Bucks make a midseason switch at head coach: Can Rivers unlock their full potential?
One of the more surprising moves of the season took place this week as the Bucks fired first year head coach Adrian Griffin despite a 30-13 record. The writing appeared to be on the wall throughout this season that the Bucks were not quite in sync especially on the defensive end. They also faced some moments where players appeared to question Adrian Griffin's leadership especially after the loss to the Pacers in the In-Season tournament. Milwaukee's defensive issues cannot be placed solely on Griffin as the Bucks did trade arguably their best defender in Jrue Holiday for Damian Lillard. Still, after having the 4th ranked defense last year to having the 24th it was clear that some changes needed to be made due to their championship expectations.
With Doc Rivers now in as head coach for the Bucks they now have a coach with a championship pedigree yet still a lot to prove as he has suffered several disappointing playoff losses in the last decade. Their superstar, Giannis now faces even more pressure as the switch at head coach adds to the urgency the Bucks have to capitalize on their opportunity to win with this current roster. Rivers main focus will likely be on finding ways to improve the Bucks defensive issues as beyond that the Bucks have the talent and star power to make a championship run.
Joel Embiid and Luka Doncic put up historic performances in the same week
Two of the best players in the NBA put up unbelievable performances within just a few days of each other. It all started on Monday with a matchup between the Sixers and Spurs. In a matchup between current superstar Joel Embiid and future superstar Victor Wembanyama it was Embiid who showed the rookie how it's done.
In a performance that will go down in history Embiid scored a franchise record 70 points on the anniversary of Kobe Bryant's 81 point game on Jan, 22nd 2006. In a performance reminiscent of the great Wilt Chamberlain, Embiid was 24 of 41 from the field and broke Chamberlain's record of 68 while also setting his career high in rebounds. After the game, Embiid spoke about the Wilt comparisons stating “To be in the same conversation is pretty cool. It was just a great night. Had it going. They just kept giving me the ball and I just finished it.” The previous season high in the NBA was 64 by Giannis Antetokounmpo but Embiid would not have the NBA season high in scoring for long.
Only 4 days after Joel Embiid's record setting scoring night we saw an even more unbelievable performance put on by Luka Doncic against the Atlanta Hawks. Doncic had it going early scoring a team record 41 points in the first half. The Hawks were able to keep the game close throughout despite Doncic's scoring rampage but the Mavericks were able to hold on for 148-143 win on the road.
Doncic put his names amongst several All-Time greats scoring a franchise record 73 points which ties him for the fourth most points in NBA history. Doncic was also incredibly efficient hitting 25 of his 33 shots including 8 of 13 from three point range. With his performance, Doncic joined elite company as besides him only 3 other players in NBA history have scored 73 or more. That list includes David Thompson, Kobe Bryant, and Wilt Chamberlain who also had a 78 and 100 point game. After the game, Doncic spoke about the names his performance put him alongside of stating, “Those names are special,” Doncic said. “It's unbelievable.”
NBA All-Star Starters announced: Who was the biggest snub?
This week, the All-Star starters in both the East and West were officially revealed which sets up a star studded matchup in Indianapolis next month.
Western Conference All-Star Starters:
G Shai Gilgeous Alexander
G Luka Doncic
F Lebron James (captain)
F Kevin Durant
C Nikola Jokic
Eastern Conference All Star-Starters:
G Tyrese Haliburton
G Damian Lillard
F Jayson Tatum
F Giannis Antetokounmpo (captain)
C Joel Embiid
All of the players who were recognized as All-Star starters are all of course well deserved but their was one particular player who was surprisingly snubbed and should have been named an All-Star Starter. That player is New York Knicks guard, Jalen Brunson. Brunson is averaging a career high 26.6 points per game in 44 games played while shooting a career high 48% from the field. Those numbers are even better than Bucks superstar Damian Lillard who is starting an All-Star game for the first time in his career.
Game of the week- In yet another instant classic matchup between two All-Time greats in Lebron James and Steph Curry both players put on a show. Curry dropped a game high 46 points but the Lakers prevailed double overtime thanks to a prolific triple double performance by Lebron James
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