I watched the New Orleans Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks game in its entirety last night. If for some odd reason you did not, or if you were unaware of this game’s existence on the schedule to begin with, I cannot blame you. For the record, the Hornets won 92-89, behind the trio of doom that is Marco Belinelli, Chris Kaman and Trevor Ariza in front of a Bradley Center crowd that seemed to be questioning what hole in their schedule allowed them to be there in the first place. For a team with designs on the postseason, Milwaukee sure can look pretty forgettable.
This is the kind of thing that being in a viewing area accessible to every Bucks game has lent itself to over the years: The NBA stripped down to bare competitiveness, for lack of anything else. Teams like the Hornets can sometimes fight and scratch their way to a close enough striking distance where the fourth quarter arrives and the game is in the balance. Often upon reaching this point — if this point can be reached — the team with the less experience and/or talent will typically find a way to flub it up. A costly turnover, missed rebound, or ill-conceived shot, and chalk another loss up to growing pains or execution. The team in question, with another squandered chance at the feeling of victory for a night, fades back into obscurity.
It’s why, watching New Orleans attempting to hang on to a double-digit lead in the fourth last night, I couldn’t help but feel myself pulling for them to complete the victory. Normally, I’d be supporting the home team in this situation for proximity reasons, but it was clear last night who deserved the win; though out of habit the Hornets had to survive a few of their own mistakes to hang on. That they actually did and won felt surprising — no matter the circumstances, defeat can rear its head to steal wins if given the slightest chance in the NBA.
The teams that claim ownership of a good portion of the league’s draft lottery ping-pong balls often provide entertaining basketball when you least expect it in the games that read less than appealing on the nightly schedule. Moreover, every team has at least a reason or two, a player or style, worth knowing about. It makes me want to see them all — not at their worst, of course — but when a game’s close in the fourth or during the first half when the outcome remains up for grabs. To watch the effort put into games that are seen by few and essentially meaningless towards anything of substance is endearing in a weird way — since we’re talking about guys who get paid to do this — that makes one want to see the drive pay off, if only for the night, and especially if they lose by 15 the next time out.
Here now is a reason to check out some of the teams that currently live in the league’s basement:
New Orleans Hornets – Because trying to focus on the game when they wear uniforms like this is an added challenge.
Sacramento Kings – Because DeMarcus Cousins is figuring out the pro game more and more, and they need to stay the Sacramento Kings forever.
Washington Wizards – Because you’ll get some highlight reel stuff, those awesome uniforms, and plenty of LOLWizards, too. Complete package.
Phoenix Suns – They feel strange being in this company, but come on, because Steve Nash.
New Jersey Nets – Because we’re still trying to figure out how this roster is going to convince Dwight Howard to sign here.
Toronto Raptors – Because of that trippy 3D baseline of theirs. Canada.
Detroit Pistons – Because with Greg Monroe, Rodney Stuckey, Tayshaun Prince (still) and a few other random, interesting players, the Pistons are actually watchable. Plus, Ben Wallace is retiring, so enjoy him while you can.
Golden State Warriors – I know, I know, Mark Jackson says they’re making the playoffs. But in case they don’t, the Warriors are basically synonymous with fun basketball, and that’s something to be proud of.
Cleveland Cavaliers – Because they’re the blue-collarest, most rust-belty team you can imagine, with an electrifying rookie in Kyrie Irving to boot.
Charlotte Bobcats – Because when they break the current 16-game losing streak, you’re gonna want to be there.
Griffin Gotta contributes to The Hoop Doctors and is a co-managing editor of Straight Outta Vancouver. The story arcs and infinite weirdness of the NBA are addictions he deals with every day. Email him at griffingotta at gmail dot com.
