It still feels unreal. The untimely deaths of Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Christina Mauser, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester and Ara Zobayan shocked the world. Not the nation, but the entire world.
For me, I have been following basketball since the early 2000s. I first got into basketball because of the dynamic duo that is: Shaq and Kobe. That tag team consisted of the first idols (aside from my parents) I looked up to. Dominance, championships, and fun was all I saw and it created a feeling of passion for sports that I had never felt before. I even named my pair of turtles Shaq and Kobe.
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. Shaq was traded and Kobe stayed with the Lakers his entire career. However, I always kept up with Kobe’s journey; sometimes rooting for him, sometimes covering my eyes as he would drop 40 on my team easy. No matter who Kobe played, you knew he had the killer mentality. He was a master at his craft and his stats, records and five championships show for it. To this day, many say “Kobe!” As they take a shot in honor of his phenomenal scoring ability.
Many people lost a superhero in Kobe. The Black Mamba was given his nickname because of the cold blooded killer he was. For our generation, we had never seen someone so ruthless on the court on such a consistent basis. He always preached working to be the best you could be. Whether it be in sports, a career, or in your family, the beloved “Mamba Mentality” will be a phrase that always sticks as a motivator to be better.
He approached everything as if losing was never an option. He was idolized for his uncommon vision and lovable personality. It has been evident through all the tributes pouring through social media these past few days.
And the tributes were not just from former NBA players. He has been an idol for all stars of all sports: football, soccer, tennis, etc. Every sport has been effected by Kobe in some shape or form. He has been an advocate for women’s teams such as the US Women’s Nation Soccer Team and the WNBA helping them get the spotlight and platform they much deserve.
It didn’t matter if you loved him or hated him, you respected him. And that respect eventually would turn into love as he retired in 2016 and we all got to understand The Black Manba off the court, the man that is Kobe Bean Bryant.
We learned about his passion for being a husband/father quite quickly after he retired. His daughter Gianna Bryant, or GiGi, resurrected his passion for the game as both a father and teacher. He was so happy at the opportunity to both spend a lot of time with her and pass down his knowledge of the game. GiGi was nicknamed “Mambacita” as fans were excited to see what was to come from her playing career. The bond they built is something that we all strive for. We are able to truly appreciate their relationship because we were able to watch it grow. To study how to be the best version of ourselves and pass on our own knowledge to future generations.
I could go on and on about the eternal legacy that Kobe built for himself and those who have followed. But the truth is this: Kobe was an icon of a basketball player, one of the greatest of all time. We will always have fond memories of growing up and watching him ball. But we also will have his off court presence that stays with us as well. He used his platform for the greater good, to push all of us to be the best we can be. To tell someone we love them, to be passionate about the things we do. To strive for greatness. Life is short, but if we all practice what Kobe has been preaching while he was with us, I believe that is the best way to honor his legacy.
“Have a good time. Life is too short to get bogged down and be discouraged. You have to keep moving. You have to keep going. Put one foot in front of the other, smile and just keep on rolling.” – Kobe Bean Bryant, 1978-2020
In this series we will examine how every sports market fared in the 2010 decade. I will look at each team in their respective market and compare with other teams within that market. I only used Big 4 sports teams (MLB, NBA, NHL, NFL) in these rankings.
There are a few rules I followed in my rankings and are as follows:
Each market is divided into a classification (1 team, 2 teams, 3 teams, 4 teams) — similar to how high school sports are divided–in order to make it easier to compare.
MLB and NFL playoff appearances are weighted slightly more because NHL and NBA playoffs have over half of the teams in their leagues in the playoffs.
For the NBA, NHL and NFL, I use the 2009-2010 seasons as the start of the decade, because the champion of each was crowned in 2010. For example, the Saints were Super Bowl champions in 2010.
Markets only include teams in the metro area (for example I did not include Green Bay with Milwaukee and Sacramento with the Bay Area.
1 TEAM CLASS
There are 19 different markets in the United States and Canada with only one Big 4 team. Most of them have not had much success in the 2010’s so instead of mindlessly ranking all 19, I will give you my top 3 for this category
3 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (NBA)
Oklahoma City has been a menace in the NBA since the new decade. They have made the postseason every year but the 2015 season, winning their division four straight years from 2011 through 2014 and another in 2016. The Thunder won a total of 10 playoff series this decade as well as a Western Conference Title in the 2012 season. However, they fell to the Miami Heat in five games, and an NBA title eluded them throughout the decade.
