The Grip -- Fri, 1.19.18

Lou Williams, you have our attention

January 19, 2018

1.19.18

J.S.: Happy Friday fellow readers. Here's our hung over afternoon edition of The Grip. 

 Your 2018 All-Star starters  

This meaningless exhibition game is just a night of laughs and smiles as players chuck up threes and throw down massive dunks with zero defense. But, getting an All-Star nod is a big deal to fans and players, so it’s a big deal to us. Here’s the list of the starters:

Eastern Conference

Backcourt: Kyrie Irving, G, Boston Celtics (24.1 PPG, 5.0 AST, 47.3 FG%)Backcourt: DeMar DeRozan, G, Toronto Raptors (25.2 PPG, 5.0 AST, 48.0 FG%)Frontcourt: LeBron James, F, Cleveland Cavaliers (27.3 PPG, 8.8 AST, 8.0 REB)Frontcourt: Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Milwaukee Bucks (28.2 PPG, 10.1 REB, 4.6 AST)Frontcourt: Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers (23.8 PPG, 10.8 REB, 3.5 AST, 1.9 BLK)

Western Conference

Backcourt: Stephen Curry, G, Golden State Warriors (27.7 PPG, 6.5 AST, 41.8 3P%)Backcourt: James Harden, G, Houston Rockets (32.3 PPG, 9.1 AST, 1.8 STL)Frontcourt: Kevin Durant, F, Golden State Warriors (26.2 PPG, 5.4 AST, 2.1 BLK)Frontcourt: Anthony Davis, F, New Orleans Pelicans (26.7 PPG, 10.5 REB, 2.1 BLK)Frontcourt: DeMarcus Cousins, C, New Orleans Pelicans (25.3 PPG, 12.7 REB, 5.1 AST)SnubsAmongst those perhaps deserving were Russell Westbrook (averaging a near triple-double again) and Al Horford, who will most certainly be announced as reserves on Jan. 25.

After Double Ejection, Ben Simmons Tells Kyle Lowry To Meet Him In The Hallway

Iso-Lou, the league’s premiere bucket-getter, deserves a spot

A PSA to Joe Johnson, Jamal Crawford and Eric Gordon: Lou Williams is here for all the buckets.

Iso-Lou, who, at one point, was best known for dating and living with two women at the same time, has been playing absolutely out of his mind lately for a Clippers team that is suddenly good again.  

In January alone, he’s dropped 50 on the Warriors, 34 on the Hawks, 33 on Memphis, 30 on the Kings, and 31 on the Rockets (which, of course, is the game that ended with the State Farm Crew invading the Clippers’ locker room to try and beat up Austin Rivers).

He is averaging 23.2 points a game -- by far his career high -- and in his thirteenth season, is wholly deserving of an all-star spot. If his play on the court doesn’t have you all in, maybe his surprisingly good rap flow will:

  • The Hornets have reportedly let teams know they’re open to trading Kemba Walker.

  • Dario Saric led a juggling session at the end of the 76er’s practice yesterday :’)

  • Apparently Damian Lillard was a vegan. He just called it quits because he’s losing too much weight.

  • Seemly out of nowhere, Arron Afflalo snapped on Minnesota’s Nemanja Bjelica, throwing a weak ass punch before getting put into a headlock.

  • Derrick Rose returned on Thursday night, scoring nine points in a Cleveland win.

  • We at the Grip have been waiting to see something like this for a long, long time. Thank you Lauri.

Animated GIF

  

  • Remember Josh Childress, fringe NBA player? He’s balling pretty hard right now in Australia. The Ringer’s Bryan Curtis tracked him down. [Tap Here]

  • An excellently reported oral history of dozens of international players’ experiences coming to the NBA, and a beautifully designed interface. [Tap Here]

  • Bill Simmons went on the Lowe Post to talk about the Eastern Conference all-stars, then Zach Lowe went on the Bill Simmons Podcast to talk about the Western Conference all-stars. Tap Here, and Here, respectively.

 A LOOK AHEAD Here are the must-see games of the weekend. 

FRIDAY, 1/19The San Antonio Spurs (30-16) visit the Toronto Raptors (30-13).7:30 PM EST SATURDAY, 1/20Oklahoma City Thunder (25-20) head to Cleveland to play the struggling Cavaliers (27-17).3:30 PM ESTMilwaukee Bucks (23-21) visit the Philadelphia 76ers (21-20).7:30 PM ESTGolden State Warriors (37-9) visit the Houston Rockets (31-12).8:30 PM EST