We’re just over a week into a new NBA season. That’s makes it the perfect time to overreact and come to premature conclusions.
The Philadelphia 76ers are going to struggle to finish above .500 …
Going 0-3 to start the season isn’t what the Sixers had in mind. But losses to Boston and Milwaukee? Not a big deal. A home loss to San Antonio? Oops. But never fear, the Sixers will get it together. Joel Embiid remains one of the NBA’s best, Tyrese Maxey should improve on his terrific 2nd season (17.5 points and 4.3 assists), and P.J. Tucker is a real nice addition.
Only thing that could derail the 76ers — at age 33, does James Harden still have it. If Harden’s first four gams are any indication, yes he does. Harden came out of the chute averaging 26.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 9.8 assists in the first four.
Golden State doesn’t need Draymond Green to repeat as NBA Champions …
Well, the Warriors don’t need Draymond baiting, then punching, teammates. Safe to say we all agree on that. But on the court? Winning games? Doing all the dirty work? Well, those are other issues. This is the final season of Green’s contract — he has a player option for next season. There’s been no extension. Green plays winning basketball. But are the Warriors tired of the drama that comes with him? Maybe.
The Warriors seem to have the next wave ready to go — contract extensions for Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole, Kevon Looney retuning on a 3-year deal, promising young players James Wiseman, Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga ready for more responsibility. Steph Curry isn’t slowing down yet. If there’s an odd man out with the Warriors — this season or next — guessing it’s Draymond. Stay tuned.
Donovan Mitchell will average over 30 points a game …
Mitchell scored at least 31 points in each of his first three games as a Cleveland Cavalier, averaging 33.3 He also averaged 23 shots per game. Perspective on that — LeBron James has averaged 23 shots a game just once in his 19+ NBA seasons. If things go well for the Cavs, Mitchell won’t continue to jack up 23 shots a game. He won’t average 30 points a game.
With Darius Garland out with an eye injury, the Cavs have need Mitchell’s big points. But could Mitchell average a new career high — more than the 26.4 he averaged two years ago with Utah? Unlikely — the Cavs are supposed to have more balance than that. But Mitchell has had a great start in Cleveland.
This is the season that Father Time catches up to LeBron …
It’s not just the commercials with LeBron and Jason Mamoa as Father Time that might have folks thinking this is the season. It’s the calendar. LeBron turns 38 in December. What NBA player has ever played as well at 38 as he did in the previous 10, 5, even 2 seasons? Well, uh… LeBron. That’s who. It hasn’t happened by accident or dumb luck. The guy works as hard — if not harder — on his body, his game, than any player ever. It’s amazing. And of course, he was blessed with some pretty phenomenal physical gifts in the first place. It will happen eventually, but not in 2022-23.
The New Orleans Pelicans are legit …
It’s a nice start in New Orleans — 3 wins in the first 4 games for the Pelicans. And yes, Zion Williamson has already missed time with an injury. Hip. Fell to the floor when his shot was blocked by Jordan Clarkson. Williamson missed 141 of 226 games in his first three seasons. He didn’t play at all last season because of a foot injury.
Zion has reportedly lost weight and is somewhere around 285 pounds. He’s just a big guy. I mean really, can you imagine him skinny at something like 225? Neither can I. Unfortunately for Zion, 6-foot-6 guys who push three bills usually don’t have long, healthy NBA careers. So are the Pelicans legit? Sure, if Zion…
Russell Westbrook is TOAST …
It was basketball’s version of Halley’s Comet — Oscar Robertson averaged a triple double in the 1961-1962 season. So rare, so fleeting, maybe something that happens just once in a lifetime — like Halley’s Comet, which is seen from Earth once every 75 to 79 years. Well done, Oscar. Simply mythical. And then Russell Westbrook averaged a triple double four times in five seasons. OK then.
The same Westbrook whose last triple-double season was just two seasons ago with the Wizards is now being blamed for everything that’s wrong with Los Angeles, including the smog and the Kardashians. He is now 34-years old, and his game isn’t quite what it used to be. But sorry, this guy thinks Russ still has something left in the old tank.
What Westbrook really appears to be is a guy with a big contract who doesn’t fit real well alongside LeBron and Anthony Davis. The Lakers seem to know it. So do the guys involved. Perhaps once he’s traded — if he’s traded — Westbrook can show everyone that Kim and Khloe and Kendall and Kylie aren’t his fault, and that he can still play.
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