2 Green Bay, Wisconsin (NFL)
Headlined by their Super Bowl XLV title in the 2011 season, the packers were dominant for the first half of the decade. They racked up four division titles from 2012 through 2015, and another in 2016. Adding Wild Card appearances in 2011 and 2016, the Packers were a regular in the NFL playoffs this past decade.
1 San Antonio, Texas (NBA)
I could probably keep the Spurs in this spot since the start of the millennium with how dominant they have been over the last 20 years. However, since the 2009-2010 NBA season, they won the Southwest Division seven times (2011-2014, 2016 & 2017) and they have two western conference titles in 2013 and 2014. In 2014 they beat the Big 3 Miami Heat for their fifth NBA title in franchise history. This was an easy call to have San Antonio at the top.
2 TEAM CLASS
11 Buffalo, New York (NFL, NHL)
Oh boy, where do I start here… Buffalo has some of the most loyal fans with the worst sports teams. Between the Bills and Sabres they have a combined THREE playoff appearances this decade. The Bills in 2018 and the Sabres all the way back in 2010 & 2011. The Sabres did have the lone division title in 2010 for Buffalo. To make things worse, the Bills lost their playoff game and the Sabres did not get out of the first round either year. Things are definitely looking up for the Bills going into the new decade.
10 Cincinnati, Ohio (NFL, MLB)
Without an NBA or NHL team to prop up their playoff appearances, the Reds and Bengals still totaled nine playoff appearances over the last 10 years and four of them coming by way of a division crown. The Bengals did not win a playoff game in six opportunities and the Reds lost in the NLDS in 2010 and 2012. To cap off their last appearance of the decade the Reds lost to Pittsburgh when Pirates fans were able to rattle Johnny Cueto in the 2013 Wild Card game.
9 Milwaukee, Wisconsin (MLB, NBA)
This is where it becomes more difficult to rank each market. It is hard to put Milwaukee this far down considering they have two MVPs in the last two seasons with Christian Yelich and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Most of the success in Milwaukee has been very recently. The first part of the decade was largely a dumpster fire for Milwaukee. The Bucks had five playoff appearances before 2019 and did not have a single series win. Their first division title also came in 2019 as well as an Eastern Conference Finals appearance. The Brewers did win their division in 2011 and beat the Arizona Diamondbacks in five before falling to St. Louis in the NLCS. They won their division in 2018 and again lost in the NLCS. A wild card loss in 2019 kept Milwaukee out of the World Series and NBA finals for the entire decade and that’s why they’re at #9.
8. Charlotte, North Carolina (NFL, NBA)
Charlotte’s position at #8 is propped up almost entirely by the Carolina Panthers. In particular their appearance in Super Bowl 50 preceded by a 15-1 regular season. The Panthers won three straight division titles from 2014 through 2016 and tacked on a wild card berth in 2018. If Cam Newton was able to stay healthy, Charlotte would be a few spots higher. The most notable thing the Charlotte Hornets did was switch their name from the Bobcats back to the Hornets after 2014 and the team did not seem to do any better; just 3 playoff appearances and not one series win. They have been painfully spaced out and did not string together back-to-back postseason appearances all decade. This team may belong in Buffalo.
7. Nashville, Tennessee (NFL, NHL)
Yet another city propped up by one of their teams, but the Nashville Predators have been dominant the last 10 years. The predators have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs just twice and have a Stanley Cup finals appearance and a Presidents Trophy to show for the 2010’s. If they weren’t snake bitten by the Chicago Blackhawks early in the decade, they would have more than seven playoff series wins. The Tennessee Titans chipped in a playoff appearance in 2018 and a win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead, which is not an easy task.
