The Best of the Day: February 26th, 2021

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 2/26 here.

Despite missing a number of coaches and their star player, the Raptors managed to defeat the Rockets behind an outstanding performance from Kyle Lowry and Norman Powell. Toronto is now in the thick of the playoff race after their rough start to the season. Also, Draymond Green is officially the most unique player in the NBA following his performance vs. Charlotte, Jimmy Butler led the Heat past the NBA’s No.1 team, and LeBron further solidified his case as the best all-around player ever.

Here is the best of the day from February 26, 2021:

Story of the Day

Raptors somehow won with their HC, 5 asst. coaches, and best player all out from COVID

The Toronto Raptors defeated the Houston Rockets 122-111 without head coach Nick Nurse, his coaching staff, and Pascal Siakam Friday night. In all, Toronto was without six coaches and one of its star players due to health and safety protocols, meaning that interim head coach Sergio Scariolo and the rest of the squad would have to step up in their absence. That’s exactly what they did.

Kyle Lowry came up huge when his team needed him, finishing with a 20-point, 11-rebound, and 10-assist triple-double, his 16th as a Raptor. Lowery was extremely efficient shooting, hitting 6-of-9 field goals and 4-of-5 from deep in 33 minutes of action. His backcourt mates, Norman Powell and Fred VanVleet, also stepped up big time, finishing with 30 points and 25 points, respectively. With their short-handed victory over Houston, Toronto is now at 17-17, having shaken off their 2-8 start to open the season.

Kyle Lowry notched his 18th career TRIPLE-DOUBLE (21 PTS, 11 REB, 10 AST) in the @Raptors victory over Houston!#WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/wnGeUfqhLr
— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) February 27, 2021

Kyle Lowry last night:

✅ 20 PTS
✅ 11 REB
✅ 10 AST
✅ 6-9 FG
✅ 4-5 3P

Lowry has 16 career triple-doubles with the @Raptors, three more than all other players in team history combined. pic.twitter.com/4oNMeQwoyX
— Justin Kubatko (@jkubatko) February 27, 2021

Related: Stories of the Day

Takeaway of the Day

DRAYMOND GREEN IS THE MOST UNIQUE PLAYER IN THE NBA

The NBA is rich with rare and extraordinary talents in today’s game. Draymond Green is far from the most talented player in the league, but he can certainly be considered the most unique. What the former second-round pick brings to the table is unlike any player that’s ever played the game. While some active players and legends of the past have similar skillsets, nobody is really that close to being like Draymond Green. Let’s break it down.

On the floor, Draymond Green is a walking triple-double threat that literally plays every position 1-5. He can pass it like a Point Guard while being capable of rebounding like a Center. Just that combination alone is rare but every other player that can do both at a high level (Jokic, LeBron, Westbrook, Doncic) can also score at a high level. However, that’s the one part of Draymond’s game that holds him back.

If Green could score, he’d arguably be the best player in the NBA but instead, he’s one of two players that averages more assists per game than points (T.J. McConnell). Only Green and Nikola Jokic are really orchestrating their offense from the Center position, but Draymond is the sole person also anchoring a team’s defense at 6’7″, providing rim protection and perimeter prowess with elite switching ability as shown by the five All-Defensive Team selections and Defensive Player of the Year award already to his name.

Draymond is the ultimate competitor that opponents hate facing while being the type of teammate everyone loves to play with. Refs don’t usually get along with Green’s antics considering his long track record of technicals (and kicking opponents), and even the way he gets away with treating refs is unique.

Green has never been afraid to speak his mind and the Warriors could never be able to replace the 3x NBA Champion with a similar presence who’s a leader on and off the court. Even years after the future Hall of Famer plays his final game, the NBA won’t ever be able to find anyone quite like Draymond Green.

COLORS KEY | FULL WARRIORS FUTURE OUTLOOK

DRAYMOND GREEN
25th triple-double (franchise-high)

11 PTS
12 REB
19 AST (career-high)*

* Most assists by a Warrior since @BaronDavis in 2008. pic.twitter.com/jFRJYy6KbU
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) February 27, 2021

Draymond Green is just LOCKING PEOPLE UP at the rim. My goodness pic.twitter.com/apZNdXpHgg
— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) February 27, 2021

First Warrior to EVER reach 25 career regular-season triple-doubles: @Money23Green. pic.twitter.com/eZpPvc07RS
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 27, 2021

Draymond Green is the first Warriors player with four 15-assist games in a calendar month since Tim Hardaway in April 1990. pic.twitter.com/twJMGuTpHw
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 27, 2021

Draymond Green is the 2nd player over the last 25 seasons with 7 rebounds and 7 assists in a 1st quarter, joining Russell Westbrook in 2019.

Green is the 4th player over the last 25 seasons to do this in ANY quarter, joining Westbrook (2x), Jason Kidd and Kevin Johnson. pic.twitter.com/jg5BPSLxxg
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 27, 2021

👀 the BEST PLAY from each of @Money23Green's 25 career regular-season triple-doubles 💪 pic.twitter.com/M3BnLCTdDz
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 27, 2021

Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day

Highlight of the Day

Dame is slicing and dicing

Yo... how though?? Dame crazy for this. (via @trailblazers) pic.twitter.com/25qOu5Jwda
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 27, 2021

Player of the Day

SF Jimmy Butler, MIA (W v.UTA): 33 PTS (12-22 FG | 0-3 3P), 8 AST, 10 REB, 0 BLK, 1 STL, 3 TO

#PlayerOfTheDay (2/26/21) - SF Jimmy Butler, MIA

TOP FACTS:
- Heat are 10-5 since Jimmy Butler returned from Covid
- Butler has 21.9 PPG/8.7 RPG/8.7 APG/1.7 SPG last 15 GP
- No Tyler Herro; Won 5 in a row & 0.5 GB from 4 seed

KEY STATS
33 PTS, 10 REB, 8 AST, 12-22 FG (55%) https://t.co/hzpvv3JqNn
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) February 27, 2021

Related: Players of the Day