All the crazy performances in the bubble have some people saying “there’s no defense” etc. Let’s make something clear: the reason we’re seeing these 40pt triple doubles and 50 balls is because the world is seeing how good NBA players are at playing the game of basketball. 1/

For the first time in all of these guys’ careers, the physical toll that an NBA travel schedule has on your body is completely gone. The distractions off of the court, be them good or bad, are completely gone as well. 24/7 it’s basketball, basketball, basketball.

I’ve said it before and l‘ll say it again: the amount of talent and ability it takes to be sitting on an NBA bench, even if you’re the 15th guy, is incredible. You can take any NBA player under contract, bring them to any rec center in the country, and they’ll dominate.

Now imagine the guys that get rotation minutes, let alone start, or average 20+ppg!!!

Guys like Donavan Mitchell, TJ Warren, Jamal Murray etc are doing things that MJ and Wilt did not because “there’s no defense” or it’s a “fluke” but because if you put any NBA player in a 100% basketball centered environment, you’ll see they’re f*cking cold blooded hoopers

It’s going to be interesting to see how the level of play changes (or not) when teams resume traveling and playing in packed arenas - End