NBA All Star weekend has concluded in Cleveland. With only several weeks left in the season the push towards the post season is heating up. The Eastern Conference is about as wide open as it’s been in a long time. Out West the Suns have separated themselves in the standings, but Chris Paul will be out 6-8 weeks with a hand injury. How will this affect the Suns going forward? LeBron has taken multiple shots Lakers’ GM Rob Pelinka within the last week and Anthony Davis is out at least four weeks. It’s looking like a lost season for The King. Here are five post All-Star thoughts:
Joel Embiid’s MVP Statement:
Right before the All-Star Break MVP front-runner Joel Embiid made quite a statement. Embiid went into Giannis’ house and put up 42 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists on two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. It was the type of signature performance that can separate a player from the rest of the pack. I believe Embiid would’ve won the MVP last season if he was healthy. If he stays healthy and can get on the same page with James Harden, Joel Embiid will win his first MVP. It’s great to see the big man getting shine again. Nikola Jokic is making another strong case to win his second MVP and Giannis is coming on strong with a 50 piece against the Pacers last Tuesday. Another MVP contender coming on strong is DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan has scored 35+ points in his last seven games while shooting over 55% in each of those contests and has his Bulls tied for first place in the East. Speaking of the Eastern Conference……
The East is Going to be a Blood Bath:
The Eastern Conference is about as wide open as it’s been in a while. Only 2.5 games separate the top five teams in the East. The Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls currently sit on top. Philadelphia is currently 3rd and adding James Harden. If Harden can become the old Harden and buy in, Philadelphia is going to be a strong contender to come out of the East. Cleveland is a team that just doesn’t go away. Milwaukee, when healthy, has been one of the better teams in the NBA and has Giannis who will have something to say about who wins the conference. Boston and Toronto, who are currently 6th and 7th, came on strong before the All-Star break and sitting at 8th in the East is Brooklyn. Brooklyn has added Ben Simmons along with Seth Curry and Andre Drummond to go along with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Kevin Durant will be returning soon. Also, it’s not completely out of the realm that the new mayor of New York may change the vaccine mandate that has made Kyrie Irving a part time player. If Kyrie can be allowed to play full time, Brooklyn is going to be a team nobody wants to see in the first round of the playoffs. I can’t wait for March 10th when Ben Simmons and the Nets travel to Philly in what will be one of the signature matchups of the season. The Eastern Conference playoffs will be must see TV.
Chris Paul’s Injury:
It was announced during the pregame festivities of the All-Star game that Chris Paul suffered a hand injury that will have him out 6-8 weeks. Paul will return for the post season and the Suns have created some separation out West with a 6.5 game lead over the Warriors with 24 games left to play. For Phoenix, anything less than a championship this season will be a disappointment. They were in the Finals last season and are playing better this year. The Suns are currently on pace to win 68 games. That will certainly change now that Paul is out. The Suns must hope that Paul can return to the line up in six weeks and have some time to get himself primed for another run to the NBA Finals. Steph Curry and the Warriors are lurking, and the two teams are on collision course to meet in the Western Conference Finals. Klay Thompson is getting better each week and James Wiseman is starting to participate in 5 on 5 drills in practice. Wiseman will be an interesting piece as he brings more size to the Warriors. Golden State will also have Draymond Green returning soon. Make no mistake about it, if the Suns and Warriors meet in the Western Conference Finals the Warriors will be the favorites.
Is LeBron Unhappy in Los Angeles:
LeBron James and his Klutch Sports team seem very unhappy with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka. LeBron was praising Rams GM Wes Sneed right after the Super Bowl and was shouting out Oklahoma City Thunder’s GM Sam Presti during his All-Star Game press conference. LeBron was upset that the Lakers didn’t make any moves at the trade deadline. Pelinka says that Bron, Anthony Davis and himself are on the same page when clearly, they’re not. It has been reported that a trade was on the table to send Russell Westbrook to Houston for John Wall, but Pelinka shot it down. Another rumored trade for Christian Wood was on the table with the Rockets as well. LeBron has carried a heavy load this season and with Anthony Davis out with another injury, it looks like that will have to continue to keep the Lakers afloat. LeBron can be upset, however at the end of the day he signed off on the Westbrook trade when a deal for Buddy Hield was in place and DeMar DeRozan also showed interest in joining the Lakers. The Lake-Show is a mess right now.
75th Anniversary:
The 75th anniversary celebration was a great way to highlight the NBA’s past and current stars. So many great players in the same building was great to see. I wish that some of the people who didn’t show up were able to make it, but it was nice to see the guys who were able to come celebrate the great game of basketball. People didn’t know if he was going to attend, but when Michael Jordan walked out he got the loudest ovation in the building and his presence still leaves fans, and even his peers, in awe. It was great to see Jordan and LeBron have a nice interaction and chop it up as we haven’t seen them together often. The only thing I wish could’ve have happened was Kobe Bryant being there to celebrate with everyone else. R.I.P. Black Mamba
