This is a very sore spot for me. I am in the high-risk category. I don’t particularly appreciate that some of these players do not respect the league’s coronavirus rules, their teams, and fans. They break the rules and get what they want. First time together on the court, and the Brooklyn Nets Little Three (They’re little cause they’re tired) lost in double overtime to Collin Sexton and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Oh, they all scored big. That’s what they do. They are such great role models for our children.
Enough of that and them. Let’s get to it. I have a lot to talk about.
What else could go wrong for the Portland Trail Blazers? First, the player and the non-athlete had the coronavirus, and their training camp was pushed back. Unfortunately, the Blazers can’t seem to get it together with the squad many said would take them back to the WCF. January has seen two of their best players with injuries that will keep them out for some time. Jusuf Nurkic took a swipe at Malcolm Brogdon and fractured his wrist. After surgery Tuesday, Nurkic will be re-evaluated in six weeks. Six weeks???
But the icing on the cake is CJ McCollum. A team player, CJ didn’t want Nurkic to be out by himself and decided to fracture his foot on January 16 against the Hawks. A follow-up evaluation on the Portland sharpshooter happens in four weeks. The Blazers are 8-6, which puts them fourth in the West, three games behind the Clippers for third, and three games ahead of 12th place Sacramento. Dame, are you ready now? The New York Knicks would love to have you!
Finally, James Harden got his wish and was reunited with Mike Di’Antoni when the Nets, in a four-team deal, sent Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince, four first-round draft picks, and four swaps to the Houston Rockets. Houston sent Caris LeVert to the Indiana Pacers for Victor Oladipo. Trust and believe Houston and Indiana won that trade.
Of course, we have to mention the biggest winner. LeVert said the trade might have saved his life. During his Pacers physical, doctors found a small mass on his kidney. His attitude is great and the Columbus, Ohio native will make a big impact on Indy when he returns.
That’s it for this week’s NBA Takes. See you next week!