NBA Game Action : 3/20/2022

VROOOM VROOMM

 

Jalen 50

 

Harden missed 2 clutch freethrows to get the lead. Playoff form already

 

The 76ers announcer pleading that they don't need a 3 as Harden dribbles.

I guess he doesn't like Moreyball

 

raptors should be terrified of the raptors... nick nurse is gonna coach circles around doc rivers if they meet in a playoff series

 

Bro, I dont know how this man ends up looking worse and worse like every game. He looks like the life is just sapped out of him. I have no idea what is going on.

 

What's worse is, Embiid had a huge matchup advantage, and Harden kept looking him off. Harden cost them this game.

 

executive burnout...no midrange no joy in basketball hes too efficient for his own good...midrange is a huge energy conserver, contact saver, injury preventer and thus essential for an old mans game...

the formula why not just take a simple step back and shoot the more efficient shot is too simplistic, it doesnt fit the real world and the real game... it takes a huge toll on the mind to always(always always always always always always always always always) take that additional step...its a burden, its an obstacle its in the way...no free flow and relaxation...even tho it frees up the space it clogs the mind...
midrange is better than this:

 

https://theathletic.com/3198951/202...n-simmons-back-and-more-nba-news-inside-pass/

Speaking of the Wizards, however: In an alternate universe, a healthy Bradley Beal would have added significant drama to this past trade deadline.

The 76ers did their due diligence with the Wizards on Beal throughout the season, but many across the NBA say it was much more than that. Multiple sources said the 76ers worked during the season on a potential trade. Beal faced a decision on whether to force a trade out of Washington and Philadelphia had prominent interest at the deadline if he was cleared to play from his wrist injury. The 76ers’ package would have been centered around Simmons and draft picks, sources said. Several teams beyond Philadelphia would have engaged should the Wizards have opened conversations, but that never happened. Beal ultimately did not request a trade, and underwent season-ending wrist surgery on Feb. 10, the day of the deadline.

In the end, the 76ers completed the blockbuster trade for James Harden with the Nets, a move they had been pursuing for the past year-plus and preferred among all others.

Now, Beal remains with the Wizards and recently said he is leaning toward re-signing with the team in July free agency. The two-time All-Star is eligible for a five-year, $245.6 million maximum contract, an offer Washington is committed to making.

The Wizards retooled the roster at the trade deadline, acquiring Porziņģis to pair with Beal around the supporting cast of Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Daniel Gafford, Rui Hachimura and Corey Kispert. Beal has shown excitement over the group, and Porziņģis has shown signs of being a viable costar, scoring 27 points in a comeback win over the Lakers on Sunday night. But the question remains: Can this roster be a serious competitor in the Eastern Conference? Across the league, there’s an expectation Beal will move ahead with a commitment to the Wizards franchise to which he has stayed loyal over 10 seasons. Every year, Beal and his representatives evaluate the landscape with his Wizards and options elsewhere. And every year, Beal reaffirms his desire to be in Washington.

However, the Heat are seen as a legitimate suitor for Beal should he elect to seek a new home, multiple sources said. The Heat have a veteran, championship-ready core in Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry, Victor Oladipo and P.J. Tucker, as well as talented young players in Tyler Herro, Max Strus and Caleb Martin. Miami would need to complete a sign-and-trade to acquire Beal. Overall, teams will continue to keep an eye on the Heat as a legitimate threat to add talent in the years to come.

“Shep (Wizards president of basketball operations Tommy Sheppard), (team owner) Ted (Leonsis), we are all good,” Beal said in a press conference on March 3. “We know what this summer is.”

Beal will have several months to come to a decision — even as he leans toward the Wizards.

_______________________

Cleveland Cavaliers

Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen is hopeful of a return to the lineup within the next three weeks after suffering a fractured left finger on March 6, sources said. Allen has so far resisted surgery on the finger, which would have had a lengthy return timetable. The Cavaliers have 11 games left in the season.

However: Cavaliers forward Dean Wade has suffered a partial meniscus tear in his right knee and will miss several weeks, sources said. It’s yet another injury to a Cavaliers role player. Wade has been a key and versatile rotation piece, averaging 5.3 points and three rebounds while shooting 35.9 percent from 3-point land.

Detroit Pistons

The Portland Trail Blazers are expected to seriously pursue Pistons forward Jerami Grant in the offseason, sources said. Armed with the Pelicans’ 2022 first-round draft selection, the Trail Blazers will explore offering the pick should it fall between Nos. 5 and 14 in the June draft. If the pick does not fall in that range and convey to Portland this offseason, the organization’s package falls behind competing teams that are chasing Detroit’s versatile forward. Grant is eligible for a four-year, $112 million contract extension in the offseason.

Grant and Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard played together in Team USA’s gold medal run in the Tokyo Olympics last summer.

New Orleans Pelicans

Sources said Zion Williamson is not expected to return to play this season, but that he is making progress toward on-court work. So far, Williamson has been seen doing stationary shooting and is able to bear weight on his injured foot. New Orleans has 11 regular-season games remaining, which leaves an improbably tight window for Williamson to complete the team’s ramp-up stages ranging from one-on-zero to five-on-five scrimmaging. Williamson returned to New Orleans two weeks ago after rehabbing his fractured foot injury in Portland, and the 21-year-old has been cleared to gradually progress in basketball activities. He has been attending Pelicans home games and has appeared to be in positive spirits around teammates and coaches. Williamson underwent surgery to repair his broken foot last summer and had several return targets delayed this season.

Portland Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard will miss the remainder of the season following recovery from abdominal surgery in January, sources said. Lillard is making tremendous progress and has looked strong in workouts, according to sources, but the team decided it was best for Lillard’s rehab process to sit the remaining 12 games as the Trail Blazers play their group of young players. Lillard last played on Dec. 31 against the Lakers.

 

Smart has to be Raphael. Dunno about the others.