6. Indianapolis, Indiana (NFL, NBA)
Indianapolis comes in as the city with the most playoff appearances between their two teams (14) and the Colts won the AFC to start the decade. The Colts had a total of six playoff appearance and won the AFC South 4 times (2010,2011,2014 & 2015). The transition from Peyton Manning to Andrew Luck propelled the Colts through the decade. The Pacers have been a mainstay in the postseason for the last 10 years, only missing the playoffs in 2010 and 2015. Making back to back Eastern Conference Finals appearances in 2013 & 2014 headline the 2010’s but were unable to overcome LeBron James and the Miami Heat. Let’s not forget about Lance Stephenson either.
5. New Orleans, Louisiana (NFL, NBA)
The New Orleans Saints beat the aforementioned Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV netting the city’s first professional sports title. The Saints also appeared in the postseason five more times in addition to 2010 but suffered heart-breaking losses in 2018 to the Minnesota Vikings and in 2019 to the Los Angeles Rams. Both years it was not out of the realm of possibility for another Saints Super Bowl victory. On the other hand, there is the New Orleans Pelicans. This team is notorious for wasting talented players, namely Chris Paul and Anthony Davis. Just three playoff appearances and no division titles, it was not a pretty decade for the Pelicans. They did however pick up a series sweep against Portland in the 2018 playoffs.
4. Seattle, Washington (NFL, MLB)
I can already hear my friends from the greater Seattle metro area tearing me apart for putting the Emerald City this low. The Seahawks have been absolutely phenomenal this decade. A Super Bowl win, another appearance and six total playoff appearances. Four NFC West titles to boot as well. It’s definitely not the Seahawks that is holding Seattle back. It’s the team that plays right across the street. The Seattle Mariners are one of just four MLB teams to not make the postseason in the last 10 seasons (Chicago White Sox, Miami Marlins and the San Diego Padres). To rub salt in the wound, they are now the only MLB franchise to never play in a World Series. I think most Seattle fans are content with a perennial contender in the Seahawks though.
3 Baltimore, Maryland (NFL, MLB)
It really is hard to believe that the Orioles used to be a very good baseball team with how horrendous they have been the last two seasons. The O’s made the playoffs in 2012, 2014 and 2016, with the 2014 season being a division title. They did have a Wild Card win in 2012 and an ALDS series win in 2014. The real powerhouse in Baltimore is the Ravens who have three division titles and Super Bowl XLVII under their belt. They add another three playoff appearances in wild card games. An 8-5 postseason record is definitely a sign of a strong decade and the way they have played this season, the 2020’s could be friendly to them as well.
2 Kansas City, Missouri (NFL, MLB)
The Kansas City Royals may have been the worst MLB team from 2000-2009. They had ONE winning season over that span, but the pain and suffering finally came to an end in the 2010’s. The Royals started out the 2014 postseason 8-0 enroute to a World Series appearance before losing to the San Francisco Giants in 7. They came back in 2015 and captured their second World Series title, beating the New York Mets in 5. They have largely gone dormant the last few years again but that’s the price of winning a ring in a smaller market. In the exact same parking lot lies Arrowhead Stadium and home to the Kansas City Chiefs. Amassing five division titles and two more wild card appearances, the Chiefs were regularly featured in the NFL playoffs even though they did not reach the AFC Championship until this past season. Just like the Ravens, the Chiefs will likely be a contender for a long time.
1 ST LOUIS, MISSOURI (NFL, MLB)
*I AM NOT COUNTING THE RAMS*
It is strange how the top two markets lie in the same state of Missouri. St. Louis is the only city on this list to have both teams claim a championship this decade. The Cardinals are one of the most respected MLB organizations and have consistently developed their own players. It has paid dividends for them in the form of a 2011 World Series Championship, a 2013 NL Pennant, and five division titles. The Cardinals have their name written all over postseasons for most of the decade. Finally, in 2019 the Blues raised the cup for the first time in franchise history. The Blues netted six playoff appearances since 2009-2010 before their seventh resulted in the Cup. That journey was nothing short of phenomenal, being in last place as late as January when the playoffs start in April. They missed the playoffs the first two years but have made it six of the last seven and have two division titles in 2012 and 2015. PLAY GLORIA!
Yesterday, I was sitting at the Mavericks game with my brother discussing the top players in the NBA right now. My brother and I were each naming off top players in the league, when a fan behind us suddenly interjected because he heard us mention Kawhi.
“Kawhi does not even belong in the top-5.”- the fan behind us said.
