NBA Hot or Not: DeMar DeRozan, LeBron-Phil beef, Damian Lillard and more

Welcome to the SiriusXM’s NBA Radio Hot or Not rankings, your weekly look at what is (and is not) the talk of the NBA World’s water cooler. Yes, we mean aside from Space Jam turning 20 yesterday. You can catch all the NBA games each week on SiriusXM NBA Radio (Ch. 86/207).

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HOT

DeMar DeRozan

DeRozan has come storming out of the gate to start the season. He’s averaging 34 points/game on a blistering 52.8% from the field. DeRozan’s hot scoring has helped the Raptors to the third best record in the Eastern Conference as well. Toronto just dropped a tough game against Cleveland and now host the Golden State Warriors tonight at Air Canada Centre. Basketball Hall of Fame member, Alex English, called in earlier this week to discuss what DeRozan’s hot start means and what it’s been like mentoring the young DeMar: 

Damian Lillard

Not only is Lillard third in the league in scoring behind only DeRozan and Russell Westbrook, the NBA also featured “Thrillard” in its first spot for their ongoing #ThisIsWhyWePlay series this season. And if that weren’t enough, Lillard’s latest signature kicks from adidas are dripping wet this week:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMxcEBEj59t/?taken-by=adidashoops&hl=en

LeBron James

It’s good to be King James, you’re on top of the Eastern Conference, your team is the reigning NBA champion and when Phil Jackson gets weird and starts talking about your relationship with your former team, you can count on Maverick Carter and others to set the record straight. Here’s our very own Brendan Haywood explaining exactly why Phil Jackson didn’t have to bring LeBron or the word “posse” up at all: 

NOT

Philadelphia 76ers

Jokes about this team’s futility stopped being funny seasons ago, but man, the 76ers are really struggling right now. Sitting at 1-9 on the year, Philly fans have to be wondering if this is going to be another loooooong season. On the bright side? Joel Embiid is still a devastating figure in the paint (and on social media!)

Klay Thompson trade rumors

Klay is not going anywhere, gang. He’s one of the most underrated and versatile defenders in the league. He’s on a very affordable contract and he has routinely proven to be more than capable of carrying the Warriors offense when Steph or new Golden Stater Kevin Durant get chilly from the field. There’s just no way it’s happening. 

Resting players a week into the season

Our own Justin Termine scolds NBA teams for resting players too early into the season. We love you, buddy, but gotta disagree with this “one size fits all” mentality. Some players can probably play more minutes than others, but there has gotta be some wiggle room for different players. 

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon; AP Photo/File; AP Photo/Nick Wass; AP Photo/Seth Wening)