 point range and securing 8 boards a game. Tatum has really embraced being this year. The stepback game-winner against Giannis was proof in itself. He wants the big moments he wants to take the last shot. It’s no secret that the late Kobe Bryant was a mentor to Tatum, He admired not only his game but his mentality as well. This year we’ve defiantly seen that mamba mentality out of Tatum. The game-winner was the obvious example but he’s also found a go-to move in his step-back 3 which he shot a league-best 42% on last season. Although he knocks it down at such a high rate he does need to settle for it less in critical moments. He missed the same stepback he hit on Giannis at the buzzer against the Pacers two days later and it wasn’t even a bad look he just had been having a lot of success that game getting to the basket so it was confusing to watch him settle. The good news though, is that Tatum and Brown work together beautifully. With the two young stars seeming to only elevate each other’s game each year this will be a fun season for the Celtics.

 

 

 

 

Jan 5, 2021 No Comments
Giannis & Bucks Agree To Super Max Contract Keeping Him In Milwaukee Through 2025

Giannis & Bucks Agree To Super Max Contract Keeping Him In Milwaukee Through 2025

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by | Dec 15, 2020 | Featured, NBA

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 01 (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Sources early this afternoon broke the story that Giannis Antetokuonmpo will be signing a contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. The 26-year-old will sign a 5 year, $228.2 million supermax with the franchise. Giannis’s deal now becomes the largest deal in NBA history. The back-to-back NBA MVP, and reigning NBA defensive player of the year is now committed to staying in Milwaukee long term. The deal does have the option of an opt-out after the 4th year.

Giannis took to Twitter to confirm the news of his contract extension showing praise and loyalty to the organization stating,

“This is my home, this is my city,” Antetokounmpo posted on Twitter. “I’m blessed to be able to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next 5 years. Let’s make these years count. The show goes on, let’s get it.”

 

The record deal is well deserved and makes sense given how NBA salaries have increased over the past few years. The two-time MVP is coming off the best year of his career after averaging 29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds to go with 5.6 assists per game. All were career highs for the Greek Freek and to add to it he also posted the highest efficiency rating of any player in NBA History. He was both the MVP and Defensive Player of the year in the same season which has only been done by two other players in NBA History – Michael Jordan & Hakeem Olajuwon.

He has led Milwaukee to the best record in the league last two seasons while also securing MVP.  This is impressive especially with the talent all around today but it’s even more impressive when you consider how he has done it. Giannis has improved every year and it doesn’t seem like he’s done. Not only do the numbers suggest that he’s not done improving but just observing how his handle, jumper, and defensive ability have all improved every season is why the Bucks didn’t hesitate to offer Giannis this extension.

The long-term deal implies that both parties are committed long-term because they see a championship happening within the next 5 years. Giannis isn’t untradeable or anything like but the fact that he signed long term says a lot. He could have signed a 3-year max or something shorter so that if the Bucks couldn’t secure a championship in the next few years he would have his choice to part ways with the organization. The deal shows that Giannis and the Bucks are mutually committed to each other and have a mutual understanding that the goal is a championship.

 

 

Antetokounmpo, who turned 26 on Dec. 6, joined Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James this season as the only players to win multiple NBA MVP awards by age 25. He’s had a history of expressing his interest in staying in Milwaukee under the right circumstances.

“I’ve been encouraged my whole career in Milwaukee,” Antetokounmpo said after winning his second MVP. “I know that we’ve gotten better each year and I know that Milwaukee has great people that view every year the same I do every year, which is to play well, improve and win it all.”

 

 

Dec 15, 2020 No Comments
The State of Golden State for 2020-2021 Season

The State of Golden State for 2020-2021 Season

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by | Nov 20, 2020 | Featured, NBA

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson has suffered a torn right Achilles tendon. Thompson tore his Achilles after a workout he had in southern California on November 18, an MRI confirmed yesterday in Los Angeles. The all-star shooting guard has now been ruled out for the upcoming 202-2021 NBA season set to start on December 22nd. This is a devastating blow for the Warriors given that this will be the second straight season that Klay has missed due to injury.

Thompson was coming off a torn ACL injury to his left knee that he suffered in the NBA Finals in June of 2019. His rehab had been going according to plan he was gearing up to play his first game in over a year with the start of the 2020-2021 season. Thompson had been working out in the southern California area for the past few months rehabbing and training. Thompson was playing with several NBA players in Los Angeles during an open gym and felt pain in the calf area when he landed on his leg, sources told ESPN’s, Ramona Shelburne. All reports show no sign that Thompson’s rehab process had any real setbacks outside of the normal soreness that comes with rehabbing a knee injury. He had been attacking his rehab process as rigorously as he attacks his shooting workouts and now he is going to have to start the process over again.  The Warriors were very optimistic that their star sharpshooter was going to come back full strength to help them compete in a revamped Western Conference. The Warriors are tasked with filling the void of losing one of the best shooters and two-way players in the NBA.

 

 

Prior to his torn left ACL, Klay Thompson had been one of the most reliable players in the whole NBA. In the era of load management, Thompson never missed more than 9 games in a single season due to injury before the 2018-19 season. He was a constant for the Warriors, they could always count on his consistent defensive ability and the ridiculously efficient shooting. We saw it on full display at the beginning of the 2019-2020 season where the Warriors just didn’t look like the team we’ve gotten used to seeing. Golden State not having the splash brothers in the backcourt together and healthy just doesn’t even seem like Golden State but this is just going to be the harsh reality that the warriors will now have to deal with.

The only good news for Golden state this time around is that they are in a better position this year to stay afloat in the western conference than they were at the start of last season. The Warriors have a healthy Steph Curry and Draymond Green coming back to provide the Warriors with the veteran and playoff experience. They also got a promising young talent in James Wiseman with the 2nd overall in this year’s draft.

 

 

However, the most notable signing for the Warriors happened late last night as they will absorb the contract of Kelly Oubre Jr. At 24 years old, Oubre is approaching his 5th season in the NBA. He was traded to Oklahoma City earlier this week in a deal that sent Chris Paul to the Phoenix Suns. He averaged 18.7 points and 6.4 rebounds for the Suns last season. He showed promise for the Suns but after they went 8-0 in the NBA bubble without him, he became their assets to acquire Chris Paul. With the timing of this signing, it’s clear that the Warriors will look to Oubre to provide the boost they need at the shooting guard position without Thompson.

 

 

 

 

 

Even with acquiring an established replacement for Klay, having Steph and Draymond both back healthy, and some young talent around them, don’t set your expectations too high for the Warriors this season. The Warriors have just had a lot of roster changes over the past two years and there is just no evidence that this is even a playoff team anymore. Their roster as currently built can defiantly compete in the West and maybe sneak into the playoffs but missing one of the top two-way players in the league is just too large of a blow to have the same championship expectations. Unless the Warriors get Klay back for the playoffs they simply don’t have enough to get past the best of the West and get back to the NBA finals.

 

Nov 20, 2020 No Comments