The Warriors Bench LOVES When Blake Griffin Misses Three Pointers

(Kent Bazemore, Warriors Bench Mob Captain.)

The outbreak of teams like the Clippers and Warriors in the Pacific Division has been one of the biggest stories of the NBA season thus far. Both have thrived by having solid benches that have been able to help them surpass the Lakers and be very much in the playoff picture. What is even better, is a bit of a rivalry has begun to form. Last night, the Warriors got the most even tilt, with a 106-99 win at home. 

 

While Blake Griffin had an excellent game last night(26 points, 13 rebounds), he was forced to attempt a three late in the shot clock. Blake, not really known for his outside shooting(shocker right?), naturally air balled a very ugly shot. Even better, the Warriors bench LOST IT, in particular Warriors bench mob captain Kent Bazemore.

Now this in itself was awesome. After reading this on twitter, I decided to search for this video, and realized that this isn't a one time thing. The Warriors bench loves when Blake Griffin misses three pointers. Check out this video during their game on January 2nd. Bazemore and the mob break it down to Blake missed three. This shot might actually be the worse of the two, as Blake puts it off the side of the backboard.

A few things here:

1. The Clippers probably shouldn't pass it to Blake Griffin late in the shot clock if he isn't already in the air with his crotch in some guys face.

2. The Warriors bench must be SUPER pumped every time they notice the shot clock is winding down.

3. Mark Jackson pretty much can't play Kent Bazemore against the Clippers because it is pretty safe to say the Clips will go out of their way to get him ISO'd on Blake.

4. It's also pretty safe to say Kent won't play against the Clips anyway, as he is currently averaging 2.7 minutes per game.

I don't really care, Bazemore is starting to work his way into total Scalabrine territory here with these reactions and some more of his work which is below. Here's to Blake Griffin taking more threes late in the shot clock, and hoping Kent Bazemore is in the building for them.

-Bford

 

Pacific Division Round Up: Saved By the Bell Style

The Pacific Division has to be one of the most puzzling group of teams this year, but as a fan nobody is complaining. Two perennial little brothers are consistently winning, jockying for position as king of the house. The big brother of the group is turning into the big brother with alot of potential that now still lives at home, one brother could be getting kicked out and forced to move elsewhere(or maybe he's living willingly to work as a barista?), and then their is the other brother, that, well, nobody really cares about.

(Is Lisa wearing jean bicycle shorts? Dear god the 90's were a scary time.)

 With the temperatures in Pick and Pop's hometown of Boston continue to stay cold, the Pacific reminds us of the summer right around the corner. And well, when you think summer, you have to think beaches. And when you think beaches, you think babes. And when anyone thinks babes, they think Kelly Kapowski. That is why we are going to play "If a Pacific Team were a Saved By the Bell" character. Because I miss Kelly, and I also miss Zach a little too.




 Los Angeles Clippers: 29-9, 7-3 Last 10
-The Clippers are the cool kid on the block. They are winning all of the games they are supposed too, and even winning games no one expected too. The Clippers have seven players with a PER of over 15, and five guys are averaging double figures. This is the definition of a team, and they are only getting stronger. Grant Hill is returning sometime in the next week barring a set back, meaning a second line full of proven veterans is only going to get stronger. At this point, the Clippers getting anything less than a 3 seed has to be a disappointment after the start they have had.
 
Saved By The Bell comparison: You would think Zach Morris, but you're wrong. It's AC Slater. Any real SBTB fan knows Slater came in strong, moving into Bayside after coming from a military base with his father. He was the new kid on the block, and completely took over, making Zach Morris pretty jealous. You could say last year was the Clippers moving in, and this year is them winning the state title in the wrestling championships. (And yes, that is me making a title pick in January. Judge me.)

(You're telling me Blake Griffin can't pull off an AC?)

Golden State Warriors: 23-13, 6-4 Last 10
-The Warriors have come back to earth a bit, struggling against some of the better teams in the West. Still, to be ten games above .500 at this point is a huge win. Steph Curry has taken a huge leap now that he is finally the featured guy in the backcourt, and Jarrett Jack could be the MVP. The backup PG is averaging career highs in points, assists and rebounds(11,5,3), and is shooting better from beyond the arc. Those stable minutes when Curry is off the floor has allowed this team to play it's starters less and have better fourth quarters. 

Saved By The Bell comparison: It has to be our girl Kelly here. They are the hot new team on the block, that everyone is becoming fans of. It's fun to cheer for them, it's fun to watch them, and every time they do something new you fall deeper and deeper. Let's just hope they don't break our hearts, I really would like to see Kelly in the summer.....I mean the Warriors in the playoffs.


