In recent days, the NBA power rankings have seen a dramatic shift, with the Cleveland Cavaliers making a stunning leap to overtake the Oklahoma City Thunder and claim the top spot in the league. This change has been as thrilling as a roller coaster ride! Imagine the Cavaliers' recent performance, which has catapulted them from a mediocre standing to become the dominant force in the East. Despite the Thunder's continued strength, they have had to temporarily relinquish their second-place position, much like a thief caught red-handed by the police. This is the allure of the NBA, where any game can shatter expectations. Who can say that other teams won't rise to the top in the future? The Cavaliers' meteoric rise Can you believe it? The Cavaliers' recent performances have been akin to an untamed horse, winning with ease. They have consecutively defeated the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Philadelphia 76ers. The results of these three games have seen their record soar to 25 wins and 4 losses. This feels like a case of waving a red flag against the wind; many thought they would struggle in the league for years, only to unexpectedly become the top team! Even more impressive is that the core players of the team are performing like gods descending from heaven, covering both offense and defense while controlling the pace of the game like seasoned drivers. Although there are no detailed match statistics, their recent performances show that they are crowning themselves with victory in every game. It can be said that the Cavaliers' operations have…

Now, can the lineups of the Lakers, Clippers, Suns, and Warriors reach championship level? LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry have become the oldest active stars in the league. Can they still maintain their peak performance? James is in his 22nd season, Durant in his 18th, and Curry in his 16th. Age and injuries are the biggest enemies of NBA players. Durant has overcome a major Achilles tendon rupture and returned to his peak. James, Durant, and Curry are overcoming the effects of age and striving to create new peaks. 39 points + 37 points! First in history, the entire league was deceived by him, and he is still creating historical miracles. In recent years, stars like Durant, Harden, Westbrook, and Curry have all surpassed 35 years old. Westbrook and Harden's statistics have declined due to changes in their playing styles. Durant has not shown any signs of decline this season, averaging 27.1 points + 6.6 rebounds + 3.9 assists + 1.2 blocks, with a shooting percentage of 51.4% and a three-point percentage of 40.9%. There is no sign of decline here. Curry has dropped significantly this season, averaging 22.5 points + 4.8 rebounds + 6.5 assists + 1.2 steals, with a shooting percentage of 44.4% and a three-point percentage of 41.1%. Curry's scoring and efficiency have dropped somewhat. At 40 years old, LeBron James also followed suit with a decline this season, averaging 23.5 points + 7.9 rebounds + 9.0 assists + 0.8 steals, with a shooting percentage of 49.6% and a three-point percentage of 36%. James' scoring…

On December 26th, Beijing time, there was a highly anticipated matchup during the NBA regular season's Christmas Day games. The Golden State Warriors awaited the arrival of the Los Angeles Lakers at their home court for an intense battle. Schröder, facing his former team, had an excellent three-point shooting performance, hitting multiple shots. The Warriors started strong, taking control early on, with Wiggins particularly impressive, scoring 10 points through a combination of drives and outside shots. The starters played well overall, but the bench seemed slow to heat up, struggling to keep pace on both ends of the court. The Lakers responded quickly, stabilizing the situation with consecutive successful defenses. However, unfortunately, Davis suffered an ankle sprain and returned to the locker room, leaving a potential problem. With a three-pointer from Knecht, the first quarter ended in a 23-all tie. In the second quarter, James launched a sudden three-pointer from the outside, while Knecht became a substitute powerhouse, making strong finishes under the basket. The Lakers then went on a 9-0 run to take the lead. However, quickly widening the gap was not easy, as the game remained tightly contested. Coach Kerr made several substitutions, but they were not particularly effective, ultimately relying on the starters to resolve the issues. Tres scored efficiently inside, while Curry responded with consecutive three-pointers. The half ended with the score at 52-55, with the Warriors trailing by three points. The third quarter began with a three-point shootout between both teams, neither willing to give ground, resulting in intense competition. Curry and Wiggins took on…

