What an opening week. From the double overtime thriller between Orlando and OKC, rookies proving that they belong, and the point guard duel between Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook.
Oh, and the “Based God” curse on James Harden. Whatever.
30. PHILADELPHIA 76’ERS (0-2) Last Week-30
Jalil Okafor showed much promise in his rookie debut in a Sixers loss. He flashed multiple post moves, range on his jumper, and some ability to pass out of the double team. Sadly, nobody else on the Sixers roster have shown up to the new season yet offensively.
29. BROOKLYN NETS (0-3) Last Week- 27
The apparent struggles of this season for the Nets have started earlier than most imagined. The Nets have no identity, direction, or desire to make shots.
28. LOS ANGELES LAKERS (0-3) Last Week- 25
The Lakers have four or five players with the same basketball abilities, and it’s stunting the growth of it’s young rookie, D’Angelo Russell. With Kobe Bryant still jacking shots, along with Nick Young and Lou Williams off the bench. They’re scoring the ball, but it’s hard to watch at times
27. DENVER NUGGETS (1-2) Last Week- 29
The season started off nicely by dubbing the defending WCF participants, Houston Rockets. But of course, the poor shooting and inconsistency followed the next two games. On the bright side, Danilo Galinari is still healthy and will find his shooting stroke soon.
26. PORTLAND TRAIL BALZERS (1-2) Last Week- 28
As I expected, the backcourt of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum has been electric thus far. The frontcourt has shown their inexperience and coach Terry Stotts is still trying to find a solid rotation to match it’s backcourt.
25. CHARLOTTE HORNETS (0-3) Last Week- 21
The time to see what Jeremy LAmb can do in this league is NOW! They can use his shooting (when he’s consistent), especially with news that he and the Hornets agreed to a new 3 year extension.
24. ORLANDO MAGIC (0-3) Last Week- 23
Orlando must really love playing the Oklahoma City Thunder. Dating back to last season, the Magic have played the Thunder to the last buzzer at home twice. They have fight in them, and Kevin Durant stated that they’re a playoff team this season after the Thunder barely escaped their double OT victory.
23. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (2-0) Last Week- 26
Karl Anthony Towns has been solid thus far. He became the youngest player in history to have a line of 28 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks, and has two double-doubles to start off his rookie campaign. Defensively, their defense has been better than expected as they’re ranked #1 in opposing FG%, opposing 3-PT%, and 4th in opposing PPG.
22. INDIANA PACERS (0-3) Last Week- 17
Identity is a major issue for this roster. Player and coaching staff realizes that. It’s expected too when you try to change a style of the East’s version of the “Grit & Grind” that Memphis displays, to an up-tempo style that they’re clearly not used to. But it’s early in the season and should be expected to turn it around soon.
21. NEW YORK KNICKS (2-1) Last Week- 24
I’m in love with the way this team has played thus far. Their first 9 of 11 games this season will be against 2015 playoff teams. They’re 2-0 on the road with wins against Washington and Milwaukee. I’m serious, keep your eye on this team. This is a different Knicks team.
20. SACRAMENTO KINGS (1-2) Last Week- 19
DeMarcus Cousins has started the season hot, and injured. He’s been diagnosed with a strained Achilles, which scared many fans like myself because he’s on my fantasy team. Aside from that, they have had two highly contested games against the hated rival LA Clippers, and Rajon Rondo has been a reliable scorer.
19. PHOENIX SUNS (2-1) Last Week- 22
I’m still not overly thrilled about this team honestly. Although, the backcourt of Brandon Knight and Eric Bledsoe have looked good together. Both average over 20 PPG and 45% FG, and the defense has looked pretty good.
18. MILWAUKEE BUCKS (0-3) Last Week- 13
The Bucks will get better. They have the youth, length, coaching, and now inside scoring. But their defense that made them a surprise playoff team last season hasn’t shown up yet, as their ranked 28th in opposing PPG. Khris Middleton has also started off slow on both ends.
17. BOSTON CELTICS (1-2) Last Week- 15
I’ve said it at the beginning of the season and I’m sure I’ll be saying it all season long, Isaiah Thomas has shown that he’s the best player on the Celtics roster. Thomas is the only player averaging over 13 PPG. He’s averaging 22 PPG in just 28 MPG.
