Around the NBA (non-Wolves talk)

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

we could miss the playoffs if it comes down to 2 games vs the Nuggets.

[BloopOracle]

Lip has got to be salivating after that a Denver comeback. We have a very real shot of missing the playoffs now

[TAFKASP]

Lip has got to be salivating after that a Denver comeback. We have a very real shot of missing the playoffs now

[TAFKASP]

Tonight they beat the beat the best team in the West on the road while the Wolves lost at home by over 20 to a good but not great Jazz team.

I'm not sure why you seem shocked by that? The Wolves without Butler are terrible, with Butler they're still not very good. I'm very close to jumping ship and rooting for whatever team plays the Wolves, just for spite!

If I were KAT I'd be thinking long and hard about signing any extension, and maybe even asking to be moved. And yes I realize KAT's pathetic defense is a big part of the problem, but he's young and probably doesn't see that.

[Lipoli390]

The Pelicans blew out the Grizzlies tonight 123-95. They now have the same record as the Wolves even though Cousins has been out since the Pelican's 48th game while Rondo will end the season having missed 20 games. Anthony Davis will end up having missed 10 games while also playing hurt a number of games. After losing four straight, the Pelicans rose to the occasion in a big game tonight and blew the inferior Grizzlies off the court. They did to the Grizzlies what the Grizzlies did to the Wolves. And the Grizzlies snuffed the Wolves on the our home court.

The Wolves could get hot here and win their last four games or at least win 3 of their last 4. If so, the Wolves will likely end up in the top 6. But I could easily see the Wolves losing 3 their last 4 and ending up in the lottery.

Elsewhere around the League, the Sixers won again tonight. They are a really exciting team and they're playing their best ball now down the stretch. I love the way they play on both ends of the court. I'd still put my money on the Raptors to end up in the finals, but it will be fun to see how far the Sixers can get. While I wouldn't bet on it, I wouldn't be surprised to see them end up as the Eastern Conference representative in the NBA Finals this year.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Spurs lost to the Lakers. That might help a bit if the Spurs can manage to lose a couple more and fall behind us.

It seems like really all comes down to these Nuggets games and they are going to be hungry.

I really want Butler back, but I'm worried he's going to push himself too hard and hurt his knee again.

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

It is entirely possible that the entire northwest get into the playoffs.

I'm not sure that has ever been done before.

Crazy that the wolves actually have a team this year and everyone in the conference is right there as well.

[AbeVigodaLive]

The Pelicans blew out the Grizzlies tonight 123-95. They now have the same record as the Wolves even though Cousins has been out since the Pelican's 48th game while Rondo will end the season having missed 20 games. Anthony Davis will end up having missed 10 games while also playing hurt a number of games. After losing four straight, the Pelicans rose to the occasion in a big game tonight and blew the inferior Grizzlies off the court. They did to the Grizzlies what the Grizzlies did to the Wolves. And the Grizzlies snuffed the Wolves on the our home court.

Is DeMarcus Cousins a career loser? This Pelicans team is giving that theory legs. The Pelicans actually have a better record without him despite that recent 4-game slide.

Heck, they traded another starter, Dante Cunningham, mid-season for nothing... literally. They traded him for Rashad Vaughn only to waive Vaughn the next day.

Rondo missed 20 games? If you took the analysts seriously... it would have been better for Rondo to miss all 82 games. The guy is ripped relentlessly for his scowling, lack of shooting and selfishness. But he was the catalyst for the Bulls last year in the playoffs and is starting for another team making a playoff push. Apparently, he can still do SOMETHING valuable for a team.

Nikola Mirotic was the butt of jokes back in Chicago. He's starting now.

E'Twuan Moore is a full-time starter for the first time in his career... at age 28.

Emeka Okafor was OUT OF THE NBA FOR 4 SEASONS... only to show and start for a team in Cousins' place that might make the playoffs at age 35.

__________

[Wolvesfan21]

Is Mirotic really that bad? He has a season PER 4 points higher then Wiggins.

Wiggins scores a few more points on worse 3P and FT%. Of course has fewer boards (they usually play different positions).

Cunningham is a meh player. Rondo, same.

You might be right about Cousins, he puts up stats but they are on losing teams.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Is Mirotic really that bad? He has a season PER 4 points higher then Wiggins.

Wiggins scores a few more points on worse 3P and FT%. Of course has fewer boards (they usually play different positions).

Cunningham is a meh player. Rondo, same.

You might be right about Cousins, he puts up stats but they are on losing teams.

I've voiced my dislike for Cousins previously. For all he brings to a team (A LOT... he's extremely talented)... he gives much of it away with his poor effort getting back on defense, his lazy/careless TOs, constant whining, fault-finding and god-knows whatever drama that seems to perpetually follow him around.

That's kind of my point. Rondo. Cunningham. Mirotic. Okafor. Et al. They're all "meh" players, aren't they?

Davis has been spectacular. And Jrue Holiday has been largely unnoticed... fantastic. That contract he signed was probably too much. But it was worth it at least for this season.