Generally, the NBA reminds us that everything seems to become right around the holiday season, but this time the world had to see one of NBA’s greatest ambassadors in Craig Sager succumb to his battle with cancer.
The Quint takes a look at last week’s highlights from the NBA.
Houston Rockets Set a NBA Record With 24 Threes in a Single Game
The Houston Rockets have made a living knocking down shots from beyond the arc. They lead the league in both 3-point field goals made (14.9) and attempted (38.9) while making 38 per cent of their 3-point shots.
The game against the New Orleans Pelicans was no different. Well, almost. They drained an NBA record twenty four 3’s, breaking their own record of 23 set in 2013 and shared by the Orlando Magic who hit the same mark in 2009.
The record was reached in 61 attempts (also an NBA record) while making 39 per cent of the shots.
Rodney Hood With The Buzzer Beater
In one of the most fun games of the week, the Utah Jazz went up against the struggling Dallas Mavericks. This should have been easier for the Jazz, especially since the Mavericks are some time away from getting back their leader Dirk Nowitski.
Nevertheless, Dallas Mavericks’ Deron Williams and newly acquired Harrison Barnes kept the game close. Until the last second that is. With the game tied at 100, Deron Williams missed a potential game winning 3-pointer from the right wing, before Rodney Hood grabbed the defensive rebound, took off down the court before puling up from the left wing, squaring up his shoulders and firing away one of the shots of the season.
Allen Iverson’s Hall Of Fame Ceremony At Homecourt
Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson was inducted into the Basketball Hall Of Fame earlier this year forming a HOF class for the ages along with Shaquille O’Neal and Yao Ming.
His emotional HOF speech moved his and NBA fans alike, giving a rare insight into the unmistakable passion that he had for the game. The Sixers honoured him during a HOF night, with fellow Sixer, HOF’er and legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving presenting him with the smart red HOF jacket.
They (the Warriors) Get By With A Little Help From Their Friends
The Warriors continue to blitz the league with their spectacular passing. They have totalled 883 passes as of writing this, nearly 170 more than second place Houston Rockets.
However, no game this season was better than the one they had against the New York Knicks. On a night that was overshadowed by the unfortunate passing away of Craig Sager, the Warriors had 36 assists on 36 made baskets, before finishing with 41 assists on 45 made baskets.
Anthony Davis Has 35 Points and 16 Rebounds, Just Another Day At The Office
One shudders to think what the New Orleans Pelicans would be capable of if they put the right peices around the beat that Davis is. Davis is now playing at the level of veteran stat sheet stuffers like the Rockets’ James Harden and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook.
With his teammates looking to him to close out games, Davis delivered against the the Pacers, finishing with 35 points, 16 rebounds and 5 blocked shots for their 9th win of the season.
Giannis “The Greek Freak” Antetokounmpo Continues To Stamp His Authority
Another perennial stat sheet stuffer, the 22-year old Antetokounmpo hasn’t even hit the peak of his powers. A true NBA player in every sense of the term, Antetokounmpo continues to contribute in nearly every way possible.
But his ability to score at will is what has made its way to the fore this season. Already with 5 games where he has scored 30 or more points, Giannis is making a point to basketball fans, reminding them that he can score just as easily as he can pass, rebound, steal, block.
Russell Westbrook Cannot Be Stopped, Almost
Three assists shy of an NBA record, Westbrook still managed to rack up 37 points and 12 rebounds in the win over the Boston Celtics. More importantly though he found his shooting touch by making 14 of his 26 attempts.
After all the criticism he faced for taking too many shots and shooting so poorly, this game was vindication for players with the shooter’s touch. If you keep taking them they will eventually start falling in.
James Harden’s Night Overshadowed By Rocket’s NBA Record
Harden’s wildly efficient triple-double with 29 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds while shooting 50 per cent (6 of 12) from 3-point territory and finishing with a +/- efficiency of +14, isn't news only because the Rockets broke an NBA record in the same game (24 3’s in a single NBA game).
Paul George Blazes Portland For Season-High 37 Points
George is arguably still working his way back after suffering that gut wrenching ankle fracture two seasons ago.
Depending on who you speak with, he has either lost that All-Star ability he possessed when he led the Pacers to two consecutive Eastern Conference Finals, only to fall to the mighty LeBron James and his Miami Heat, or he is still working his way back into becoming one of most potent two way players in the NBA.
His season-high 37 points over the Portland Trail Blazers reminded us of how good he can be. Here’s hoping this is still the tip of the iceberg.
Craig Sager
To say that Craig Sager isn’t among the 10 most recognizable personalities ever to be associated with the NBA would be considered borderline blasphemous. His trademark colored suits have been a subject of much conversation over the years, with both players, coaches and his TV colleagues having over-the-top reactions to his over-the-top suits.
Coloured suits aside, Craig Sager stood and managed those sidelines like a rock for decades. Loved as much as he was respected, there will not be another ambassador for the NBA like Craig Sager.
Throwback: Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets Score 370 Points In A 3OT Thriller
The triple-overtime game when the Detroit Pistons took on the Denver Nuggets on 13 December 1983, is undoubtedly and deservedly one of greatest games to have been played.
This wasn’t necessarily a game of equals, with Detroit an elite defensive team that won championships eventually in 1989 and 1990, taking on the Denver Nuggets who never quite made it out of the middle of the pack.
It was cracker of a game with both teams keeping it close before Detroit pulled away in the 3rd overtime, but not before conceding a late 3-pointer from Denver, to wrap the game up 186-184.
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