16. DALLAS MAVERICKS (2-1) Last Week- 18
Dirk Nowitzki isn’t finished yet. The 37 year old has had a solid start to the season. He’s averaging 17 points on 55% FG and 8 rebounds, and is filling the void nicely until Chandler Parsons, Wesley Matthews and Deron Williams had contribute on a nightly basis.
15. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (0-3) Last Week- 11
The Pelicans backcourt was shredded twice by Stephen Curry this young season and Anthony Davis has tried all he can to keep the Pelicans in games so far. But like expected, they’ve been hit with a mountain of injuries. The record definitely shows.
14. UTAH JAZZ (2-1) Last Week- 16
The Jazz defense from last season has carried into this season, as their ranked 1st in opposing PPG at 94 PPG. The Jazz frontcourt has been terrifying to defend and score on. Rudy Gobert is averaging 13 RPG and 3.7 BPG, while frontcourt mate Derrick Favors has been nice offensively (21 PPG on 52%). This can be a very good season for the Jazz.
13. DETROIT PISTONS (3-0) Last Week- 20
Much like the Knicks, this team has been a pleasant surprise. Their starting unit has been extremely consistent with their play, and started 3-0 for the first time in years. Andre Drummound has been an man beast as expected while averaging 18 PPG, 16 RPG and 2 BPG
12. HOUSTON ROCKETS (0-3) Last Week- 5
They have looked ugly to start the season off. They’ve lost by 20 points each of their 3 games, and James Harden doesn’t look like the MVP candidate like last season. He’s shooting 22% FG and 9% 3-PT (18 PPG).
11. WASHINGTON WIZARDS (2-1) Last Week- 14
The backcourt has looked great, mainly Bradley Beal, who would like to get a contract extension before Monday’s deadline. His numbers through the last postseason and the first 3 games this season shows that he deserves it.
10. ATLANTA HAWKS (3-1) Last Week- 7
After an opening night defeat, the Hawks have reeled off 3 straight victories. But they clearly don’t look like they can be that 60 win team from last season. But of course, it’s still early.
9. MIAMI HEAT (2-1) Last Week- 9
Hasaan Whiteside had himself a nice ball game Sunday night in a come from behind victory at home, but Dwayne Wade has been a pleasant surprise in his 13th year in the league. He hasn’t shown signs of any aches from his body and is averaging 21 PPG in 30 MPG.
8. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (2-1) Last Week- 8
After a blowout loss on opening night at home, the Grizz will have to endure a five game road trip against GSW, SAC, POR, UTAH, LAC.
7. CHICAGO BULLS (3-1) Last Week- 10
The new offensive schemes in Chicago has shown and role players from last season have become major contributors. Nikola Mirotic is a early candidate for Most Improved Player, and the new bench spearheaded by Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah can be scary of the defensive end.
6. TORONTO RAPTORS (3-0) Last Week- 12
Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan has gotten off to a fast start, but let’s hope this fast start doesn’t end up like the 2014-15 season with injuries and dip in the standings.
5. SAN ANTONIO SPURS (2-1) Last Week- 2
This drop isn’t because they have a loss, it’s because the teams in my top 5 are extremely deep and have shown thus far. The Spurs are still trying to work with the new additions, but there’s no doubt that they’ll click sooner than later.
4. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (3-0) Last Week- 5
The Clippers will go as far as Blake Grifin takes them. Griffin has shown the most improvement out of anyone else in the league the past 3 or 4 seasons. He’s averaging 32 PPG & 9 RPG thus far and his midrange is like water now.
3. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (2-1) Last Week- 3
After thumping the Memphis Grizzlies by 30 on the road, I think the Cavs can actually stay afloat until Kyrie Irving returns. But can LeBron James back continue to carry this roster until he returns?
2. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (3-0) Last Week- 4
Russell Westbrook is averaging 32 PPG and Kevin Durant is leading the league in MPG, to go along with his 30 PPG. Yes, this is pretty scary.
1. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (3-0) Last Week- 1
You guys have pissed off Stephen Curry. He’s averaging 39 PPG, and will have the next 3 straight games at home against Mike Conley, Chris Paul, and rookie Emmanuel Mudiay.