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Evaluating Every NBA Team's Start to the Season

Some Good, Some Bad, All 30 Teams

By Kevin MikosPublished 5 years ago 15 min read
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The NBA season has just begun, but there is already so much to talk about. From LeBron James in his new purple and gold stitches to teams that we should be panicking about, there's a lot to look at from each team. So I'm going to talk about some key things that have stuck out to me after these first couple weeks, from every one of the 30 NBA teams.

Atlanta Hawks | Record: 2-5

Trae Young has proven himself early as a guy who could score the ball for the Hawks. I've enjoyed Trae Young's game since high school, so watching him develop in college I knew he'd show big things on whatever team he went to. The Hawks aren't off to the best start, but Trae Young alongside other young talent like John Collins is showing that this team doesn't have the least promising future. Oh, and we get to enjoy Vince Carter still even when he's 41 years old.

Boston Celtics | Record: 5-2

They started off kind of bumpy, but as was expected with the return of two all stars in Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. I think that at 5-2, even without emerging as the clear front runner, this team will come together perfectly by playoff time. Jayson Tatum has also looked even better than he did in his playoff outbreak last season, proving that this team is gonna stir up trouble for every team in the Eastern Conference. It also puts a dent into my heart that my favorite team, The Detroit Pistons, just got beat twice in back to back games by the Celtics.

Brooklyn Nets | Record: 2-5

With the same record as the Hawks pictured above, you wouldn't expect it but, the Nets look promising in my eyes. 2-5 isn't a great start to the season, but in a less competitive Eastern Conference, they're still only one game behind the current eight seeded Miami Heat. If the Nets could find a proper roll, they might just squeeze into a playoff spot. The biggest standout has been Caris LeVert, who looks like he wants to campaign for Most Improved Player.

Charlotte Hornets | Record: 4-4

The Charlotte Hornets aren't a team that has had the spotlight in years, but Kemba Walker is not getting the recognition he needs. Fans are loving Kemba, as he's just a super likable player, and because he's one of the current scoring leaders. I don't think Kemba was in the MVP conversation at the start of the season, but if he keeps providing I'm sure he'll be in it by the end. He has lead the Hornets to a top five offensive rating in the league.

Chicago Bulls | Record: 2-5

As we stated for the Nets, 2-5 is not the worst start for an Eastern Conference team. It's possible that with Lauri Markkanen healthy, as well as Kris Dunn and Denzel Valentine, the Bulls could pull together some wins for a playoff run. Zach LaVine looks like another guy fighting for Most Improved Player with a huge scoring outbreak to start, and the addition of these guys coming back around him could prove to be good for the Bulls. If not this season, the future looks bright in Chicago.

Cleveland Cavaliers | Record: 1-6

I want to say something good here, I promise. It's just not easy. The departure of LeBron has led this team to look like a disaster, and now they've even fired head coach Tyronn Lue. Lue might not have been a top tier coach in the NBA, but they'd need a stellar replacement to fix the issues going on in Cleveland. At least there are some young pieces like Osman and Clarkson who might have bright futures. Plus, they did get their first win... against the Hawks.

Dallas Mavericks | Record: 2-5

Luka Doncic was drafted with a number of haters, but man have they been silenced. Unlike in the East, a 2-5 record out West is not promising, but Luka is. He is easily the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year and if he keeps it up I am not sure he will have much competition. They definitely won't be a playoff team, but Luka's performance could be the difference between the outcome of many games for the Mavericks this season.

Denver Nuggets | Record: 5-1

Honestly, I was ready to watch this team blow everyone's expectations out of the water before the season started, but I didn't realize that would include mine. The nuggets look great. Not only is Nikola showing his dominance at the center position with a flawless all around game, but all of their role players are proving to perform. Without the loss to the Lakers they'd remain undefeated, but sometimes LeBron will be LeBron. I think this team will prove to be troubling for a lot of opponents out West.

Detroit Pistons | Record: 4-2

Now I know I mentioned the Pistons were my favorite team, but I promise I've watched every game and I will analyze without bias. The 4-0 start came with some close games that maybe shouldn't have been close. As Pistons teams in the past have proven though, its all about hustle. We don't have to win by 50, we just have to win. The back to back losses to the Celtics proved tough, and Blake scoring 50 in a win just to end up in overtime is clearly an issue. There will be lots of games that are dog fights but, if the pistons continue to win those 50/50 games, a low seeded playoff spot can be expected.

Golden State Warriors | Record: 7-1

I'll keep this short. The warriors have the most dominant franchise since the '89 Detroit Pistons. Kidding, but seriously, this team is next level. If it isn't Durant going off, it's Curry. If not either, don't worry Klay could just break the three point record in a game. You know who the previous owner was? Stephen Curry. Don't forget Demarcus Cousins isn't even playing yet, and with another mean guy down low like Draymond, I don't even want to know what this team is going to look like as they hunt for a 3peat.

