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The Best of the Day: February 13th, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from February 13, 2021 including KD's return to the Bay Area, Devin Booker's ascent in PHX, and more!
The National News
The ‘Best of the Day’ is a daily PSO original series showcasing the most significant stories, highlights, and facts going on in the land of the NFL, NBA, & MLB every day. Get a recap on EVERYTHING that happened on 2/13 here.
Brooklyn’s Big 3 balled out during their dominant win over the Warriors Saturday night in KD’s return to the Bay. All three players appear to have settled into their respective roles, which is scary for the rest of the NBA when they’re clicking on all cylinders like they were on Saturday.
Also, Devin Booker is quickly ascending to becoming the best player in Phoenix Suns franchise history, Knicks rookie Obi Toppin’s huge dunk against the Rockets electrified in the Garden, and Yankees incredible dominance against the AL East came to light.
Here is the best of the day from February 13, 2021:
Nets show their full potential in KD’s return to the Bay
The NBA’s primetime Saturday matchup saw Kevin Durant make his much anticipated return to the Bay Area as the Brooklyn Nets took on the Golden State Warriors. Durant won back-to-back titles with Golden State in 2017 and 2018, capturing both Finals MVPs. After missing his last three games due to COVID-19, Durant did a little bit of everything against his former squad. He finished the night with 20 points, six assists, and five rebounds as the Nets showcased their full potential in a dominant 134-117 victory.
KD was unstoppable on the Warriors 😤
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 13, 2021
Here’s his top 10 plays with the GSW ahead of his return to The Bay tonight pic.twitter.com/8A6gotXXuy
Kevin Durant averages 30.6 PPG against the Warriors, the most by any player in NBA history according to @EliasSports
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 14, 2021
Check out Durant in his return to the lineup against his former team on ABC at 8:30 ET. pic.twitter.com/duH2dm8oU8
James Harden, who has taken over as the de facto point guard, registered 16 assists, the 12th time out of 14 games since joining the Nets that he has finished with 10 or more assists. While he is averaging just 23.6 PPG, the lowest total since his OKC days coming off the bench, Harden currently leads the NBA in assists with 11.2 per game. He also finished the contest with 19 points and eight rebounds, coming close to recording his fifth triple-double with Brooklyn.
Harden dropping a full-court dime to KD 😮 pic.twitter.com/F5hgwMbHZ9
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 14, 2021
James Harden behind-the-back 👀pic.twitter.com/PkWcN6Eu5k
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 14, 2021
James Harden assists per game with the Nets:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 14, 2021
14
12
12
11
11
8
15
11
14
12
10
12
5
16 tonight pic.twitter.com/lvDfYIZ0mV
Kyrie Irving, who has shifted from PG to SG so he can focus purely on scoring, paced the team with 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting while connecting on 2-of-5 from the outside. Brooklyn’s Big 3 has fit well together offensively, as Irving and Durant appear to be the top scoring options while Harden is clearly the facilitator while still being capable of going off on any given night. They have even played a little defense when they have needed to, something that will have to continue if the Nets are to consistently reach their full potential.
Tonight was the first time all 5 Nets starters scored 15+ points in a regulation game since April 16, 1999 against the SuperSonics.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 14, 2021
The lineup that day featured Stephon Marbury, Kendall Gill, Scott Burrell, Keith Van Horn and Jamie Feick. pic.twitter.com/qf4Epafhrm
The Nets are 9-1 vs teams that are .500 or better this season.
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 14, 2021
The best record in the league. pic.twitter.com/wu9Q5aEQmu
Meanwhile, Steph Curry led both teams in scoring with 27 points. However, he struggled mightily from deep, as did the rest of his team. Curry hit just 2-of-9 3-pointers as the Warriors shot a porous 9-for-34 (26.5 percent) from the outside. The shots have been there all season, they just haven’t been able to knock them down consistently, which is the difference between this Golden State team from year’s past. Steph is still the same amazing superstar fans are accustomed to, but the team around him has changed drastically.
Related: Stories of the Day
DEVIN BOOKER IS ON THE PATH TO BEING THE GREATEST SUNS PLAYER OF ALL-TIME
Who’s the greatest Suns player of all-time? Most would agree it’s currently 2x NBA MVP Steve Nash with Charles Barkley getting an honorable mention for his MVP and four All-Star seasons in the desert. While it’s too early to tell if Devin Booker ever reaches the MVP heights those Hall of Famers did, he’s already the greatest scorer in Suns history.
