Jordan: 6 titles tougher than Harden’s run
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Michael Jordan says James Harden’s streak of 30 straight 30-point games and Russell Westbrook’s 10 straight triple-doubles are both impressive and tough to accomplish.
But the Charlotte Hornets owner said Tuesday — flashing a big grin — that there is one accomplishment tougher than both those feats: “Which is harder from the player’s standpoint? Six championships by all means.”
Jordan praised both players for what they’re doing, noting that both streaks are hard to accomplish.
Jordan said the milestones show “the talent that we have within the league.”
“It shows progression in the league,” Jordan said during an interview at his Hornets facility while discussing the upcoming All-Star weekend. “I am very proud of how both guys have done because they are making a mark for the league, and I think it really helps grow the league.”
Harden needed a late scoring spree Monday night to extend his streak to 30 games, scoring 11 points in the final 100 seconds as the Rockets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 120-104. Harden, who is playing with a strained left shoulder, reached the 30-point mark by swishing a 30-foot pullup jumper.
Westbrook finished with 21 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists to notch his 10th straight tripledouble in the Thunder’s 120-111 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, breaking a tie with Wilt Chamberlain for the most con concluded secutive triple doubles.
Both players will be in Charlotte this weekend for the AllStar game.
League says Magic wasn’t tampering
The NBA says Los Angeles Lakers president Magic Johnson did not break any league tampering rules when he spoke about Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons earlier this week.
The NBA’s relatively quickmoving investigation was initiated after it was revealed that Simmons wanted to meet with Johnson to talk about the art of being an elite point guard. Johnson complimented Simmons publicly on Sunday.
“I love his game. I love his vision,” Johnson said.
But since that was in response to a media inquiry, the NBA says Johnson was permitted to make such comments.
“We have concluded that Magic Johnson’s statements regarding Ben Simmons do not constitute a tampering violation,” the league said. “The Philadelphia 76ers initiated the contact with the Los Angeles Lakers by requesting a meeting between Johnson and Simmons. Both organizations ultimately that such a meeting did not make sense at this time but in that context, Johnson’s response to a media inquiry regarding Simmons does not run afoul of league rules.”
The Lakers have been fined for tampering violations twice since 2017, with those violations costing the team a combined $550,000.
Before a game Tuesday night in Atlanta, Lakers coach Luke Walton shrugged off a question about the NBA’s ruling.
“We’re worried about trying to play ball here,” he said.
Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce said it’s impossible to prevent players from speaking to members of other organizations. He noted that Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, a television analyst for the Hawks, is often sought out by opposing players.
“A lot of that stuff happens naturally,” Pierce said. “Any team that comes in to play the Hawks, I always see players speaking to Dominique. It’s all welcomed and encouraged. You just have to do it the right way.”
Odds and ends
Grizzlies guard Mike Conley was a late scratch against the Spurs on Tuesday with “an illness.” Delon Wright, obtained in last Thursday’s traded with the Toronto Raptors, started in Conley’s place. … Spurs rookie Lonnie Walker IV, who missed the previous two games with a sprained right ankle, was available, according to coach Gregg Popovich, but did not play.