That’s A Rap #144: The aftermath of a hectic NBA week

Well, how about that for an NBA news week!

Kevin Durant almost dropped a 50-point triple-double. Doc Rivers added, not one, but two more to the list of largest blown leads of the last two postseasons (he’s now coached four of the largest five blown leads: two each with the Clippers and Sixers). Kyrie Irving twisted his ankle and the rest of his season is in doubt.

All of these news items could headline an episode but none of them were discussed in this jam-packed episode! Jason was unable to join but Dre and I had more than enough to discuss. Enjoy the latest episode of That’s A Rap!

In This Episode:

2:10 — Injuries and COVID and upsets... OH MY

Wednesday morning kicked off with a shocking revelation that Chris Paul may miss a portion of the Western Conference Finals due to Health & Safety protocols. We could barely pick our jaws off the ground before a firestorm of Shams and Woj bombs filled our timeline. Kawhi Leonard suffered an ACL injury that could sideline him for the rest of the playoffs. Oh, and the Hawks, Clippers, and Bucks are each one win away from shocking upsets!

21:21 — A rare mid-playoffs trade

Wait, there can be trades after the deadline and before the draft?? I was honestly shocked, not only by the trade details but by the trade itself. Brad Stevens’ first move as a GM was to rid the Celtics of Kemba Walker’s massive contract, along with the 16th pick in the upcoming draft, and (re-)acquire Al Horford and promising young talent, Moses Brown. In other words, Sam Presti gets another draft pick (duh) and the better player in the deal?

27:30 — Front office re-shuffling

Dallas parts ways with Donnie Nelson and Rick Carlisle — shocking news in their own right — amidst rumours of tension between Mavericks executive, Haralabos “Bob” Voulgaris and Luke Doncic. The Wizards and Scott Brooks are no more. The same goes for Stan Van Gundy and the Pelicans (along with Zion Williamson’s family concerns with SVG and his coaching of Zion). Gregg Popovich (24 seasons) now has more Head Coach experience than the next two coaches (Erik Spoelstra: 13; Michael Malone: 8) combined. That speaks more to the state of coaching in the NBA than Popovich’s longevity.

42:00 — NFTs are a-ok

Kyle Lowry, the trendsetter! As NFTs continue blossoming, the G.R.O.A.T. has jumped aboard as an early adopter and will be selling his own on June 29th.

48:05 — Will lady luck smile on Toronto?

The draft lottery is on Tuesday! What good luck charms or superstitions will you be following so that the Raptors land a top-4 pick — or better yet, number one overall?!? Who should fly to Secaucus to represent Toronto and why did you choose OG Anunoby?