NBA Weekly Highlights: Week Of April 3 | The Odyssey Online
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NBA Weekly Highlights: Week Of April 3

Villanova won the NCAA title in unforgettable fashion, while the Warriors had an up and down week as they chased the all-time wins record.

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NBA Weekly Highlights: Week Of April 3
Bob Donnan

As the NBA season winds down, teams are wrapping up playoff seeds and hoping to finish out the season strong. In college basketball, Villanova won the ultimate prize for the second time in their program's history, and what a game it was, one that will never be forgotten in the history of March Madness. With one week left in the NBA season, we are also winding down on the career of an NBA legend, while also celebrating some retired legends.


1. Villanova and North Carolina played an instant classic.

The 2016 NCAA championship game will go down as one of the greatest championship games in all of sports. Villanova and North Carolina, two veteran teams in the years of the one and done player, reminded us all how great college basketball is. North Carolina’s Marcus Paige refused to let his team die as he hit two three pointers late in the game to even the score. But Villanova’s Kris Jenkins wasn’t done… just re-watch it for yourself.


2. Shaq, A.I., and Yao headline Hall of Fame class

of 2016.

Three icons of early 2000s NBA basketball are being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. Shaquille O’Neal, one of the most dominant forces to ever step foot on a basketball court, leads the class. O’Neal averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds for 13 straight seasons from 1992 to 2005, winning the scoring title two times in that span. Shaq is a 15 time NBA All-Star in his 19 seasons in the NBA. He is a four time NBA champion (three with the Lakers, one with Miami), and his number, 34, is retired by the Lakers.

What suburban white kid didn’t want cornrows and finger wrap with the number “3” on it in 2003? That was thanks to Allen Iverson. “The Answer” had handles that could embarrass even the best defenders and score 30 every night. In 2001, A.I. carried the 76ers to the NBA Finals against the dynasty Lakers. Although the Sixers didn’t win, Iverson was commended for carrying a team almost single-handedly to the finals and winning an MVP in that season. Iverson was called a ball hog, someone who shot too much, and a bad role model, but that never stopped him. He led the league in scoring four separate times and forever changed how people handle the ball, how effective little guys can be in the NBA, and how primary ball handlers score.

Let's not forget Yao Ming, the legendary 7 foot 6 inch center for the Houston Rockets and Asian sports icon. Yao only played eight seasons in the NBA before retiring due to injuries, but he was an All-Star in all eight of those seasons. Throughout Yao’s career, he averaged 19 points per game and 9.2 rebounds, which are pretty lofty numbers for someone that Charles Barkley said wouldn’t score over 19 points in his rookie season. Yao was a great basketball player and a mountain of a man, but he is also a cultural icon and will never be forgotten.


3. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Warriors in Golden State.

The Timberwolves earned their 26th win of the season Tuesday night in Golden State against the league-leading Warriors. The overtime loss to the T’Wolves was the second straight home loss for the Warriors, who hadn’t lost a home game all season until last week against the Celtics. The T’Wolves were labeled as an up-and-comer in the league, since their starting line-up featured the last two first overall picks (Wiggins and Towns). Minnesota’s potential showed on Tuesday as Shabazz Muhammed (35 points), Andrew Wiggins (32 points), and Karl-Anthony Towns (20 points and 12 rebounds) helped take down the almost invincible Warriors in overtime. Minnesota battled back from a 17-point deficit, forcing Golden State to commit 24 turnovers and putting a wrench in the Warriors' ultimate quest of a 73 win season.




4. The Warriors beat the Spurs to clinch the number one seed in the NBA playoffs.

The Warriors wrapped up the number one seed in the NBA playoffs with their Thursday night win over the Spurs. The Warriors became the second team in NBA history to win 70 games in a season and still have a chance to set (or tie) the NBA record for most wins in one season with another game against San Antonio, and one more against Memphis.


5. Russell Westbrook's 17th triple-double this season.

Russell Westbrook is UNREAL. How exciting is this guy to watch? While ESPN is gushing over Steph Curry (deservedly so), Russ keeps putting up crazy numbers each night. Westbrook tied NBA legend Magic Johnson for most triple-doubles in one season with 17 on Tuesday night against Denver. Westbrook doesn’t always shoot the highest percentage or have the greatest shot selection, but damn, is he exciting. In his 17 triple-double performances, Russ is averaging 19.1 points, 12.9 assists, and 12.2 rebounds per game. The Thunder are flying under the radar as Golden State and San Antonio both finish up their historic season, but don’t sleep on OKC in the playoffs, because with KD and Russ are both firing on all cylinders, they’re almost impossible to beat.


6. Pistons, Blazers, Hornets, Celtics, Heat, and Grizzlies clinched playoff spots.

The regular season is winding down and teams are wrapping up the last few playoff spots. Of note, the Pistons clinched their first playoff spot since 2009, and with such a young team, this will be huge for their future development.


7. Josh Richardson is dumb.

The Heat have struck gold with their draft picks of Justice Winslow and Josh Richardson, Richardson especially. In the past 26 games since he started receiving regular playing time, this man is making 58 percent of his three point shot, including 10 games with over three shots from deep. Richardson will be huge for the Heat in the playoffs, as some think they will be a sneaky contender with their veteran experience. Oh yeah, and Richardson had a huge, two handed slam against the Bulls.


8. The Clippers are on pace to lead the NBA in three separate categories

.

The Clippers have had sort of a quiet season, besides Blake Griffin punching an equipment manager and breaking his hand. But LAC sits with the number four seed in the West and are finally healthy. They also are on pace to become the first team to lead the NBA in three separate categories (field goal percentage, three point percentage, and free-throw percentage). This illustration from Reddit user u/WorldTechToys does a great job of displaying this amazing feat

.


9. Sam Hinkie resigned

.

The man behind “the process” stepped down from his position of GM for the 76ers on Thursday. Hinkie published a long letter for his resignation. This is a setback for Sixers fans, as they are already a few years into their process. Restarting now will make it tougher on the fans, as they’ll have to endure a change of culture after accepting being bad in order to build assets.

On a positive note, Philadelphia won their 10th game of the season this week as well.


10. Kobe’s final week

The legendary career of Kobe Bryant comes to an end this week. We bid farewell to one of the greatest players the NBA has ever seen. On Wednesday, Kobe will suit up for the Lakers for one final time against the Utah Jazz. Nike released a Kobe “Love Me. Hate Me” ad to pay homage to the retiring star.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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