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, May 24, 2021 10:32 AM
To: Kelcey Wright Johnson
Subject: IMHO
Kelcey:
Are you as tired as I am? Last night’s Grizz/Jazz game tipped off at 8:30 Memphis time, which meant it didn’t end until after 11:00 p.m. I promised my son he could stay up late to watch his first Grizzlies playoff game, but he was knocked out by halftime. (I posted a photo of him sleeping on the couch, and a prominent NBA agent DMed me that this should be used as a point of evidence in the argument for moving Memphis to the Eastern Conference.)
Anyway, we are one game into the first round of the NBA Playoffs 2021, and did you notice how many fans were at games? People were cheering, buildings were rocking, the Knicks were losing—it was almost just like old times!
I know we’re still super early here, but which first round series has you the most interested?
From: Kelcey Wright Johnson
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2021 9:21 PM
To: Lang Whitaker
Subject: Re: IMHO
Sorry I didn’t reply sooner, I’ve been napping because I am definitely as tired as you. I really wish Utah was in the Central Time Zone. That picture of your son was so cute and also the most relatable thing on the internet.
To answer your question though; I am very confused and intrigued by the Denver/Portland series. At first, I was positive that Portland was going to take it easily without Jamal Murray. But I must have hit my head thinking Jokic wasn’t going to be a problem because they destroyed Portland in Game 2 despite Damian Lillard playing like a mad man.
The Lakers/Suns series is going to be SO GOOD. It got so heated in Game 1 (Game 2 is currently being played as a write this) and I think both teams deserve to go further in the playoffs so it makes it a very intense first round match-up. You know the old rule of ‘never bet against LeBron’…well, I’m breaking the rule. Suns in six.
And lastly, the Hawks/Knicks series. Those two teams are just so similar in style, personnel, age, rank, everything. It’s weird though; I can picture Trae Young and the Hawks sweeping New York, but I can also see the series going to a Game 7. So, yes, I’m interested in it but I’m also (obviously) confused by it.
Has there been any first round series you’ve been disappointed in? Any teams you thought would throw a better punch?
From: Lang Whitaker
Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2021 9:41 AM
To: Kelcey Wright Johnson
Subject: RE: IMHO
Honestly, I think all the hullabaloo over the Hawks/Knicks series is a bit overdone. I get it, the Knicks haven’t been to the playoffs in a decade, and we’re coming out of a global pandemic and people are attending games for the first time in forever. But both of these teams are in the early stages of rebuilding, and I don’t care which team wins this series–whoever wins is probably going to get thumped by the Sixers. I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade, but with both of these teams I’m thinking about 2023, not right now.
Also, I really don’t know what to make of the Lake Show right now. They look tired and disjointed and worn out. LeBron looks like he’s running on fumes, and they desperately needed a 30-piece from Anthony Davis to win Game 2. Right now they don’t even really have a third-best player on the team (Caruso? Schroder?) And the craziest part of the whole thing is even with all the CONFUSION, the Lakers STILL might be able to win the Western Conference. With the Jazz hitting a sour note right out of the gate, I’m still waiting for a team out West to show me that they are head and shoulders above the competition.
And while we’re talking about the Lake Show, let’s flip it around and look across town, where the LA Clippers are in trouble, trailing the Mavericks by two games. Management went all-in assembling this team, going after Kawhi and Paul George, bringing in Tyronn Lue, and basically trying to construct a championship contender on the fly. But Kawhi can opt out of his contract after this season, which is just wild, and after this next draft, the Clippers don’t control their own first round draft pick until 2027(!).
Should the Clippers be worried, Kelcey? Would you stay the course or mix things up and try and rebuild again?
From: Kelcey Wright Johnson
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2021 11:51 AM
To: Lang Whitaker
Subject: Re: IMHO
Oh man – I’ve been worried about Kawhi since he left Toronto. So, he’s got a player option at the end of this season and if I know him at all (which I don’t) I don’t think he’s going anywhere. He said one of the major reasons he left Toronto after the championship was to be closer to home, be with his family and be somewhere that felt familiar to him. So now, all of a sudden, the Clippers got knocked out in the first round (maybe???) and he leaves all that to go play somewhere new again? I don’t think so.
I mean, he’s not going to the Lakers. The other destination I’ve seen floating around is Miami? I know Jimmy Butler wanted him on the squad before… but again, Florida and California are not too close geographically. Kawhi has his ring, he has his awards, at this point I really don’t think he’s championship chasing. I think he’s looking to chill in his secluded house with his family and relax.
Obviously he’s playing his heart out for the Clippers — he had 26 points in the first game and 41 in the second — so he hasn’t quite given up yet. But if he stays with the Clips, the front office needs to make some changes around him. They need some more consistent players. Don’t get me wrong; Paul George is good but then you look down the roster and it’s like…. “ok, but what else?”. Pat Bev? Rondo? I’m not sold that this squad makes it anywhere in the next few years without significant roster upgrades.
Wow – I just went on a rant, I had to go back and make sure I actually answered your question. I guess my answer is a little bit of both? I think Kawhi stays but I think you rebuild/upgrade around him.
Lang, if Kawhi stays in LA, does the coaching staff?
From: Lang Whitaker
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2021 12:21 PM
To: Kelcey Wright Johnson
Subject: RE: IMHO
I mean, some of them will? Being a coach in the NBA is a coveted job, and there are only 30 of those positions available. The Clippers have shown they’ll commit financially and spend the money necessary to build a contender.
What they haven’t shown, at least not under the current front office, is the ability to build a culture. It’s interesting—as I was typing this it made me wonder, is culture irrelevant now? In this age where everyone is so transient and we all work from home, maybe having a franchise culture isn’t as important. Maybe it’s just about getting the best players on your team, however you can do, like you’re building a team in franchise mode on 2K?
But I suspect this is wrong. At some point you need accountability and history and teamwork and all those other things that matter, that separate good teams from championship teams. I guess I just wonder if this Clippers team has that DNA? I guess we’ll find out in the next few weeks…