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It’s a random Wednesday in March, so why not start today’s newsletter with a random hoops question? This one has been puzzling philosophers for decades.

Today’s Lineup

Last Night’s Action

Sengun makes Texas-sized statement, Rockets beat Spurs 114-101

According to Alperen Sengun, Texas ain’t big enough for two young talented centers. 🤠

The Rockets budding Turkish star used his deeeep bag of old-school back-to-the-basket tricks (plus a dash of modern playmaking flair) to practically pick up Wemby and throw him out of the building. The result? A career-high 45 points, 16 boards, five steals, and one heaping serving of respect on his name.

Suns shine bright in OT to take down Nuggets, 117-107

Through the first 30-ish minutes, the Suns were marching towards a convincing win on the road against the defending champs. They did win… eventually… but not before giving Phoenix fans a heart rate warning on their smart watches.

The Suns guns went ice cold in the fourth as Jamal Murray led the charge back for Denver, who nearly won in regulation if not for this late KD triple. Then, it was the Slim Reaper again who dashed the Nugs hopes with 8 points in OT, including another clutch bomb to ice it.

🏀 🏀 🏀

Elsewhere around the league…

Pelicans 139 - Raptors 98 : Brandon Ingram sending Jordan Nwora the complete wrong direction for the slam is a great way to sum up this game. Plus, Trey Murphy hit ten threes like he’s prime Klay. 😮‍💨

Pacers 137 - Mavericks 120: The Pacers have mastered this whole “sharing the rock” thing, huh? Nine Pacers scored between 10 and 20 points. Just some good unselfish hoops in America’s heartland (plus a sweet Jalen Smith jam sesh)

Heat 108 - Pistons 100: Duncan Robinson was pulling out all the moves, as he was one of five Heat players with 15+ points to secure a solid Miami W. They’ve now won 7 of their last 8. 👀

Hawks 116 - Knicks 100: Once again, no, we will not shut up about Jalen Johnson. The Hawks breakout youngster flourished with 26-9-7 to lead ATL to a blowout win in the Garden. Somewhere, Trae Young is smiling.

Magic 101 - Hornets 89 : 🎶 ORLANDO MAGIC, ORLANDO MAGIC, ORLANDO MAGIC, OOHH OOH OOHHOH 🎶 Yes, the Magic won another basketball game— this time a gritty, slow-it-down effort in a Southeastern clash with the Hornets.

Nets 112- Sixers 107 : The Nets took advantage of the Sixers’ distinct lack of Tyrese Maxey to make it 3 W’s in their last four. Shoutout to Dennis Schroeder with an efficient 20 & 8 as he starts to gel with his new squad.

Wednesday Night Notes

• Talk about a statement victory for the Lakers! The Thunder had no answer for AD’s interior dominance as LA rode a +17 advantage on the boards to a comfortable W. And DLo was out here reminding us once again that his veins are 100% ice. He got LA’s bench going crazy with three RIDICULOUS treys in the 4th to send OKC packing for good.

• Dame and Pat Bev have finally squashed the beef, and all it took was 41 points from D.O.L.L.A. and a 15-point comeback without Giannis against an elite Clippers team. Shout-out Bobby ‘Buckets’ Portis as well with 28 and 16 to go along with the dagger three.

• The Bulls were running RAMPANT in Sac-Town. Chicago stormed back in the 4th quarter behind a monster performance from Coby White who had defenders spinning in all sorts of directions on his way to a career-high 37.

• Dread it, run from it, Duop 3-eath still arrives. The Australian big man poured in 26 to keep the Trail Blazers in it till the bitter end against a stacked Timberwolves squad. Too bad Rudy Gobert went beast mode.

When you hear people talk about Victor Wembanyama, phrases like ‘unicorn’ and ‘one-of-one’ are thrown around often. But is that actually the case? For the player who seems to defy comparison, there is one mythical hooper from 40 years ago who blazed many of the same trails, even if sometimes it seems like only the old heads remember.

Before injuries ended up cutting his NBA career tragically short, Ralph Sampson was a generational prospect revered on the level of Wilt, Kareem, and LeBron. Coming out of the University of Virginia, the 7’4” Sampson wasn’t just the complete and polished package as a traditional big man, he was combining those skills with guard-like instincts that had never really been seen before on the hoops scene.

Whether it was grabbing a tough defensive board and leading the fast break himself, orchestrating the offense from the top of the key, or flashing an adept deep midrange game, the 4x All-Star showcased many of the same skills back in the 80s that make Wemby such a force today.

In an era where centers doing anything but posting up was practically basketball sacrilege, you have to wonder what a guy like Sampson could do given the freedom of a modern NBA offense. And finally, decades later, we’re getting to see that (and more) through the eyes of Wemby.

Three in the Key

Signing Off

Time to bounce y’all! Here’s to ending your week strong with good friends, good hoops, and good vibes.

Talk soon!

-Spencer Poole