Cavs, Grizz nice NBA surprises, thus far, Raptors, Pelicans lead disappointments

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With the vacation season over, it is a good time to take inventory of the NBA’s surprises and disappointments within the opening months of the 2024-25 season.

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Various issues went as deliberate earlier than. These embrace defending champion Boston, main the league in three-pointers with a successful proportion close to .750; Canadian famous person Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes one other run at MVP; Jimmy Butler wears out one more welcome, this time in Miami; The Washington Wizards completely stink and phenom Victor Wembanyama is even higher as a second yr for San Antonio.

Listed here are some much less anticipated angles:

POSITIVE SURPRISES:

The Cleveland Cavaliers must be on the prime of this listing. Everybody knew the Cavs had loads of expertise, however many additionally puzzled if two top-tier senior guards, Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, might coexist and if promising massive man Evan Mobley and established star Jarrett Allen might work collectively in as we speak’s match. a smaller NBA. The staff additionally misplaced starter and ground spacer Max Strus on the eve of the season and he solely returned just a few weeks in the past. However Cleveland went a surprising 30-4, together with 17-1 at residence, and gained 9 straight general (its second streak of at the very least 9 this yr after beginning the marketing campaign with 15 straight wins). After rating fifteenth in three-point accuracy final season, Cleveland leads all groups (and tops all in offensive effectivity). Boston remains to be the favourite within the East, however will doubtless must win a sequence in Cleveland to return to the Finals.

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Unsure the New York Knicks, third in offense below head coach Tom Thibodeau, are on anybody’s bingo card (though they have been within the High 10 final season). However New York seems like a well-oiled machine with the arrival of Karl-Anthony Cities now that Mikal Bridges has discovered his type (notably in an excellent efficiency at Christmas). The staff has the personnel of Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart to close down opponents, however is making a reputation for itself with its scoring punch.

Detroit sitting round .500 after so many misplaced years can also be a breakthrough we did not count on. This has been the NBA’s worst franchise for a decade now, nevertheless it lastly seems competent. Hopefully Jaden Ivey’s harm will not derail issues simply after they lastly look promising.

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Memphis (second within the West heading into Saturday’s video games) was additionally a serious overachiever, as accidents to prime gamers Ja Morant and Desmond Bane brought about each to overlook vital time. There have additionally been different absences to take care of, however the well-coached staff, which incorporates Canadian rookie heart Zach Edey, continues to do its job.

Former Raptor Norman Powell’s rise to All-Star candidate and the Clippers’ general play whereas ready for Kawhi Leonard to swimsuit up are each surprises.

Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic is in some way having his greatest yr but, which is not an enormous shock, nevertheless it’s price mentioning, as are the hard-nosed Houston Rockets, led by Ime Udoka, third within the West (even when the accidents are beginning to pile up). up).

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Again within the East, Orlando maintains a house playoff spot regardless of accidents to its prime two gamers (and counting) and Brooklyn (led by Canadian nationwide staff head coach Jordi Fernandez) is so aggressive (earlier than beginning what could possibly be a serious match liquidation) are additionally constructive surprises.

BIG DISAPPOINTMENTS:

New Orleans gained 49 video games only a yr in the past. Positive, that was solely ok for eighth place in a ridiculously powerful Western Convention, however this yr’s group was an NBA-worst 6-29 on Saturday. Positive, Zion Williamson hasn’t performed, Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy, Jose Alvarado, Jordan Hawkins, Herb Jones and Dejounte Murray have missed nearly half the video games thus far, nevertheless it’s nonetheless surprising how The staff was unhealthy.

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Toronto has its place right here too. The primary month or so was promising, even when the win-loss file did not point out as a lot. Darko Rajakovic’s staff performed exhausting regardless of much more accidents than New Orleans and fell quick in lots of shut video games. However the final six weeks (4-15 with a number of the worst losses in franchise historical past) have been unacceptable. The Raptors must lose video games to safe a excessive choose in a stacked draft to create a brighter future, however the current appears murkier than it has in years.

Philadelphia have to be right here too. At first, the Joel Embiid saga was darkish, ugly and disturbing. Paul George and Tyrese Maxey have been injured, nobody knew what was occurring with Embiid (who even received into an altercation with a columnist who crossed the road within the print media), and the staff began 2-12. Sure, they stabilized and went 11-5 earlier than shedding two video games in a row, however a staff that was praised for successful the offseason after touchdown George needs to be significantly better than a play-in contender for meet expectations.

Indiana (under .500), Sacramento, Phoenix, and Minnesota also needs to rightfully be thought-about large underachievers at this level.

There’s nonetheless numerous basketball left to be performed, although, so rather a lot will change because the playoffs method.

@WolstatSun

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