NBA Click & Roll: What on earth is wrong with the Cavaliers?
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
- It feels like the Cavs' turmoil has reached a fever pitch. Teammates were reportedly upset at Kevin Love, who was apparently ill, for leaving Saturday's shellacking early.
- Enes Kanter, a particular irritant to LeBron this year, didn't mind trolling The King after the historic beatdown.
- On Tuesday, Love was knocked to the court by an opponents' elbow and one couldn't help but wonder why a teammate didn't come help him to his feet.
- Even former coach David Blatt took a shot at the Cavs' porous defense.
- But James, who congratulated himself on 30,000 points before reaching 30,000 points, hasn't seemed distracted. In fact, in a nod to the one and only Fresh Prince, James nailed the Apache dance over the weekend.
- He also threw a no-look, behind-the-back, nutmeg dime to Dwyane Wade.
- Even though James became just the 7th player in NBA history to reach the 30,000-point club, he still doesn't view himself as a scorer. Which is ridiculous. What's not ridiculous? The prospect of him passing Kareem as the NBA's all-time leading scorer.
- Okay, stay with us. Could Andy Dufresne and The Shawshank Redemption help explain what's plaguing the Cavaliers? Seriously. Andy, Red, Zihuatanejo, Mexico. It's all there.
- We know the All-Star Game captains, the starters and the reserves announced Tuesday night. We also know the list of absurd votes that were cast.
- If only we knew the order of the All-Star draft! A behind-the-scenes look at the debate whether to televise the draft.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo earned the most votes from his fellow players. Humbly, he thinks it's because he's a "nightmare" for them. He's not wrong. Captain Curry said he'd pick The Greek Freak for his squad so he doesn't get dunked on like last year.
- Charles Barkley called LeBron a "drama queen" and wasn't surprised players opted for Antetokounmpo over James. Barkley then challenged Shaq to a reading contest, which, um, didn't go so well.
- The moment of the week goes to Gregg Popovich describing a typical NBA fight: They are the "namby, pambiest things I've ever seen in my life."
- Now that Joel Embiid is an All-Star, is he interested in going on that date with Rihanna? "I might have to pass," he said. (Audible gasp)
- Kevin Durant is mad at the refs again. Water is still wet.
- Chicago Bulls guard Kris Dunn had a terrifying face-first fall. His teeth may have left a mark on the floor of the court.
THIS WEEK IN THE ASSOCIATION
- This week's A to Z podcast features a revealing interview with Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau, among other topics.
- The Bucks fired head coach Jason Kidd in a move that was at least two weeks in the making, according to Jeff Zillgitt.
- We've got trade rumblings! The Cavs and Kings are in serious discussions about a George Hill deal.
- Another possible trade chip? All-Star snub Lou Williams.
- Could Kemba Walker's time in Charlotte be coming to a close? Michael Jordan said they're "not looking to trade him," but that the Hornets' owner would listen.
- Celtics forward Gordon Hayward is shooting three-pointers again. A reminder: He hasn't ruled out a comeback this year.
- We finally got an accurate reading on the budding Rockets-Warriors rivalry. Suffice to say, as Amick reported from Houston, the Rockets maintained their "swag" on Saturday night.
- John Wall and J.J. Barea's trash talk took a nasty turn after the Mavs' win.
- Jalen Rose is stirring the pot with the Kawhi Leonard injury. Rose thinks Leonard "wants out" of San Antonio.
POWER RANKINGS
How much did Saturday night's win over Golden State mean to Houston? The Rockets vaulted up to No. 2 this week as the Warriors suddenly don't look invincible.
MVP RACE
Who's steering that Rockets ship? It's James Harden, who didn't take long to re-claim his spot atop our MVP rankings. The Cavs' slippage could have a significant effect on LeBron's candidacy.
ROOKIE WATCH
Hear us out. There's something noteworthy going on in Sacramento. They've made a concerted effort to develop rookies De'Aaron Fox and Bogdan Bogdanovic in the middle of a lost season, and though they're plummeting toward the lottery, the Kings have some interesting pieces. They get the rookie spotlight this week.
Check back next week for everything that went down in the Association.