Is league pass scapegoats just a bunch of reasons to watch bad basketball? Maybe, I’m not really sure yet. Let’s call them excuses, not reasons.
We just happen to be at the weird point in the NBA timeline that’s kinda dead. Post all-star break, post trade deadline, pre-playoffs. Viewers tend to tune into games a little less. Even if your favourite team is dominating, 82 games of similar routine gets stale.
Then there’s the other side of the coin, where your favourite team is the Knicks.
A fresh outlook always helps, especially if you’re looking for an excuse to watch your under .500 team throw cinder-blocks at an orange ring. Even if your team is more than afloat in a somewhat guaranteed position, certain changes/circumstances and quirks to winning teams can lead to exciting developments heading into playoffs.
So let me give you some concise or weird excuse to fire up league pass and watch some games for silver-lining or justification.
Golden State Warriors
Andrew Wiggins has a fresh start. He’s technically having a career year too, but I think how he looks over the remaining games this season will decide whether he’s in the long term plans. If Steph plays any basketball this season it will be nice to see the dynamic.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Kevin Porter Jr. has serious promise. For a borderline second round pick, he’s having a more than solid season. John Belien is now being paid to accidentally call players thugs and walk out the building, so hopefully JB Bickerstaff pumps up Porter’s minutes. His solid percentages should be rewarded.
Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young does some voodoo shit with the basketball every game. Also the Young/Huerter/Hunter/Collins/Capela lineup has serious kick behind it, they could play at a ridiculous tempo and be barrels of fun to watch in time.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Towns is out for the season, and everyone who said the Twolves are going to be good eat dirt for the 5th year in a row. Malik Beasley was their best pickup in trades, he had limited minutes in Denver but he’s definitely worth an empty 30 bomb or 2 down the stretch. He’s athletic and can stroke it on occasion, he’s worth keeping.
New York Knicks
You can witness the first ever all power forward starting lineup possibly, thank you Jim Dolan.
RJ Barrett is worth keeping an eye on for improvement, if he fumbles at the end of the year I wouldn’t put it past JimBob Diddles to package him in a trade for Harrison Barnes soon.
Charlotte Hornets
Devonte Graham, simply. He’s a natural playmaker with free reign and a neon green light. It’s rare that a second round pick in his sophomore campaign carries the offense -> MIP?
Detroit Pistons
Andre Drummond started shooting 3’s so they traded him for cirque du soleil tickets.
Sekou Doumbouya is a serious prospect though, he already posted a 25 point game. He’s also 18 which is scary to think about. Dwayne Casey shouldn’t have a problem playing him 30 minutes a night right now.
Chicago Bulls
Wendell Carter is finally healthy. Coby White will get to start while Kris Dunn is injured. If they can keep Lavine/White/Markkanen/Carter on the floor, it’s a fun watch.
If not, watch Ryan Arcidiacono check into every game trying to start a DPOY campaign for himself.
Washington Wizards
Bradley Beal goes into every game trying to steal your soul, he does not care who guards him, he’s out for cold blooded murder. They’re still technically within striking distance of Orlando for playoffs? Maybe there’s a push.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings consistently dump sewage on their diehard fans. I have no clue what direction they’re going in but Nemanja Bjelica has genuinely been a bright spot with Marvin Bagley’s injury woes? He does a lot for their offense if you pay attention.
Phoenix Suns
Health issues killed this team. I’ve really enjoyed watching Cam Johnson and especially Mikal Bridges. Bridges is a legitimate 3 and D threat, he’s clamping up a lot of star players. The Rubio/Aron Baynes offensive scheme is also brilliant, I swear the suns are good.
New Orleans Pelicans
Lonzo Ball throwing lobs to Zion Williamson. Wtf else would you be watching. I also really enjoy Nicolo Melli, he's like a off-brand Marc Gasol.
San Antonio Spurs
Lonnie Walker is playing minutes, Lord Popovich blessed us. A real 3 and D threat already and he has some Kawhi Leonard framework in him, another minutes bump will help.
