DOG BAG (11/30)
A few, current storylines in the Association…
ANOTHER 40-POINT GAME (& TRIP-DUB) FOR LUKA!
Luka Doncic leads the league in scoring at a ridiculous 33.5 ppg clip!
Last night, Luka Doncic recorded his 20TH! career 40 point-game, tied with Dirk Nowitzki (and just behind Mark Aguirre: 22) for second-most 40-point games in franchise history.
Yes…you read that correctly. Luka is in the most ELITE company of the franchise despite this only being his fifth year in the league. It’s incredible how he’s able to impose his will despite defensive schemes that are geared towards stopping him.
LUKA DONCIC
Avg. 33.5! ppg
Sure, Dallas doesn’t have another true, secondary ball-handler but his production & usage rate suggests their current strategy could be sustainable for prolonged success into the postseason.
Does the team need to upgrade overall? No doubt.* But Luka’s possible MVP status won’t waver anytime soon.
*Mavs just signed Kemba Walker as a veteran playmaker - will contribute if fully healthy
StAR UNDERDOG WEEK
Star UnderDOG (n.)
From a top-notch role player to a borderline star, these key threats always make a difference.
This week’s theme (on the DOG Calendar) celebrates high-quality role players & near go-to threats across the league.
Here’s a couple key players & featured games to look forward to:
12/2 • MALCOLM BROGDON (BOS) • HEAT @ CELTICS
Malcolm Brogdon is a Top DOG-talent who’s fit into a premiere role as Boston’s #1 bench player. Yeah…it’s no wonder the C’s sit atop the Eastern Conference through 21 games (17-4).
Brogdon and co. look to keep the good vibes rolling v. the Miami Heat, a squad w/ a subpar record mainly due to nagging injuries from some its top talent (Jimmy Butler’s only played in 13 of 21 contests thus far).
That said, Jayson Tatum is in the MVP conversation & Bam Adebayo is unlocking his true potential right before our eyes (avg. career-best 20.5 points/game), so be sure to tune in!
12/3 • WENDELL CARTER JR. (ORL) • MAGIC @ RAPTORS
Since arriving in Orlando a couple seasons ago, Wendell Carter Jr. has flown way under the radar. Despite a “lower-key” status, his production has skyrocketed in terms of consistency & expectations. He’s averaging a career-best 16.6 points/game w/ 9.1 boards/night. Alongside standout rook Paolo Banchero and the emergence of Bol Bol, it looks like ORL’s frontcourt is solidified for the future.
ORL’s featured game v. the Raptors is an exciting tilt that will put their young trio to the test.
WILD, WILD WEST
Parity has ruled the Western Conference so far this season. Only 4 games separate the 1st-place Phoenix Suns from the 10th-place (defending-champion) Golden State Warriors.
That’s a good thing though, right?? For the better part of the last decade (& beyond), the conference has been incredibly top heavy and, quite frankly, better overall than the East. Now, it appears the “powers at be” have shifted a bit, with younger teams (New Orleans, Sacramento, Memphis: carryover from last year) all vying for positioning amongst the elite squads.
Others, like Los Angeles (Clippers) & Portland have battled through injuries, while the two Western Conference finalists from last season (DAL & GSW) have battled through inconsistencies in play.
On the cusp of December, it’s time for teams to take shape - who will they become/what is their trajectory for the rest of the year? Unpredictability will breed exciting matchups & (possibly) unexpected results once it’s all said and done.
