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With the season underway and Thanksgiving having happened, I decided to do a little list of things I have been thankful for so far this season. Five simple things that have made me grateful and thankful to a fan of basketball, so here are my 5 things.
5) Kyrie Irving: Look as much coverage as the Lakers and Nets have received so far for not good basketball that won’t happen in this article. But one of things I am thankful for has been the extreme hubris and disillusionment of everyone’s favorite hooping uncle Kyrie Irving.
In what is supposed to be a show and prove season for Irving he has started off on a wrong foot with a storm of controversy, specifically some anti-Semitic commentary about highly manipulative documentary where Irving stated some parts of the documentary were right or informative. Naturally this did not go well causing a rather intense back and forth with writer Nick Friedell after one game all leading to suspension that required Irving to do certain things in order to be reinstated by the team to which he did with a fight of course.
So, expect the saga and chaos that is Kyrie Irving to erupt again, or the Nets finally become fed up and part ways with Irving then tear down this very disappointing tenure they invested in with Irving and Kevin Durant back in 2019 hopefully to a fresh slate for all parties.
4) Orlando Magic Frontcourt: This next thing I am grateful could be considered a guilty pleasure I guess, but the Orlando Magic in particular their frontcourt combinations of #1 pick Paolo Banchero, second year stud Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr and hidden gem Bol Bol have made things a little exciting in Orlando. This dynamic amongst those forwards is simply amazing and must-see TV if you have NBA league pass, they make not be a playoff contender this season, but they certainly will be an entertaining up and coming group to look out for this season.
3) The New Orleans Pelicans: I never thought I would say this but one of the things that I am thankful for thus far in the NBA season is the New Orleans Pelicans! I know, I know stop the press, but the Pelicans have been a pleasant surprise so far. They seem to be a young contending team that will hit their stride this season with all the pieces together and healthy of course. But the potential between Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson is massive along with evolutions of Herb Jones, Jose Alvarado and others can make for deep playoff run in the French Quarter this spring.
2) Haliburton & Mathurin: The Indiana Pacers were expected to be one of the less desirable teams this season and bricking for Vic (Victor Wembanyama), but they have been a feisty and competitive team with one of the more promising backcourts duos in the world with Tyrese Haliburton and rookie break out stud Bennedict Mathurin.
This duo has taken the league by surprise and given Pacer fans something hopeful going forward, with Haliburton making a strong case for most improved player and Mathurin doing the same for Rookie of the Year if nothing else comes from this season the potential superstar boom of Haliburton and Mathurin is totally worth it.
1) SGA! SGA! SGA!: And the number 1 thing I am thankful for this far in the NBA season is the emergence of one of the if not the best kept secret in the association today Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder! Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) is finally being allowed to let loose and play basketball for the Thunder who normally hold him back or shut him down early to in case draft pick odds, but with the unfortunate injury to their top pick from this year’s draft Chet Holmgren maybe this was the sign to let SGA go finally.
SGA alongside of 2nd year stud Josh Giddey have been top priority appointment TV for NBA league pass, Basketball fans and nerds alike who have been waiting to see this combo truly unleashed. But Gilgeous-Alexander has amazing so far making not only a strong case for Most Improved Player but may be Most Valuable Player, which could little too much, too soon but the possibilities are endless and promising with SGA this season.