New year, same fear?
With over 100 players entering health and safety protocols, the question of whether the pandemic is ending soon comes to mind. Is it safe right now with the virus out there? Commissioner Adam Silver thinks so. As long as extensive COVID tests are being conducted, the NBA business will move forward.
It’s time for fans to see what’s good on TV for Week 12 (Jan. 3 to 9) in the NBA.
January 3
The Memphis Grizzlies, armed with the latest “must-see-now” player in Ja Morant, will be facing the Brooklyn Nets. Morant beat the Phoenix Suns recently with a game-winning lay-up and scored 41 points against the Los Angeles Lakers two days later. That alone should make you re-schedule your day to make room for this game. Morant against an equally explosive scorer in James Harden is something fans shouldn’t miss.
January 6 and 8
It doesn’t matter what sport they’ll be playing. It could be football, baseball, hockey, soccer, or basketball. As long as it says “New York versus Boston,” fans will tune in. The sports rivalry between these two cities will never die and just grow bigger every time they meet. Next week, fans will get to see the New York Knicks face the Boston Celtics twice in the span of three days. A revitalized Kemba Walker should be excited to lead the Knicks as he faces his former team.
January 7
The Milwaukee Bucks meeting the Nets will keep bringing up one of the biggest “what-ifs” in NBA sports history. Prepare to see numerous replays of Kevin Durant’s foot touching the three-point line in last season’s playoffs. If that was ruled a three-pointer, the Bucks wouldn’t be the defending champions today. Fans want a rematch and this game should serve as a preview if these two teams meet in the playoffs again.
January 9
Los Angeles, knowing that it has already lost twice to Memphis, will be looking to tie the season series. They’ll also try to shut Morant down or at least make his life miserable whenever he tries to score. Morant has scored 40 or more points in two games versus the Lakers. Los Angeles and its coaching staff are probably watching film about the Grizzlies right now and coming up with defensive plans.
The Replacements
What’s trending in the NBA today? The answer would be replacement players. Each team can sign a player, even if they are currently out of the league, to serve as a substitute for one who is undergoing health and safety protocols. We’re not even talking about the young, fresh-from-college guys. Rather, we’re talking about real NBA veterans. We’re seeing guys like Joe Johnson, Greg Monroe, and Isaiah Thomas running the court again.
Most players don’t get second chances. It’s uncommon for them to get a second stint, especially when they are at an advanced age. With a lot of ex-NBA people getting opportunities as replacement players, fans have no choice but to wonder about who’ll be coming back to the NBA as soon as next week.
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