Welcome to the first post on my latest blog, 7 Days of NBA. In this blog, you can expect weekly analysis on the players, games, and more from the NBA. I plan to have several segments, including MVP of the Week, Team of the Week, Takeaways from the Week, and more. Follow along with me as we take a look at this unusual and action-packed season!
Normally for this blog, I plan on talking on a weekly basis about what goes on in the NBA (hence the name *7 Days of NBA*). However, since we are around a month and a half through this season, I thought I would start off by recapping and discussing what has happened up until now (February 3rd).
Major Takeaways
1. Nothing is Guaranteed
Coming into the season, and based off of what we saw from the bubble, fans believed they had a grasp on the contenders and top teams. However, there have been some surprises. In the East, the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat have both gotten off to rough starts. While the Heat have had problems due to the Coronavirus, their lack of success after reaching the Finals just 4 months ago could be concerning for a Heat fan. Toronto has seen a decline from who was presumed as their future star in Pascal Siakam and the core they have built (outside of VanVleet dropping 54 yesterday) has yet to show signs of being in contention in the conference. Out West, the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans have had slow starts to the new season. Luka has been putting up All-Star numbers, but the results have not followed as far as wins and losses. The Pelicans have been seen as one of the future contenders, but their lackluster record has a lot to still be desired (even with Zion having a solid individual campaign). On the other hand, teams like the Jazz, 76ers, Hawks, Cavs, Hornets, and Suns have all had better-than-expected starts. I'll touch on the Jazz and 76ers later, but the other 4 teams have had success this year despite expectations and young rosters. The free agent moves look to have payed off for the Hawks, Collin Sexton has flashed signs of potential to become an All-Star within the next few seasons, LaMelo Ball leads the Rookie of the Year race, and the depth and signing of Chris Paul has worked out great for the Suns. The unexpected standings to this point proves that this season, nothing is guaranteed.
2. The 76ers and Jazz are Legit
As I mentioned in the first takeaway, the 76ers and Jazz have started this season really strong and have opened NBA fans' eyes. The 76ers, who ended up getting swept last year, are currently leading the East. Rumors swirled during the offseason of potentially trading Ben Simmons, but the combination of him and Joel Embiid has worked great to this point of the 20-21 campaign. Tobias Harris is looking like he will finally be an All-Star and is a reliable bucket-getter. The additions of Seth Curry, Dwight Howard and Danny Green have payed off well for the 76ers and helped to fill holes that last year's squad failed to fill in. If the 76ers can keep the consistent output from this group, I expect them to finally become the legit contenders everyone marked them as a couple of years ago.
As far as the Utah Jazz, this is one I definitely did not see happening. Right now the Jazz sit in first place in the conference with a record of 16-5. While Donovan Mitchell flashed signs during the playoffs last year, he has kept up his play and has shown he can be a #1 option for contender out West. Jordan Clarkson has become a great scorer for the Jazz, putting up 17.4 PPG (points per game) and giving a great boost from the bench. The chemistry and team basketball that the Jazz have shown has been eye-opening and reminds me of days before the heavy isolation basketball that some teams have been playing (*wink* James Harden *wink*). Besides Mitchell and Gobert, their roster doesn't contain a lot of All-Star caliber guys, but rather a great group of players who know how to fit their roles and do it very well. I wonder if the Jazz can keep up their great play, but if they can, they are a team to avoid come playoffs.
3. The Wizards Experiment Didn't Work
The trade made by the Wizards and Rockets to swap John Wall for Russell Westbrook was an aggressive move by the Wizards. Trading for such a large contract for the next few years means they had trust in Westbrook to play with Beal and lead the team to some success. However, they currently sit as the worst record in the NBA at 4-13. They have had games postponed due to the virus, but the chemistry just is not there from Beal and Westbrook. Westbrook is as inefficient as he has ever played, and while Beal is leading the league in PPG at 35, this is required from him to give the team a chance every game. Beal has expressed his disappointment and unless Westbrook plays like his MVP year and Beal keeps these numbers up, there is a legit possibility that this team blows up parts of the roster and rebuilds.
