Draymond's Ejected Again, Backcourt Superstars, and Ausar's Historic Chase

Catching you up on last night’s NBA narratives

Author

Vikram Dimba
November 15, 2023

Welcome to Hoop’d There It Is - Catching you up on last night’s NBA narratives

10/14/2023

Great day of hoops. Let’s start with…

Draymond's Ejection Encore

Oh, Draymond, Draymond, Draymond… where do we even start? Draymond once again is turning the basketball court into his own personal drama stage. He’s making a hobby out of early exits, getting kicked out for the second time in just three games.

So, what's happened this time? Out of the blue, he goes all WWE on Rudy Gobert, grabbing him by the neck and practically taking him on a tour from half-court to just inside the three-point line. Why? To defend Klay Thompson in a scuffle he had with Jaden McDaniels.

Draymond chokes Gobert

How many games will he get suspended?

http://streamable.com/loaa3v

Coach Steve Kerr, in his post-game, hinted that Gobert was getting handsy with Klay’s neck, which supposedly triggered Draymond's reaction. But let's be real – there's defending your teammate, and then there's... whatever Draymond thought he was doing. Spoiler alert: Gobert's hands were nowhere near Klay's neck for anything longer than a brief amount of time.

Now, about Klay and McDaniel’s ejections – those seemed a bit much. But Draymond? He’s practically asking for a suspension with his track record. It's like he’s stuck in a loop where he doesn't seem to learn - the dude literally punched his own teammate last season. You’d think after all these years, he’d get a grip (no pun intended) on his on-court antics. It's high time for a change in the script, Draymond.

How long will Draymond be suspended for?

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Haliburton's Hoops Heroics: Pacers' Point Guard Phenomenon

Alright, let's talk about Tyrese Haliburton again because, frankly, this guy just won't stop being amazing. At this point, he's making a pretty convincing case that he's sitting right behind Curry as, at the very least, the NBA's #2 point guard. Check out his latest masterpiece:

33 points with 15 assists and, get this, zero turnovers. That's right, zero. Nada. Zilch. On an impressive 11-18 shooting, no less. But wait, there's more – Haliburton hit the game-icing three-pointer in a crucial win over the 76ers. Him and Myles Turner’s 15 point 4th quarter were huge for the Pacers down the stretch.

SGA’s showtime and the Rise of the Shooting Guard

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, or SGA, just flipped the script in the NBA's latest narrative. I was tuning in to watch Wemby v. Chet Holmgren but instead we were treated with a blowout and a masterclass by SGA. We’re talking about 28 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and a career-high 7 steals, all while shooting a scorching 10-16. In just three quarters.

But here's the bigger picture: SGA, along with the likes o Devin Booker and Anthony Edwards, is quietly steering us into an era of MVP-level shooting guard showdowns in the Western Conference. We're not just watching games here; we're witnessing the rise of a new guard (pun intended) in the West.

True or False: Haliburton is the 2nd best PG in the league?

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Paul George's 'No OT Tonight' Throwback with a Rare Wedgie"

Alright, let's rewind to a classic Paul George moment, with a twist straight out of a basketball blooper reel. Remember those old Paul George commercials with the tagline "No OT Tonight"? They showcased George coolly sinking game-winners, confidently declaring there won't be any overtime. Well, in a twist of fate, PG just gave us a nostalgic nod – but not with a game-winner, no sir. He hit us with a 'wedgie'!

Paul George with the “wedgie”

“OF ALL TIMES TO GET IT” - Kevin Harlan

http://streamable.com/5wvu6q

So, what’s a basketball wedgie? It's when the ball gets stuck between the rim and the backboard. And let me tell you, it’s a rare occurrence as it already is, but especially in a moment like this – late in the 4th quarter, with just 5 seconds left in the game. It’s the kind of moment that leaves players and fans alike in a mix of disbelief and amusement.

Herb Jones: The Pelicans' Winning Ingredient

Time to highlight the New Orleans Pelicans and their not-so-secret weapon: Herb Jones. This guy returns to the court, and boom – the Pelicans snag a win. And a blowout win v. the Mavericks no less. Coincidence? I think not.

Jones put up a solid 19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and added a cherry on top with 2 steals and 2 blocks, all while shooting a super-efficient 6-8. And Luka Doncic was held to the worst game of his season: 16 points on 16 shots.

But here's the real tea: the Pelicans are rocking a 5-3 record in games where Jones plays. And in the games without him? A stark 0-3. That's not just a subtle nudge on the team's performance; that's a full-on shove.

It’s like Herb Jones is the secret sauce in the Pelicans' winning recipe.

We love bold way-too-early takes

Ausar Thompson: The Rookie Revolutionizing NBA Defense

Despite the loss today, Ausar Thompson filled the stat sheet: 21 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK on 75% shooting (9-12 FG). We’ve talked about him at length before in this newsletter, but Ben Taylor, of Thinking Basketball recently released a video highlighting Thompson’s defensive value better than I ever could. It’s a good watch.

But here’s a summary if you don’t have the time to watch:

  1. Thompson's early NBA stint is nothing short of phenomenal. He's etched his name as only the fifth player in NBA history to rack up 40 rebounds and 10 blocks in his first four games. That's a feat usually reserved for MVP level centers

  2. Standing 6'6" with a 7-foot wingspan, Thompson’s got the physical toolkit of a defensive dynamo – speed, agility, and a vertical that's off the charts. This combo makes him a defensive chameleon, capable of adapting and thriving in various matchups.

  3. Thompson shines with his rapid reaction time and bursts of speed, making him a nightmare for opponents on the perimeter. His lateral quickness is especially noteworthy, as he effortlessly keeps up with players on drives and recovers in a flash if he's ever outmaneuvered.

  4. His game-reading ability and vertical prowess make him a dual threat – intercepting passes and swatting shots left and right. On offense, while his shooting is still a work in progress, Thompson makes up for it with smart cuts, effective rebounding, and on-point passing.

  5. Speaking of rebounding, he's already ranked 5th in the league in offensive rebound rate – an achievement for a wing player. Thompson's athleticism is on full display as he consistently out-jumps opponents and showcases explosive speed.

  6. Thompson's already making waves with his defensive showdowns against NBA elites like SGA, Durant, and Lillard. He’s not just participating; he’s altering the course of these matchups with his defensive prowess.

Looking ahead, Thompson's future in the NBA is bright. Despite some areas for improvement in his offensive game, his defensive skills are top-tier. He's not just a rookie to watch; he's a rookie poised to revolutionize NBA defense.

Only five rookies in NBA history have earned All-NBA Defense honors. Victor Wembanyama and Ausar Thompson are looking to join this exclusive list.

Thompson could become the first rookie to make the All-Defense team since Tim Duncan. However, he faces stiff competition from Wembanyama, and possibly even Chet Holmgren, this season.

This scenario sets the stage for a future edition focused on highly impactful defensive rookies — a trend that's becoming increasingly common in the NBA.

See how we’re looking to re-define traditional fantasy basketball at hoopdfantasy.com