We are almost a quarter of the way through the season and it is therefore time to draw a first collective assessment, with a Western conference denser than ever, and an Eastern conference where we find the two best results with the Cavaliers and the Celtics , the reigning champions.
Off to a flying start, the Cavaliers (17-3) are marking time a little with two consecutive defeats against the Hawks. It must be said that Kenny Atkinson and his Cavaliers were perhaps walking a little too much on water since the restart, with the coin always seeming to fall on their side. Despite everything, by placing Evan Mobley in the center of the game and bringing more variety to the attack, the coach has unlocked something in Ohio, in order to be able to aim very high.
Just behind the Cavaliers, the Celtics (16-3) They have just had seven consecutive victories and they can even take the lead in the league by winning this evening… against the Cavaliers. With their squad full of defenders capable of shooting from afar, the reigning champions are perfectly equipped to do the double, while they have negotiated their start to the season well without Kristaps Porzingis, who has just returned to the field.
In the West, it is the Thunder (15-4) who impresses, especially in defense, with an army of interceptors capable of getting their hands on the ball and inflicting great pressure on the opponents. Enough to hold on, despite a significant deficit in the absence of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, who has only just resumed.
Like the Cavaliers, teams that rely on defense or rhythm
Behind this trio, we find a bunch of interesting teams, starting with the Rockets (14-6) whose physical defense also derails opponents. Same thing for the Magic (14-7)who does better than resist the injury of Paolo Banchero, with a great Franz Wagner, and defensive barbed wire.
Determined to run and set the pace, the Grizzlies (13-7) are far from the “Grit & Grind” of Tony Allen and company, but their tempo, with or without Ja Morant, really hurts the legs of their opponents.
THE Warriors (12-7) Maybe their legs already hurt. It must be said that the very wide rotation and the new style of play implemented by Steve Kerr require extensive efforts. Enough to surprise the entire league at the start of the season, and to lead the West at 12-3, before sinking twice at the end of the match, against the Spurs and the Nets, running out of juice. And that now makes four consecutive losses for Stephen Curry and his gang…
Offensive efficiency versus defensive efficiency of teams
On the side of Mavericks (12-8)the start was tricky but things are getting better, and Luka Doncic's injury did not break the dynamic, on the contrary. Despite his time in the infirmary, Jason Kidd has options, and his group takes advantage of them.
Many teams looking for the right formula
Behind, many teams are looking for the right formula. Starting with the Nuggets (10-7)still as dependent on Nikola Jokic and as crumbly when he joins the bench. Mike Malone knows that he must find solutions to limit the damage when the replacements come on, even if he does not have much room for maneuver.
On the side of Knicks (11-8)we need to find a better defensive base, even if we know the limits of Karl-Anthony Towns, who is not a protector of the circle. The most worrying, however, are the difficulties displayed by Mikal Bridges in navigating in front of the screens, which the opponents saw clearly since he was forced to fight facing 25+ screens per game ! He is the player most involved in this type of action in the NBA this season, and no one has had to face so many screens since Lu Dort, during the 2021/22 season…
For the Suns (11-8)the return of Kevin Durant is good, even if the dependence on the exploits of “KD”, particularly at the end of the match, raises questions about the final potential of this group.
Like the Knicks, Lakers (11-8) absolutely must raise their voice in defense if they want to achieve their goals for the season. But then again, what are JJ Redick’s levers really? Certainly, he has the scarecrow Anthony Davis under the circle, but the surrounding workforce is very limited in the area, while the economic phases of LeBron James are seen more and more, and he lacks ” stoppers” to compensate.
Conversely, the Clippers (12-9) hold up the shock thanks to their defense and their pick-and-roll between James Harden and Ivica Zubac. With Paul George gone and Kawhi Leonard on the sidelines, we didn't really know what to expect from this team, but they show a real identity. It remains to be seen how far she can take them from now on.
Authors of a catastrophic start to the season, the Bucks (10-9) are going back on the slope, and they can hope that the return of Khris Middleton will allow them to regain their place among the big names of the East. THE Heat (9-8) no doubt hoping for the same thing, but everything will depend on both Jimmy Butler's ability to carry the offense and Erik Spoelstra's ability to find the right adjustments on defense. What the coach has difficulty doing.
With the experience of Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes, the Spurs (10-9) They are in the right wagon, taking advantage of the good contribution of Stephon Castle. But will it hold up for the Texan franchise? And above all, can it rise to the next level, to fight over the long haul against the best teams in the West?
Among the big disappointments at the start of the season, there are two conference finalists, the Wolves (9-10) and the Pacers (9-11). The former are having a hard time digesting the exchange of Karl-Anthony Towns and the arrival of Julius Randle who isolates himself too often offensively, while also forgetting himself too often defensively. As Anthony Edwards said, this group now seems disconnected even though it was precisely through its cohesion that it stood out last year. Not to mention that Mike Conley is missing a relay organizer, and that Jaden McDaniels and Donte DiVincenzo will need to start shooting to give the attack some air.
For Indiana, there was an avalanche of injuries, but also the difficulties of Tyrese Haliburton, whose ineffectiveness away from Bankers Life Fieldhouse weighs down the team, and does not allow it to take off for the moment.
Among the disappointments, we can also cite the Kings (9-11)who are having a hard time reaching a milestone.
Soft stomach and cascade of injuries
THE Hawks (10-11) have just signed three victories in a row, including two against the Cavaliers, and with the impact of De'Andre Hunter but also all their great backs/wingers to support Trae Young, they have all the weapons to climb into the play- in… or perhaps even more if the pieces fall into place quickly.
Among the good surprises of this start of the campaign, the Nets (9-11) by Jordi Fernandez surprise with their aggressiveness, both in attack and defense. In FIBA mode, they defy the odds, like during this “road trip” with three successes in the West, against the Kings, the Warriors and the Suns. Yet with quite a few injuries…
Behind, the Pistons (9-13) and the Blazers (8-12) show real progress while we still wonder when the Bulls (8-13) will really explode their squad.
At the back of the class, the Hornets (6-14)THE Raptors (5-15)THE Jazz (4-15) and the Wizards (2-16) left for long seasons while waiting for the next Draft.
As for the Sixers (4-14) and to Pelicans (4-16)their cases are particular because it is the injuries which explain their respective delays in ignition. While they are built around Joel Embiid, the first logically cannot give the measure of what they want to be without their MVP. The seconds have seen almost their entire rotation go to the infirmary, and can therefore only grit their teeth.
The problem is that even if the injured will (logically) eventually return one day, it may be too late. Especially for the Philadelphia team, which was aiming for nothing less than the title this year, and which finds itself at the bottom of the rankings. And who will therefore have to fight even just to compete in the playoffs!