Saturday marked the 48th time Booker racked up 35+ points in a game, which is already 15 more than any Suns player in franchise history. The Kentucky hooper is only 24 years old and still has plenty of years to develop his skills and elevate himself amongst the NBA’s elite. Current NBA top-10 player conversations don’t include Booker but he has to take it one step at a time. He was awarded an All-Star bid for the first time in his career last year and is now the leader of a winning team for the first time as a pro this year.
Not many people expect Phoenix to do much damage in the 2021 postseason due to their lack of continuity and playoff experience but Booker has that x-factor trait to him that could help him thrive in that kind of environment if he can manage to find ways to get open and overcome the increased physicality that comes with playoff basketball.
Considering Booker is already the greatest scorer in Suns history, is over halfway there to all-time franchise records just six years in, and continues to get better every year, it seems inevitable the 6’5 Shooting Guard from Michigan will one day be considered the Suns GOAT.
He still has PLENTY to accomplish to make that a reality but one run to the NBA Finals or one season where he puts up 30+ PPG (like he’s done over various stretches in his career) could be enough to win MVP and increase his case further. There’s an argument Devin Booker is already on the Suns’ Mount Rushmore even if he got traded tomorrow, and with a winning squad finally now that he has high-quality teammates in Phoenix like Chris Paul, DeAndre Ayton, and Mikal Bridges, he should be around for a long time.
Booker’s biggest reference in culture was when Drake shouted him out on “Sicko Mode,” saying he’s “Wet like I’m Book.” Like Drake also exclaimed in one of his other songs, he’s top-5, top-5, top-5 before clarifying that he’s not top-5, he’s actually top-2, and not 2. That appears to be a similar representation of Booker’s rise among the all-time ranks in Suns franchise history. The best is yet to come in Arizona and Booker has lots to live up to.
Booker drops 24 in 2nd half! ☀️@DevinBook's 36 PTS help the @Suns win their 5th game in a row! #WeAreTheValley pic.twitter.com/Jor60OK0sX
— NBA (@NBA) February 13, 2021
Devin Booker today:
— Justin Kubatko (@jkubatko) February 13, 2021
✅ 36 PTS
✅ 5 REB
✅ 4 AST
Booker now has 48 career 35-point games, 15 more than any other player in @Suns history.
He has as many 35-point games as Charles Barkley (24) and Kevin Johnson (24) did combined with the Suns. pic.twitter.com/Yzgw1ggQKv
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
Ain’t no stoppin Obi Toppin
Air Toppin, now boarding ✈️ pic.twitter.com/r7Gc8IeQEs
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 14, 2021
Related: NBA Highlights | New York Knicks Highlights
SG Devin Booker, PHX (W v.PHI): 36 PTS (14-23 FG | 3-5 3P), 4 AST, 5 REB, 0 BLK, 0 STL, 2 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (2/13/21) - SG Devin Booker, PHX
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) February 14, 2021
TOP FACTS:
- 48 GP w/ 35+ PTS is 15 more than any Suns player ever
- 5-gm win streak: 28.6 PPG, 53.5 FG%, 44.8 3P%
- 30+ PTS in last 7 GP vs. PHI is most by PHX ever v. 1 opp
KEY STATS:
36 PTS, 5 REB, 14-23 FG (61%), 3-5 3P (60%) https://t.co/QARBwqyy7s
Related: Players of the Day
Philadelphia 76ers (111) vs. Phoenix Suns (120)
[Highlights] @SUNS (-109; $12.92) d. 76ERS (+109; $10.91) 120-111 [PHX -1.5 | o221]
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
Seattle Seahawks 5 Most Interesting Facts From 2020 NFL Season by Arslan Ubul
Russell Wilson’s brilliance despite an awful O-Line, D.K. Metcalf’s emergence as an elite WR, a historically bad defense in the first half, and more highlighted the Seahawks 2020 season that was full of ups and downs.
Best facts from Seahawks 2020 season:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) February 14, 2021
- DK Metcal set many franchise records
- Russell Wilson's QB record is unmatched
- Jamal Adams is the greatest DB blitzer ever
FULL LIST ⬇️https://t.co/VYyx2PtFgk
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