I originally intended to stop writing, but I have a habit of browsing other people's articles every time. Today, I came across an article with pictures in which Kyrie Irving mentioned that there are only six players in NBA history who excel at one-on-one play: Jordan, Kobe, James, Durant, McGrady, and Harden. Seeing this list, I would like to share my thoughts. Honestly, when it comes to one-on-one play, LeBron James does have a gap compared to these players. James relies heavily on pick-and-roll or post-up plays in his later years, while the others are known for their tough individual skills that make defenders tremble in one-on-one situations. Durant's biggest enemy in one-on-one play is his own stamina and shooting touch. James doesn't really belong on this list, although it's not to say that his one-on-one ability is bad. In my personal opinion, the strongest one-on-one players are Jordan, Kobe, Durant, McGrady, Iverson, and Kyrie. Harden's one-on-one ability is actually not great; he is more of a player with high basketball IQ who knows how to take advantage of the rules. Jordan was able to win two three-peats in his era, which was largely due to his personal one-on-one ability. Do you remember the Detroit Pistons' Bad Boys, known for their rough defense? Jordan faced them with great difficulty, and it was through such challenges that he honed his one-on-one skills, so there's no objection to ranking him first. Kobe, similarly, progressed from a role player to the core of the Lakers. He has mentioned in his memoirs that he…

On December 28th, Beijing time, the NBA witnessed a wild brawl that was anything but festive, with players throwing punches and engaging in a street-style brawl! With the Chinese New Year approaching, the NBA saw a peak matchup at the end of 2024, featuring the Mavericks against the Suns, both teams boasting at least two superstars. Even with Doncic's injury, the game remained intense. However, with 9 minutes and 2 seconds left in the third quarter, a heated conflict erupted on the court, leading to an all-out brawl. The score stood at 60:44 when Nurkic and Marshall began to clash, each sizing up the other. After two consecutive rounds of minor skirmishes that went unchecked by the referees, the tension escalated. Nurkic committed another offensive foul, elbowing Gafford to the ground in a move that seemed particularly aggressive. Frustrated by the call, Nurkic got up and walked away. Seeing his teammate being targeted, Marshall started yelling at Nurkic from a distance. But Nurkic, known for his fiery temper, couldn't stand it and charged towards Marshall, engaging in a fierce verbal exchange. The words quickly turned into action as Nurkic swung his right hand, slapping Marshall across the head. Marshall retaliated immediately, not backing down, with a swift straight punch to Nurkic's face. The blow was fast and hard, visibly reddening Nurkic's face. Washington then joined the fray, pushing Nurkic to the ground with a forceful shove to his waist. Nurkic, upon getting up, was ready to continue fighting but was eventually restrained, falling to the ground in the process. Despite…

In the fiercely competitive Western Conference, it is very difficult to compete. So when the new season just started and all fans heard that Leonard would be indefinitely sidelined, the Clippers were not favored. Many fans thought that the Clippers might find it difficult to make the playoffs. However, Harden has created a surprise for the fans, bringing them hope. After Leonard's injury, Harden took the lead by taking charge of both the offensive and organizational ends. Compared to last season, his average score this season has significantly increased, enhancing his offensive aggressiveness and playing the role of an absolute leader. Under his leadership, the Clippers' overall record has exceeded many fans' expectations. Currently, they are in seventh place in the West, but their win difference with the sixth and fifth places in the West is consistent, and they can rise to fifth at any time, which is a relatively safe range. The Clippers' outstanding performance this season does not solely credit Harden. Powell's role is no less important than Harden's. In fact, Powell has become the team's top scorer, surpassing Harden in average points and with better overall shooting efficiency. Powell has now scored 28+ points in four consecutive games. This season, he averages 24 points with a three-point shooting percentage as high as 47%, truly reaching the peak of his career. Many people think that Powell's peak came a bit too late, as he is already 31 years old. The team did not pay enough attention to his use or elevate his tactical status before. In fact, several…

The Golden State Warriors have officially announced that their substitute core player, De'Anthony Melton, who was signed during the offseason for an annual salary of $1282, successfully underwent knee surgery in Los Angeles on Wednesday, local time in the United States, and is expected to fully recover before the next season. This means that Melton will not be able to play for the rest of this season, effectively ending his season. It's really frustrating when athletes get injured. For example, there's a player in the domestic CBA named Xiao Li who is also a strong substitute core. He unfortunately got injured before an important game, with the same issue affecting his knee. The team and fans were very concerned as it had a significant impact on the team. After undergoing surgery, it took him a long time to recover, and he couldn't participate in the games for that season. This situation is similar to that of De'Anthony Melton of the Warriors, where athletes face difficulties not only for themselves but also for their teams once they get injured. After the loss of De'Anthony Melton, the Warriors' record has been greatly affected. Before Melton's injury, the Warriors were performing exceptionally well, achieving a record of 9 wins and 2 losses, once leading the Western Conference. However, since his injury, the team's performance has declined, with a record of 3 wins and 6 losses, dropping to seventh place in the West, barely making it into the playoff qualification zone. Moreover, the upcoming schedule is tough, as the Warriors will face the Rockets,…

