NEWSLETTER
It’s been a fun first week of the NBA Playoffs, and we’ve had no shortage of storylines going around the league. Each series is through two games, and it’s been really competitive so far, as half the matchups are in a 1-1 draw at the moment.
One of the biggest stories thus far has been Draymond Green’s suspension. Green will miss Game 3 after stomping on Domantas Sabonis in Game 2 of the Kings and Warriors series. Green was ejected midway through the 4th Quarter of a tightly contested Game 2. The Kings would go on to win the game and go up 2-0 in the series. While Draymond has dominated the headlines, there has been quite a bit going on around the league.
Giannis Dealing With Injured Back
The term “back injury” is always a scary one when it comes to professional athletes. Especially with athletes as big, strong, and athletic as Giannis Antetokounmpo. Luckily, despite missing Game 2 against the Heat, Giannis’ back injury doesn’t seem to be a long-term one. The Greek Freak suffered a lower back contusion in Milwaukee’s Game 1 loss to Miami. He also sat out their Game 2 win. With Game 3 not being until Saturday, it looks likely we’ll see Giannis in the lineup.
Dillon Brooks Calls Out LeBron
After a lackluster Game 1 loss to the Lakers, the Memphis Grizzlies bounced back in Game 2 without star point guard Ja Morant to even up the series at 1-1. After the Game 2 win, Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks had some words for LeBron James. When asked about his Game 2 exchange with LeBron, Brooks said, “I don’t care, he’s old…I poke bears. I don’t respect no one ’til they come and give me 40.” Listen, as a Bulls fan, I love seeing LeBron lose. That said, I also don’t think it’s incredibly wise to directly challenge him in a 1-1 playoff series. Game 3 Saturday will be a must-watch. I’ll be betting whatever the over is for LeBron’s point total.
Mike Brown Wins Coach of the Year Unanimously
Some off-the-court news regarding one of our playoff teams, Kings coach Mike Brown locked up the Coach of the Year award. The Kings snapped a 17-year playoff draught in Brown’s first year after a 48-34 regular season and earning the third seed in the West. It’s Brown’s third NBA head coaching job and second Coach of the Year award. Brown previously coached the Lakers and the Cavaliers. He last won Coach of the Year in 2009 after a 66-16 season with the Cavaliers.
Wizards Fire GM Tommy Sheppard
In some non-playoff news, the Washington Wizards parted ways with their general manager on Wednesday. Sheppard had been with the team since 2003 and took over as GM in 2019. In his four seasons running the show, Washington went just 129-179. The Wizards were never really good enough to make an impact in the playoffs, but also never bad enough to earn a top lottery pick. Some would say they were mired in mediocrity.
Chris Paul FINALLY Beats Scott Foster
While it’s weird to write that a player has finally gotten the best of a referee, that truly is the case here. Prior to Tuesday’s Game 2 win to even the series with the Clippers, Chris Paul had lost THIRTEEN STRAIGHT playoff games in which Scott Foster officiated. His last win came in 2013 when Paul played for the Clippers in a 112-91 win over the Grizzlies in a first-round series. Game 3 of the Suns and Clippers is tonight in Los Angeles.
