NBA Surprises 3 Weeks In
Life is full of surprises, so it shouldn't be a shock that the NBA is full of them. Three weeks in, players have either underwhelmed, overwhelmed or just whelmed (there is no conformation if that is a word, but you get the idea). Let's highlight three of the most noticeable surprises so far this campaign.
The Pelicans' Struggles
I realize that the Pelicans have bitten by injuries as badly as a dog bites on his bone, yet I don't think anyone envisioned an 0-6 start. It's truly depressing watching this team trot out players such as Ish Smith and Tony Douglas in crunch time situations, knowing that there really are no better options. It's actually ridiculous how many injuries this team has, with star combo guard Tyreke Evans sidelined with an injured knee as well as Jrue Holiday and Omer Asik battling other maladies.
Anthony Davis has gotten off to an unexpectedly slow start, but can one really criticize a player for not producing when the second he gets the ball, he is being triple-teamed. Its not as if Davis has been atrocious, since he's still throwing up 25 points a game, along with 1.3 steals, 2.8 blocks and 9 rebounds. The big dip in his game has been his field goal percentage, dropping from a career 52% shooter to 46% this year.
When offensive genius Alvin Gentry and defensive mastermind Darren Earman were brought in to coach this team, the thought was that they would be able to survive injuries to key players unlike old coach Monty Williams. Again, it's no ones "Fault", but yet again, injuries happen in the NBA. They suck, but they can't hold a team back, especially a team that is still trotting out a top 5 player in the league.
Here is to the Pelicans getting healthy again, since they have some major league pass potential when healthy.
Andre the Giant?
Before the season, any basketball junkie knew the story on Drummond, a raw offensive player and a guy who snatches up boards at the rate that Liam Neeson somehow snatches up roles for tough guy movies. Seven games in though, he is completely proving everyone wrong, by averaging an ungodly stat line of 20 points, 20 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks.
I believe that being allowed to play with more space than ever before is the reason that Drummond is absolutely dominating everyone, and leading the Pistons to a 5-2 record. By having Ersan Ilyasova spot up on the perimeter, effectively sucking away a would-be-help-defender on Drummond, that basically leaves Drummond to battle one-on-one down low with whatever poor human soul is the opposing center.
The reason he wasn't so dominant in his 3 previous seasons was because there was always another big body playing next to him such as Greg Monroe, meaning the lane would be as stuffed as my nose is while writing this (those dang Santa Ana winds). Even though Ilyasova is an inferior player than Monroe, he might actually hold more value in the modern NBA since he can spot up on the perimeter and stretch the floor, while Monroe can neither defend nor shoot.
Another reason he's been so fantastic is that Stan Van Gundy is the perfect coach for him. Stan smartly brought Reggie Jackson in, shelled out $80 million to him, and started Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Marcus Morris, two quality defenders and shooters.
Lastly, I know its a scary thought, but Drummond is slowly starting to develop a reliable post game. That, along with his ability to command so much attention on defense while rolling to the hoop has made him, and this team one of the more pleasant surprises this year.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Taking a quick glance at this team, it seems incredulous that they are sitting at 4-3, with quality wins over two Eastern conference powerhouses in the Bulls and Hawks. The starting lineup consists of two 20 year olds in Andrew Wiggins and Karl Towns, Kevin Garnett, 39 and looking so, as well as Tyshaun Prince, 35 and looking 45. Lastly, their point guard, Ricky Rubio, is simply a bad shot maker.
So, how are they playing so well? Its a number of reasons.
1. Wiggins and Towns are playing light years above their ages. They are consistently playing 35 minutes a game each, as well as having to carry the scoring load for the team each night, AS WELL AS setting the tone on defense. These guys are special now and will become even more so in the future.
2. KG and Prince, while old and physically beaten over years of playing, are still perfect for this team of youngsters. They play perfect roles as veterans, keeping the young guys in check as well as holding players accountable for their actions on and off the court. They are mentors on the court, and that is an invaluable trait in the NBA.
3. Ricky Rubio is suddenly scoring, bumping his scoring total from a career 10 ppg to 13 ppg this year. We all know Rubio can put the ball wherever he wants to, but adding the threat of scoring is a whole new element that can open up his game immensely.
4. The bench is producing, with human trampoline Zach LaVine, sharpshooters Kevin Martin and Nemanja Bjelica and bruising big Gorgui Dieng.