Los Angeles Lakers: 16-21, 3-7 Last 10
-The Lakers have been working very hard to get better. At excuses, that is. First it was the injuries, then it was the schedule, now it is the team defense. We mentioned earlier in our power rankings that Kobe is going to be featured different on the D, but just how much is that going to change things? This team is running out of time to turn it around, and can't stop anyone from scoring. They are the only team in the league to have a positive +/- with a losing record, so offense isn't the problem. The next ten games will be telling. If they are still under .500 at the all-star break, you have to wonder if Kobe will be calling for heads. Will it Pau's? Dwight's? One underlying story here, if the Lakers do make a run and grab a low seed, they could easily face the Clippers in round one.

Saved By The Bell comparison: Jessie Spano, specifically the caffeine pill episode. It's alot of pressure trying to stay on top as long as the Lakers have.

(Remember when this was considered edgy TV? Tell the Game of Thrones writers that.)

Sacramento Kings: 14-24, 5-5 Last 10
-Demarcus Cousins leads the Kings in points, assists, rebounds and steals. Points and rebounds makes sense, but the fact that your selfish center is leading your team in being unselfish is a big issue. The Kings should be on the market for an actual point guard, and one with leadership experience. Even Jose Calderon and his bloated contract might be worth a three month tryout. Sactown is 25th in rebounds, 27th in assists, and last in points per game. Yet none of these problems are the biggest issue in Sacramento, because this team doesn't even know where to call home next year. Could Seattle be a fresh new start? Will Seattle even accept them?

Saved By The Bell comparison: Nikki Coleman. Who is Nikki Coleman you ask? She was one the original Saved by the Bell characters, which was called Good Morning, Miss Bliss. Nikki was one of Zach's classmates, yet never returned. Similar to what may happen to the Kings.


Phoenix Suns: 13-27, 2-8 Last 10

-The Suns are the doormat of a division that has a team whose only good player has no intention of staying there. Oh yeah, the team has no intention of staying there either. Their is no legitimate scorer on the Suns, as Goran Dragic leading the team at 14.1 PPG. This is the lowest team leader in the West. The Suns are just 2-11 in their last 13, and have five double digit losses in that span. Even worse, watching this team is just plain boring.

Saved By The Bell comparison: Screech. It was just too easy. They can't get out of their own way.

-Bford

Week 10 Power Rankings

1. Los Angeles Clippers: 25-7, 9-1
During the Clippers 17 game win streak, Blake Griffin shot above 50% from the field in all of the games. While this team has no identity(read a great piece by the Daily Dime here), maybe they don't need one. 17 wins is 17 wins. (BF)

2. Oklahoma City Thunder: 24-6, 8-2 
-The Thunder would be widely considered the best team if LAC wasn’t on a historic run. They have shown their championship meddle and will continue to improve with their young core. (EJ)

(Reggie Jackson has given the Thunder yet another boost off the bench.)

3. Miami Heat: 21-8, 7-3 
-The Heat have somehow stayed out of the headlines with two of their west rivals stealing the show. Expect them to shoot back into it with games against Dallas and Chicago this week. (BF)

4. San Antonio Spurs: 25-8, 7-3
-This team has some of the greatest offensive balance of any NBA team in the league. Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobli continue to play at a high level on scaled back minutes. Second in points and third in point differential, this team is a beast. (AL)
 
5. Golden State Warriors: 21-10, 7-3 
-With every win, the Warriors are becoming more battle tested for the playoffs. It's a complete reflection of Mark Jackson's tough guy mentality that this team is 4th in rebounds without their star center. (BF)

6. New York Knicks: 21-10, 5-5 
-An injury to point guard Raymond Felton will hurt; can they weather the six weeks without him by leaning on extra minutes from Jason Kidd? This team continues to rely heavily on the three point shot, but for now they are falling. (AL)
 
7. Atlanta Hawks: 20-10, 6-4
-The Hawks are putting themselves in contention for a three or four seed in the East with other contenders failing. The question always remains, what do they do with it? (BF)

8. Memphis Grizzlies: 19-9, 5-5
-The Grizz need to continue slowing the game down and letting there bigs do work on the interior. I need to see Marc Gasol play better after the team has lost 2 of its past 3. (AL)
 
9. Indiana Pacers: 18-13, 8-2
-Indiana was able to win their brawl of a contest against Memphis this past week. They have shown all season that they are elite rebounders and defenders. The question remains can they score enough? (EJ)

(The Pacers could really use Granger's scoring right about now.)

