Welcome to the NBA Hangover. We jot down NBA stuff mostly from last night that we want to talk about. Check it out.
The Mavericks have certainly been a pleasant surprise this season.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Bill Baptist/Getty Images.)
We’re about to end Week 5 of the NBA regular season. So we’re basically a little more than a month into it. Let’s check out the NBA standings! First, the Eastern Conference:
(PHOTO CREDIT: NBA.)
Let’s look at the pleasant surprise teams in the East:
Miami Heat (11-4)
Currently #3 in the East
Rey-Rey’s Season Prediction: 34-48 (11th)
Remember when I said this?
Let me preface that I KNOW I’m going to be extremely wrong about everything here, just as I have in the past.
PERFECT example! They are Top 3 in defensive rating right now, allowing 102.6 points per 100 possessions.
We know a lot about the Kendrick Nunn story (yeah, yeah, I know). But Goran Dragic has rejuvenated his career as the sixth man. Jimmy Butler has been tenacious on defense and has become an even better playmaker. Tyler Herro, along with Dragic, brings the fire off the bench. Bam Adebayo has been a double-double machine and Duncan Robinson has been fantastic from behind the arc.
Only the die-hard Heat fans probably saw them winning 11 of their first 15 games. Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised with the way the Heat are playing. We should know what to expect under the umbrella of Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra.
Toronto Raptors (11-4)
Currently #4 in the East
Season Prediction: 50-32 (4th)
The Raptors were sort of my surprise team. I didn’t think you should “underestimate the heart of a champion.”
Still a bit surprising to see them do this well because, like I said, Toronto was my longshot. The thing is, they’ve been hit by injuries. Kyle Lowry has been out with a bad right thumb (should be back soon) and Serge Ibaka‘s ankle has been ailing him. They’ve given heavy minutes to new franchise cornerstone Pascal Siakam (36.9 MPG, which makes him 6th most in the league) and Fred VanVleet (38.0 MPG; he’s 2nd). But they are producing a ton and Pascal is being talked about as a possible MVP candidate.
And unknown guys like Terence Davis, Chris Boucher, and Matt Thomas are providing sparks off the bench. So yeah, don’t count these Raptors out.
Boston Celtics (11-4)
Currently #2 in the East
Season Prediction: 50-32 (3rd)
It’s also surprising that they looked good this early; they looked really threatening. And they will later on when their team gets back to full strength. It sucks to lose Gordon Hayward to a hand injury. And we hope Kemba Walker makes a full recovery after that frightening collision a few days ago.
With that said, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have become a really good duo. Marcus Smart is defending everybody. Hell, their defense has been amazing as they are near the top (4th in defensive rating or points allowed per 100 possessions; their rating is at 102.7).
When they get Hayward and Kemba back, they’re going to be one to watch for.
Now let’s look at the West:
(PHOTO CREDIT: NBA.)
So who are the pleasant surprises in the West?
Dallas Mavericks (11-5)
Currently #4 in the West
Season Prediction: 34-48 (13th)
Come on. Don’t give me that loaded bull that you knew they were going to be this good this early. They CAN still easily fall out of the playoff race later but holy hell, 11-5.
I’ve raved about Luka Doncic so much and I think he should EASILY be in the MVP race. Kristaps Porzingis (I know, I know) is still not himself yet and I don’t think casual NBA viewers know three Mavericks outside of those two stars.
That’s the thing. This roster is not sexy at all. Tim Hardaway, Jr. has been cast away so many times. Dorian Finney-Smith has been with the team but he’s not a name that jumps out at you. Neither do Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell. Delon Wright and Jalen Brunson? WE might know who they are but the casuals certainly don’t.
But somehow, Luka has engineered the #1 offense in the league (scoring 118.1 points per 100 possessions and 119.1 points per game, which would be 3rd in that category). Luka has just been THAT good.
I’m certainly rooting for them to continue this run.
Phoenix Suns (8-8)
Currently #7 in the West
Season Prediction: 20-62 (15th or LAST)
I think teams are catching on to them but they’ve also been hit with injuries recently with Ricky Rubio out with back spasms and Aron Baynes out with a hip injury. The thing is Baynes had been a stabilizing force for the team. He was another option in the perimeter (yup!) and a bruising wall defensively. Oh, yeah. DeAndre Ayton is out because of his drug suspension.
Still, they’re .500 right now so we should give them props. They might have a better record if their team is in full strength but, honestly, a team is hardly in full strength during the NBA season. Devin Booker is trying to do everything on offense. Frank Kaminsky has been excellent off the bench. Kelly Oubre, Jr. has done pretty good as a second option but might be better off with a bit of a lesser role.
But they’ll still be out with Rubio, Baynes, and Ayton in the immediate future. This might get worse first before it gets better.
Los Angeles Lakers (14-2)
Currently #1 in the West
Season Prediction: 51-31 (6th)
We knew they were going to be good. But THIS good? Especially on DEFENSE? And they feel so good that they have a SWITCH to turn on now?
I think LeBron James playing ferocious defense has been a big surprise, especially with his mileage. Anthony Davis has been as advertised. But Dwight Howard has been incredible. When Avery Bradley was healthy, he was closer to his Celtic bulldog self defensively. Danny Green has been a boon and Kyle Kuzma has gotten into a shooting groove the last couple of weeks.
We knew this team could go all the way. I just didn’t think they would put it together so soon.
Bullet Passes
I’ll stop marveling on Luka Doncic when he stops doing marvelous things. 41-6-10 on the road in Houston. In a win.
What do you do when you have the lead and have to throw the ball in with 0.4 seconds left?
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
You throw it off your opponent’s back. Quick thinking there, Joe Harris.
The Clippers have had some rough losses early but they’ve won five straight games since. As you see up in the standings, it’s a real battle at the top. Lakers/Clippers games may not have had this much meaning ever.
Watch This Play
Kelly Oubre, Jr. caught himself a Plumlee.
🔨 Kelly Oubre Jr. STUFFS IT WITH AUTHORITY! #RisePHX
Watch Live: https://t.co/3bTQPOmwYk pic.twitter.com/O5Qse2u892
— NBA (@NBA) November 25, 2019
I think if you dunk on a Plumlee, you dunk on his entire family.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.