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The NBA season is only a few weeks old, very early days. Still - definitely not too early to ask "what do you think?". And I did just that: asking three of my fellow bloguinites their thoughts on the season as it stands so far.
Here's what I asked:
- What teams have surprised you thus far? Both in a positive way (out-performing your expectations), and negatively (not living up to expectations)...
- Who are the guys that are at the top at the moment (players)?
- Who's the pick of the rookies thus far?
- Make a prediction for something that's going to happen BEFORE Christmas Day...
- A short run-down on your team's performance thus far...
... and here are the responses:
What teams have surprised you thus far? Both in a positive way (out-performing your expectations), and negatively (not living up to expectations)...
As of this early point in the season, I'm surprised by Boston because I knew they would be good, but undefeated good? Didn't see that happening right out the gate. Phoenix is a team that I thought was more or less "done for" this year, and yet they started off strong at 7-1. I thought that Miami might possibly be folding up shop until they could land a huge free agent to pair with D-Wade, and they are currently 6-1.
I'm shocked that New Jersey is 0-7. They have a solid young core and I thought they could play at least .500 ball. New Orleans with a bad record is always surprising, especially considering a completely healthy CP3. That team needs some serious help. The Cavs are a lesser team with Shaq, which isn't completely surprising. They've been playing better of late though.
Oh, and I'm not surprised that the TWolves suck.
 Who are the guys that are at the top at the moment (players)?
I think you have to hand it to Carmelo so far. He's been a complete beast and looks unstoppable. Chris Bosh is putting up insane numbers right now too. Kobe, LeBron, CP3, and Dirk are all up towards the top too, as expected.
Oh, and I almost forgot... Oleksiy "White Hole" Pecherov is a BEAST.
Who's the pick of the rookies thus far?
Brandon Jennings came out the gates scorching, but can he keep up those shooting percentages? It will be interesting to see what happens to his small frame over the course of the season if he ever starts trying to get to the FT line, which he hasn't been doing so far.
Secondly, I like DeJuan Blair and Terrance Williams. Both are greatly exceeding my expectations.
Make a prediction for something that's going to happen BEFORE Christmas Day...
Wolves GM Trader Kahn makes yet another salary clearing trade. How many tens of millions of dollars of cap space do we need?
A short run-down on your team's performance thus far...
I'll keep it short. The Wolves suck. Granted, Big Al is playing at like 60% and Love is out, but still. In all seriousness, at least the Wolves are infinitely more exciting to watch than they have been the past few seasons, and it looks like there is some potential for a decently bright future. It all hinges on this upcoming draft and off-season. Please don't fail us Trader Kahn.
*****
Brumbygg (Celtics Fan), With Malice...
Surprising Teams
Who knew Phoenix would come out of the blocks so fast? A pretty winnable opening 4 games, but you still have to win them. Came down with a crash against the Magic and I don't like their chances in Boston on Friday night (ed: eeek!). They won't have the wheels to go far this season, but a surprisingly good start.
I expected the Jerry and the Jazzmen to be a little better than this. Gimmes at Sac-town and LA-lite don't count for much. The Jazz have to start picking up Ws in games with the Rockets and Mavs. They get the Spurs next and are likely to be 0-for-Texas.
Top Guys
CP3 is carrying a heavy load in the Big Easy and it might start to weigh him down at some point. That point isn't now. 27.8ppg and 8.5apg are very good numbers - if only he had some support! I like that he took it to Rondo when the 55million dollar man started talking smack and I love his competitive spirit.
A lot of teams are going to be considering throwing some big $$ at Chris Bosh at the end of this season if he keeps going at the same clip as he has started. Very impressive start with 31.0ppg and 14.7rpg. Show me the money!!!!
 Kobe is still Kobe and playing like he wants to fill his hand wid da bling (I typed that and instantly knew that I couldn't carry it off!).Melo has come to play this season. The trade for Chauncey Billups was the best thing that ever happened to this team and Melo in particular. 34.5ppg, 6.5rpg and 4.0apg are niiiiice numbers!
Rookie of the Year?
It's Brandon Jennings then daylight right now. In his first pro game, Jennings had 17 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson is the only player in NBA history to record a triple-double in his first professional game.
What is going to happen before Christmas Day?
Hopefully, now that he has the big extension he was looking for that Rajon Rondo will grow up. I'm not banking on it.
How ‘bout them Celtics?
Opening up in Cleveland against the Le Brons is a tough one, but the Celtics played a pretty complete game and never looked like losing. Blowouts against the Bobcats (expected) and Bulls (very welcome) were followed by a workmanlike performance against CP3 (did anyone else show up in a Hornets jersey?) another blowout against the Sixers and a very flat win against the T-Wolves. Doc has to be happy with the way he is able to rest the Big 3 when he needs to. Some very good performances and finding some ways to win when they're not at their best means they're sitting pretty at 6-0. This Celtics fan is pretty contented with the way the team has opened the season.
*****
Don, With Malice...
- What teams have surprised you thus far? Both in a positive way (out-performing your expectations), and negatively (not living up to expectations)...
Definitely the Phoenix Suns. I expected more a period of transition, than being one of the top competitive teams. Nash has turned back the clock, and I believe when I hear guys comparing his possible longevity with that of John Stockton. Anyone else up the top at the moment - well, I either expected them to be there, or I don't *believe* in them. Teams that have been a disappointment thus far... heading that list would be Cleveland. This was supposed to be 'Their Year'. I think that Mike Brown's well out of his depth. Any time you get out-coached by Vinnie Del Negro, well... you're drowning not waving. Simply playing LBJ isn't going to cut it.
