Over-reacting to the start of the NBA season

There is no better time to overreact to the NBA season than after the first few games, we have waited months, as basketball fans, for the season to return. What else are we going to do?

The Denver Nuggets were champions not that long ago, however, it appears that their window of winning a championship has closed. The majority of the great bench core they had has moved on and they are left with a stagnant offence that other teams have solved. They are stuck using the two man game of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic which was once a second resort for not being able to score, but, it has become their main option and other teams have noticed that if they double Jokic a lot of the Nuggets game dissapears. One player in particular who is causing problems for them is Russel Westbrook who seems to have reached a point in his career where his output isn't worth as much as keeping him. He is no longer a consistent 3 point shooter and teams do not guard him, tempting him to shoot which often ends airballing and ending in a turnover of possession and when he drives the paint it is often to busy duie to doble teams leading to missed layups and inconsitent shooting and when the team is already lacking in areas they once had covered it does nopt help to have another problem added to your list. They are missing the shooting that KCP gave them as well as experience off the bench, he was integral in their title win and opther players like Braun and Strawther have taken a step down this season leaving Jokic to try and rally them to victories on his own. They no longer are the team they used to be and it is doubtful that they will be successful this season or is it just the time of the season for overreactions?

OKC were excellent last season, in Chet Holmgren's rookie season, and along with Shai they were able to be very successful and even made a push in the playoffs before being taken down by the Dallas Mavericks and Luka Doncic. This season they seem to be out for blood, Shai has continued his MVP form and Chet Holmgren has taken a step up to potentially an All-NBA level and hs had multiple excellent games dominating the defnesive and offensive end and along with Jaden WIlliams they could be one of the biggest contenders oput of the West this season. As fans of basketball it is excellent to see OKC finally shining after the era of KD, Russ and HArden and hopefully this team can achieve what they couldn't and can win the championship, however, they will face tough competition out East in teams like the Celtics who have also been a dominant force this season so far.

The Boston Celtics have started the season incredibly and it has been epitomised by their 3 point shooting. When looking at the depth chart it is hard to find a fault with their team and almost every player, bench and starting 5, is an excellent 3 point shooter. In the first game of the season they were able to tie the 3 point record and had such a lead in the 4th quarter that they shot 13 straight threes in an attempt to break the record. One man in particular has been rallying the Celtics together and it is no suprise: after Jaylen Brown picked up Finals MVP and a disappointing Olympics it seems like a fire has been lit in the stomach of Jayson Tatum as he has started the season on absolutely searing form. averaging 28.5 points through the first 4 games. Now, although it is early the Celtics certainly look prepared for a deep run and it isn't exactly something new for a team that has been to the finals 2 times in the last 3 years and making the Eastern Conference finals the only year they didn't make it. They have role players who are borderline All Stars in Jrue Holiday and Derrick White who both are excellent two-way players and because of how difficult it is to find a fault in their rotation, it is likely they walk to the finals and could go back-to-back for the first time since Bill Russell was a Boston Celtic and what an achievemnt that would be. Tatum is an MVP candidate and the players around him compliment him perfectly.

The Indian Pacers have put up an unfortunate string of results to start the season and one man who is normally a top peformer for them has been almost invisibe: Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton was the main man last season and an All-NBA caliber player but for some reason he is struggling to start off the season. Against the New York Knicks their strugglies were amplified as they shot 10% from 3 despite having multiple excellent 3 point shooters in Siakam, Mathurin and Haliburton but none of them seem to be able to put it together. There is one simple answer: if your playmaker is not ticking how do you percieve to be able to win games. Haliburton hasn't been the best playmaker in the league like he was considered by many last season and the team are clearly struggling. As the season unravels the front office will hope that the team can put it together before they are given an ultimatum: make changes or tank for the lottery. Given them buying into the team last season with the Pascal Siakam trade it will be highly disappointing for the fans and players if they have to give up on the season because of poor form.

