Welcome to another This Week in the NBA, where we take a look at all the weird and fun things that happened this week on NBA Twitter and other social media sites.
Many jokes were made, led by a rant against the referees that became an instant classic.
Let us begin.
Quote of the week: Darko Rajakovic leaves
Second place on quote of the week goes to Gregg Popovich, who was asked how the Spurs could stop the Cavs’ top pass rusher during pregame media availability. His response, via Jackson FlickingerIt was classic pop.
“Oh, we probably won’t. I can give you some bulls…if you want.”
Pop was right: His Spurs stayed close but gave up 117 points and 27 assists in a loss.
The winner, however, can only go to one man: Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic, whose tirade toward the referees earned him a $25,000 fine and a video edit to Nas’ classic ’90s song, ” Ether”.
bars pic.twitter.com/cD5kzoyvsC
– No dunks (@NoDunksInc) January 10, 2024
You know you have been officially accepted when Drake calls you GUYZER. Raptors fans also released their own memes after the game.
BIG 3 ?????? pic.twitter.com/SQLM6PUck7
— Raptors Brazil ? (@RaptorsBrazil) January 10, 2024
An honorable mention goes to Thunder coach Mark Daigneault, whose Thunder team crushed the Blazers by 62 points on Thursday. He was then asked about trying to break the 73-point margin of victory that the Thunder were on the wrong side of in Memphis two years ago.
Your answer? “That’s our record.”
The Warriors are cooked
It’s been a tough year for the Warriors, who are 17-20 heading into their matchup on Friday. They were booed by their home fans during their 36-point loss to the Pelicans. Steve Kerr later said that his team had lost spirit, confidence and faith.
But it’s been a great year for Warriors haters. X user @MaskedAntler got angry at Draymond Green, who will soon return from his indefinite suspension.
This is how Draymond will begin to appear in the games. https://t.co/weT25plggX
– ??♂️ (@MaskedAntler) January 8, 2024
Klay Thompson is in the midst of the worst year of his career. They also roasted him.
Dude, so washed up they show the highlights of the parking lot? https://t.co/lloAZ0nkYO
— ²³?????????????☄️?? (@BronGotGame) January 11, 2024
Pray for Marcus Smart
Marcus Smart has worn the number 36 his entire career. That led to an unfortunate comparison on social media, via @hoopfiends.
The kid can’t take a break this year. He was traded from a prohibitive championship favorite, ended up on a team with almost no chance of making the playoffs and recently suffered a finger injury that will keep him out for the next six weeks.
May I suggest Hawks legend Rasheed Wallace instead?
Nikola Jokic breaks the Pistons Reddit
Jokic only took three shots and played less than 25 minutes against the Pistons on Sunday. But he had 16 assists and five blocks in a 17-point victory.
Let’s see the reaction from Pistons Reddit, via user X @thats_t__:
Being a Pistons fan has some unexpected perks, besides free wings every other month.
Pistons are so bad that their fans are turning into complete individuals. I hope it’s the next one. https://t.co/fMHm1g9bpK
– threatening man (@TimothyTheFirst) January 11, 2024
The Social Media Manager troll game
The people who manage the social media accounts of NBA teams have become masters of the subtle troll. The Bucks’ account was on fire this week.
It all started when Giannis Antetokounmpo broke into his team. telling Eric Nehm of The Athletic that “everyone has to be better. All. Start from the team manager. He has to wash our clothes better.”
The Bucks account responded with this tweet before facing the Jazz:
Very clean. pic.twitter.com/6pf22CvQh1
– Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 8, 2024
The Jazz went a step further and tweeted this after beating them that night:
This is Jazz equipment director Adam Klauke… after the Jazz beat the Bucks 132-116. https://t.co/Ea4zomGXqr
—Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) January 9, 2024
The Bucks got the last laugh of the week, dunking on a bad shot by Charles Barkley after defeating the Celtics 135-102. The game was so out of control that the TNT broadcast had to cut it in the third quarter.
https://t.co/o8p2lBF4vR pic.twitter.com/kkXMIUqclE
– Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 12, 2024
This has been your week in the NBA.