Houston Rockets | Record: 1-5

Houston, we've got a problem. The Houston Rockets have the same record as The Phoenix Suns. That's right. Blame Carmelo if you'd like, but I wouldn't. This team is simply not clicking. Maybe some losses came because of Chris Paul's suspension, or maybe it is because this team is dealing with many problems. It's probable that they bounce back from a rough start and still finish making the playoffs easily, however, it's just as possible that this leads to an even bigger slump. If they don't pick it up fast there will be trouble, because every loss counts in the West.

Indiana Pacers | Record: 4-3

This team is just where they need to be. Sitting currently at a five seed, I'd see them finishing the season in this spot or possibly the fourth. Victor is playing just as he should, and the team looks like no joke. Obviously we're unsure of if they're a contender among the top dogs in the East, but if they could finish in the four or five spots I think Victor's ability to go off, paired with some other underrated guys in Indiana, could put them in striking distance to overtake one of the top teams in a playoff battle.

Los Angeles Clippers | Record: 4-3

The Clippers will have to fight, but they could come out of this season with a playoff spot if some teams don't pan out as they should. They are ranked top 10 in both offense and defense. If teams like the Lakers, OKC, and Houston remain to struggle throughout the season, the Clippers could see guys like Tobias Harris and Danilo Gallinari play big enough roles to keep them in the hunt. If those teams do decide to form correctly though, it'll be the Clippers on the outside looking in, and rebuilding around a guy who could prove promising in Shai-Gilgeous Alexander.

Los Angeles Lakers | Record: 2-5

The team getting the most attention this year, led by the player who gets the most attention. LeBron is no joke, but the West isn't either... after this 2-5 start he recently expressed that he might be getting aggravated soon if the team doesn't start to come together, a sight we wouldn't like. I think this team has all the potential to perform, and sometimes they show signs with wins against dominant teams like the Nuggets. LeBron at his age needs to carry so much weight in these wins, so we will see if his team decides to take care of some of that load and pull together properly as a squad that could contend.

Memphis Grizzlies | Record: 4-2

Mike Conley has led this team to a solid record to start. They have proven themselves with a stellar defense, but a pretty lackluster offense. Their biggest win is a victory against the Jazz, but outside of that all their wins have been against teams who are fighting for scraps on the bottom. I'm almost certain that when things start to get heated this Grizzlies team will begin to struggle and fall down to a much worse record, but I hope they prove me wrong.

Miami Heat | Record: 3-4

Another team that looks like they will finish just around the middle of the Eastern Conference. Goran Dragic looks good, as he always does, being one of the more underrated players the league has. The team has had some easy wins, but tough losses in close games and it looks like they will either snag an eight seed or fight to make the playoffs.

Milwaukee Bucks | Record: 7-0

The Bucks are the last team in the league to remain undefeated. Giannis wants that MVP trophy, and he wants it bad. The entirety of the team looks stellar, however, even dominating against the Raptors with Giannis missing. I was expecting a top four finish amongst the East for this team, but this is more than I could've seen coming. If they keep rolling, look for them to make a solid playoff run with a guy like Giannis who simply can't be guarded. They really are stepping up as clear contenders this season.

Minnesota Timberwolves | Record: 3-4

The Timberwolves have everything they need to compete in the West, except they don't. The young team coming out to a 3-4 start isn't ideal, but it could also be due to chemistry issues caused by the trouble Jimmy Butler has stirred in the locker room. The truth is, their record would look much worse without Jimmy. With offers pouring in to acquire Jimmy in a trade, if the Timberwolves don't get some other star, they will easily be on the outside of the playoffs looking to rebuild around some of the best young guys in the league like Karl-Anthony Towns.

New Orleans Pelicans | Record: 4-2

Anthony Davis might be the only player in the league right now who wants MVP more than Giannis Antetokounmpo. I personally picked Davis to win at the start of the season, and he's proven why. After a 4-0 start the Pelicans looked ready to dominate. Two tough losses in a row against good teams in the Nuggets and Jazz stir little concern, but their next game is against the Warriors. We will have to see if they began to sink or swim against these top tier teams to see how far this team could really go. I don't see them doing any worse than making the playoffs though.

New York Knicks | Record: 2-5

Without Kristaps, you can't expect much from this Knicks team, but the least we could expect was a rookie of the year campaign from crowd favorite Kevin Knox. After an injury that should keep him out a little while, we haven't gotten to see much of him. Guys like Tim Hardaway and Frank Ntilikina have been playing good, but without Kristaps Porzingis this team doesn't have much. Look for the Knicks to remain the Knicks this season.