 
10. Houston Rockets: 17-14, 7-3
-Houston has lost back to back games, but is playing well winning 5 in a row before the losses. James Harden is playing great basketball and Omer Asik is strengthening his case for most improved player of the year. (AL)
 
11. Chicago Bulls: 16-13, 5-5
-As the season lets on we are seeing the Bulls miss Derick Rose more and more. Their offense is based on execution not elite scoring. This means that their offense has a higher degree of difficulty, which is what you have seen in recent losses. (EJ)


12. Milwaukee Bucks: 16-13, 6-4
-The Bucks have shown great offensive strength throughout the season. But can this team beat the best when the game is slowed down come playoff time? (EJ)

13. Denver Nuggets: 18-15, 7-3
-The Nuggets have played a ruthless schedule on the road. Since when did the Nugs piss someone off in the NBA office? (BF)

14. Portland Trailblazers: 16-14, 8-2

-Portland has a very good starting five and no bench at all. If they are going to make a playoff push I look for them to be one of the more active teams in trade talk. (EJ)

15. Minnesota Timberwolves: 14-13, 6-4

-The Timberwolves are around a .500 team without Ricky Rubio. With a healthy Rubio they are a much better team. The question is if they can get enough of a healthy Rubio to get in the playoffs playing their best ball. (EJ)

16. Los Angeles Lakers: 15-16, 6-4
-Kobe claims the Lakers are old, and that is why they are struggling. The excuses are getting pretty old for the fans in purple and gold as well. (BF)

17. Brooklyn Nets: 16-15, 4-6

Firing Avery Johnson won't solve the Net's issues. Listen to our podcast and you will know, but I put this on Deron Williams, who continues to play poorly.  This team can be dangerous but right now no one is fearing them, even after winning both games of the new PJ Carlesimo regime. (AL)

(Okay Deron, is this going to work?)

18. Philadelphia 76ers: 15-17, 3-7
-They have lost 8 of 10 and looked horrible in doing so. Andrew Bynum needs to get healthy if this team wants to make the playoffs. (AL)
 
19. Utah Jazz: 15-17, 3-7
-This team is either playing under their capabilities or is just not very good. Either, way it seems times to give Favors and Kanter more minutes. Expect Jefferson and/or Milsap to be moved, especially with the Jazz playing so poorly. (EJ)
 
20. Boston Celtics: 14-16, 3-7
-Disappointing losses to both the Clippers and Golden State have left this team under 500. Maybe they can grab a win tonight against the Kings, but this team needs to turn it around soon. The return of Avery Bradley when they return from the west coast should help. (AL)


21. Dallas Mavericks: 13-19, 2-8
-Dirk is back but he is not curing all this teams' ails. OJ Mayo continues to play well, but the rest of the group lacks consistency. Darren Collison may have had the play of the year with his one footed three to force OT, but they lost anyways. (AL)


22. Toronto Raptors: 11-20, 7-3
-Toronto has won 7 of 8 and has turned around their season. Demar Derozan looked great the past couple weeks. They may pass Phili in the Atlantic if both teams continue in there current directions. (AL)
 
23. Orlando Magic: 12-19, 4-6
-The Magic have really been hurting since Glen Davis went down to injury. Even with Arron Afflalo dropping 26 and 28 in games last week, this team couldn't break the slide and has now lost six in a row. (BF) 

(Arron Afflalo has quite a heavier load on his shoulders these days.)

24. Detroit Pistons: 12-22, 5-5
-With Drummond coming along quicker than anyone thought he would the future now seems extremely bright for the Pistons. Right now Drummond is only playing 20 minutes a game, this number will increase as the season goes along and the Celtics will be better for it. With Drummond, Monroe, and  Knight coming along the Pistons are the best of the basement. (EJ)
 
25. Sacramento Kings: 11-20, 4-6
-With the Cousins Scandal supposedly behind them(maybe), this team can try to get back to winning. As good as they looked against Boston, it's tough to think they can stay that consistent, and Cousins can stay out of trouble. (BF)

26. Phoenix Suns: 11-21, 4-6
-Ohh the Suns. After losing a buzzer beater to the Knicks, they followed it up with three more losses on the road. This team is crashing, having lost six straight. (BF)

27. New Orleans Hornets: 7-24, 2-8
-Eric Gordon is finally healthy and scored 24 points in 24 minutes in his debut. I can't wait to see what this team does in January with a fully healthy roster. Davis and Gordon are the futures of this franchise. (AL)


28. Charlotte Bobcats: 8-23, 1-9
-They won! They won! Now the big step is where do they turn to prevent the next losing streaking from happening. (BF)

29. Cleveland Cavaliers: 7-25, 2-8
-Tristan Thompson’s improved play might make trading Varejao more palpable. As the season move along I warm on the idea of Cleveland moving Varejao. AV is a good player who is on a light contract but by the time his contract is up Cleveland might not be a playoff team. (EJ)
 
30. Washington Wizards: 4-25, 1-9
-The Wizards currently don't have anyone averaging over 16 points a game, anyone averaging over 8 rebounds a game, or anyone averaging over 5 assists a game. Thank god for RGIII. (BF)



Until Next time, Your NBA youtube Clip!