Ricky Dimon
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It’s that time of year during the dog days of the NBA season when off-the-court happenings are making more news than the actual games. Trades are being demanded, injuries are piling up, all-star teams are being made, etc. As for what is transpiring on the court, the Knicks unsurprisingly can’t win (neither can the Suns, for that matter) and the Warriors—as expected—can’t lose. Will Week 16 have more of the same in store for us?
Anthony Davis won’t get traded
The Pelicans are insisting that they will not deal Davis prior to next Thursday’s NBA trade deadline unless they get totally bowled over by an offer. There are, of course, plenty of teams interested; among them playoff contenders like the Lakers, Celtics, and Bucks. Although the Lakers have plenty of young assets and Davis seems to prefer L.A. as a destination, would they be willing to part with so much? New Orleans likely wants Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, and a first-round draft pick as the starting points of a package. Here’s predicting that nothing will happen…until the offseason.
New York will win a basketball game
Not one, not two, not three, not four, not five…not eight, not nine…. The Knicks have lost 10 games in a row—not to mention 18 of their last 19 and 23 of their last 25. Still, they haven’t been completely hopeless. Only one of New York’s last seven setbacks has come by more than 10 points. The Knicks’ next four contests are at home, which doesn’t necessarily mean much since they stink at Madison Square Garden; but at the same time it shouldn’t hurt. Three of the upcoming visitors are beatable: Dallas, Memphis, and Detroit (only Boston isn’t). Look for the skid to come to a merciful end…before another one starts, of course.
Golden State will lose a basketball game
The Warriors, who have won 11 straight, play their next three at home. That, however, does not necessarily mean automatic wins. Golden State has lost six times at Oracle Arena this season; four teams have fewer home losses and relatively pedestrian squads by Golden State standards have a similar number (seven for Portland, San Antonio, Dallas, and even Denver). Philadelphia, the Lakers, and San Antonio are the upcoming opponents; all are capable of outstanding play on any given night (L.A. only if it has LeBron James, obviously).
Trae Young will back up the talk
“I think at the end of the day it worked out for both teams. That’s how I look at it. I mean, Luka’s doing really well. I feel like I’m doing really well, as well.” That’s what the Young said last weekend regarding the draft-day swap with Luka Doncic and Dallas. That depends what the definition of “well” is. It’s working out perfectly for the Mavericks and it is at least starting to work out better than it was for the Hawks. Once a turnover machine, Young committed only one during Monday’s upset of the Clippers and has gone four straight games without committing more than four. The third overall pick is averaging 28.0 ppg and 8.0 apg over the past two outings and is up to 16.4 ppg and 7.3 apg for the season. Look for Young—and an improving Atlanta team—to abuse generous defenses such as Sacramento, Phoenix, and Washington as it wraps up a seven-game road trip.
LaMarcus Aldridge will have a 40-point game
DeMar DeRozan has missed the Spurs’ last three games with a knee injury, which means it is still up to Aldridge to carry the load. The veteran power forward has not scored more than 30 since his 56-point outburst against Oklahoma City on Jan. 10, but he has shot better than 50 percent in six of eight games since that performance vs. OKC and he has scored at least 28 on five occasions during this stretch. San Antonio should be inspired the rest of the week after head coach Gregg Popovich called his team’s performance “pathetic” on Tuesday against Phoenix—even in a win!