Orlando Magic
The Markelle Fultz revival is badass. It’s like when those robbers killed John Wick's dog and he just gradually worked his way through a revenge tour by murking everyone who wronged him. Markelle is scheduling the revenge tour.
Portland Trail Blazers
Nurkic is coming back, Trevor Ariza has been added, Gary Trent Jr. is working to fill Rodney Hood’s role. Nurkic is the main piece of this, their offense looks 30 times better with him in moving the rock. Big playoff push for rip city.
Brooklyn Nets
Kyrie will say something that’s a form of confusing Scientology. Besides that, Caris Levert had a big game before the break and he’s someone who fits better beside Spencer Dinwiddie than the exalted one (out for the season now).
Memphis Grizzlies
If you’re not watching Memphis I’m going to come egg your house, we're all aware of the young core balling out aren't we? The addition of Justice Winslow though is crazy exciting even just for their defense. Seeing how he fits in the system will be important. Lakers vs Grizz 1st round matchup is an all hands on deck explosion.
Indiana Pacers
Victor Oladipo likely gets in a rhythm post all-star break. If he doesn’t then Indy is probably a first round exit, pretty high stakes for them. TJ Warren has been unbelievable in filling in the main scorer role and I’m curious to see who they cater the offense to.
Dallas Mavericks
Jalen Brunson has been so damn good when Luka’s been out. Having him with Seth Curry on the second unit keeps their offensive efficiency sky high. My man is the college athlete of the damn decade, he knows how to win.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Canadian takeover baby, Luguentz Dort and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are hooping up something crazy. Dort is an undrafted rookie starting shooting guard, unheard of.
Philadelphia 76ers
Matisse Thybulle is the best rookie defender I’ve ever seen, his instincts + length + on-ball defense is future DPOY material. Chemistry issues might cause some homestretch drama for Philly (love to see it), unless Furkan Korkmaz continues to flamethrow.
Houston Rockets
ALL OF THE 5 OUT NONSENSE IS INCREDIBLE. Having no one in the rotation over 6’6 has given us such a wacky mixed bag of results. The contrasts of triumphs and tragedies this team is going to experience is comparable to a Shakespeare play.
Miami Heat
Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro; Hot fire bomb squad. Iguodala’s role and how that develops is something to keep an eye on right now.
**You're not obligated to watch any video, but you're obligated to watch Duncan Robinson's last shot and tell me what kind of a pull that was.
Utah Jazz
Emmanuel Mudiay is on somewhat of a revival tour, he’s been an excellent backup PG. Quin Snyder is also getting the best out of Jordan Clarkson, he’s had several 25 plus games that are legitimately efficient.
LA Clippers
Keep your eyes on Paul George, he’s been slumping over his last 10 games and they can’t afford to have him in a funk leading into playoffs. Marcus Morris and Reggie Jackson additions are dope though, I like those fits for grit and grind purposes.
Denver Nuggets
I’m sold on Micheal Porter Jr., he can be incredibly dynamic offensively and Mike Malone has been racking up his minutes. Jamal Murray has also been putting people in coffins lately with a plethora of stepback jumpers.
Boston Celtics
Tacko Fall, why the hell wouldn’t you want to tune in for that man. The Boston crowd chants “WE WANT TACKO” regardless of the score which is a movement I’m fully behind. Robert Williams is also returning soon and I love how Brad Stevens has used him so far.
Toronto Raptors
As if you need an excuse to watch the Raptors. Terence Davis would be that obscure excuse though, another undrafted rookie who’s coming in and imposing his will (Classic Raps). He’S nOt A rIsInG sTaR tHoUgH.
La Lakers
Avery Bradley is a guy who can legitimately be their 3rd option and I think he’s starting to realize that, he’s still an amazing 2 way talent. Also, the Lakers are going to sign JR Smith, the league didn’t partner with Hennessy for that not to happen.
Milwaukee Bucks
Donte Divincenzo has quietly had an excellent season, he’s one more guy that can make big nuts shots when the Bucks are in the playoffs. The bucks bench unit is way more of a weapon this year, and they get to play a lot because Milwaukee consistently beats teams to a pulp.
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