NBA regular season is in full swing, and the league's landscape is taking shape, with some teams rejoicing and others facing challenges. Taking the Western Conference as an example, young teams like the Thunder, Rockets, and Grizzlies are forging ahead and firmly occupying the top 3 spots in the West, with a promising situation; while many powerhouse teams such as the Lakers, Clippers, Suns, and Warriors are plagued by injuries, trapped in the play-in tournament area, and their situations are not optimistic! The Dallas Mavericks have upgraded their lineup around the East European combination, but their championship prospects are more dangerous than imagined. Luka, endowed with extraordinary talent and achieving fame at a young age, has made many people doubt whether he can adapt to the intensity of the NBA due to his plump physique and injury risks. This was also the reason why the Atlanta Hawks completed the blockbuster trade of swapping Luka for Trae Young during the 2018 draft. Fortunately, the Dallas team successfully picked up a bargain, and since Luka joined the NBA in 2018, he has completed the torch relay with the old driver Dirk, leading the Mavericks step by step to rebuild their glory - first returning to the playoffs, then reaching the Western Conference Finals floor, and last season proudly advancing to the Finals, losing to the Celtics but winning the future. In this process, Luka has been selected to the All-NBA First Team for five consecutive years, won the scoring title in the regular season, and is a frequent contender for the MVP!…

The Clippers really unleashed their firepower in this game, staging an astonishing comeback on the Grizzlies' home court. You might wonder, how exciting was this game? The Clippers were originally seen as underdogs, missing Leonard, while the Grizzlies had Morant, Bane, and Jackson, who indeed had stronger paper strength. But basketball games aren't just about what's on paper, especially in such tense Western Conference ranking battles, which are never that simple. And the result? The Clippers pulled off a stunning comeback, and this victory directly reshaped the Western Conference landscape! The game was filled with tension from the start, with the Grizzlies showing strong momentum at home. Not long after the opening, Bane hit a three-pointer, setting the pace for the team. This shot initially seemed quite exciting, but the Clippers weren't intimidated. Powell quickly responded with a three-pointer of his own, with the score seesawing back and forth, neither side willing to give ground. Look at it, the scores fluctuated like a roller coaster, not giving the opponent any breathing room. Especially the Grizzlies' offense, with Morant scoring continuously, once leading 8-3, making the Clippers' fans' hearts sink. Fortunately, Harden and Dunn of the Clippers gradually warmed up, and the team began to narrow the gap, with the situation becoming increasingly tight. At the end of the first quarter, the Grizzlies still had a slight advantage, leading 30-28. By the second quarter, the Grizzlies suddenly stepped up their game, with Lavinia hitting a three-pointer, once widening the gap to 5 points. Well, the Grizzlies were scoring comfortably, while the…

As the second and third leaders of the Clippers last season, Paul George and Harden have both had brilliant careers, garnering numerous honors and achievements. Even though they are now in the twilight of their careers, both are still core players for their respective teams, holding important tactical positions and roles within the team. At 35 years old, Harden has delivered his best performance in recent seasons. In the absence of Paul George and with Leonard out for the season, Harden has become the undisputed leader of the Clippers this season. With increased ball possession and status, Harden has put forth a highly convincing performance. To date, Harden has played 29 games for the Clippers, averaging 33.9 minutes per game, scoring 22 points, grabbing 6.5 rebounds, dishing out 8.1 assists, making 1.5 steals, and blocking 0.6 shots, with a shooting percentage of 38.9%, a three-point percentage of 34.5%, and a free throw percentage of 89.3%. Although Harden's efficiency is low this season, his contributions and influence on the team go far beyond what the statistics can show. Judging solely from the data, Harden remains among the top guards in the league. Despite facing numerous challenges, Harden has led the Clippers to an impressive record of 17 wins and 13 losses, ranking seventh in the West. Although he cannot match his peak offensive threat, Harden is still a heavily relied upon offensive point for the Clippers this season. He has scored a total of 639 points with an average of 22 points, making him the team's second-highest scorer, and even achieving…