Rebound & Rant: Tear Jerking Finale Edition

This article is part of our Rebound & Rant series.

Tuesday night created an amazing amount of D-R-A-M-A, even by NBA standards.  We all knew Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki were playing their last home games.  So tears were already prepared to flow.  And new NBA bad guy Anthony Davis was also, I don't know, "physically present" for what should be his last event as a Pelicans employee.  But then Magic up and abandons the Lakers with one of the weirdest sort-of-press-conferences to date.

To save the R&R fans some work, here are some of my favorite social moments of the last 24 hours.

The Lakers & Magic Johnson
We all love Adrian Wojnarowski and his Woj Bombs.  Is there a better informed NBA reporter?  I doubt it.  Does any other reporter have more to lose by being critical of an NBA legend or organization?  Probably not.  When he shares an opinion, NBA fans must and should immediately take notice.  Soak this in:

And a few moments later he posts this:

That's some very weak sauce, Mr. Johnson.  Take a look at Magic's GM track record, then give his rambling press conference a listen -- if you can stomach it.  Magic's notable executive moves (per our good friends at SportsReference.com):

• Feb. 23, 2017: Traded Lou Williams to the Houston for Corey Brewer and 2017 1st round draft pick (28th overall).
• June 22, 2017: Drafted Lonzo Ball (2nd) over Jayson Tatum (3rd).  Traded Timofey Mozgov and D'Angelo Russell to the Nets for Kyle Kuzma and Brook Lopez.
• July 6, 2018: Despite the team desperately needing outside shooting, signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (41% FG) and Rajon Rondo.  Four days later signs Lance Stephenson.
• July 8, 2018: Signs LeBron James.  OK, not bad.
• Feb. 7, 2019: Traded Ivica Zubac (and Michael Beasley) to the Clippers for Mike Muscala.
   

Anthony Davis Wears Tone Deaf T-Shirt

Really, Anthony, you thought this shirt was funny?  Will the self-inflicted wounds ever stop with this guy? 

Davis later claimed someone else chooses his clothes for him.  Anthony, it might be time to start making your own decisions.  You can only blame others and their terrible advice for so long.  Its going to be VERY HARD to cheer for this guy next year, wherever he lands.
 

Dwyane Wade Keeps It Classy

Thank goodness for Dwyane and Dirk.  I particularly liked this post from the Miami Herald:

This is now the header photo of their twitter home page.  Well done.

Before the game, Budweiser posted this tear-jerking "jersey swap" tribute to Mr. Wade's community service.  Have a few kleenex handy:

Wade posted a 30-3-3 and 1 block in the home win.  (I'm contractually obligated to include some fantasy news).

Unfortunately, the last "jump on the scorers' table" didn't go so well:

Dirk Nowitzki's 41-21-1 Tribute

First, my podcast buddy Alex Barutha slacked me this tweet showing Dirk crying while he played his last home game, which made me cry:

And then came the official 30 minute tribute ceremony.  Is it over the top?  Of course. Is it awesome.  OBVIOUSLY.  Charles Barkley is at the 9:30 mark.  Larry Bird is at 12:45.  Dirk starts at 17:30.  Enjoy: