As the early part of the NBA 2022-23 season churns on, a lot of storylines and off-the-court drama permeates. Some of these were built off the back from previous seasons; the trending bewilderment of Ben Simmons, the Lakers continued struggles while inadvertently tanking for Wembanyama while the Pelicans have the rights to their first-round pick also remains a bold strategy. Kyrie Irving is still a hateful idiot. But there are also new and interesting storylines being created right now, like the Jazz competing with the Spurs and TrailbBlazers for the number one seed (early, but you can talk about it!), the Clippers being a mess, the resurgence of James Harden… and the Bucks continue their quest for 82-0, squeaking out a win last night. While there’s a lot to ridicule (mostly the Nets), there’s a lot of interesting items both on and off the court that have made this season already special. Here’s what else I saw last night:
Kevin Huerter – 36 MIN, 8-16 FG, 5-10 3PT, 5-5 FT, 2 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, +10, 26 PTS. Interesting shower thought: Is he the best Kevin in the Association right now? He was traded by the Hawks to get under the luxury tax by the way…
De’Aaron Fox – 9 MIN, 2-4 FG, 1-3 3PT, 3-3 FT, 1 AST, 3 TO, -8, 8 PTS. Was pulled from the game and is day-to-day with bruised knees.
P.J. Washington – 37 MIN, 12-21 FG, 3-4 3PT, 1-2 FT, 5 REB, 3 AST, 2 BLK, 2 TO, -8, 28 PTS. While he’s not the Kevin Durant clone from last night, I think a fair expectation is a Paul Millsap-type of player.
Keegan Murray – 32 MIN, 5-15 FG, 2-7 3PT, 4 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, +15, 12 PTS. Probably his worst offensive game of the season so far and still found a way to contribute.
James Harden – 38 MIN, 8-17 FG, 2-6 3PT, 5-6 FT, 7 REB, 17 AST, 2 STL, 4 TO, +8, 23 PTS. No question the 76ers would be maybe 2-6, 1-7 without the great play and minutes so far by Harden, but would that be bad enough to have led to a Doc Rivers firing? LOL, you’re right…
Tyrese Haliburton – 33MIN, 4-11 FG, 1-4 3PT, 2-2 FT, 3 REB, 7 AST, 2 STL, 7 TO, -3, 11 PTS. Ty was anti-clutch in the fourth quarter, but unlike Kyrie, at least he wasn’t an antisemite. (Drops mic, slowly leaves room.)
Kevin Durant (39 MIN, 13-22 FG, 2-5 3PT, 8-8 FT, 9 REB, 7 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 3 TO, +8, 36 PTS) and Kyrie Irving (43 MIN, 9-19 FG, 4-11 3PT, 6-6 FT, 6 REB, 6 AST, 4 STL, 1 BLK, 3 TO, +14, 28 PTS) putting in the minutes lately, including last night’s game at 40-ish each. Whether that’s a Nash thing or not, this is setting up to be one of the most entertaining trainwrecks both on and off the court…
Scottie Barnes – 33 MIN, 7-14 FG, 5-9 3PT, 2-3 FT, 7 REB, 8 AST, 1 STL, 2 TO, +31, 21 PTS. Scotthree Barnes continues to produce at a high-level in all categories, and despite being advertised last season with a broken shot compared to his other rookie counterparts, this year he’s already shooting better from beyond the arc versus Cade, Franz and Mobley.
Trae Young – 32 MIN, 3-13 FG, 1-5 3PT, 7-8 FT, 10 AST, 1 STL, 10 TO, -29, 14 PTS. Ah yes, the triple-struggle is real. (I also like the “criple-double.) Nothing to worry about though, the Raptors ran their “long bois” lineup with a lot of aggression and forced 10 turnovers.
Pascal Siakam – 35 MIN, 8-21 FG, 2-3 3PT, 13-16 FT, 12 REB, 6 AST, 2 BLK, +30, 31 PTS. NBA First Team and All-Star starter? Maybe not, but he’s making a strong case this year to at least think about it.
Christian Koloko – 21 MIN, 4-7 FG, 1-3 FT, 5 REB, 3 BLK, 2 TO, +23, 9 PTS. Remains an interesting big-man with potential, older than his peers with a late start, but has solid upside with amazing agility and speed with his frame, coming from a soccer background.
Cade Cunningham – 36 MIN, 11-23 FG, 3-9 3PT, 2-2 FT, 6 REB, 7 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 5 TO, -7, 27 PTS. The Pistons are looking really great so far, a lot of potential and Detroit looks like a different team when Cade is dictating. They need some size but the next several years should be fun to watch regardless.
Giannis Antetokounmpo – 32 MIN, 12-23 FG, 0-4 3PT, 7-9 FT, 7 REB, 2 AST, 2 BLK, 4 TO, -1, 31 PTS. Outside of Ant, J’rue, Brook and Bobby, the Bucks shot 3-22 with just 15 points. Probably not 82-0 material.
Khris Middleton – (DNP) Bucks are 20-4 in games without Middleton. Just sayin.
Lauri Markkanen – 32 MIN, 11-15 FG, 4-6 3PT, 5-6 FT, 11 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 4 BLK, 2 TO, +15, 31 PTS. Danny Ainge already getting excited knowing that he can get at least two first rounders if Markkanen keeps up this pace…
Ja Morant – 31 MIN, 12-18 FG, 1-2 3PT, 12-15 FT, 5 REB, 4 AST, 3 TO, -19, 37 PTS. Responsible for half the team’s points throught the third quarter describes the Grizzlies perfectly. (They also shot 23-for-42 for free throws, which also describes the Grizzlies perfectly.)
Paul George – 38 MIN, 15-26 FG, 5-10 3PT, 0-1 FT, 9 REB, 8 AST, 6 STL, 2 BLK, 3 TO, +16, 35 PTS. Clippers may be a mess right now, but PG continues to be a treat to watch. (See what I did there?) Incredible line with a game-winning shot (including scoring 8 of their last 12 points).
Eric Gordon – 30 MIN, 5-11 FG, 2-4 3PT, 2 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 2 TO, -14, 13 PTS. Rockets not trading Gordon last season to the playoff contender continues to be a head-scratcher.
Jabari Smith Jr. – 30 MIN, 2-8 FG, 0-3 3PT, 5 REB, 1 AST, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 4 PTS. I don’t think a player has disappointed more this year than Smith. Oh wait, we live in a world where Kyrie Irving continues to be blessed with a platform for his dumb mouth. Second player then…
Jay is a longtime Razzball everything who consumes an egregious amount of Makers Mark as a vehicle to gain wisdom and augment his natural glow. Living in the D.C. area, he also likes spending time visiting the local parks and feeding lettuce to any turtles he encounters, including Mitch McConnell.
