Welcome to Glass Slipper! In November, I told you that Isaiah Bond would put the 40-yard dash record in jeopardy. Tomorrow, he makes me look smart; please enjoy the show.

- Jacob Rhee

Here are my 10 biggest takeaways through 18 weeks of the NBA season.

1. Play Brice Sensabaugh!

Utah spent a first-round pick on the kid, and he currently owns 45-37-91 splits. Why is he not getting 30 minutes every night? There is literally no downside. If he keeps shooting like that, we have a potential building block on our hands. If the numbers drop off, you’ve inched closer to Cooper Flagg. This is common sense.

2. Minnesota magic.

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anything like it. The Timberwolves - already missing three of their top six players - told Anthony Edwards to take a seat, and then erased a 25-point deficit in Oklahoma City without him.

We should all be rooting for these two squads to meet in the postseason. Seeing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander try to score on Jaden McDaniels, Edwards, and his own cousin for a full series would be awfully entertaining.

3. Unintentionally hilarious.

In a decade, we’ll look back and realize that Paul George was this generation’s most talented comedian.

Apparently, no one has told Paul that his organization is launching a full-fledged tank. Philadelphia just shut down Joel Embiid, and PG himself is probably next. The Sixers need to finish with a bottom-six record in order to keep their first-round pick, and any hope for a 2025-26 resurgence revolves around securing that asset. You can keep podcasting if you want, man.

4. The southpaw who stayed.

Here’s a complete of players in league history who average at least 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists for their career, while shooting above 55% from the floor.

• Nikola Jokic

• Domantas Sabonis

We should be appreciating Sabonis, instead of flooding social media with comments about how ugly his game is. I’ll choose historic production over visual appeal any day of the week.

5. Take it easy, man.

The Tom Thibodeau school of thought is well-known by now. Play your best dudes until they’re doubled over with exhaustion. If they ask to come out, run them some more. All five New York starters can be found within the NBA’s top 25 in minutes per night.

I kind of respect Thibs’ commitment to his philosophy through the years, but he needs to dial it back right now. What’s the point? The Knicks are essentially locked into the No. 3 seed; Karl-Anthony Towns does not need 47 minutes on a Wednesday evening against Atlanta. Just get to April with your stars fresh.

6. The scorching Pistons.

Speaking of New York, a likely Round 1 opponent has emerged. It’s a ripping-hot Detroit team that has won eight straight, and just thumped the defending champions.

JB Bickerstaff got humiliated by the Knicks in 2023, and he’s undoubtedly itching for revenge. Jaden Ivey - who was finally beginning to flash before his injury - could be back for the postseason, too. Perhaps the baby Pistons can make the Big Apple sweat a little bit.

7. Phoenix does not care.

This is among the most selfish core of stars I’ve personally ever witnessed, in any sport. All Kevin Durant wants to do is finish the night with 28 points and then hop on a podcast and talk about his favorite pure hoopers for the 54th time. Devin Booker is more interested in tweeting about Hooters than competing. Bradley Beal does not seem remotely sorry for failing a franchise that banked its title window on him.

What an absolute disaster. Even Suns fans will rejoice when this thing gets blown up in the summer.

8. Durant’s next chapter.

Step 1 for Phoenix is punting their 36-year-old out of town. Where is he headed?

People keep floating Dallas as a landing spot, and that would be the funniest outcome by far. Nico Harrison has spent the last month preaching culture in the aftermath of the Luka Doncic trade. If he whirls around and pairs Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant together - the men who worked together to blow up the Brooklyn Nets - I won’t even know what to say.

I think I’d lean towards Houston as Durant’s next destination. I’m sure he’ll grow frustrated with Ime Udoka, and whine his way to the next city within a few seasons.

9. Cavaliers at heart.

Since his UVA buddy De’Andre Hunter debuted with Cleveland, Ty Jerome is averaging a 17-3-3 line on incendiary 57-54-83 splits.

Friendship is a mighty powerful thing, huh?

10. My updated MVP ladder.

1) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder

2) Nikola Jokic, Nuggets

3) Cade Cunningham, Pistons

4) Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks

5) Jayson Tatum, Celtics

6) Jalen Brunson, Knicks

7) Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks

8) Donovan Mitchell, Cavs

9) Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies

10) LeBron James, Lakers

Pressroom

Spin It

“Almost Is Never Enough” by Ariana Grande (feat. Nathan Sykes). Yep.