So we’re at that special time and place when all NBA teams have played at least 10 games and most are around or near the dozen mark. And as many of you have seen, even if you just merely peruse the injury list from time to time, know that the (generally) first 10-12 game sample has been filled with yes, some expected results, but also lots of randomness, craziness and those darn dirty injuries. (Nothing against apes.)
Sure, Zion and Kawhi are spots you just kinda keep reserved, and sure, Kevin Durant isn’t getting younger and netted the gold with Team USA, but the shear numbers of guys going down this year at this time just seems to dwarf what we all dealt with just a season ago. Could be anecdotal, but we already have Aaron Gordon out, PG just got back, Embiid was mysteriously MIA out of the gate, Chet has a broken hip and is out a minimum of two months and Ja Morant (including Bane) will but out an extended period. Add in Scottie Barnes, Paolo Banchero, Tyrese Maxey, Dejounte Murray (seems like ages ago!) and a bunch I’m forgetting (entire Pacers backcourt?) and you have a bumpy start before the NBA Cup has even started.
A less ulcer-inducing trend I’ve noticed this year are the different teams trying to maximize their roster through defense. In fact, and we’ll leave the Thunder out of this conversation for the moment (they are already one of the, if not best defensive teams in the league) but you have teams like the Warriors and Clippers trying to make their journey through the West in similar ways with their aging stars, and that’s through defense. I’d even include the Suns to some extent with their push to make Bradley Beal an effective point-of-attack defender. Granted, some of these comments may not really drive the fantasy needle, but it is quite interesting to see teams actually try and prevent a team from scoring 11o a night instead of trying to put up 130.
And the last trend, the most obvious, is that the East is looking to be in shambles. True, the past decade, even more it seems like this is the common theme, but the separation this year is really telling. For example, in the better part of the last two weeks, the 11th seed in the West would have a good enough record to be a top-3 team in the East. What’s the solution? I have no idea. What’s the fantasy implications? Probably not much, but just generally, it’s getting a bit silly.
Some other news and notes from the first several weeks of the season…
So maybe if your a Nuggets fan, you really don’t want to win this way. Yes, essentially giving Jokic 100% USG (I’m sure that’s close enough) is a great way to pad those fantasy leads, but at some point Joker is going to get a bit tired and then by then Denver will hopefully figure out where Jamaal’s shot went and Gordon will be healthy. Otherwise, if you own Jokic, enjoy the ride, this season is going to be wild.
This is what we expected from James Harden. He’s not who he once was, but there’s enough here to be happy with. Granted, the percentages aren’t great, but he’s still finding numbers. With Norm Powell making his best case to be an All Star for the first time this year, and Zu doing very Zu-like things with already eight double-doubles this season, I think Harden keeps it up and you can just treat the eventual (lol, then cries) return of Kawhi.
This is what we expected from Paul George. I mean, right? Sure, he’s on a minutes limit still, but this is essentially already a PG type of year… 20+ with some steals and that’s, about, it. Still, he’s a great piece to have, but remain measured.
I was down a little this preseason on Wemby and so far, it seems like he still is taking far too many shots outside. Call me crazy, and I’m pretty sure the Spurs did this towards the end of least season, but put the biggest guy on the floor in the paint and let him rent there a bit. Have them enjoy the neighborhood for a while, get to know the neighbors, ya know?
And I’ll leave on this interesting note: So far, who are the leaders in points per game? Giannis, AD, Tatum, Joker and… Lamelo Ball. Wait, what?
