The Opening Tip

• The Nets are out here losing to the Kings
• A beautiful moment from Bulls-Raptors last night
• The Ben Simmons thing has run its course, but it probably isn’t even close to over

Tonight's must-watch games

1. If the Nets do turn this around, it won’t be because of Kyrie Irving or James Harden

Since trading for James Harden on Jan. 13 of last year, the Brooklyn Nets’ best three players have played 16 of a possible 116 games together, playoffs included.

That’s because: 

• James Harden has suffered several injuries. 
• Kevin Durant has suffered several injuries. 
• Kyrie Irving …
  • Has suffered several injuries. 
  • Was on unexplained leave of absence when they first traded for Harden.
  • Can only play away games this season, because he remains unvaccinated ... because he’s “upset that people are losing their jobs due to vaccine mandates."

Last year, all three were excellent, and were able to carry the Nets in some combination.

• This year, without Kevin Durant, who remains sidelined with a sprained MCL, it’s going terribly.
• Brooklyn is 29-22 and on a six-game losing streak, most recently dropping one to the Kings. They’re 2-7 since Durant’s injury.

And yet … despite Irving’s part-time role and Harden’s steep decline and reported unhappiness, Brooklyn is the clear favorite on every sports book to win the NBA title.

The only reason for that must be Durant, who was an MVP front runner before his injury.

He isn’t expected to be back for at least a few more weeks, and it’s reasonable to wonder how different this team might look when he does return.

[READ: The Nets' problems are multiplying]

2. Daily GIF: The beautiful game

Hey, whatever works.

(The Raptors, who actually ended up winning this game in OT last night, are now somehow 27-23 in the post-Kawhi, post-Kyle Lowry era.)

3. Trivia time

Since 1990, only one MVP has averaged less than 20 PPG. Who is it?

Hint: Two times.

Answer at the bottom.

4. This is getting so silly

Yes, the NBA trade deadline is six days away.

No, the Ben Simmons saga has not been resolved.

• Simmons still hasn’t played a game in 2021-22, which has so far cost him about $18 million in game checks. 
• The 76ers have survived alright, going 31-20 without him, and 27-12 in games with Joel Embiid. 

The leaks and rumors from his camp, though … they are thriving.

Here’s one leak from earlier this week, told to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne:
 

(FWIW, the 76ers outscored the Raptors by 89 points in that series when Embiid was on the floor, and were outscored by 16 points when Simmons was on the floor.)

Other trade deadline things to monitor: 

• Bradley Beal is slowwwwwly getting closer to requesting a trade. 
• Damian Lillard wants to stay on the west coast, if traded.
• The Pelicans are eyeing a trade for a high-profile guard like CJ McCollum, De'Aaron Fox or Eric Gordon. 

5.  Quick Hits

• Here are All-Star rosters for the West and East. 
• Bill Fitch, who coached Larry Bird’s first title team, has died at 89. 
• Kemba Walker has been held scoreless in two straight games, equaling his total number of scoreless games in his first 10 seasons. 
• Chuck on Rudy Gobert crying a few years ago because he didn’t make the ASG: “He’s French, he’s sensitive. There’s no mean streets in Paris.” 
• On Feb. 2, 2022, Memphis’s Desmond Bane had 2 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks and 2 turnovers.
• Dwight Howard has a spot-on impression of the TNT crew.

6.  Reads

• What’s behind the explosion of tribute videos? [Fox Sports]
• The legacy of Linsanity, 10 years later [The Ringer]
• What should the Hawks do at the deadline? [Sports Illustrated]

Trivia answer: Steve Nash