The King of the Fourth
Happy New Year! DeRozan rings in 2022 with a one-legged three. This is going to be good.
First, a message from LaMelo Ball:
About last night...
DeMar DeRozan has stacked skills during his career. Constant improvement and progression led to this moment: a one-legged buzzer-beating three to put the Bulls at the top of the Eastern Conference.
Chicago has won six straight, storming their way to 23-10 — tied with Brooklyn for the best record in the East. DeRozan has been incredible over this stretch: 28.6 points on near 50% shooting. He has been Chicago's best player over the entire season, seamlessly fitting in with Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic as a shot-creator and closer.
Like many, I was dubious of DeRozan — but I think the common denominator between people who didn't understand how awesome he's become is simply just not watching him enough. I fell hard into my biases. "Three years, $85 million for a dude who doesn't shoot threes?" It doesn't matter. He's been one of the top ten players in the league this season.
When I watched this live, I thought DeRozan was unaware of how little time was on the clock. He must have been, too, because rising up off one leg isn't everyone's favorite way to shoot a game-winning shot. Go back and watch Zach LaVine during the whole clip. He really wanted the ball. LaVine took to Twitter to congratulate his teammate and ease any concerns. The Bulls are back.
LeBron James, in his 19th season, put up 43 points and 14 rebounds. He's 37 years old. He's spent more than half of his life in the NBA.
The Lakers look complete when he is playing center. Also, while he may not have the same burst, LeBron has turned into a devastating shot-maker. Over the last seven games, he's averaging 36 points on 57% from the field and 42% from three (eight attempts per game). The main issue is that only two of those games have been wins.
10-day hardship star Stanley Johnson is in line to get the roster spot opened up by the Rondo trade. He started and scored 10 points on 3-4 shooting. The Lakers had two players listed in the box score as Did Not Play — Coach's Decision: DeAndre Jordan and Dwight Howard. LA won by 33.
The Utah Buzzsaw. That's what we could be calling them. They are a machine, firing on all cylinders. Donovan Mitchell is the engine that keeps them going:
Spida's development as a finisher has helped him jump a level. He has every single kind of two-step finish: eurosteps either way, barrelling through and keeping the ball low, stretching out for reverses. The finishing, paired with his omnipresent shot-making, make him as dangerous as any player in the league.
If Mitchell gets 20 points or 40 points, it doesn't matter — Gobert is still going to pull down a monster double-double, Bojan Bogdanovic is still going to score in bunches, Royce O'Neale is going to defend his ass off and remain a box score ghost, Joe Ingles and Mike Conley are going to set the pace, Jordan Clarkson is going to chuck, and the rest of the team is going to fill in around the edges.
They're a system. That system has underachieved in the playoffs, but it's rare continuity to have a group of guys who've played together for this long. Could this be the year it all comes together come April and May?
Scores, stats, & notes
Celtics 123, Suns 108 — Robert Williams first career triple-double came at the expense of Jalen Smith, as Phoenix was without McGee, Kaminsky, Saric, Ayton, and Crowder. After shooting 9% on threes last game, Boston went 10-27. That's good enough.
Bulls 108, Pacers 106 — Both teams were missing key pieces. The three man combo of Sabonis-Turner-LeVert is still good, but it just feels like it's on its last legs. 24 for Coby White. He's good!
Mavericks 112, Kings 96 — Porzingis and Brunson continue to get it done for Dallas in Luka's absence. Another 10-assist double-double for Tyrese Haliburton. De'Aaron Fox shot 3-14 and was a game low -26. We're going to push the agenda on trading him and giving Haliburton the keys.
Heat 120, Rockets 110 — Jimmy Butler had an incredible stat line: 37 points, one rebounds, two assists. Kyle Guy made the hardship All-Stars with 17 points in his debut. Mario Chalmers did not play in his return to Miami.
Hawks 121, Cavaliers 118 — 35 points for both Trae Young (not surprising) and Kevin Love (holy shit). Clint Capela with a monster 18 points and 23 rebounds. Cavs need Rondo and Garland to show up now. Kevin Pangos isn't cutting it.
Raptors 116, Clippers 108 — 31 from VanVleet, 26 from OG, 25 from Siakam. That's an awesome three-headed monster.
Grizzlies 108, Spurs 105 — Morant (30-6-8) leads the way. He's going to be an All-Star, but I'm wondering just how many accolades he could rack up. He could be in line for Most Improved and even a crowded All-NBA selection. He is lights out.
Thunder 95, Knicks 80 — Uh oh.
Jazz 120, Timberwolves 108 — Anthony Edwards, the best Timberwolf in the absence of Russell and Towns. Utah just has too many guys.
Lakers 139, Trail Blazers 106 — We've hit all of the Lakers stuff. What the hell, Portland? Being led in scoring by Ben McLemore (28 points) is no way to survive. The jerseys say Rip City, but they need to rip the bandaid off. Blow it up.