Welcome to Glass Slipper! I’m a temporary Boilermakers stan; please enjoy the show.

- Jacob Rhee

Here are my 10 biggest takeaways through 20 weeks of the NBA season.

1. Durham days.

Luke Kennard was the best player on a Duke team that had Jayson Tatum on it. Don’t forget about that.

It’s not an exaggeration to claim that Kennard is one of the greatest three-point shooters ever. I mean, why not? He’s literally second on the all-time percentage list. The only man ahead of him is Steve Kerr, who basically took one from behind the arc every other week. Memphis has a historic sniper.

2. Even more broadcast idiocy.

TNT, you’re not safe from my wrath. I’m the biggest LeBron guy you’ll find, but you simply cannot switch to a split-screen to show him hitting a meaningless milestone. 50,000 points, if you include the playoffs? I mean, come on. You’re just asking for criticism when you do stuff like that.

3. Give us Pacers-Bucks.

I don’t quite understand why these squads dislike each other. It seemingly started when Tyrese Haliburton mocked Damian Lillard back in December of 2023, but were those hard feelings really serious enough to last this long?

In any scenario, we need more postseason clashes filled with bad blood. Indiana and Milwaukee are currently slated to meet in Round 1; the Pistons better not get in the way of that tasty matchup.

4. Trivia time.

Take a look at the Raptors’ starting lineup from their game against Philadelphia on Wednesday night.

If you can list the first names of all five players, you watch too much basketball. Congratulations.

5. Awfully quiet.

Remember when we couldn’t go a full day without hearing a national media person gush about the Miami’s development program? Duncan Robinson! Haywood Highsmith! The Heat build from within! They just have a knack for unlocking potential! It must be the culture! It must be the culture!

Well? What happened to that? Bam Adebayo has regressed, Jaime Jaquez is suddenly borderline unplayable, and Nikola Jovic still looks aggressively pedestrian in Year 3. Now would be an awesome time for some of that signature development.

6. Double salute.

Claps for Marcus Smart and Khris Middleton. Both are aging veterans that got traded from a contender to the worst team in the sport. What happened next, you might ask? They didn’t refuse to play like whiny, selfish Andre Iguodala after he got dealt to Memphis. They didn’t go on the phantom IR and shut it down for the season. They suited up, and just helped their downtrodden new friends earn a road victory against a playoff squad. I already liked each of those dudes, and I have even more respect now.

7. Inching closer.

There have been two 70-win seasons in league history. Are we watching the third?

This is by far the best non-LeBron iteration of the Cavs to ever exist. The boys spent the summer listening to talking heads yap about how the organization needed a reset. Cleveland has claimed 15 in a row for the second time this year, and sits at 55-10 with the final stretch approaching. The chemistry is really special; let’s appreciate the ride.

8. An embarrassment in Phoenix.

The next time you tune into a home Suns contest, look around at the fans. You’ll notice something pretty jarring. No one is wearing a jersey. Like, no one. These folks are legitimately embarrassed to represent their team, and I honestly don’t blame them.

Kevin Durant just doesn’t hustle. The whole roster expends its energy whining about calls instead of playing defense. Players don’t high five when they walk past one another. Yet… wait a second. What’s this? They were celebrating with assist goggles while down 14 in the third quarter in Denver? Huh? What on Earth is happening here? Every human who enjoys good basketball should be downright offended by Phoenix. It’s a joke.

9. Sound the alarm?

The Lakers need to be careful. They’ve tumbled into the No. 4 spot after three consecutive losses, and will slide back one more after they get whacked by the Nuggets this evening. Meanwhile, Golden State and Minnesota keep rolling; if LA keeps flailing, it could be yet another trip to the play-in.

LeBron should be back soon, but he’ll undoubtedly have a minutes restriction. These 11 remaining games in March are a nice test for JJ Redick. He better find a way to grind out at least six victories, or this once-promising campaign could totally unravel before our eyes.

10. My updated MVP ladder.

1) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder

2) Nikola Jokic, Nuggets

3) Cade Cunningham, Pistons

4) Jayson Tatum, Celtics

5) Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks

6) Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks

7) Donovan Mitchell, Cavs

8) Jalen Brunson, Knicks

9) Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves

10) Jalen Williams, Thunder

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