Absolutely shocked that somebody would say such an outlandish comment, I tried not to roll my eyes and instead listed off the reasons why Kawhi is a top-5 player in the league. The fan merely breezed over my reasons only to tell me that Harden was a top-3 player in the league. That is when I knew I could not reason with this fan, so I went back to enjoy the Mavericks beat up on the Spurs.
With that being said I wanted to finalize my list of top-3 players in the NBA AT THIS MOMENT. My rankings are more of how a player can impact a team. I prefer to see how this player can make a team a force/threat in the post season.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Averages 30.5 ppg 12.9 rebounds a game 5.7 assists a game
Right now, Giannis leads his team in points, rebounds, and assists per game. The reigning MVP has solidified himself in the top-3 because he has been the main reason why the Bucks has had so much success. The Greek Freak has brought the Bucks to the #1 seed and the conference finals. Without Giannis, the Bucks would be a fighting for a playoff spot. Giannis ensures they are one of top spots in the playoffs. All Giannis needs to do to move up in the rankings is claim the Eastern Conference crown, and show that he can beat even the top defenses.
2. LeBron James
Averages 25.7 ppg 7.6 rebounds a game 10.6 assists a game
I know some may argue this, but I cannot leave LeBron out of my top-3 list just yet. I know he is older, but LeBron continues to show he is one of the best players in the league. First off, LeBron is leading the league in assists by a whole assist (no other player is averaging more than 9.4). People will complain that LeBron is not scoring enough points. That is because is making his teammates better. Averaging over 25 points and 10 assists a game is an incredible stat. LeBron has shown that what ever team he is on can make a run in the playoffs. Not many players in the NBA can say that.
1.Kawhi Leonard
Averages 25.9 ppg 8.0 rebounds a game 5.1 assists a game
The top player in the NBA is Kawhi Leonard. Being the top player in the NBA is not just offense, but defense as well. Kawhi has a significant edge over other players when it comes to defense. He can guard almost anybody in the game. In addition, he plays incredible on the offensive side inside the paint, and beyond the arc. What sets Kawhi apart from everyone else is his clutch gene. Kawhi is one of the most clutch players in the league. Kawhi took out Giannis and the #1 seed Bucks last year, and scored when the moment mattered the most. Just look at the 2019 finals or the last second shot to beat the 76ers in game 7. LeBron has shown he is not as clutch. Just look at the 2011 finals, and the 2016 finals where it was Kyrie’s go-ahead shot that sealed the deal over the Warriors. Kawhi is a terminator on the offensive and defensive side of the ball, and he is best when it matters most. His clutch-ness even made our Top-10 moments of 2019.
Kawhi showed that he was the best player last year, and has the belt. No one has taken it from him yet.
Honorable Mentions:
Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant were not included because they are injured and out for the season.
James Harden- great at scoring, but he has not been able to do that in the playoffs to get his team even to the conference finals
Anthony Davis- excellent player, but LeBron is more valuable for the Lakers with his assists.
Joel Embiid- Embiid has shown he can be one of the best players. He is just not nearly consistent enough.
Luka Doncic- He has had an incredible career in the NBA thus far, but has yet to take down some of the best teams and players on a consistent basis
Below is where the other contributors rank their top-3:
Coming in hot at #6 is Kawhi Leonard’s incredible postseason run with the Raptors that ultimately lead to an NBA championship. Now just to jog your memory, this 2019 Kawhi’s first season in Toronto. The year before Kawhi missed most of the season due to a mysterious quadricep injury, so many people did not know how well Kawhi would play in 2019 nearly missing almost a year of basketball. Well we got our answer for sure that postseason.
Kawhi lead the Toronto Raptors to become the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors went on to beat the #7 seed Orlando Magic 4-1.Next they beat the hyped up #3 seed Philadelphia 76ers in 7 games where Kawhi hit game-winning magical fade away shot at the buzzer like something you only see in NBA 2k.
Then, the Raptors went to play the #1 seed Milwaukee Bucks with the leagues MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo (aka the Greek Freak). The Raptors would beat them in 6 games behind Kawhi. The Raptors last battle would be against the #1 seed of the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors. Even though, the Warriors were missing superstar Kevin Durant, this was still a Warriors team that had 3 championships, a two-time MVP, and the splash brothers. It turned out that the Warriors were no match for Kawhi as the Klaw dominated on offense and defense beating the Warriors in 6 games, and winning Finals MVP.
