Howdy! Welcome back to the Week Nine recap of the NBA season! I hope everyone stayed safe this week as the majority of the U.S. froze over. I was stuck in a cold and dark home in Texas for a few days so I’d like to apologize if this Week Nine recap isn’t as extensive as the ones that came before!
One big storyline that came out of this week was the announcement of the 2021 All-Star starters! For the western conference, LeBron James takes the captain spot and the other four starters include Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Kawhi Leonard. Kevin Durant is the eastern conference team captain, his starting five consists of his teammate Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Joel Embiid. The rest of the teams will be selected through the All-Star Draft on March 4th. The 2021 All-Star Game is on March 7th in Atlanta. There will be a lot more All-Star content as we get closer. Now lets get to the highlights!
Top Dunks of the Week
Anthony Edwards with the DUNK OF THE YEAR!
OMG ANTHONY EDWARDS ???? @brhoops pic.twitter.com/CsQ1wxSHsG
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 20, 2021
LeBron takes it the length of the court for a huge slam before halftime.
LeBron James, cleared for takeoff ???? #NBAAllStar
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 15, 2021
(????: @SpectrumSN) pic.twitter.com/GRa0kIgJzm
Metu SLAMS on Jonas Valančiūnas and gets a quick piggy back ride for it!
This Metu dunk on Valanciunas was wild ???? pic.twitter.com/uvYYFccAip
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 15, 2021
The Celtics pull off a fancy double alley-oop in transition.
Ja Morant looks like he plays basketball in a trampoline park!
Ja Morant… INSANE hops. pic.twitter.com/2O97Ln0uMx
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 17, 2021
Best Plays of Week Nine
Curry puts away the Heat in OT by himself with his fifth three-ball of the game.
Stephen Curry plays basketball today pic.twitter.com/jp2B0sowAO
— Antonin (@antonin_org) February 19, 2021
Alex Caruso taking after his fellow Laker with a BIG TIME chasedown block.
???? CARUSO CHASEDOWN BLOCK ???? pic.twitter.com/u8nhO2l5lN
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 17, 2021
Terry Rozier hits a game winner against the Hornets and the Hornets announcer with the ELECTRIC CALL!
ROZIER CALLED GAME ???? pic.twitter.com/CHSWAmWoWL
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 21, 2021
Zach Lavine evades the entire Sacramento organization and hits a baseline jumper to put the Kings to bed.
Zach LaVine: Closer pic.twitter.com/pLSVfsEG2K
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 21, 2021
Ja Morant snatches Lu Dort’s ankles in transition.
Ja Morant put the MOVE on Lu Dort.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 18, 2021
Oh my. pic.twitter.com/FXe3edQnRj
Facu Campazzo gets WWE speared and hits the and-one three.
Funniest Moments of the Week
LOGO LeBron showcasing his MVP skills *sarcasm*.
LOGO LEBRON pic.twitter.com/z4sD6AXAZq
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) February 17, 2021
Payton Pritchard leapfrogs Brandon Goodwin in transition.
Payton Pritchard leapfrogs over Brandon Goodwin to get back on defense pic.twitter.com/tzcv2spVvm
— Main Team (@MainTeamSports) February 20, 2021
Giannis is truly heartbroken after finding out Bucks reporter got a new job.
Giannis has a message for @Matt_Velazquez:
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 20, 2021
“Damn Matt, I thought we were closer than that.” pic.twitter.com/hCqDLavPYf
Here is a live look at Shaq learning Pascal Siakam has a first name!
EJ: “You got your eyes on Pascal?”
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 19, 2021
Shaq: “Nah, I got my eyes on Siakam.” ???? pic.twitter.com/1ZXTSGPWMg
Russell Westbrook air balls a free throw then appears to be questioning the meaning the life.
Westbrook ???? pic.twitter.com/gTmCCG9XbQ
— DUNK (@DunkPT) February 14, 2021
NBA Standings as of (2/21/2021)
Eastern Conference
- 76ers 20-10
- Nets 19-12
- Bucks 17-13
- Celtics 15-14
- Pacers 15-14
- Raptors 15-15
- Hornets 14-15
- Knicks 14-16
- Bulls 13-16
- Heat 13-17
- Hawks 12-17
- Magic 12-18
- Wizards 10-17
- Cavaliers 10-20
- Pistons 8-21
Western Conference
- Jazz 24-6
- Clippers 22-9
- Lakers 22-9
- Suns 19-10
- Trail Blazers 18-11
- Spurs 16-11
- Nuggets 16-13
- Warriors 16-15
- Grizzlies 13-13
- Mavericks 13-15
- Kings 12-17
- Pelicans 12-17
- Rockets 11-17
- Thunder 11-18
- Timberwolves 7-23
Thank you for reading the NBA week nine recap. I hope you enjoyed! You can find me on Twitter @Andrew_Winfield, while you’re there be sure to follow the main account @BellyUpSports! Check the Belly Up Sports NBA Page for more content from us and be sure to come back next Sunday for the Week Ten recap!
