This week in the NBA has been a very interesting one to say the least. The topics that have been discussed throughout the week have been the release of the All Star game starters, the Celtics and Warriors match-up, and Indiana Pacer Guard, Victor Oladipo’s season-ending injury.
The big release of the NBA All Star Starters is all way a very exciting, but controversial time to be an NBA follower. The East has Captain Giannis Antetokounmpo along with Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Kawhi Leonard, and Joel Embiid. The West however has Captain LeBron James lined up with Stephen Curry, James Harden, Paul George, and Kevin Durant. The interesting topic is always the chatter after the results are in to see who thought who was snubbed of a starting spot. I personally think this year they got the starters right. I think the hard part comes when they announce the reserve list because there are countless deserve athletes that may not have been starting caliber but should definitely be on the team.
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The next big talk of the league this week was the game between the Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors. In many people’s opinions these are the best two teams in the league and the two with the most depth or star power. This is a game as a fan of either team or a fan of the NBA, you have had circled on your calendar. Being that the Celtics are in the Eastern Conference and the Warriors are in the West, this game could have very well been an NBA Finals preview and if it was we are all in for treat come June. What made the game even more excited was that the Celtics were coming into it with a 10 game home win streak well the Warriors had a 9 game overall win streak!
I was glued to the TV the entire game from pregame to post and it was an amazing game. Although the result wasn’t what I wanted, the Warriors winning 115-111 over the Celtics, it did give me and many other NBA fans a hope. A hope that the Warriors are beatable and that this NBA playoffs can be very interesting. There have been many moments in this season that NBA fans have seen the Warriors show glimpses of a team that is not unstoppable but instead a team that could potential lose before it even reaches the finals. This is a surprise considering they are the first team since the 1970’s that are starting an entire first five that were all all stars last season. We will have to see how the season plays out but as of now these regular season games are starting the foundation for a very excited postseason that is drama and action filled.
*Video Recap of the Game: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz-iTBI34zM&feature=onebox)
The last big topic of the week was the devastating injury suffered to Indiana Pacers Guard, Victor Oladipo. This comes a season after Oladipo’s breakout Most Improved Player Award Winning season. He had seen a huge jump from an average player to a star that lead his team to the playoff last season. Entering this season it seemed like he was going to make the next jump and go deeper into the playoffs. He was on pace to do just that have lead his team to a 4th seed in the Eastern Conference at the time of the injury. This injury was clearly a devastating one in the fact that Oladipo will have surgery and miss the rest of this season and most likely have to fight back to regain the place that he had worked so hard to get to.
You could tell that Oladipo has created a brotherhood in the NBA with all the messages of good luck and getting back healthy and better than ever he received from other players, coaches, and fans. I personally hope to see him back on the court next season better than ever and gain the success that he deserves for his hard work and amount of time he has put into his craft!
-Brian Vance Jr.