Jeff Van Gundy of ESPN during the Denver Nuggets-Miami Heat game: “I love Torrey Craig’s energy, intensity and rebounding mindset. For an eleventh guy, he is a perfect fit because he’s always ready, He plays a utility role and accepts it.” Craig was undrafted in 2014 out of USC-Upstate.
Nuggets fell to the Heat 125-100. Bam Adebayo scored 22 points for the Heat.
Kelly Olynyk of the Heat shot 4-6 from distance. His teammate Duncan Robinson started his college career at Williams College, a D-3 school, transferred to Michigan and now is one of the best long distance shooters in the NBA.
Great thing about listening to Van Gundy and Mark Jackson on ESPN is they tell the truth and always talk about what it takes to be a better ball player.
“You are your habits,” JVG said towards the end of the Clippers-Pelicans game.
During the game Jackson was talking about the return of Joakim Noah to the Clippers – he mentioned Noah admitting that he owned up to his poor play, that he didn’t prepare in New York with the Knicks. To which JVG added, “but his choices and lack of preparation and readiness cost people jobs. There are ramifications for everyone’s choices.”
The Clippers set a franchise record today by making 25 3-pt field goals (47 attempted) against the Pelicans. The NBA record is 27 set by the Houston Rockets in 2019.
T.J. Warren dropped 53 points against the 76ers leading the Pacers to the 127-121 Saturday afternoon victory. Warren shot 20-29 from the field including 9-12 from downtown. Jalen Rose of ESPN added, “The Suns traded that man to Indiana for cash considerations.” Joel Embiid of the Sixers scored 41 points and pulled down 21 rebounds in a losing effort.
During the Toronto Raptors-LA Lakers game I watched the Raptors make 10 passes on one possession. Amazing ball movement. Raptors won the game 107-92. Kyle Lowry scored 33 points on 8-16 shooting including 5-9 from distance. The Villanova grad also had 14 rebounds and 6 assists. 14 rebounds for a guy who is six-feet tall! “We got a team full of scrappy guys,” Lowry told the ESPN sideline reporter following the game.
Fred VanVleet of the Raptors dished out 11 assists.
Lakers shot 29-82 from the field, 10-40 from distance.
By the way, Raptors head coach Nick Nurse has done an amazing job. Toronto is 47-18 on the year. Last year after 65 games they were 46-19. I wish Kawhi was still down with them.
R.I.P. Mike Gale, the Overbrook High alum was 70.
Always play the right way…
-Steve Finamore
Hoops135@hotmail.com
PLAY THE RIGHT WAY 