This team will get better and better each year, its just that nobody thought they would get this good this quickly. Bravo to Sam Mitchell as well as RIP to Flip Saunders.
The Pelicans' Struggles
I realize that the Pelicans have bitten by injuries as badly as a dog bites on his bone, yet I don't think anyone envisioned an 0-6 start. It's truly depressing watching this team trot out players such as Ish Smith and Tony Douglas in crunch time situations, knowing that there really are no better options. It's actually ridiculous how many injuries this team has, with star combo guard Tyreke Evans sidelined with an injured knee as well as Jrue Holiday and Omer Asik battling other maladies.
Anthony Davis has gotten off to an unexpectedly slow start, but can one really criticize a player for not producing when the second he gets the ball, he is being triple-teamed. Its not as if Davis has been atrocious, since he's still throwing up 25 points a game, along with 1.3 steals, 2.8 blocks and 9 rebounds. The big dip in his game has been his field goal percentage, dropping from a career 52% shooter to 46% this year.
When offensive genius Alvin Gentry and defensive mastermind Darren Earman were brought in to coach this team, the thought was that they would be able to survive injuries to key players unlike old coach Monty Williams. Again, it's no ones "Fault", but yet again, injuries happen in the NBA. They suck, but they can't hold a team back, especially a team that is still trotting out a top 5 player in the league.
Here is to the Pelicans getting healthy again, since they have some major league pass potential when healthy.
Andre the Giant?
Before the season, any basketball junkie knew the story on Drummond, a raw offensive player and a guy who snatches up boards at the rate that Liam Neeson somehow snatches up roles for tough guy movies. Seven games in though, he is completely proving everyone wrong, by averaging an ungodly stat line of 20 points, 20 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks.
I believe that being allowed to play with more space than ever before is the reason that Drummond is absolutely dominating everyone, and leading the Pistons to a 5-2 record. By having Ersan Ilyasova spot up on the perimeter, effectively sucking away a would-be-help-defender on Drummond, that basically leaves Drummond to battle one-on-one down low with whatever poor human soul is the opposing center.
The reason he wasn't so dominant in his 3 previous seasons was because there was always another big body playing next to him such as Greg Monroe, meaning the lane would be as stuffed as my nose is while writing this (those dang Santa Ana winds). Even though Ilyasova is an inferior player than Monroe, he might actually hold more value in the modern NBA since he can spot up on the perimeter and stretch the floor, while Monroe can neither defend nor shoot.
Another reason he's been so fantastic is that Stan Van Gundy is the perfect coach for him. Stan smartly brought Reggie Jackson in, shelled out $80 million to him, and started Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Marcus Morris, two quality defenders and shooters.
Lastly, I know its a scary thought, but Drummond is slowly starting to develop a reliable post game. That, along with his ability to command so much attention on defense while rolling to the hoop has made him, and this team one of the more pleasant surprises this year.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Taking a quick glance at this team, it seems incredulous that they are sitting at 4-3, with quality wins over two Eastern conference powerhouses in the Bulls and Hawks. The starting lineup consists of two 20 year olds in Andrew Wiggins and Karl Towns, Kevin Garnett, 39 and looking so, as well as Tyshaun Prince, 35 and looking 45. Lastly, their point guard, Ricky Rubio, is simply a bad shot maker.
So, how are they playing so well? Its a number of reasons.
1. Wiggins and Towns are playing light years above their ages. They are consistently playing 35 minutes a game each, as well as having to carry the scoring load for the team each night, AS WELL AS setting the tone on defense. These guys are special now and will become even more so in the future.
2. KG and Prince, while old and physically beaten over years of playing, are still perfect for this team of youngsters. They play perfect roles as veterans, keeping the young guys in check as well as holding players accountable for their actions on and off the court. They are mentors on the court, and that is an invaluable trait in the NBA.
3. Ricky Rubio is suddenly scoring, bumping his scoring total from a career 10 ppg to 13 ppg this year. We all know Rubio can put the ball wherever he wants to, but adding the threat of scoring is a whole new element that can open up his game immensely.
4. The bench is producing, with human trampoline Zach LaVine, sharpshooters Kevin Martin and Nemanja Bjelica and bruising big Gorgui Dieng.
This team will get better and better each year, its just that nobody thought they would get this good this quickly. Bravo to Sam Mitchell as well as RIP to Flip Saunders.
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