Oklahoma City Thunder | Record: 2-4

With a solid defense present in Oklahoma City, the offense just needs to come together. Paul George has been doing the most scoring this year, but Westbrook is still scoring a decent amount alongside his usual performances in rebounding and passing. Once Westbrook gets into pure scoring form and the team comes together we could expect more wins, but these things aren't certain. There isn't huge cause for concern at this point, but something has to come together for the Thunder to get the playoff spot that their talent deserves.

Orlando Magic | Record: 2-5

We didn't expect much out of this team going into the season, and this is why. With only two wins for a combined margin of just six points over their opponents, the Magic aren't showing much promise. Vucevic and Aaron Gordon are putting up decent numbers, but are still underperforming a bit for this team to even be watchable. Mo Bamba hasn't shown us much but at least he has brought more popularity to basketball because of Sheck Wes' hit song, "Mo Bamba."

Philadelphia 76ers | Record: 4-4

The process has come into full effect in Philadelphia. A 4-4 start isn't the most promising, but Embiid is playing like the most dominant player at the center position at the moment. Simmons has enough talent to make others look stellar, and key guys like Redick and Dario Saric could step up even more. Fultz has shown signs of improvement, and once this team gets on a nice role we're sure to see that record continue to improve. Can they be as dominant as the most obvious front runners in the East? Definitely.

Phoenix Suns | Record: 1-5

Devin Booker has taken over yet as we would expect from him. He's performing, but the Suns clearly aren't. Ayton looks great as probably the third rookie of the year contender, but hasn't gotten much of the spotlight behind Trae Young and Luka Doncic. This team could definitely compete in the future but for now its pretty clear they'll be competing for the last seed in the Western Conference.

Portland Trailblazers | Record: 5-2

Damian Lillard emerged last season as one of the MVP candidates due to his scoring, and it looks like there is no slowing him down this season. Starting off third in scoring amongst the league, he's led his team with some solid backcourt help from his partner C.J. McCollum. The Trailblazers struggled in a series against the Pelicans last year in the playoffs, but it looks like Dame wants those struggles to end. If they could keep it up, it'll be nice to see where this team stands come playoff time.

Sacramento Kings | Record: 5-3

You might be looking at that record with a troubled face, but don't you worry. De'Aaron Fox is another one of those guys who looks like he will be competing for Most Improved Player in just his second year, leading this team. The rookie Marvin Bagley III has looked good, and Hield has also played well. Willie Cauley-Stein is averaging a double-double, but with all these solid performers, this team could start falling soon. Their three losses were to their 3 best opponents. It would shock us all if the Kings finished with a playoff spot, so let's give it a little bit more time before we decide if this team could really compete for one.

San Antonio Spurs | Record: 4-2

DeMar is clearly fitting in just fine in San Antonio, a relief for fans. LaMarcus Aldridge has also proven to be a big help, and key role guys like Rudy Gay are looking okay. With losses to the Blazers and Pacers, two teams who are very good, there isn't much concern for this Spurs organization. Many people thought that this would be the year where the playoff streak ends for them, but DeMar looks like he wants to keep it going, and maybe even lead the league in scoring on the way there.

Toronto Raptors | Record: 7-1

Kawhi Leonard is the third name that will probably be tossed around in the MVP conversation with Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo, and for good reason. Toronto fans are loving what he is providing, and their only loss has come in a game that he did not participate in. Outside of the overly dominant Warriors, this team looks like the best in the league. I won't be surprised if they come out on top over the Celtics or 76ers.

Utah Jazz | Record: 4-2

Donovan Mitchell has emerged as the leader the Jazz need in only his second season. With arguably the best defense in the league, the Jazz are off to a decent start, but it'll only go up hill from here. Rudy Gobert looks fantastic on both ends, and guys like Joe Ingles are really stepping into key roles. They are solid on both ends, and should prove themselves as one of the contenders that we could see facing off against the Warriors in the conference finals.

Washington Wizards | Record: 1-6

With the trade of Marcin Gortat, this team is struggling at the center position. The new NBA is running smaller of course, but not small enough to not have a center on a team like this. Wall and Beal are doing a solid job scoring the ball, but they'd have to increase their numbers even more for this team to start getting wins. Their only win came in overtime... by one point. At the start of the season I would've expected them to contend for a playoff spot, but they're going to have to bounce back fast here. Definitely the team bringing up the most concern at the start of the season.

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About the Creator

Kevin Mikos

Screenwriting/Film Student at California State University, Northridge

I love film, sports, video games, and people

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