Grind City Media’s Lang Whitaker and Kelcey Wright Johnson weigh in on the most pertinent news from around the NBA. What’s lit? What’s lame? Find out each week right here.
From: Lang Whitaker
Sent: Monday, March 22, 2021 7:46 PM
To: Kelcey Wright Johnson
Subject: IMHO
Kelcey!
Are you ready? We had an All-Star break, and you got to take a little vacation, and I just got back from my son’s spring break, and now everyone is back and ready to rock for the stretch run!
But wait! Before we get to that final push, it’s the NBA trade deadline! As I write this to you, we’ve got about 4 days before a giant imaginary buzzer sounds in Adam Silver’s office, signaling the end of #TRADESZN.
We’ve seen some teams (Brooklyn, Milwaukee) add veteran players the last few weeks. So let’s start this week with this: Give me one team you’d like to see make a move to shore up their rotation before the deadline.
From: Kelcey Wright Johnson
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2021 1:27 PM
To: Lang Whitaker
Subject: Re: IMHO
Hey Lang,
Welcome back from the southern sunshine! It’s a bit gloomy out today as I write this, which is perfect because that’s how I’m feeling too. I always feel so anxious the week of trade deadline — not that anything that happens really affects my life in any way at all, but there’s just so much unknown about to mix up the league!
I think there is going to be a lot of moves this year because of the shortened season and because there have been so many injuries. For example, with LaMelo out for the season, do the Hornets turn their attention to another point guard, or someone else to help build around this season? After a 20-game losing streak, does Houston try and rebuild mid-year? There’s been rumors of trouble in paradise down in Tampa, do the Raptors move some big pieces (it makes me sad to think of Lowry in another uniform but that’s beside the point).
There are a lot of teams I hope make moves; I hope Orlando can find something, I hope Denver can get another defensive piece and maybe the Heat can entice some big names to move down to Miami and help Jimmy and Bam with the offensive load.
In terms of title contenders though… I hope the Sixers bring someone in. Right now, they’re first in the Eastern Conference and they have been for a while but they’ve now got Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons on the injury report AND Brooklyn is quickly creeping up. I really just don’t want Brooklyn to run through the conference during the second half.
I know I said I didn’t want to see it, but tell me Kyle Lowry wouldn’t be a perfect fit in Philly? He’s a Philadelphia-native, he’s a veteran leader with playoff experience, he’s a pass-first guy who could distribute well to their scorers, he has chemistry with Danny Green and could hopefully get him knocking down shots. Urgh – I am so conflicted, I want to see this but I also don’t. Does that make any sense at all?
Who do you want to see make a big move this week, Lang?
From: Lang Whitaker
Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2021 9:34 AM
To: Kelcey Wright Johnson
Subject: RE: IMHO
I agree – I think Kyle would be a great fit in Philly, and it would finally give the Sixers that lead guard they’ve lacked forever.
There’s two teams I’d like to see make a move, both in the Western Conference. First of all, Denver has been linked to Lonzo Ball for a while now, but I don’t know how good of a fit that would be. Lonzo, after all, is not really known for his shooting, although he’s been pretty good the last two seasons from long range. But yeah, I think the Nuggets are still a player (or two) away from being a legit title contender, and Lonzo would help nudge them in that direction.
(And while we’re talking about Lonzo rumors, why are the Pelicans entertaining the thought of moving him? I know he’s coming up on free agency but he seems like exactly the type of player I’d want to build around, to team with Zion and Brandon Ingram.)
The other team I’d like to see do something is Phoenix. I know they’ve surprised everyone with a 28-13 record at this point, good for second in the West. And they might have different internal expectations, but for me, I think their time is right now. Chris Paul ain’t getting any younger, and at the moment the Lakers are dealing with injuries and the door in the West is at the least ajar. So if I’m the Suns, now is the time to go all-in. Maybe they can swing something with Orlando for Aaron Gordon, or for Victor Oladipo from Houston. I don’t know which direction they might be willing to go, but we know the Suns aren’t afraid to make bold moves if they feel it’s the right deal. And I think now may be the time for them to swing for the fences.
Did you see the video this week of the high school basketball player who challenged Brian Scalabrine to a game of one-on-one?
(Spoiler alert: Scalabrine destroyed the kid.)
I think you and I both understand that professional athletes are pros for a reason, that even if they have underwhelming stats they’re most likely way better than we are at whatever sport is out there. So let me ask you this: If you had to go up against a professional athlete in their chosen sport, is there any sport where you think – even just through pure luck – you might be able to score?
From: Kelcey Wright Johnson
Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2021 9:51 AM
To: Lang Whitaker
Subject: Re: IMHO
Hahaha! I did see that video – so funny! I think a lot of people don’t realize how good even the 14th guy on an NBA roster is. They are the best of the best of the best.
I saw a tweet during the last Olympics that said there should be a regular person competing alongside the Olympians so everyone at home can see just *HOW AMAZING* these athletes are. I always thought that would be so great because people at home are always like, “run faster!,” “jump higher!”… meanwhile, the regular average Joe would be way worse off.
Anyway, to answer your question… no. As someone who played college basketball and for the rest of my life have listened to people saying they could beat me one-on-one randomly in conversations, I understand how frustrating that is and also how wrong they are. So, no, I honestly don’t think I could win any sport of an athlete who has dedicated their life to it. I think if I played any of the guys in the NBA in a game to 11, and they gave me first possession and ten points, I’d still lose… and I’m still a better player than 80% of the population (haha!).
On the flip, I would LOVE to play table tennis against someone who is insanely good. I’ve only ever seen videos of them and how they can make the ball move and spin and I’d like to see it in real life. Again, I’d lose very badly and probably not be able to return it once, but I’d be in awe.
The Olympics are coming up this summer (hopefully), do you have a favorite Olympic sport that you’ve always wanted to try?
From: Lang Whitaker
Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2021 9:59 AM
To: Kelcey Wright Johnson
Subject: RE: IMHO
You know, I’ve always harbored this secret fantasy that perhaps there is some sport out there that I’ve never tried at which I would be world class. Like, maybe I was born to be a hockey goalie? Maybe I’d be the best hockey goalie who ever played! We just have no idea if this is true or not, because I’ve never played hockey. Or goalie.
Perhaps, in a different world, had I gone down a different path in life, I would have become a renowned athlete, respected and emulated by millions. Was I supposed to become a transformational Frisbee golfer? The best darts player ever? I guess we’ll just never know.
But like you, each year I watch the Olympics and think, Man, I bet I could do that. Actually, my son has gotten really into watching repeats of “Wipeout” on TBS – and yes, we are eagerly awaiting the reboot with John Cena and Nicole Byer – but I’m even delusional enough to watch “Wipeout” and think, Man, I bet I could do that. (Well, I’m at least smart enough to pump fake some of those damn spring-loaded ramps.)
Anyway, if I had to pick an Olympic sport? Rhythmic gymnastics, definitely.