Another week in the books and the NBA has just about been completely eclipsed by Jeremy Lin’s star. Linpossible as it is to avoid — and why would you want to? — the rest of the league churns along as the undercurrent to Lin’s tsunami. This weekend has plenty of other distractions to offer, if that’s what you’re looking for, but let’s be honest: You can’t, you won’t, be able to resist seeing what everyone’s main basketball Linterest will do next. Who knows if or when we will all wake up from this Lin dream, but one thing’s for certain: When the Lin puns run out, we’re all screwed.
Friday.
Miami at Cleveland – LBJ. So yesterday LeBron James again hinted at a possible return to the Cavaliers at some point in his future. As super nice and friendly and “Who, little ol’ me?” of him to say that as it is, I think he probably just doesn’t want to be booed as loudly as last season.
New Orleans at New York – XS. As in excessive, which is the level that every decision, look, shot and thought from Carmelo Anthony will be analyzed should he return for this one. If Madison Square Garden gets a hint of a disruption to the Lin dynasty, things could get uncomfortable.
Phoenix at Los Angeles Lakers – B-. This should answer the question of “Wouldn’t it be cool to see Steve Nash play in Los Angeles?” Oh, wait, you mean play for Los Angeles? Well nevermind then.
Saturday.
San Antonio at Los Angeles Clippers – A-. I’m liking the 2:30 P.M. CST start for this one. Weekend afternoon NBA action is a gift to cherish. Plus, the Spurs have won nine straight and the Clippers are the Clippers, making it a phenomenal game as well.
Atlanta at Portland – B. Intriguing, middle-of-the-pack teams from each respective conference will rarely draw a complaint from me. Also, LaMarcus Aldridge can totally console Josh Smith for his All-Star snub while Joe Johnson awkwardly pretends not to listen.
Sunday.
Dallas at New York – A. The champions of last season against the storyline champions of the present. There’s really no way to slap a proper preview on Knicks games anymore; all we can do is watch and wait for the Linsanity to kick in.
Orlando at Miami – FL. The Sunshine State Superstar Summit, or, where the Heat’s Big Three talk loudly amongst themselves on the floor about how great it is playing with other elite players by their side, and, while everyone stares at Dwight Howard, he misses a free throw.
Denver at Oklahoma City – B+. Just a nice Western Conference match-up to put a wrap on the weekend. The Thunder can’t decide between their top two players on who takes the final shot; imagine how the Nuggets, with about four or five guys to choose from on a nightly basis, feel.
Enjoy the weekend. We’re all Linners.
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.