4. Rebuilding is Harder than it Seems
Coming into the season, there were several teams that were deemed as obvious that they would be going into a rebuild. The Pistons, Timberwolves, and Thunder are three teams who have kept by their plan to tank and start the rebuilds. However, there have been several teams who have found some success which has left them in the odd middle ground. The Cavs and Hornets, who I mentioned earlier, would both make the playoffs if the postseason were to start today. The Knicks and Bulls have won more games than most people would have guessed (by the way, LaVine should be an All-Star), and the Magic have kept themselves in the mediocre territory just as they have the last few years. Houston looked to have started the move to rebuilding with trading Westbrook and Harden, but their new core has been able to keep them on the edge of the playoff picture. The Spurs and Kings are also in the uncomfortable middle area. All these teams who are stuck with average rosters but know they can't compete need to find their identity, or else it will take even longer for them to complete a rebuild. One tip that I would have, being a Detroit native, is to simply just embrace the rebuild.
5. The West Still Runs through Los Angeles
Many NBA fans were upset that we never got to see a Lakers-Clippers 7 game playoff series. I wouldn't bet against that series finally becoming reality this time. The Clippers have added pieces like Nicolas Batum and Serge Ibaka who have fit well into their mold and have helped the squad become a well-oiled machine. Kawhi and Paul George has played to their potentials and they seem to be more hungry after losing the 3-1 lead last year to the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers, coming off their championship, upgraded the point guard spot with the 6th Man of the Year runner-up in Dennis Schröder and signed the 6th Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell from the Clippers to be their new center. Marc Gasol, while he hasn't played like the Grizzlies version of himself, has provided extra veteran leadership. Talen Horton-Tucker has taken strides to be a key piece to the second unit. LeBron is still playing at his MVP level and Anthony Davis continues to put up his top-tier numbers. There is zero guarantees in the West, but it looks like we may well be on the way to a Lakers-Clippers conference finals.
MVP (December 22nd-February 3rd): Kevin Durant
Some people speculated whether Kevin Durant would return to his old self after the injury and joining the Nets. He has silenced the doubters, averaging 30.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists per night. He currently leads the Nets in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. While this would be impressive regardless of what team he is on, the fact that he is putting up the best numbers on a team with two super ball-dominant stars in Kyrie Irving and James Harden is awfully impressive. He is the leader of the Nets and has them in the 2 spot in the East at 14-9. Returning from injury and putting up those numbers in the fashion that he is warrants the MVP of the first part of the season.
Team of the Season (December 22nd-February 3rd): Utah Jazz
As I mentioned above, the Utah Jazz have started the season better than most could have ever imagined. They are first place in the league and have played with excellent chemistry. If they can keep up the team play and Donovan can keep putting up those numbers, the Jazz are gonna be here to stay.
Standings:
East:
1. 76ers
2. Nets
3. Bucks
4. Celtics
5. Pacers
6. Hawks
7. Cavaliers
8. Hornets
9. Raptors
10. Bulls
11. Knicks
12. Magic
13. Heat
14. Pistons
15. Wizards
West:
1. Jazz
2. Clippers
3. Lakers
4. Nuggets
5. Suns
6. Grizzlies
7. Trail Blazers
8. Rockets
9. Warriors
10. Spurs
11. Kings
12. Thunder
13. Mavericks
14. Pelicans
15. Timberwolves
Hope you enjoyed, and I will be back once again next week!
Some people speculated whether Kevin Durant would return to his old self after the injury and joining the Nets. He has silenced the doubters, averaging 30.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists per night. He currently leads the Nets in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. While this would be impressive regardless of what team he is on, the fact that he is putting up the best numbers on a team with two super ball-dominant stars in Kyrie Irving and James Harden is awfully impressive. He is the leader of the Nets and has them in the 2 spot in the East at 14-9. Returning from injury and putting up those numbers in the fashion that he is warrants the MVP of the first part of the season.
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