There is a certain comfort in watching other teams do the work for you. It feels like getting a tax refund you did not earn, or finding an onion ring in your order of fries.
Pascal Siakam scored 37 points for the Indiana Pacers recently. He does not play here anymore, but he beat the Orlando Magic, which helps the Raptors in the standings. It is a strange feeling (watching your ex-neighbor mow your lawn from across the street).
We are currently trying to avoid the play-in tournament. The play-in is a stressful invention that makes basketball feel like a high-stakes job interview. Atlanta beat the Grizzlies, so now we have to win just to keep pace with a bird.
The Return of the Rookie
Collin Murray-Boyles is available tonight. He has been gone for twelve games (about three weeks in human time, but an eternity in basketball time). I forgot what it was like to see him on the court.
When a player returns from injury, we expect them to be the solution to all our problems. We hope they will fix the defense and maybe help me find my car keys. In reality, he will probably just run around and be tall for fifteen minutes.
Concerned Citizens
People are worried about Gradey Dick again. He missed two three-pointers and had a confusing drive to the basket against the Utah Jazz. The Jazz are not exactly the 1996 Bulls, so the frustration is understandable.
Someone suggested sending him to the G-League for reps. The G-League is a fine place, but it feels like sending a student back to the third grade because they forgot how to carry the one. He is too skilled for this to be happening, yet here we are.
Looking Ahead
We need a win tonight to stop this two-game losing streak. Losing streaks are like dust bunnies; if you do not sweep them up early, they eventually take over the guest bedroom.
I don't know if we will win, but I know the game will happen. That is the beauty of the schedule. It persists, even when we are confused about the shooting percentages. Or the weather. It is supposed to rain on Thursday.