USA TODAY International Edition
Waiters’ situation just gets more bizarre in Miami
Bizarre.
That the one word that keeps popping up when thinking about Dion Waiters and his situation in Miami.
He’s been suspended for a second time in less than 10 games as he received a 10- game suspension for “conduct detrimental to the team.”
This could easily read that Waiters has done some major harm to himself.
He had a seizure on a plane flight from Phoenix to Los Angeles that stemmed from reportedly ingesting “THC- infused edibles” or “gummies.”
He’s going to miss out on a $ 1.2 million bonus for not playing at least 70 games.
There are questions only Waiters can answer. The Heat can put out statements expressing concern – and disappointment – but where does Waiters go from here?
How will he fit in when returning? The Heat are having a strong start and getting solid play out of rookies Kendrick Nunn and Tyler Herro at his position.
Should Miami look to trade him? If so, who would take him under these circumstances?
Bizarre. Just bizarre.
Big 3 battle of 30- point scorers
The top three scorers in today’s NBA or top three back in 2005- 06?
Why ’ 05- 06?
That was the last time three players averaged 30- plus points in a season as James Harden, Damian Lillard and Kyrie Irving were going into Tuesday.
❚ Harden – 37.3 ppg ( 31.1 efficiency). ❚ Lillard – 33.0 ppg ( 32.1 efficiency). ❚ Irving – 30.0 ppg ( 29.6 efficiency). Who did it in ’ 05- 06?
Kobe Bryant. Allen Iverson. LeBron James.
❚ Bryant – 35.4 ppg ( 27.8 efficiency). ❚ Iverson – 33.0 ppg. ( 26.1 efficiency). ❚ James – 31.4 ppg. ( 29.4 efficiency). They just did it in a different way in a different era.
Can’t take anything away from how skilled today’s players are, but teams shoot more 3s, have more possessions, freedom of movement is a point of emphasis and hand checking is forbidden.
Bryant, Iverson and James combined to average 14.4 shots from 3. Harden alone is averaging 14.4 3- point attempts.
Harden, Lillard and Irving are scoring at more efficient rate, but who would you take in a 3- on- 3 game?
Seems like a no brainer – Kobe, A. I. and James – but with the way Harden, Lillard and Irving can not only shoot from way out, but get anywhere on the floor with their handles, this would be an epic 3- on- 3 battle.
Can see it now.
Bryant not wanting to switch off Lillard. Irving and Iverson trading crossovers. Who’s checking James? Harden is the biggest of his three.
Who you got?
Next NBA king?
Russell Westbrook could very well average a triple double for a ridiculous fourth straight season.
He’s delivering 21.9 points, 8.7 rebounds and 7.4 assists.
His assists will naturally rise playing with Harden, but there are three players who could very well take the triple- double crown this season.
Luka Doncic
Numbers: 28.3 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 9.1 apg. Why him? He has the ball in his hands most of the time, but the guy is averaging more rebounds than the much taller Anthony Davis. That’s the stat to track for him.
LeBron James
Numbers: 24.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 11 apg.
Why him? He’s with much better offensive players in his second season in Los Angeles, but Davis is going to take away rebounding opportunities. Giannis Antetokounmpo Numbers: 29.7 ppg, 14.3 rpg, 6.8 apg. Why him? Antetokounmpo is handling the ball more and more, which leads to assist opportunities, but is more offensive minded than ever.
Looking at these three leads to another question. Who’s the next NBA king after King James?
Kevin Durant could claim the throne if he returns close to his elite form from the Achilles injury.
Kawhi Leonard is the game’s best right now. Harden is the league’s ultimate scorer.
Antetokounmpo is the reigning MVP, but Doncic has a seat at this table conversation.
Doncic can do it all at a size that makes him very difficult to stop and seems to play at the right pace all the time while Antetokounmpo is perhaps the league’s most unguardable player who also competes with unrivaled passion and fire.
I’m going with Antetokounmpo, but Doncic is right there.