NBA: 2022-2023 Season

[JohnBM01]

The Houston Rockets may have a star on their hands in Alperen Sengun. Never mind that the Houston Rockets have the NBA's worst record at 11-38; Sengun has done something no other center in NBA history has done- have multiple triple-doubles before age 21. Sengun is only 20 years old as of the time of this post. I think Sengun has to be the player the Rockets should build around.

The Rockets have dropped two straight after ending their 13-game losing streak. Up next is a "who cares?" game- the 11-38 Rockets at the 13-37 Detroit Pistons tomorrow night. Worst in the West (and overall) meets the worst in the East.


By the way, congratulations to all who made the All-Star Game!

 

[JohnBM01]

Does your team want Kyrie Irving? No- this is NOT a drill. Nets Point Guard Kyrie Irving requested a trade. The trade deadline is on February 9, so I wonder who would trade for him and what each team would get in return for the trade. Likely landing spots could be the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, or Dallas Mavericks. If not traded, Kyrie Irving will make himself a free agent after this season.

As for my lowly Houston Rockets, we're 13-38 on the 2022-2023 season, having won back-to-back games (at DET and vs. OKC). "The North" comes down south to H-Town as the Toronto Raptors meet the Houston Rockets.

 

[Blitz24]

Does your team want Kyrie Irving? No- this is NOT a drill. Nets Point Guard Kyrie Irving requested a trade. The trade deadline is on February 9, so I wonder who would trade for him and what each team would get in return for the trade. Likely landing spots could be the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, or Dallas Mavericks. If not traded, Kyrie Irving will make himself a free agent after this season.

As for my lowly Houston Rockets, we're 13-38 on the 2022-2023 season, having won back-to-back games (at DET and vs. OKC). "The North" comes down south to H-Town as the Toronto Raptors meet the Houston Rockets.

Dallas has acquired Kyrie Irving for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a first round pick and multiple 2nd round picks.

 

[JohnBM01]

Right, @Blitz24 . Thanks for the update! This may make Dallas even more dangerous... or send them into a serious tailspin...

By the way, my Rockets went from back-to-back wins to back-to-back losses. Yay.

 

[Tornado]

 

[JohnBM01]

I want to take a moment to congratulate LeBron James on surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the all-time scoring record. He did so as the Lakers hosted the Oklahoma City Thunder. Whether you love or loathe LeBron James, you have to admit he's accomplished a whole lot going straight out of High School to the NBA. That night, however, would have been better for the Lakers if they had won the game, which they didn't. The Lakers fell 133-130.

The NBA Trade Deadline is tomorrow. Have to wonder what other trades will be made before the deadline is reached.

 

[Blitz24]

Nets have officially ended their Big 3 era as they traded Kevin Durant and TJ Warren to the Phoenix Suns for Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder and 5 first round picks.

I cannot say I didn't anticipate that they would trade him, but I would be surprised if Kyrie Irving will ever be forgiven by Nets fans for his antics.

 

[JohnBM01]

The 2023 NBA All-Star Break is here! Before the All-Star festivities begin in Salt Lake City, UT, USA; let's see how all the teams will head into the break. Where is your favorite team in this Standings Update? Find out here:


(source: Yahoo! Sports)

--- EASTERN CONFERENCE (as of: February 17, 2023) ---
ATLANTIC: Boston (42-17), PHI (38-19), BKN (34-24), NY (33-27), TOR (28-31)
CENTRAL: Milwaukee (41-17), CLE (38-23), CHI (26-33), IND (26-34), DET (15-44)
SOUTHEAST: Miami (32-27), ATL (29-30), WSH (28-30), ORL (24-35), CHA (17-43)
CURRENT EASTERN PLAYOFF (play-in teams with asterisks): BOS, MIL, PHI, CLE, BKN, NY, MIA*, ATL*, WSH*, TOR*

--- WESTERN CONFERENCE (as of: February 17, 2023) ----
PACIFIC: Sacramento (32-25), LAC (33-28), PHX (32-28), GS (29-29), LAL (27-32)
SOUTHWEST: Memphis (35-22), DAL (31-29), NO (30-29), SA (14-45), HOU (13-45)
NORTHWEST: Denver (41-18), MIN (31-30), OKC (28-29), POR (28-30), UTA (29-31)
CURRENT WESTERN PLAYOFF (play-in teams with asterisks): DEN, MEM, SAC, LAC, PHX, DAL, NO*, MIN*, GS*, OKC*

OBSERVATIONS:
WIN PERCENTAGES...
...BEST: Boston (.707)
...WORST: Houston (.224)

RECORDS:
...BEST HOME: Denver (27-4)
...WORST HOME: Detroit (8-21)

STREAKS:
...LONGEST WINNING: Milwaukee (12 straight wins)
...LONGEST LOSING: San Antonio (14 straight losses)


So right now, it's the Boston Celtics with the best record overall, and my Houston Rockets with the worst record overall. There's still a lot that can change between now and then, so don't write off anybody yet- even my sorry Rockets.


Enjoy the All-Star Break!

 

[JohnBM01]

Now that the All-Star Break is over, we go back to regular season NBA basketball. Every game from here on out is towards getting into the Playoffs as well as making a run for the O'Brien Trophy and declaration as the 2022-2023 NBA season Champions. Or... it may also be a chance to better your odds of getting some NBA Draft help if you one of the lower percentile teams, like Houston, Detroit, or Orlando. So go play hard this season!

 

[JohnBM01]

The Houston Rockets lost at the Portland Trail Blazers last night 131-114, but the real story was that Damian Lillard of Portland dropped 71 of those points on Houston. OUCH! Damian Lillard is a Rockets killer. I still get nightmares about him hitting that buzzer-beating 3 that ended the postseason hopes of the Houston Rockets long ago. The Rockets need LOTS of help trying to get back to being contenders and actually being watchable again.

 

[GingerBredMan]

I’m looking forward to the inevitable Ja Morant 30 for 30 doc. Can’t remember the last time I saw an athlete actively set their career on fire.

I want to like the guy but him and the Grizzlies are way too loud. They seem very reminiscent of the Gilbert Arenas Wizards era

 

[JohnBM01]

Meanwhile... the Houston Rockets' 11-game losing streak ends as they won 122-110 at the San Antonio Spurs. Houston and San Antonio likely aren't going to the postseason this season, but the Rockets played with a certain energy that vaulted them over the top and to a solid victory. They put on a LOT of dunks, got into some great transition offense, and played like a team that ISN'T 13-49. San Antonio recently endured their longest losing streak in franchise history (16 straight losses) but won two straight heading into this match. This is only the 14th win of the season for the Rockets. These two teams meet again tomorrow night; this time, in Houston.

 

[JohnBM01]

We have some teams that are IN! The following teams have clinched Playoff berths as of the time of this post:

--- EASTERN CONFERENCE Playoff Teams (as of: March 18, 2023) ---
* Milwaukee, Boston

--- WESTERN CONFERENCE Playoff Teams (as of: March 18, 2023) ---
* Denver

And in case you're wondering... ELIMINATED TEAMS: Charlotte, Detroit, Houston, San Antonio


Still a lot of season left, so keep playing for the Postseason!