- Who are the guys that are at the top at the moment (players)?
Really liking what Kobe's done in the off-season. His post play has been amazing. Melo's been putting up some awesome numbers... but the player that's impressed me the most has been Steve Nash. This is a team that wasn't supposed to be competing at the top levels... yet here they are. Nash has been at the forefront of that effort. He's had some amazing games. The other player that I'm really getting a kick out of watching is Gerald Wallace. Crash's been incredible, and is averaging just under 14 boards (#1 in the Association) with just over 14 points.
 - Who's the pick of the rookies thus far?Who doesn't like the play of Brandon Jennings, he's been amazing. As Rob said: daylight between he & anyone else. Still... watch for Tyreke Evans. With Kevin Martin going down with a wrist injury, I think Evans is really going to close that gap.
- Make a prediction for something that's going to happen BEFORE Christmas Day...
A key player on the Celtics is going to have a significant injury. And LeBron James will say something that continues to fuel the speculation that he'll bail on Cleveland if they don't meet his expectations (read: win a title). Oh... that's already happened.
- A short run-down on your team's performance thus far...
Given the injuries that LA have already have had to deal with, who couldn't help but be impressed by their 6-1 start? Whilst a few guys stepped up lately, Kobe Bryant has been able to put the team on his shoulders and just run. Before he went down with a slight elbow injury, Andrew Bynum was looking damn impressive. Have to make mention of DJ Mbenga's game tho' - making his first starts for LA, he stepped up bigtime on defense.
Adding Bynum and Pau Gasol seems almost mean at this point... but I'm really looking forward to it!
- What teams have surprised you thus far? Both in a positive way (out-performing your expectations), and negatively (not living up to expectations)...
Exceeding expectations: the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat have far exceeded most conventional expectations in the short season to date.
The Suns, the Dad's Army of the league, just don't know how to give up and die. What are the keys to their success? The indefatigable Steve Nash can not be slowed down -- he simply does not know that he is 35 years-old. So far he is averaging career highs in assists and FG% and close to a career-high in points. But it doesn't end there -- everyone knows that Nash improves everyone around him and this greatness has transferred to Jason Richardson and the revived Channing Frye.
South Beach's finest, the Heat have looked fairly uninspiring in recent seasons, as we've watched Dwyane Wade try to carry a squad of disappointing hangers-on. Not too much has changed -- Wade continues to be phenomenal, however Jermaine O'Neal has improved greatly on his recent career slump, whilst Michael Beasley has shaken the off-season's dramas off to represent a fine starter at forward.
Negatively, the Toronto Raptors, despite being bolstered with the addition of Hedo Turkoglu (amongst nine new additions) have failed to put a winning record on the board so far. Career form from Andrea Bargnani and consistent brilliance from Chris Bosh has not masked the fact that the team is still putting it all together. Sitting at 3-4, the team was expected to do well with the squad they have. It is not too late however and a slow start has to be expected with this many new players.
- Who are the guys that are at the top at the moment (players)?
The superstars of the league have all come out firing at different times so far. Kobe Bryant leads the league in scoring. Dirk Nowitzki's amazing 29-point fourth quarter to bring his team back against the Jazz was stunning. Carmelo Anthony has never played better, bringing premature hype from TV presenters that he deserves MVP consideration. LeBron James' brilliance is so consistent that we take it for granted. Kevin Martin is one that constantly is underrated by the casual fan, but who is scoring fantastically at over 30 per game.
- Who's the pick of the rookies thus far?
There are some GREAT rookies getting around. The fans in Sacto want their boy Tyreke Evans to win ROY and have even started a twitter movement to garner attention for 'Reke. He's starting, averaging 15.9ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.9apg and 1.6spg. Great in anyone's language. He's not the only one though.
Brandon Jennings almost hit a triple double ON DEBUT. He has to be a forerunner so far, with his 18.4ppg, 4.4apg, 4.0rpg and 1.6spg. There are plenty of great young point guards around as well, including Jonny Flynn, Ty Lawson and Stephen Curry. DeJuan Blair is doing a great job off the bench in San Antonio too.
So far though, the favourites have to be Evans and Jennings.
- Make a prediction for something that's going to happen BEFORE Christmas Day...
Before Santa arrives, the Toronto Raptors will push their way up into the elite of the Eastern Conference with some solid wins. The team is putting it all together and have had fine individual performances from their stars, but just need some cohesion to convert those individual efforts into a winning record.
- A short run-down on your team's performance thus far...
The Blazers have jumped out of the gate a little slower than expected. The injury to Nicolas Batum had to effect defensive chemistry in some negative way and the integration of a new floor general in Andre Miller is no small task. The signs were already there in the pre-season that this would not be an easy transition, with inconsistent performances across the board.
The key positives to be taken so far have been the play of LaMarcus Aldridge and Martell Webster. LMA has justified his new contract with outstanding offensive output, turning into a real team leader in this respect. Webster has proven that any rust from his injury-erased 08-09 season has been well and truly shaken off. He is in top form at both ends of the floor -- his defensive efforts in particular being very welcome.
Cohesion and chemistry is clearly coming together, being proven in the last two wins over Minnesota and San Antonio, with coach Nate McMillan's three-guard lineup working wonders for transition basketball. There is no doubt that this team is about to turn the corner and become the promising force that many have predicted.
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