The punching bags of the NBA
There's a group of guys that NBA fans love to clown — but who are the guys that other NBA players don't have any respect for?
The NBA is a brotherhood. Some guys are leaders, some guys keep to themselves, some guys are just happy to be there, and some guys... are the punching bags of the NBA.
I don't mean this from a fan's perspective. There's a group of guys that NBA fans love to clown — I can tell they're immediately coming to mind for you. We're focusing instead on the player's perspective. Who are the guys that other NBA players don't have any respect for? The players made fun of by their peers?
Rudy Gobert is the easiest answer. Gobert has been one of the league's best all-around players for the past five years. His defense is otherworldly, and he doesn't step outside of himself offensively. The issue lays in the fact in that Gobert lacks any sort of cool factor. He doesn't have a handle, a sweet shot, or dominant interior moves. He's kind of clumsy.
Imagine a lunch table with all of the NBA's best players. Who is Rudy Gobert talking to or hanging out with? Who's laughing at a joke told by Rudy Gobert? They're not — because he is the joke. LeBron's sent some shots at him, and Anthony Edwards says that Gobert "don't put no fear in my heart." The worst part? Rudy doesn't really do or say anything to make others hate him. Sure, he can get a bit whiny — but so are LeBron, Luka, Steph, and many of your other favorite players.
The other obvious one is Karl-Anthony Towns. KAT has the b-word written on his back. NBA players think he's soft. Just look at what Draymond Green and Joel Embiid have said to him on social media during his career:
What is it about KAT that makes him a punching bag? Unlike Gobert, Towns is wickedly talented on offense. He's a joy to watch. Is it because his perimeter-oriented game paints him as unwilling to bang in the post? Is it because he's the best player on a lowly Timberwolves franchise? Is it because Andre Drummond (another candidate for this list) beat him the first eight times they matched up? Towns is a great player and seemingly great guy who's been through a lot in the last two years. He's overshadowed by Anthony Edwards, who immediately joined the NBA as one of the most likable characters in recent memory.
There are other candidates (the aforementioned Drummond, Kyle Kuzma, Kristaps Porzingis) but the last one that is for sure on the list is Ben Simmons. I know this because before Simmons disappeared in seven fourth quarters against Atlanta, passed up a dunk at the end of Game 7, requested a trade, and sat out this season, Pistons guard Josh Jackson laid it out for us:
"You a bitch, shut up." We can't hear him, but Jackson says this with such conviction — like everyone else he's ever known feels the exact same way. Like Simmons has to also know that he's a bitch and that he should shut up. Simmons never retaliates, never gets in his face, never shows emotion. Just that blank Ben Simmons stare engrained into our memory.
It's not nice to pile on Ben Simmons. We don't know what he's going through. He's forfeited over $10 million this season in missed time in hopes for a trade. But that clip and the moment he passed up that wide open dunk... those will stick in our minds, and the minds of other NBA players for a while.
About last night…
When Jayson Tatum is out of the lineup, it's Jaylen Brown's responsibility to carry the Celtics — and avoid losing to the Orlando Magic. Brown was able to do just that: 50 points (19-29 FG), 11 rebounds, and four assists in 46 minutes of action. A performance worth the watch:
The Magic, led by Terrence Ross' 33 points off the bench, pushed the Celtics to OT. Even without Tatum, I don't like that the Celtics had to work this hard to beat Orlando. Meanwhile, Orlando is having as good of a first-year rebuild as possible — outside of their longstanding injury troubles.
One of the first home run hits of our ICYMINBA newsletter was being ultra-high on Josh Giddey, the Wizard of Aus, and how the threat of his playmaking would give him a chance to be a real star in the league. He's close to already being there. Last night, Giddey surpassed LaMelo Ball as the youngest player to record a triple double in NBA history:
Once again, let's be clear. He is very tall and awkward for a point guard. He is anything but fast. He's an improving shooter and scorer, with a long way to go. He lacks the strength to use his size effectively inside. And still, with all of this, he has quickly become one of the most joyful players in the league to watch.
The skip whips and no-look dimes are the signature steak in Giddey's offensive diet. The scoring is a side dish gaining appeal by the month. He still seems a bit off balance and unsure, but last night's 17 points were just about as flavorful as he's been. If Giddey can start making stepback threes at a clip any bit close to his partner in crime, the Thunder have their superstar backcourt between him and SGA.
Scores, stats, & notes
Raptors 120, Knicks 105 — Fred VanVleet is an All-Star. A season high 35 points in a rout against the reeling Knicks. Scottie Barnes is back.
Celtics 116, Magic 111 OT — Tim Frazier started at point guard and played 39 minutes. It's a miracle that they were able to push Boston to OT. Gary Harris is good again.
Cavs 108, Pacers 104 — Sabonis stuffed that stat sheet with 32-13-7. Lance Stephenson played 12 minutes and scored six points. Great to see Duane Washington Jr. and Keifer Sykes start in the backcourt for Indiana. For Cleveland, the combo of Mobley-Allen-Love are just wrecking teams — even with good frontcourts!
Kings 115, Heat 105 — A good De'Aaron Fox game. Him and Hield combined for 50. Damian Jones looked damn good for them (18 points, 7-10 FG, 10 rebounds). Miami's bench (Chris Silva, Kyle Guy, Nik Stauskas, Haywood Highsmith) only scored 19 points.
Suns 133, Hornets 99 — I think the Hornets' announcers said that this was the second-worst loss in Charlotte home history. The first being the first ever game they played in Charlotte. This sent me into mental gymnastics trying to figure out if the Pelicans (who formerly played in Charlotte) history was adopted by this Charlotte franchise (which was formerly the Bobcats).
Mavericks 95, Thunder 86 — Mavs win with Luka (14-9-10) back in the lineup. Two awesome clips from this game, courtesy of Rob Perez:
Lakers 108, Timberwolves 103 — LeBron breaks his streak of scoring 30+ points. Lakers are almost healthy (besides Anthony Davis). The Rondo trade has not been made official yet. Is it because he's in health and safety protocols, or is it because they're expanding the deal...?