The times have changed in the NBA. This season so far has been full of usual powerhouses but also unpredictable upstarts. From what I’m seeing unlike anyone who is a basketball nerd is a year that can be anyones for the taking instead of 4 teams, anyways let’s get to it shall we!
Leading the way as of right now is the Defending Champions in the LA Lakers. Once again LeBron and Anthony Davis are putting together MVP caliber years despite having career lows for minutes. The reasoning is either age or because of the depth around the roster. The most consistent players besides the 2 cornerstones are Kyle Kuzma and KCP. Both are putting career years at this point. Oh yes they set the franchise record for the most wins away from Staples Center to start the season with an 8-0 road record before losing to Philly. As they say to be a champion you have to win on the road. The rest of the NBA isn’t shocked!
Their main challenger in the West at this point is none other than their arch rivals in the Clippers. This year’s edition of LA’s 2nd Team comes with a refreshed Ty Lue returning to being the coach of a real team like he was in Cleveland. Well similar to having King James and Kyrie he has Kawhi Leonard and Paul George who are AS USUAL putting up All Star years. They so far have gotten the best of the Lakers in both the preseason and regular season, plus if they have any chance that they have of getting home court in the playoffs (It doesn’t matter in LA because they are roommates in Staples Center with LeBron) they will need the depth to step up more often than they have had earlier this season. It can’t be just the Klaw and PG13.
Leading the way in the East so far is the Philadelphia 76ers. So far the Doc Rivers and Daryl Morey experiment has worked out perfectly for these guys. Well it’s hard to tell since most of their games so far have been at home and they have dominated at Wells Fargo ever since 2018. Joel Embiid so far is in the discussion for MVP and unlike last year they are not 1 dimensional like Ben Simmons is since Danny Green and Seth Curry have so far played up to expectations. By the way, when did Tobias Harris become good again?
Well the Milwaukee Bucks as usual aren’t that far back because of yet another strong start. So far Jrue Holiday has had the best season of his career putting together triple doubles almost every night. The main reason for their success is of course Giannis Antetokounmpo, he has had his struggles from the free throw line (Don’t be jealous of the media!) but is still on pace to win his 3rd straight MVP. Also can we give Khris Middleton the credit he deserves for getting off to the best start of his career, that too. The one thing that concerns me as a homer of this team could be some of the decisions Mike Budenholtzer makes in close games. They could be 13-3 instead of 10-6 but it’s early in the season and they don’t hit their stride until the 2nd Half, just watch you’ll thank me later.
Boston as usual is off to a promising start. Getting Kemba Walker back in the mix was job 1 and he has so far played decently since he came back. The main reasons for their early success is Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum both entering the primes of their careers. I think they are one of those teams that doesn’t get enough love from the media because they really don’t have mega star players, it’s because they are a well oiled machine.
The same can be said about the Utah Jazz. Even with Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert so far playing up to their max contracts they like so many teams in the West live in the shadows of the LA menace. You can’t really say that since their depth like Derrick Favors Bojan Bogdanovic and Mike Conley despite playing through injuries have also made contributions. I will give these guys some time before they can really compete with the big boys.
BOOM! The Brooklyn Nets just sent the rest of their depth and draft picks for James Harden. Yes he is a total diva that was a headcase in Houston but I feel like he wanted out of there so he could be with his buddy Kevin Durant as well. So their starting 5 is going to be Harden, KD, Kyrie, Deandre Jordan (past his prime), and Joe Harris (who is having a career year) And now everyone is crowning them Eastern Conference Champions by default. Just as I said that THEY LOST 2 IN A ROW TO THE CAVS HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I need to do a document on them don’t I.
During the Harden trade the Indiana Pacers gave up Victor Oladipo to the Rockets as well as getting a pick swap from the Nets as well as an emerging talent in Caris LeVert. Like most years they don’t have a true superstar but they are a team that basically has no weaknesses. Well it appears that Malcolm Brogdan at the moment has avoided the injury bug while TJ Warren is trying to regain his form from the Orlando Bubble last year. That and if Miles Turner doesn’t start to decline.
How about the offseason champions in the Wizards, how are they doing? (YoYo sound) This is what happens when you have a team with no depth. Trading a king’s ransom to Houston for Russell Westbrook looks like a mistake and Bradley Beal wants out as well. Scott Brooks we tried warning you about bringing in the Old Gang from OKC. Please don’t pretend it’s still 2012, just ask the Nets that question too. By the way don’t they have a major COVID outbreak as well, it sounds like it. This is why I never became a Wizards fan as a little boy, Terrible Ownership and being nejerk about future plans. I need a doc on them too.
How about LaMelo Ball and Hornets? What do they have up their sleeves? BOOM! Well you can blame their schedule as well as the depth overachieving. At least this year is laying the foundation for the future since Gordan Hayward has also lived up to his contract despite an early injury. Michael Jordan at least you’re on the right track.
The Nuggets like most years have gone under the radar in terms of talent and coaching. At least Nikola Jokic is having the best season during his tenure in Denver. That and not to mention Garry Harris hasn’t missed a beat despite being out of the bubble with Jamal Murray also contributing to the cause. This team like Boston, Utah, and Indiana is well oiled and has promise thanks to solid coaching. Will the media ever respect these guys.
I keep forgetting about the Miami Heat. Ever since they were denied their potential franchise player this offseason (Giannis wasn’t facing a large media audience unlike Milwaukee and Anthony Davis wanted to be with LeBron long term) it has been downhill for them. Jimmy Butler and postseason hero Tyler Herro have been injured and the rest of the core hasn’t done any better. Any team that runs a small ball system when their tallest player in Bam Adebayo is 6’10 you basically have to shoot almost 60% from the floor to win games, just ask the Nets, Wizards, or Spurs that question.
Then of course there is the Raptors. Being the only Canadian team in the league and having to find a home in Tampa Bay for a year is not in the teams best interests. Not having the comfy confines of Scotiabank Arena to help them out has taken its toll. And this isn’t even the worst part, the team is dealing with free agent dilemmas this offseason. Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakum, and Serge Ibaka are all in the final years of their contracts and are likely gone. Don’t trade Siakum to Brooklyn boys!
There really hasn’t been any favorites so far with the competition in either conference being top heavy with teams like the Suns, Cavs, Hawks, Spurs, Warriors, Knicks (Yes I said that right), and Thunder as well as other squads in the mix. With the trade deadline coming up it’s clearing going to be all hands on deck for most teams that are contenders to keep up with the SuperTeams. What will we ensue!
Bragging Rights Sports 