The Milwaukee Bucks seem to be past their championship window. Khris Middleton is ageing and so is Giannis. They bought in with the Damian Lillard trade but it appears to have come back and slapped them in the face. The Shaq and Kobe comparisons died out quickly and last season was a wholly disappointing year but not for the man they traded away: Jrue Holiday who was quintessential to the Celtics triumph and his defensive abilities proved his usefullness to a Championship caliber team, something the Bucks were missing given Damian Lillard is no longer as good of a defender as he used to be and he wasn't the greatest to start with. If they can stay healthy they could make a playoff push but the front office will have their tail between their legs if this season is not a success.

The Orlando Magic have been on the brink of success for a few seasons, developing their young players and waiting for the right moment to make a push. This season feels like it could be the year with Paolo becoming the youngest forward to score 50 points since Lebron James as well as Suggs' improved shooting and defense and Wagner being an excellent high volume shooter. There are a lot of parts to a championship team that are starting to come together in Orlando with veterans like KCP who can come in and provide championship experience to impart on the young guys like Wagner, someone who can definitely capitalise on KCP's knowledge. They could have a very exciting season if they can carry on the form they are on currently for a sustained period.

The Clippers have been a shock to start the season. Kawhi, as usual, is missing the start of the season but it hasn't been all bad for the Clippers their "system" in James Harden has been electric with multiple 20 and 10 games but that is what we've come to expect of him. What wasn't expected was that Norman Powell would be as good as he has been. He has had a few games of electric form but that doesn't mean he will kepp this up forever. But, even if Powell doesn't keep it up they have an advantage with their new stadium and their "wall" of fans. KD described it as "insane" after a game where he missed two free throws in front of the wall triggering free chicken for any fan there, an incentive that will keep them intimidating opposition players at the free throw line.

Yet again the 76ers are load managing Joel Embiid and they will face investigation because of it. It is impossoble to win a championship when your MVP isn't playing and despite injury concerns the 76ers cannot just leave him on the bench if they wish to complete the "process." Although they have been performing well, if Joel doesn't put it together this year it feels like their window has closed. They have built so many teams around Embiid that have been unsuccessful, yet, when these players leave the 76ers they are successful. For example, Jimmy Butler. Is this a sign that Embiid isn't the player to bring the 76ers to glory or is it just all a bad turn of fate?

The Knicks appeared to go all in this off-season. They made two big trades, one for Mikal Bridges where they didn't lose out on too much and one for Karl-Anthony Towns where they gave up their All-NBA man in Julius Randle and their consistent volume shooter: Donte Divincenzo. The two men they have traded away to Minnesota have been on fire with Randle and Antony Edwards being an amazing duo so far. New York are definitely missing the volume shooting of Donte as Mikal Bridges, despite being an excellent 3 point shooter, does not shoot as much as Donte and has been inconsistent from 3 to start the season. He also comes in playing a similar role to OG Annunoby and it is hard to see how they will both be able to be on the court and if one of them isn’t what issues could it cause for the club.

The Timberwolves have traded away KAT and it puts them in a situation where Ant has become the main man. Julius Randle is a second star and he could be perfectly complimentary for Ant. He is a good defender, shooter and scorer; giving Antony Edwards an option when he is being double teamed and in the first few games together they have begun to build a beautiful attacking relationship. As well as Randle, they obviously have also picked up Donte who as previously stated is an excellent shooter and will provide floor spacing that lets Ant do his thing in the paint and when he can’t provides an option to go get a bucket. The Timberwolves were competitive with KAT and it appears they can be just as good rallying behind Antony Edwards who is slowly becoming the face of the league and this season is a perfect opportunity to cement himself and his mentality will allow him to do that.

It felt that losing a key part of what built the dynasty in Klay Thompson would push Steph and Co. out of contention for a Championship, however, Buddy Hield seems to have become the Klay Thompson we all miss and has been incredible to start the season. With a three point shooter of his caliber working alongside Steph Curry it is no wonder. A combination of skill and expertise could lead them back to playoff contention and if they continue their current form it would be an uncomfortable conversation surrounding Steph Curry who has already changed the game, but if he was able to win a 5th ring the conversation over the players who are better than him all-time would become difficult. Their chances will also be greatly improved in Kuminga takes a step up along with Moses Moody and other young players on the team. There is a good mix of premium championship experience and young talent; they will be an exciting team if they keep up this form.