My brother has this impressive Stuart Scott-like ability to make any basketball game seem interesting, regardless of the team's record, roster or any other factor.
That once-in-a-generation ability skipped my gene pool, but what I do have is a cheat sheet called Al Gore's internet that allows me to find the most interesting matchups of the week and gather information on them.
With that information, for the remainder of the season, I'll announce what I view to be the most interesting games of every week, from clear marquee team matchups to glorified one on ones.
One of these glorified matchups will result in a "Building a Franchise" series article, and if a team has more than one must watch games, they will be the subject of that week's case study—a new observative series of columns on selected NBA teams.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Houston Rockets
This game is a two-in-one matchup. From a team perspective, even though the Blazers have started terribly with a 5-8 record, you get to see two fringe Western Conference contenders gauge each other's strength early in the season, and two MVP candidates who have been carrying their teams are set to square off.
Neither Damian Lillard or James Harden is shy about playing hero ball because they are just that.
FiveThirtyEight's new Raptor metric has Harden and Lillard ranked as the first and third-best players in the NBA this season. Both are top-five in scoring rankings with Lillard averaging slightly less than 30 points per game(29.8) and Harden averaging a beard hair under 40(39.5).
If nothing else, watching the two MVP candidates launch a combined 50 shots combined should is enough to watch alone. Oh, and Russell Westbrook and C.J. McCollum will touch the ball every now and then.
Boston Celtics vs Phoenix Suns
The revenge of Aron Baynes. The Devin Booker versus Bill Simmons game. Devin Booker's "I dropped 70 on y'all" game. Brad Stevens versus Monty Williams.
There is no shortage of possible storylines for Boston versus Phoenix, but the best storyline might be the one the least amount of people predicted coming into the season. Both teams are genuinely good.
The Suns have one of the best offenses in the league, ranking third in points per game(117.6), first in assists per game(28.8), third in field goal percentage(47.5) and third in three-point percentage(38.8).
Meanwhile, the Celtics have a powerhouse defense to combat the Suns' offensive firepower. Stevens is leading the Celtics to the second-highest defensive rating in the league(103.9), third-most blocks per game(6.3) and top ten in steals per game(8.1)
Come for stars like Aron Baynes and Kemba Walker, stay for great team basketball.
Karl Anthony-Towns vs. Rudy Gobert
After years of being bullied by his NBA peers, basketball fans, bloggers, schoolgirls, kids on Fortnite and anyone else you can name, Karl Anthony-Towns has started to fight back this season.
The stats have always been there for Towns— a career 22/11 guy—but the fight from the young big man has been exactly what fans have been begging for since he stepped foot in the NBA.
The results are a respectable 7-6 record for Minnesota and a spot in the playoffs if the season were to end 69 games early.
Watching post-breakup, glow up Karl Anthony-Towns battle against the league’s best defensive big man in Rudy Gobert deserves eyeballs for at least the final eight minutes of the game.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors
If you watch this game you are either affiliated with one of these organizations or you should call 1-800-273-8255.
This game is strictly on this article for tanking purposes. Only watch the box score and Ja Morant highlights.
Boston Celtics vs. LA Clippers
Patrick Beverly chasing Kemba Walker around, the debut of a superstar wing duo against a talented young duo, and two of the best coaches in the NBA is a must-watch game from start to finish.
Despite their free-agent superstars not playing a single minute together yet, the Clippers rank top-10 in points, rebounds, field goal percentage, offensive rating and defensive rating. Again, Doc Rivers has a top-3 team in the NBA.
Patrick Beverly chasing Kemba Walker around, a superstar wing duo debuting against a talented young wing duo, and two of the best coaches in the NBA makes for a must-watch game from start to finish.
Pascal Siakam vs. Johnathan Isaac
Yes, this is a playoff rematch from last season. Yes, it will likely be a good game between two good teams.
With that being said, no one cares about the Raptors playing the Magic. The main show is budding superstar Pascal Siakam going at potential Defensive Player of the Year Johnathan Isaac.
Isaac’s Slenderman like arms—7’1 wingspan— allows him to average nearly 3 blocks(2.8) and 1.3 steals a night.
The Florida State product is one of the scariest defensive weapons in the NBA, and he still might not be enough for Pascal Siakam.
Siakam is single-handedly helping Toronto forget the Jordan-sized hole left by Kawhi Leonard, averaging 26.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists. To put that in perspective, Leonard averaged 26.6 points, 7.3 assists and 3.3 assists last season.
Siakam’s that good.
An MVP candidate versus a DPOY candidate. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets
This is a season-defining game.
However, it could easily turn into a Youtube skim, as it is the second half of a back-to-back for Los Angeles and the Clippers have two recovering stars.
But if they do play:
The Clippers have the chance to show the difference between a title contender and a regular season pretender. While the Rockets can prove they should be receiving attention as the real non-LA Finals contender.
Slim chances this matchup actually happens, but a fan can dream.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets
Two certified all-time greats versus two potential all-time greats.
That alone should be enough to draw you in , but a further specification of James harden versus Luka Dončic is "stop everything you're doing and watch this game" status.
Dončic has six triple-doubles on the season, including a 42 point/11 rebound/12 assist performance.
James Harden may be the greatest scorer of all time, but nostalgia and play style stops that conversation before it starts. However, statistically, at 48.5 points per 100 possesions, James Harden is the greatest scorer of all time, including Wilt Chamberlin.
A series of fakes, rocking dribbles and changes in pace consistently makes for a frustrating night for all defenders tasked with guarding Dončic or Harden, evidenced by both averaging over 9 free throw attempts per game, a mark the two share with only Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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