Jazz put Rockets’ superiority in question
As the NBA playoffs turn:
⏩ Great moments tend to be fleeting in the NBA playoffs, mostly because they happen so often. But there are some that resonate over time, particularly throw-down dunks that define a player for life. Baron Davis comes quickly to mind, posterizing Utah’s Andre Kirilenko during the Warriors’ “We Believe” postseason in 2007, as well as Michael Jordan, humbling the Knicks’ Patrick Ewing during the Bulls’ firstround series in ’91.
It’s a bit hasty to mention Donovan Mitchell in that company, but on a night of bold statements by the Utah Jazz in their Game 2 victory over Houston, Mitchell spoke the loudest. In the realm of putback dunks through heavy traffic, Mitchell’s fourth-quarter bombshell was top-shelf elite, leaving even the most seasoned observers in amazement.
⏩ And how refreshing to see the Rockets in a bit of trouble. This is a vulnerable team when the three-point shots aren’t falling, and Utah is becoming an increasingly cool story with Mitchell, rim-defending Rudy Gobert, long-range marksman Joe Ingles and a couple of often-injured players, Dante Exum and Alec Burks, resurrecting their reputations. Even with Ricky Rubio sidelined, the Jazz are a compelling combination of youth, intelligence and defensive prowess.
⏩ The 76ers’ Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid may represent the future of the league, but they got schooled in Boston Thursday night. Jaylen Brown, who should have been resting his sore hamstring, inspired everyone on the Celtics’ bench with 13 points in 25 minutes. Rookie Jayson Tatum was fabulous. Simmons was completely shut down. And with eight seconds left, ancient Al Horford drove past Embiid for the gameclinching layup.
⏩ Toronto’s basketball climate went dark Thursday night. LeBron James turned out the lights — perhaps until October — with a 43-point Game 2 performance that felt like 100. This was Bill Russell in L.A., Magic Johnson in Philadelphia, Michael Jordan in Utah, Kobe Bryant in Boston, an all-time great at his chillingly brilliant best on the road. What a show. ⏩ Charles Barkley seems to think Draymond Green is some sort of fake tough guy, claiming on TNT that “he’s all talk.” Barkley should talk to some of the people who went against Green on the playgrounds of Saginaw, his hometown in Michigan. Green recalls literally having to fight his way to stay on the court at times, and standing up to “grown men” trying to bully him. I’m sure Green’s mother could give Barkley a vivid account.