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Well with the NBA season underway for about 2 weeks now, it is never too early to have some takes or be impressed by some teams and players. So, I have seven impressions or takes that I have of the season that will be something to keep an eye on.
Big Green Machine
There are two teams that have come out the gate looking head and shoulders above the competition in their conference, and they are the Nuggets and Celtics. But the focus here is on Boston, with the additions of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis have been huge to this Celtic team. The x-factor for their season is Porzingis who has been unbelievable for this team and makes defending them difficult.
But Porzingis health history is checkered and not the best so Celtic nation is excited, but I would advise them to slow down because Kristaps can hurt and be out for a long time that would throw everything off. Regardless, right now the Celtics are the Big Green Machine to fear in the east if all stays on course.
The Harden Effect
Well for the third time in very recent memory James Harden forced his way out of another team to his preferred destination which this team is Los Angeles which is not the Lakers but the Clippers who are clearly all in right now with this team as constructed. So, the pressure is on this Paul George and Kawhi Leonard era to not only make the playoffs and go deep but make it to the finals now with Harden.
However, there is no possible for anyone to overlook the massive concerns with this roster from the injury history and games missed between Leonard and George, to Harden’s ability to adapt to this team and actually perform at an elite level come playoff time, to how does Russell Westbrook fit with this team now? A lot of red flags that may be overlooked right now will come to forefront when it’s playoff time/pressure situations for this snakebitten franchise and players.
On the flip side, the 76ers can breathe a sigh of relief getting rid of the Harden issue that would derail this season. Yes the Joel Embiid part hangs over the team but right now Embiid should be happy especially with the breakout play of Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris so far under new head coach Nick Nurse. Now with plenty of assets to use GM Wildman Daryl Morey can potentially make a big move to better this team.
Bad Boy Pistons are back?
Despite their record of 2-5 it may be time to say the Bad Boy Pistons are back! But like all things this version of the bad boys has evolved to a young athletic, dynamic group of promising talent with some edge to them. Cade Cunningham looks incredible, Isaiah Stewart potentially becoming the new Bill Laimbeer, Jalen Duren is a major player, and rookie Ausar Thompson is the perfect complement to Cunningham and Ivey. Hopefully in the in-season tournament the Pistons can make a surprising run and slowly return to some national attention while being that young team on the rise in the east that the top should keep an eye on going forward.
Possibly The Best Sidekick Ever!
In the immortal words of rap god Eminem “Will the real Anthony Davis please stand up!” And despite everyone’s obvious denial he is certainly standing up and out as the guy that cannot and will not willing become the number one option that a team runs through for a title run. We have heard the same proclamation and mantra for Davis the last few years where he has come short each time offensively.
Barely being able to score outside of 10 feet, inconsistent shooting, and a clear avoidance from being the primary option for this Laker team as LeBron is in year 21 and trying to be on some minute restrictions in order to get the best LeBron for the playoffs. Davis has shown that he is perfectly content with his ceiling being the Robin to someone’s Batman, the Flavor Flav to someone’s Chuck D which is not what the Lakers want or hope for considering the many assets and the 2020’s they basically gave away for him but maybe I’m just a hater or maybe, MAYBE I’m right on this subject.
The Wembanyama Experience
Well, I showed some good restraint waiting this long to bring up rookie sensation/phenom Victor Wembanyama, who has been a viral clip every night the Spurs have played with some of things he does that we simply have not seen from a player his size. From his transition threes to the exceptional dribbling for a big to not being afraid of the moment and competitive spirit he has shown so far.
His presence on defense has been incredible to the point where he makes stars like Kevin Durant adjust or second guess the shots, they take against the freakish Wembanyama, but also this has translated into some wins and gives the Spurs major hope and excitement about the future along with possibly making a run at the play-in spots.
Growing Thunder
I have been extremely bullish and optimistic about the Oklahoma City Thunder before the season started and they have not disappointed. With a 3-3 record and star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out with injury the Thunder has been fun seeing this team grow into potential contenders in the future. Rookie Cason Wallace has made an impact so far almost being their version of Jrue Holiday, Josh Giddey’s game continues to expand, and the presence of Chet Holmgren is a clear momentum swinger for this team with his rim protecting and play offensively could be vital to where the Thunder will finish in the West this year.
The In-Season tournament might be good after All.
Last Friday was the beginning of the new in-season tournament that surprisingly was good and might be a good thing when it comes to bringing fans into the NBA season with interest before the Christmas day games that is usually when the interest picks up. I was very skeptical of this but so far it looks like a positive and certain teams had a little extra intensity in their games and got to admit I’m a fan of the court designs (Not so much the City Edition Jerseys just stop there’s only so many alternatives/theme teams can do) But Friday night basketball can become a thing with this tournament being appointment TV this early for the NBA.