Kawhi brought Toronto their first NBA championship ever, did it dominant fashion, all while overthrowing the Warriors dynasty. Kawhi was so dominant, analysts started calling him “The Terminantor.” Leonard averaged 30.5 points, 9.11 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in the playoffs. NBA fans questioned if Kawhi would come back the same, and he definitely did not. He came back better proving he was a top-3 player in the NBA.
6. Cavs 3-1 comeback against the 73-9 Warriors in the 2016 finals.
“It’s a man’s league. I guess his feelings just got hurt.”
These were the famous post-game words uttered by Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson after Game 4 of the 2016 NBA Finals, referring to LeBron James reacting after Draymond Green swung at James’ groin. The Warriors were riding high after taking a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers, just one game away from capping off their legendary 73-win season with a 2nd championship. The storylines were writing themselves: the 2016 Warriors were the greatest team of all time, and LeBron James couldn’t bring the big one home to the city of Cleveland.
Photo by Ball Memes
However, as every sports fan knows, it’s not over until it’s over. LeBron James and Kyrie Irving exploded in Game 5, with both players scoring 41 points apiece in a 112-97 Cavaliers victory that stunned the crowd at Oracle Arena. But it was just one game, right? After all, this Warriors team unstoppable, and LeBron just didn’t have what it takes. That is, until LeBron dropped 41 points again in a 115-101 victory, ending in Warriors point guard Stephen Curry fouling out and launching his mouthguard at a fan. It was all going back to Oracle Arena in California for Game 7, and there was a surprising lack of snide comments from Warriors players leading up to the game. Collars getting tight around their neck?
Game 7 was one for the ages. The match was a dogfight, with 20 lead changes between the teams. The Warriors seemed to start to pull away at halftime with a 49-42 lead, until Cavaliers shooting guard JR Smith came into the second half with back-to-back 3’s to tighten the game up. The score went back and forth until the final 2 minutes, when the Cavaliers’s Big 3 of James, Irving, and forward Kevin Love each had a massive play that will forever go down in Cleveland lore.
Photo by NBA
Tied at 89-all, LeBron James had the greatest block in NBA history, chasing Andre Iguodala across the court and stuffing Iguodala’s fast-break layup attempt. Next, Kyrie Irving caught Curry with his hand down and splashed a 3 over Curry to take a 92-89 lead. Finally with 30 seconds left, Kevin Love got switched onto Curry and proceeded to lock him down, causing Curry to throw up a brick. The Cavaliers got the rebound, LeBron iced the game with a free throw, and when the clock hit zero, LeBron James and the city of Cleveland were champions once again. 52 years of heartbreak wiped out, toppling perhaps the most arrogant team of all time, and coming back from a 3-1 series deficit for the first time in the history of the NBA Finals. After that series, basketball fans around the country had no choice to agree that LeBron James was truly the King, and the city of Cleveland could finally celebrate once again.
*This article was written by a contributor who wishes to remain anonymous.
“At forward in his 21st season, the greatest Dallas Maverick in franchise history, the tall baller from the G, number 41, Diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirk Nowitzki!!” echoed in the American Airlines Center on April 9, 2019 in what would be Nowitzki’s last home game. In typical Dirk fashion, he waited until after his last game in the house he built to let the fans know he was calling it quits. No farewell tour. No year long celebration like Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade and even baseball stars such as Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. Even though many teams recognized the situation this past season like when Doc Rivers, coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, stopped the game to pay homage to to the legend, Dirk clearly never sought any special treatment. In his 21 seasons, Dirk was a professional who never sought unnecessary attention. It is because of this humility that I find it important to write this article. We must remember the retirement of the 2007 NBA MVP, the 2011 Finals MVP, the 14 time All-Star, and the 6th All-Time scorer in the history of the league.
