The symbolic bar of twenty games exceeded for all NBA teams, it is time to learn the lessons of the first quarter of the season. DNA of Sports offers you to do it in five parts: the strongholds, the outsiders, the good surprises, the disappointments and the dunces.
After the three strongholds of the League, we continue today with the outsiders of this beginning of the season, a solid group of seven teams which did not necessarily start the year very well, but which remain formidable threats, in ambush at this point. Clearly, these formations have managed their little daily glitches well, and they can only do better.
Denver Nuggets (14-7)
Weighed down by injuries last season, which earned a new Herculean effort from their pivot Nikola Jokic who won a second consecutive MVP title, the Nuggets have found their vital forces this season, namely Jamal Murray (17 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) and Michael Porter Jr (16 points, 6 rebounds). If the latter have not yet reached their best level after (very) long absences, the “Joker” is at least much better surrounded, with the contribution of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (12 points, 3 rebounds) on both sides of the field, and the underrated Bruce Brown, author of his first career triple-double.
With a rich workforce of seven players with 11 points or more, the Nuggets present the third best offense in the League (at 115.8 points on 100 possessions), with four official “distributors” in Jokic (9 assists), Murray, Brown (5 passes) and Hyland (4 passes) who can all run the shop if given the keys. Quietly after a start to the season without a big winning streak (no more than four wins in a row) but never more than two losses in a row (and it only happened to them once), Denver is quietly doing its little good way.
With veterans (Jordan, Green, Smith) who can come off the bench in case of problems, an Aaron Gordon who is simply having the best season of his career in skill (60% on shots including 38% from 3-pointers), but also long-toothed youngsters (Nnaji, Cancar, Braun and the inevitable Bones Hyland), the Nuggets should slowly but surely heat up as the seasons go on. In any event, Denver is having a warm winter this year.
Cleveland Cavaliers (14-8)
The Cavaliers hit hard by recovering Donovan Mitchell from the Jazz. The repercussions were immediate with the cavalry which started off with a bang with eight wins and a loss, before suffering five losses in a row, to better resume with four consecutive successes… A playoff team if ever there was one, Cleveland present in in any case, a very good record at the quarter of the season. The Mitchell transplant has taken quite well in Ohio.
With Mitchell (29 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds) in his prime and Darius Garland (23 points, 8 assists) still improving, the Cavs not only ensure more than 50 points in total in each game , but above all they have a duo of future backs, which can grow together and propel the Cavs to the top.
Because, inside, Evan Mobley (15 points, 9 rebounds) and Jarrett Allen (13 points, 11 rebounds) also make the pair, while long segments and defensive complementarity.
They erase a lot of defensive errors in the circle and in deterrence, making Cleveland the team that takes the fewest points in the NBA with 106 points conceded per game, and the second in “defensive rating” with 105.5 points conceded out of 100 possessions. Only Milwaukee does better.
New Orleans Pelicans (13-8)
It’s a good surprise, but also an outsider who confirms his rank. In the playoffs last season, eliminated in six rounds by the Suns, the Pelicans confirm their excellent second half of the season, and Willie Green has managed to create a real collective. The passes to the infirmary of the stars of the team do not have so much impact, and everyone is now wary of Zion Williamson’s teammates.
After a year without playing, the young power forward has returned to his best level with 23 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4 assists per game, and we obviously can’t wait to see him alongside Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum to gauge the real potential of this formation. On paper, it can play spoilsport until the end, especially since the bench is rich with Jose Alvarado, Larry Nance Jr or even Devonte ‘Graham and Trey Murphy to bring pep.
Memphis Grizzlies (12-9)
Despite the absences of Desmond Bane (8 games) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (15 games) in particular, Memphis is still one of the best records in the League. Ja Morant’s teammates (28 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds) have indeed managed to build a solid collective, in the Top 10 of the best attacks, even if the defense has on the other hand regressed a lot. With a multitude of options: nine players at 8 points or more in this case.
If Memphis can find stability in its rotation, with Desmond Bane (25 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) able to train again and Jaren Jackson Jr. (19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks) already back, the Grizzlies can aim higher in the West. Especially with JJJ’s defensive presence (alongside Steven Adams).
Because, at the same time, the rear-wheel drive of the Grizzlies is a real attraction, spectacular and serial scorer. Conference semi-finalist last year, Memphis is in the nails after a poor start to the season, when you add the calendar and the infirmary.
Los Angeles Clippers (13-10)
Projected everywhere as favorites for the supreme title with the cumulative returns of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the Clippers are currently far from this status. Stuck in the starting blocks with four defeats in their first six games, the Californians must above all still manage the absences of their two stars…
Thanks to the chubby portfolio of owner Steve Ballmer, the Clippers have still managed to cushion the shock, thanks to a workforce rich in backs and wingers, with only one real pivot: Ivica Zubac.
In the permanent waltz of the Californian rotation open to the four winds, ten players have started at least once. Twelve run more than 10 minutes per game. Ty Lue is rotating his squad, to say the least, and so far it’s holding up with a positive record and solid defence. Let’s hope for them that Paul George and Kawhi Leonard will spend more time in the field than in the infirmary…
Philadelphia Sixers (12-10)
Beyond the fact that they are coached by Doc Rivers, the Sixers are experiencing the same start to the season as the Clippers with the injuries of major players, and yet, a positive balance sheet.
The Sixers also found the right rhythm when James Harden was injured. Tyrese Maxey confirmed that he had reached a milestone before… getting injured too. Result: it was Shake Milton who took over with the same success to the point of flirting with the trophy for best player of the week.
On the other side of the field, PJ Tucker is doing well, and the Sixers have the 3rd best defense in the country with 106.1 points against on 100 possessions. Under the panels, Joel Embiid has the same level as last season, that is to say that of an MVP and we want to see, over time, his agreement with James Harden. In an Eastern Conference where other leaders have started badly, such as the Nets, the Heat and even the Bulls, the Sixers have a lot to play for, and they should soon settle in the Top 4.
Atlanta Hawks (12-10)
Even if they have to compose without Bogdan Bogdanovic, we must admit that we expected better since the Hawks present themselves with perhaps the best duo of backs in the NBA: Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. Both are All-Stars and hard to do more than complementary. On this first quarter of the season, they do not disappoint, but the whole lacks a bond with the rest of the team, and in particular with a “frontline” which does not weigh enough in attack.
Given the misfortunes of some, Atlanta should have settled in the Top 3 of the conference. Instead, it remains irregular with losses against the Rockets and the Hornets, but also two convincing victories against the Bucks. Atlanta is hard to pin down but it’s still an underdog to watch. Especially when Bogdan Bogdanovic is back.
