Weird Week in Hoops: Norm's mixed up and KP sucks

Every Sunday, theScore's most discerning minds highlight the week's lighter moments from around the basketball universe. Here's what caught our eyes this week.

Be warned: Weird Week contains coarse content. Or it could not. There's really only one way to find out. One thing we're not touching is Paul Pierce's NSFW Instagram Live on Friday evening. Find that on your own accord.

Weeping for Walker's wounded wrist

No one on NBA Twitter has the gravitas quite like the graphics team at ClutchPoints.

Briefly, it appeared that even San Antonio Spurs youngster Lonnie Walker IV thought he'd left this mortal coil thanks to an aggressively somber note on his minor wrist injury.

Poeltl catches more air than Tony Hawk

As if missing the first free throw by a month wasn't bad enough, San Antonio's angular Austrian Jakob Poeltl only narrowly improved on his second attempt. Are we sure Walker's the only Spur with a wonky wrist?

Norm gets crossed up

The Toronto Raptors sent Norman Powell to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of last Thursday's trade deadline, so the six-year pro was understandably confused about what side to line up on for the opening tip three days later.

Marcus not so Smart after all

Payton Pritchard, Evan Fournier, and Brandon Ingram got tied up to force a jump ball with .03 seconds left on the New Orleans Pelicans' shot clock Monday. The Pels conceded the jump with so little time on the clock, opening the door for Marcus Smart and one of the season's silliest plays.

One can only wonder what Smart said to Kemba Walker after the misguided half-court heave. Sound off in the comments with your best guesses. Smart's mindless moment took some pressure off Evan Fournier, who went 0-for-10 in his Boston Celtics debut for zero points and a minus-12. Magnifique!

Expect Fournier's form to improve now that his coincidentally Celtics-inspired Mercedes AMG GT R arrived in Boston. Must be nice.

Melo up in smoke

Portland Trail Blazers pensioner Carmelo Anthony wasn't feeling the Phantom of the Opera vibes in Detroit ahead of Wednesday's victory over the Pistons. It wouldn't be an issue if Melo was rocking an N95. Nothing screams Phantom of the Opera like a mask.

Shai shy of needles

Oklahoma City Thunder players received the COVID-19 vaccine, and star guard Shai-Gilgeous Alexander sought a helping hand from fellow Canuck Luguentz Dort. It turns out the only Canadians getting the vaccine play in the NBA.

Porzingis gets warm MSG welcome

Granted, the "Nature is Healing" meme is a bit worn at this point of the pandemic, but there truly isn't a more genuine example than a thousand Knicks fans serenading Kristaps Porzingis with a chorus of "KP SUCKS!"

Don't sweat it, Torrey's got you covered

Some will give you the shirt off their back, but for one young Phoenix Suns fan, a sweat-laden terry cloth offering from Torrey Craig will have to do. Wring that thing out for a treat on a hot day.

Greek Freak vs. the Determined German

Imagine you're the rightsholder for premium NBA games. You've had March 31 circled on your calendar for months. What could be better than watching the league's reigning MVP take on LeBron James Anthony Davis Dennis Schroder?

Barkley's baffling breakdown

Finally, Charles Barkley fumbled his analysis of Saturday's Final Four meeting between Baylor and Houston. As the old recruiting adage goes, who needs X's and O's when you've got Jim's and Joe's?

Come back next Sunday for more oddities, inanities, and obscenities from the wonderful world of basketball - and remember to send your nominations and submissions to andrew.potter@thescore.com.