This article is part of our Rebound & Rant series.
The Rebound & Rant is basically me overreacting to news from around the NBA, with some desperate attempts at humor sprinkled in for good measure. Since the calendar reads October and RotoWire still hasn't fired me, it's time for my annual Early Overreaction yarn. (Note the extra exclamation points to stress the overreaction.)
I might be more cranky than usual for this edition, after watching my allegedly dominant Celtics get hammered at home last night by the lowly Orlando Magic. It was an ugly game with both squads shooting 41 percent from the field. I should probably focus on the Red Sox, but hey, this deadline is looming! So here goes:
Jonathan Isaac Could Be Amazing!
Yes, last night's Celtics Magic game was pretty ugly. But Jonathan Isaac's two three pointers were down right gorgeous. They were a nice part of the 21-year-old's first ever career double-double. Honestly, his jumper looked majestic. I bet he hits more than 82 this season. Oddly, the 6-10 sophomore with the freakish wing span has only one block. That will change soon – expect 1.6 per game the rest of the way. He's too darn big to not get regular blocks and boards. And I'm even coming around on the hairstyle. Yes, I'm suffering from Recency bias, but this is the early overreaction edition. Check out these highlights and tell me those outside three pointers are not glorious:
Jrue Holiday Will Have a Monster Season!
Coach Alvin Gentry, fresh off a new contract extension, clearly wants to push the pace, as
is well documented here. They beat up Houston with 131 points, then spanked Sacramento with a scary 149 ABA-like points total. That means monster seasons for Anthony Davis (you already know this) but also Jrue Holiday. Even Elfrid Payton deserves a hard look. Once Holiday's shooting percentage gets closer to the 49.4% he hit last year, he'll be a Top 20 player. Expect 19 points, 8.2 assists, 1.5 treys and 1.6 steals per game for ROS and enjoy the ride. BTW, his defense is also fantastic.
That said, I want to know if Holiday is planning to audition for the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie:
Is @Jrue_Holiday11 auditioning for the next Pirates Of The Caribbean film? @RotoWirepic.twitter.com/GYALbf41ry
— Ken K-Train Crites (@KenCrites) October 18, 2018
Joe Ingles is THE MAN!
Year after year it's assumed that Joe Ingles can't play basketball. Is it because he went undrafted in 2014? Could it be a bias against Australians? Maybe it's his minivan-driving Dad haircut? (He really should sell dad jeans for Wrangler at a local Costco). As a fellow well aged dad, I must say enough is enough! Joe Ingles is a flat out BALLER!!! Right now Papa Ingles is ranked 9th (Season(avg)) on Yahoo. Ninth! And before you yell "fluke", he was ranked 63rd over the 2017-18 season, which is awfully darn useful (as a Dad might say).
Joe Ingles could give you buckets in khakis and a tucked in polo 🤣 pic.twitter.com/loGp9TFVuR
— Itachi Uchiha. (@Tumzxrantao) October 20, 2018
DeAndre Jordan is Mark Price!
I had to check if Mark Price was still alive, because it seems his ghost has entered the body of DeAndre Jordan and is shooting DeAndre's free throws. Cavaliers legend Mark Price has the second all-time NBA career free throw percentage of 90.39%. (Remember who's #1? Answer below.) DeAndre Jordan is a 44.7% free throw shooter over his 10+ season career. Yet, miraculously, he's drained nine of 10 free throw attempts through three games this season. How is this possible??? Recent post-game interviews have not solved the mystery.
By the way, Mark Price is definitely still alive and an assistant coach with the Nuggets:
Mark Price class is in session. pic.twitter.com/i7HKUvp0mP
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) October 14, 2018
Well, ballers, I hope my overreactions were interesting. CHOO-CHOO!
PS - BTW, if you enjoy this little column, give our AWARD WINNING Friday NBA podcast a try, where I usually join Shannon McKeown and Alex Barutha for some epic NBA conversations.
PPS – Steve Nash has the all-time NBA career highest free throw percentage, with an amazing 90.43%.
