NBA Click & Roll: Tempers flaring, punches flying and more. This is the week that was in the Association
Welcome to Paste BN Sports' NBA Click & Roll newsletter.
We'll bring you exclusive content from Paste BN's NBA reporters Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt, including updates on all their exploits on the NBA beat. Plus, we catch you up on the *biggest* moments, quotes and news from the week.
QUICK DISH: THINGS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
- Basketball Twitter erupted Monday night as word spread of four Rockets players using a "secret" hallway to try to sneak into the Clippers' locker room. Here's what happened behind the scenes of the bizarre altercation.
- Shaq and Charles Barkley were in tears when they heard about Houston's covert operation. "They got a police presence? Are you kidding me?"
- Reggie Miller, for one, loved the on-court animosity he saw between the Clippers and Rockets. The locker room stuff? Not so much.
- Had Orlando's Aaron Afflalo connected on this haymaker, we might've needed a police presence.
- The Cavs-Warriors showdown offered a bit more hijinks as Golden State players were treated to ice-cold showers in their locker room after the win. Mischief aside, the Cavs have some serious flaws on both ends of the court. Can they claw themselves out of their annual midseason slump?
- Isaiah Thomas will not get his Feb. 11th video tribute in Boston because ... Paul Pierce doesn't want him to?
- Rajon Rondo's take on the Thomas tribute video was a bit more blunt. "What has he done?” When told it was because the Celtics went to the conference final last year, Rondo let loose.
- Spurs coach Gregg Popovich revealed that LaMarcus Aldridge requested a trade out of San Antonio this past summer. Pop responded: "You get me a talent like Kevin Durant, and I will drive you to the airport."
- In his 15th season, LeBron is still going stronger than ever. He did admit that his three kids will be a "deciding factor" when he chooses to retire. Until that time comes, James will continue his efforts to keep the conversation around race relations going. Here are Lebron's thoughts on MLK's legacy.
- And, by the way, LeBron is all-in on Mario Kart.
- It wouldn't be an NBA Click & Roll newsletter without a Lonzo Ball update. This week, teammate Kyle Kuzma doesn't miss an opportunity to poke fun at Ball for his choice of footwear.
- Amar'e Stoudemire checks in with a story about the time a teammate was choked out in the locker room before a game.
- Commissioner Adam Silver denounced President Trump's vulgar language and said the NBA will continue to be a place that promotes equality.
- Adam, if you're reading, PLEASE televise the All-Star draft. The players (re. All-Stars) are all big boys and can handle a bit of ridicule.
TOP SHOTS: Best photo from every day this season
ALL-STAR UPDATE??
All-Star voting is over and, according to the NBA's latest numbers, LeBron James and Steph Curry were the leading vote-getters and in line to be the All-Star captains. Starters will be announced Thursday, Jan. 18.
REF-PLAYER TENSION?
Paste BN Sports reported a meeting planned for All-Star weekend where players and refs are expected to sit down and address what's causing so much tension. From the players' perspective, "the No. 1 issue on their minds is officiating." From the refs' vantage point, there's been a "decline in civility." The latest incident came after a controversial video review at the end of the Raptors-Warriors game.
Warriors leaving Cavs in the dust
Golden State, which has lost a grand total of three times since the end of November, is ripping through the league yet again. Conversely, the Cavs have never looked more vulnerable. Our midseason power rankings reflect that and a huge surge in Minnesota.
Sweet Lou on A to Z
Clippers sweet-shooting guard Lou Williams, who is having the best season of his 13-year career and is likely headed toward an All-Star Game, stopped by the A to Z podcast to chat about his resurgence.
Check back next week for everything you missed from around the Association.