5. Sacramento Kings
Are the Kings good now? Well, not exactly. Are the Kings still bad? Well, not exactly either.
Have they at least been entertaining? Yes! And that’s exactly why they’re here on this list. De’Aaron Fox remains a blur with the ball, while Buddy Hield is probably the most underrated shooter there is. But the guilty pleasure, so to speak, of watching the Kings right now is Tyrese Haliburton. The second-year guard has taken a leap with his passing and decision-making, and Sacramento has certainly found a gem with this smooth operator. Just watch the kid and you’ll have a moment or two of “Hey, that was pretty good.”
The Kings, being the Kings, still make a couple of facepalm plays every now and then. But that’s what you get with an inexperienced team just trying to stack up the Ws. It’s been 15 years since the Kings have been to the playoffs and making it this season is probably a long shot. That being said, they do have a chance to squeeze into the play-in tournament.
The Spurs are dealing with their own worries, and who knows what will happen to the Trail Blazers? The Kings have at least a puncher’s chance to get in.
4. Miami Heat
The Heat were among the many teams that have been engulfed either by injuries or the COVID-19 surge. Yet, they’re still one of the top teams in the East. Credit Miami’s coaching and player development because their players have been balling.
We’re not just talking about Sixth Man of the Year-in-the-making Tyler Herro. Shoutout to Caleb Martin, Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, and Omer Yurtseven for holding down the fort. You might not have heard the names of these guys before, but they stepped up big time. With Bam Adebayo still out and Jimmy Butler nursing injuries, the bench mob has taken center stage.
And what’s this about signing Mario Chalmers on a 10-day contract? Plus Chris Bosh joking (is he, really?) about getting the band back together?
Hey @mchalmers15 tell them we can bring back the ol pick and roll! Let’s get the band back together!
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) December 31, 2021
I’m in shape 😬 https://t.co/nb7ErjshqH
3. Chicago Bulls
Despite that unfortunate stretch that saw a number of Chicago’s games being postponed, the Bulls are still a treat to watch. The way DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are carving up defenses, scoring a bajillion points, and closing out games methodically is must-watch NBA basketball.
You just get good quality stuff when you tune in to them. It’s as if no possession goes to waste. Make sure to switch all your attention to the Bulls during crunch time and watch DeRozan lead his team’s exemplary late-game execution.
DeRozan just became the first NBA player in history to deliver game-winning buzzer-beaters in back-to-back days. What a killer!
DEMAR DEROZAN FOR THE WIN!!@NBCSChicago | @DeMar_DeRozan | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/VjJt8UUtP5
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 31, 2021
DEMAR DEROZAN FOR THE WIN AGAIN!!@NBCSChicago | @DeMar_DeRozan | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/RzYwDV7QA4
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 2, 2022
2. Philadelphia 76ers
When Joel Embiid waved goodbye to Kevin Durant and the Nets after their game last Friday, you knew it was a scene that would light up the internet. As much as it was fuel to the never-ending fire of NBA social media, it was also a serene moment that signified that everything will be alright for the City of Brotherly Love despite the Ben Simmons saga.
Embiid really told the Nets to "go home" 😳 pic.twitter.com/UhLAZvijut
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 31, 2021
Embiid remains, by and large, one of the best individual talents in the league today. He’s also one of the most entertaining. Like a WWE superstar, he knows how to engage the narrative and coax the fans to join in the fun. He’s great at selling the product, while still being a hell of a basketball player. Give us Joel Embiid any day of the week.
1. Memphis Grizzlies
The number one reason you should watch the Grizzlies is Ja Morant. After his solid playoff debut last season, he’s continued to expand his game. The highlights – gravity-defying dunks, insane layup package, and a plethora of tough shots – are obviously the main reasons to watch him. But you also notice the intricate details of how he’s grown as a player, especially on the defensive end, and as a leader.
Last week, Morant’s 33-point game versus the Suns, including the game-winner, was a killer moment. He then followed it up with a 41-point hammer against the Lakers. It just goes to show that Morant is coming for everyone.
The number two reason you should watch the Grizzlies is their crazy depth. It’s easy to point out that Morant missing time due to a knee sprain opened up avenues for his teammates. However, that shouldn’t take away from the brilliance of guys like Desmond Bane or Jaren Jackson Jr. At full strength, they have the luxury to play 10 to 12 players on a nightly basis. The team is solid even without its best player, but Morant does provide that star power that can help his team close out games.
