PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: NBA LEAGUE PASS IS FREE FOR ONE LAST NIGHT
Now that the PSA is out of the way, we can get to the regularly scheduled post.
The NBA has been in full swing for a week now, and it’s interesting already. Some teams are up, some are down, and we’ll break it all down here:
Cleveland is gonna take some time –
We could have guessed this, but the promise of that team was (and is) so damn exciting.
Instead of a Harlem Globetrotter-like offense, the Cavaliers have had some highlight plays, but more moments of confusion and frustration. Case in point, LeBron James had eight turnovers in his first game against the Knicks. Easily one of his worst games as a pro.
Until the kinks get worked out of the offense, expect more possessions to devolve into ISO’s…something Dion Waiters will be more than happy to provide.
I’ll be watching the defense going forward. Right now, it seems like the Cavs’ best lineups are offense heavy. Anderson Varejao is their best interior defender. But what happens when he gets hurt? Finding the right balance between offense and defense could be mean “championship” or “bust” for Cleveland.
Dark days in Oklahoma City 🙁 –
It was bad enough that Kevin Durant broke his foot.
Then Russell Westbrook broke his hand 21 minutes into the season.
What have we done to forsake thee, Based God?!?!?!
To put it mildly, the Thunder are f*cked.
Durant, Westbrook, Reggie Jackson, and Jeremy Lamb are all various levels of hurt to start the season. In the Western Conference that could mean missing the playoffs. The margin of error is that slim. Phoenix missed the playoffs with 48 wins last year after all.
So what do they do…besides make a sacrifice to Lil’ B?
Pray. Rely on depth. Start scouting for the Draft Lottery.
The Knicks might be…good –
Which would be a disappointment. Not that I really care, my Pistons have their own problems. But the Knicks misery up and down my timeline is one of the things that makes Twitter fun.
Instead, the Knicks are playing well. They’re moving the ball, playing defense, and have two solid wins to show for it.
Ball movement and defense. Who would’ve thought that could lead to wins? What a concept!
Anthony Davis. –
29 points. 16 rebounds. 6 blocks.
If he keeps up these averages, I’m growing a unibrow.
I’m excited to see Davis realizing his potential. The team around him still isn’t great (but at least they’re the 6th highest payroll in the league!), so it will take time for his performance to translate into wins. But at least the Pelicans know they have a franchise star to build around.
And if they continue to suck, he can join LeBron in a few years. Win/win for me as a fan of good basketball.
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That’s what caught my eye after a glorious week of NBA basketball. What about you? Have any of your preseason predictions changed? Who’s surprised you thus far?
Hit the comments and let me know!
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CP3 had a triple double last night. But that’s not that big a deal somehow.
These Cavs aren’t as good as the Miami Big 3 were their first year. LeBron is better but thinking they would dominate out the gates was absurd. I’ll give them first, maybe second round of the playoffs.
This feels like when the first Heat team went 9-8. Errbody was writing them off too. There’s too much talent for them not to get it together, at least on offense. And their offense could be good enough to carry them to the Finals.
Last night against a tough front court in Memphis, Anthony had 14 pts, 8 rebs and 1 blk. In fact, against tough front courts, that’s what Anthony does. I’d like to say, “Now that’s more like it.”
4 Things to Care Most About:
1. How low can you go? 76ers publicly tanking and now i’m holding them to it!
2. James Harden is the most entertaining player right now… and we all know this team won’t make it to the Conf Finals.
3. Stop gassing! There’s at least three teams that are getting 93-octane right now when we all know they’re not as good as advertised. Stop gassing Miami, New York and Sacramento.
4. “It’s a damn shame what they did to that dog.” – Kobe don’t deserve this.
Not a surprise, but the Wizards are looking without their prominent player B. Beal.
Just saw them play last night against the Pistons and they really are playing hard.