Key players to watch down stretch
Names worth monitoring as the Warriors prepare for the playoffs: Kawhi Leonard: He’s gearing up for a return from his exasperating quad injury sometime this month, and although the Warriors aren’t likely to see him at Oracle Arena on Thursday, look for him when the teams play in San Antonio on March 19. Just two weeks ago, Leonard’s refusal to play after being cleared to play by doctors caused considerable tension in the Spurs’ camp. Leonard can opt out of his contract after next season, and there was talk he could be traded this summer if he can’t work out an extension with the club. But coach Gregg Popovich isn’t about to let this situation escalate into calamity. With a healthy Leonard, the Spurs can beat anyone at any time. Anthony Davis: New Orleans’ season was supposedly doomed when DeMarcus Cousins went down, only to be revived by Davis’ astonishing play (averaging 35 points and 13 rebounds in February). He’s a center, he’s a forward, he’s a guard — whatever he wants, really. Maybe the first guy you’d pick if you’re starting a franchise. With Davis on a rampage, the team on a seven-game winning streak and a solid backcourt developing with Jrue Holiday and Rajon Rondo, the Pelicans are likely to make the playoffs — and could face Golden State in the first round. Russell Westbrook: Last year’s MVP meets this year’s lock, Houston’s James Harden, in Oklahoma City on Tuesday night. The game means little in itself, but it’s still a big-time showdown. If Westbrook wills the Thunder to victory, there will be no doubt about their postseason potential. Jimmy Butler: Minnesota was looming as a serious threat before Butler was lost to knee surgery. He claims he’ll be back for the playoffs, but the Timberwolves have to get there first. Here’s another potential first-round opponent for the Warriors, and a dangerous one. Donovan Mitchell: Along those lines, Utah is trying to sneak into the No. 8 slot behind Mitchell, the explosive rookie who has taken the team’s leadership role and made people forget Gordon Hayward (who, by the way, was ruled out of playing this season by Celtics coach Brad Stevens on Saturday). Mitchell is right there with Ben Simmons among the top Rookie of the Year candidates, and he’s a pleasure to watch. Kevin Love: That blockbuster trade-deadline deal brought a surge of energy to the listless Cavaliers, and it bodes well for the team’s future, but the current reality finds LeBron James surrounded by young, untested players still trying to fit in. It’s almost impossible to win titles with just one superstar, and although Love’s return (indefinite) will be a blessing, can the Cavaliers fit him into their revamped system in time to get through the East? Stephen Curry: Nothing is “minor” when it comes to Curry’s vulnerable right ankle. And isn’t it just comically dreadful that his recent incident (Friday night in Atlanta) occurred when he landed on Zaza Pachulia’s foot? One thing about Pachulia, who was also responsible for Kevin Durant’s injury last year: He’s an equal-opportunity oaf.
Around the NBA
Least surprising development since the All-Star break: Lonzo Ball coming into his own as an all-around threat. Lakers coach Luke Walton called Ball “the best player on the floor” after L.A. routed Miami on Thursday night, and there was this from Dwyane Wade: “I’ve been a big fan of him. He’s got a great feel and his IQ for the game is incredible. Everyone talks about his shot, but he’s been shooting that way his whole life and he can knock ’em down. He’s good, man.”
Meanwhile, Isaiah Thomas is starting to resemble his own self with the Lakers, and with rookie Josh Hart lost for the season after hand surgery, he’ll get a lot of backcourt time alongside Ball. Can two point guards work in that system? It’s at least a possibility now. If Thomas can’t get big money this summer (“All you need is one team to love you”), he could forestall free agency by signing a one-year deal with the Lakers.
Shareef O’Neal made headlines when he backed off his commitment to the University of Arizona and switched to UCLA. If it seems odd that the slender, 6-foot-10 Shareef is Shaquille’s son, remember that Shaq was a chiseled specimen coming out of LSU, about to be the league’s most physically overpowering center since Wilt Chamberlain.
NBA TV recently referred to Harden as the leading candidate for the “Kia MVP.” No. Keep the advertisers out of it. Let’s not hear that again, from anyone.
The league thought it was being supremely cool when it allowed coaches to be miked-up during timeouts, but there’s an element of protection. Anything remotely interesting — like, “Don’t even guard (so-andso), he can’t hurt us” — won’t be replayed on the air. So all we get is “Energy,” or “Get back in transition” or “Let’s get some stops.” It makes all the coaches look like cliche-ridden incompetents.
Commissioner Adam Silver seems to fancy the idea of 16team playoff seeding based strictly on record, not conference standing. This has always been a good idea, although there’s concern about balanced scheduling (one team plays Houston four times in the regular season, for instance, while another draws the Rockets only twice). Easy solution, recommended here for years: Forget the conferences. Every team plays a 58-game schedule, facing every team twice. Many problems solved. Such a shame there are too many cheapskate billionaire owners in the league to allow such a thing.