Aidin Ebrahimi’s NBA Western Conf. Outlook: Jan 24-30

The Lone Wolves

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

T below’s no refuting that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is attempting his finest to recover a shed period for the OKCThunder

This must have been the year where Shai would certainly have fun with the 2nd total choice in the 2022 NBA Draft, Chet Holmgren.

However, a foot injury to Chet suggests that he will certainly miss out on the whole of his newbie period. OKC began the year by getting in the 2022-23 “Tank Bowl,” yet after a couple of weeks, it ended up being noticeable that they would certainly do also well to land a top-three choice in the draft.

Much of that was to the play of their celebrity male Shai, yet various other gamers like Josh Giddey, Lu Dort, and also newbie Jalen Williams need to be attributed also.

Eventually, the Thunder got to a factor where they had nothing else selection yet to play to win every evening, as also if they have a dreadful 2nd fifty percent of the period, they would certainly still end up also well to require a high possibility at a leading draft choice.

For the very first time considering that the 2019-20 period, OKC is attempting to win and also make the playoffs. Of program, they should not head out there and also make large professions at the profession target date, they must simply welcome the development they’re making.

The Thunder’s staying video games protest groups with a mixed.476 winning percent, which is the simplest staying timetable in the NBA.

If Shai can take this Thunder group to the Play-In competition, or perhaps the Playoffs, without Chet Holmgren, after that he will certainly be talked about as one of the NBA’s most important gamers.

And to believe that he’s simply 24 years of ages.

Luka Doncic

A nother fellow 2018 draftee remains in a comparable circumstance, as he needs to definitely bring his group on his back every evening.

Unlike the Thunder, that have the organization’s fourth-cheapest lineup with a pay-roll of 95 million, the Mavs are paying their lineup 163 million, large sufficient for 8th in the NBA.

I have actually claimed it lots of, often times in my previous columns. Luka is ultimately going to obtain worn out and also tired, and also when he does, this group is totally helpless.

Since January 8th, Luka has actually missed out on 2 video games (both losses), and also the group has actually gone 2-6. Four of these losses protested the Clippers and also Blazers, 2 various other Western groups attempting to make the Playoffs.

I have actually detailed the concerns of this group’s framework in the past, Spencer Dinwiddie can not play point player in this system, Christian Wood requires to dip into the 4, and also, most significantly, this group has no deepness.

People are recommending actions for gamers like John Collins and also Terry Rozier, yet I differ. They require deepness and also lasting remedies. Not short-term Band-Aids

Last year, the Mavs had 7 gamers (not counting Kristaps Porzingis, that was traded) with a VORP of over 0.5. This year, they have 3 gamers with a VORP over 0.5.

Inevitably, the Mavs are possibly mosting likely to profession Dinwidde or Hardaway for Rozier or Collins or perhaps even OG Anunoby, and also the followers will certainly consume it up.

“Luka finally has some help!” They will certainly state, prior to understanding that the mistaken group framework has actually remained the very same.

Comeback Kings

The Los Angeles Lakers (22-25, 3-2)

I‘m rather certain that nobody anticipated the 2022-23 LA Lakers to win 2 impressive come-from-behind video games versus 2 groups with Playoff goals in the very same week, yet they did.

First was a residence video game versus the leading Memphis Grizzlies, that are a leading 5 group in the organization. The Grizz played every one of their beginners, so LA’s opportunities of triumph were slim.

Those opportunities got back at slimmer when Memphis leapt bent on a 88-75 lead, yet after that, the Lakers rallied behind LeBron, Dennis Schr öder, and also Schr öder’s substitute in 2021 Russell Westbrook to make it a one-point video game with 23 secs left.

Tyus Jones racked up 2 complimentary tosses to provide Memphis a 120-117 lead, yet Schr öder was unfazed, racking up 5 straight indicate provide LA the lead.

Brandon Clarke had an opportunity to send out the video game to OT if he made both of his complimentary tosses, yet Clarke (a 72% free-throw shooter) missed his 2nd toss to finish the video game and also provide the Lakers the important win.

Next up was a video game when traveling versusPortland After a back-and-forth event via the very first 16 mins, the Blazers knocked down the Lakers in the last 8 mins of the very first fifty percent, outscoring them 35-8 to obtain a 71-46 lead.

But the Lakers in some way resisted and also left Portland with a 121-112 triumph. This group is revealing way a lot more grit and also decision than it did in 2015.

Welcome to the West!

Rui Hachimura

S coming to a head of the Lakers, equally as I was creating this column, they have actually traded 3 second-round choices and also Kendrick Nunn forRui Hachimura

Hachimura prepares to add to the Lakers, and also generally, LA absolutely might have done even worse than him.

His enhancement has actually assisted to somewhat tidy up the Lakers’ log jam at Point Guard, and also Nunn, that had not been actually required to begin with, can attempt to conserve his occupation in Washington.

However, there is one small problem with Rui’s video game. Just like James Wiseman, progressed statistics are not a follower of Hachimura.

His PER has actually constantly been low-grade, he has never ever had a favorable VORP, and also his Plus/Minus per 100 is downright poor: -4 for his whole occupation, and also -6 this period.

Believe it or otherwise, yet his Win Shares are noticeably comparable to that of Thon Maker’s. Lakers followers are wishing that Hachimura can assist them win and also slip right into the Playoffs.

Best Team of the Previous Week

The Phoenix Suns (24-24, 3-1)

I‘ve said it before, and I’ ll still state it once more: The Suns are helpless withoutDevin Booker But, a minimum of for 3 video games, they installed a strong go to return to.500. They defeated the Nets, the Pacers, and also theGrizzlies

Chris Paul and also Cameron Johnson returned from their corresponding injuries and also Phoenix is practically healthy and balanced besidesBooker Mikal Bridges was Phoenix’s celebrity male today, setting up 24 factors and also 6 aids a video game.

Meanwhile, gamers like Damion Lee, Torrey Craig, Josh Okogie, Jock Landale, and also the just recently gotten Saben Lee satisfied also.

This is a likelihood for this group to see what they’re absolutely made from, as it’s still vague when Booker will certainly return.

Their timetable prior to the All-Star video game is healthy. They’ll encounter challenging groups like Brooklyn, Sacramento, and also the Clippers yet they’ll likewise encounter groups like San Antonio, Charlotte, and also Detroit.

If they can hang on to a decent document around.500 prior to Devin Booker’s return, they’ll be simply great.

MVP of the Previous Week

Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers)

K awhi Leonard is warming up …And the NBA must be really afraid. He had 31 factors on 56% capturing from the flooring and also 60% capturing from past the arc, along with going 21-23 from the charity red stripe.

He likewise led his group to a 3-1 document in video games that he played. The Clippers have actually not won a video game without Kawhi Leonard considering that we went into 2023. He’s still that individual. His statistics in his last 7 video games are similarly as excellent.

With Paul George currently playing as the group’s Point Guard, HC Tyronn Lue is trying out to discover his most efficient schedules for the Playoffs.

Despite a hard timetable in advance, Kawhi requires to dip into his finest and also prevent injuries to maintain the Clippers a challenger.

“I’m out there just trying to make us the best basketball team when I’m on the floor, and that’s all my focus is on.” Said Leonard, after his group’s win versusDallas “I don’t care how many points I score, I just want to win a basketball game. Some of those games we lost, so we have to stay afloat and get better as a unit.”