When asked to discuss the top sports moments of 2019, Dirk Nowtizki retiring without a doubt must make the list. Not only did Dirk transform the game for big men shooters, he revolutionized the game for Europeans. Nowadays, it is not hard to find big men who can shoot such as Joel Embiid, Nikola Vucevic, Nikola Jokic, Karl Anthony-Towns, Kristaps Porzingis, and Anthony Davis. Kids growing up watching those stars today don’t see anything crazy about a seven-footer who can knock down the three. Yet, it was a rare skill in 1998 when Dirk was drafted out of Würzburg, Germany. No longer was a big man just a bully in the paint, it was now necessary to give them respect beyond the arc.
Video by Bleacher Report
Dirk was an example of the benefits that could come when drafting European talent. He created a serious interest for players in the EuroLeague and ironically paved the way for future Mavericks Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. Without his incredible success, the respect to the European talent pool may not be there.
Courtsey of Giphy
Lastly, Dirk did all of this with class and respect. Don’t get me wrong, he annoyed players. The fadeaway was tough to guard and Dirk knew how to sell the foul. He was also a bit of a liability on the defensive end of the court. But he never had a problem with a teammate. He was a likeable player and as a young kid from Germany, he handled becoming a celebrity in Dallas-Fort Worth well. He engaged with the community and most importantly, he remained loyal (tough to find and you may never find it again). He wanted to win with Dallas and towards the end of his career, Dirk routinely took pay cuts to try and get it done with the team who drafted him. As a kid myself born in 1996 and raised in Dallas, Dirk was a role model and I always found myself in the driveway trying to recreate his fade away. At a certain point, I even wanted him to leave the Mavericks to try and win 1 more. But he stayed. I can only hope the Mavericks provide their two big Europeans more support than Dirk had in his 21 seasons. As of right now, it looks like they have.
Ah, the annual bundle of NBA Christmas games. A great time to spend with the family and watch some of the most-anticipated competition of the season. As the last festive lineup of the decade arrives, there is much to look forward to as some of the biggest names in the league face off as the year comes to a close.
Raptors v Celtics (ESPN)
As of right now, both teams are playing great, each being within the top-5 spots in the Eastern Conference. Though both teams do have key injuries on each side, I think the lack of Pascal Siakam (groin) will allow the Celtics to continue riding the hot hand of their 3-game win streak and leave Toronto with a W.
Prediction: Celtics get tough win on the road.
76ers v Bucks (ABC)
Another potential Eastern Conference Final Match-up is on display as the #1 Milwaukee Bucks take on the #5 Philadelphia 76ers. This is a personal favorite because of the challenge that is stopping Giannis Antetokounmpo. They have been hard to slow down especially since the Greek Freak has shown his ability to extend his range. However, this game will truly test the strength of the Bucks depth as they face a contending Philadelphia team. This will be a great battle down low for those who love seeing heavily contested buckets.
Prediction: 76ers take the home field advantage and the win
Warriors v Rockets (ABC)
The injuries and adjustments to this year’s Warriors team makes them quite underwhelming. And as usual, the back court of Russell Westbrook and James Harden wish to make a statement on the team they just can never get by in the playoffs. Since the Warriors are down and out this season, I expect a dominating performance from Houston. You have to make a statement when given such a golden opportunity. And being on Christmas, this is the Rocket’s present as they should take this win in front of their home crowd.
Prediction: Rockets win in fashion, Harden and Westbrook drop 30+ each.
Lakers v Clippers (ESPN)
It has been recently announced that LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be playing this Christmas together for the first time as teammates. Not only does this make for the game of the week, but this will be the first time the two revamped Los Angeles teams face each other this season. With all due respect to the baller that is Montrezl Harrell, I see the trio of Centers (Davis, McGee and Howard) dominating the paint. The Klaw, PG-13 and company versus The King, The Brow and their squad. This is the match-up sports fans live for. L.A. fan or not, this will be the game to watch.
Prediction: Lakers’ big men shine in a roller coaster of a game.
Nuggets v Pelicans
Everyone was excited to see Zion play this Christmas, but unfortunately due to injury the opportunity must bee pushed to next season. The #2 seed Denver Nuggets will face the second-to-last New Orleans Pelicans to cap off the last Christmas game of the decade. I expect Nikola “The Joker” Jokić to pull from his bag of tricks and have a fun Christmas win, despite the Most Improved Player campaign that Brandon Ingram is displaying.
Prediction: Nuggets win with ease and we see some more crazy Jokić passes.
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