All-Star break has come and gone. Teams are going to kick it up a notch trying to either get better seeding in the playoffs or get into the playoffs. Despite all that shenanigans still abound. Let's get to it. 

Trust the Process?

The Mavs are wilding. Mavs owner, Mark Cuban, was fined for saying that it is best for his team to lose on purpose (tanking). To be quite honest they were doing that despite trying to win on purpose. 

Dallas owner Mark Cuban has been fined $600,000 by NBA for public statements detrimental to league. Cuban made the comments on Feb. 18 regarding Mavericks' competitive success.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 21, 2018

On top of that SI wrote an in-depth investigative report on the awful culture of the Mavs organization. Reading something like that as a woman who loves the game of basketball, and would like to work in the NBA one day is heartbreaking. Women working hard and finally getting their dream jobs for it to turn out to be a nightmare is a hard reality to read about. The gross negligence that took place in that organization was another hard truth to swallow. I hope all those women found great jobs elsewhere, and I hope the Mavs can get their organization. It would be delicious irony if the Mavs tanked for a pick that the league decides to take from them. 

The NBA announced the Dallas Mavericks’ allegations in SI story “runs counter to the steadfast commitment of the NBA … completely unacceptable” and league plans to “closely monitor” team’s independent investigation.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 21, 2018

We shall see how this goes.

On to the funny. 

#Fashion 

CP3 has truly taken to Texas living

It’s Game Night in H-Town! ??#GoTexanDay?? pic.twitter.com/uolnwVA9Yg

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) February 23, 2018

Vintage Victor:

victor oladipo is bringing back short shorts and there’s nothing you can do about it pic.twitter.com/EuPKtm9bmq

— Tim Cato (@tim_cato) February 27, 2018

Stay Woke

Jaylen and Kyrie are bringing deeper meaning to celebrations

lmaooooo the Kyrie/Jaylen third eye celebration pic.twitter.com/NEEXnU3XMt

— Tom Westerholm (@Tom_NBA) February 25, 2018

He must be new to #NBATwitter

Carmelo Anthony on why his shooting numbers are down: “S***, I don’t know...10 years from now, you guys won’t be thinking about no Melo first year in Oklahoma City shot 34 percent.” pic.twitter.com/AhqRNfiDUR

— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) February 27, 2018

We don't deserve Jimmy Butler

Jimmy B, my favorite walking NBA gif, is out due to an injured meniscus. Not sure if you can mail a meniscus, but I'm going to try.  

NEWS: An MRI taken this afternoon on #Twolves forward Jimmy Butler's right knee revealed a meniscal injury. Further updates as to Butler's progress will be issued when more information becomes available. pic.twitter.com/IG3l9cODmb

— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) February 24, 2018

24 hours after his injury, Jimmy B made a kid's wish come true. 

Matthew Long, a @MakeaWish fan from Seattle whose dream was to meet @JimmyButler, had his #WishDay come true tonight! pic.twitter.com/KpWIXGAPeB

— Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) February 25, 2018

#Jimmy4Ever

The Curious Case of Kawhi Leonard

Now I never thought I'd see the day when I'd miss someone who doesn't really talk. BUT Kawhi Leonard has been missed terribly this season. There has been so much speculation surrounding this injury and where he stood with the Spurs organization.

Pop just said he'd be surprised if Kawhi returns this season.

— Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) February 21, 2018

Kawhi has been medically cleared to return to play for a while now. He, however, is not playing due to discomfort. I am not one to fault a player for protecting their body, that is how their money is made, and they only have a short window of time to make it. Are the Spurs pushing him to play? Who knows. I can get more answers out of my dog than the Spurs organization or Kawhi for that matter. 

Confirmed Kawhi Leonard was in the building for Spurs practice today. He was not expected to participate in practice and did not.

— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) February 27, 2018

Kawhi is back with the Spurs, after being in New York for about 3 weeks. He is set to make his return in March. Hopefully sooner rather than later. 

Blake is doing things

What the things are? Unclear.

 

ready to blast off. 3.1.18

A post shared by Blake Griffin (@blakegriffin23) on Feb 27, 2018 at 1:46pm PST

The NBA is the best league 

It's bigger than basketball - @DwyaneWade hits the game-winner while paying respects to Joaquin Oliver, the Parkland shooting victim who was buried in his jersey. #WayOfWade pic.twitter.com/zpMQAGGydL

— Way Of Wade (@WayofWade) February 28, 2018

Athletes, they're just like us

They ask Siri strange things:

One time i told siri to twerk and my phone started vibrating.

— Javale McGee (@JaValeMcGee) February 27, 2018

and sometimes they clock into work and contribute absolutely nothing:

Meanwhile, James Johnson has literally given Miami nothing. 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 1 steal, and 1 turnover so far.

What is he out there for?

— Mario T'Challamers (@NekiasNBA) February 28, 2018