The NBA season tipped off just 11 days ago, which means it’s still far too early to draw any sweeping conclusions about anything that’s happened so far.
Still, a quick glance at the standings reveals some expected outcomes. The defending-champion Celtics are off to another strong start, at 5-1. The Thunder, widely projected to be the top team in the West, are the only undefeated club left in the conference at 5-0.
On the other end of the spectrum, projected lottery teams like the Trail Blazers (2-4) and Jazz (0-5) sit at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, while the Raptors and Pistons (both 1-5) bring up the rear in the East.
There are a few records that are a little more surprising, however. We figured the Cavaliers would be among the East’s contenders, but they’ve been even better than expected in the early going — their 6-0 mark is the NBA’s best record.
Other would-be contenders in the East, like the Pacers (2-4) and Bucks (1-4) are off to far slower starts. Milwaukee’s performance, in particular, has been troubling, given the underwhelming way their season ended in 2023/24. Damian Lillard‘s fit doesn’t look any smoother in his second year with the Bucks than it did in the first, and the team badly needs a healthy Khris Middleton, who has yet to make his season debut after missing 74 games across the past two seasons.
In the West, several of the clubs led by former MVPs (Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and LeBron James) are off to strong starts, with the Suns (4-1), Warriors (4-1), and Lakers (4-2) holding top-four spots in the standings entering Saturday’s action. New head coaches Mike Budenholzer and J.J. Redick seem to be making a positive impact in Phoenix and Los Angeles, respectively, while Golden State’s depth has been a major asset so far.
On the other hand, after an underwhelming offseason in which they lost starting shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency and faced questions about the fit of newcomer Russell Westbrook and the health of Jamal Murray, the Nuggets are just 2-3 and required an overtime period to beat Toronto and Brooklyn. Nikola Jokic has been playing at his usual MVP level, but he’s not getting enough help, and Westbrook (.244 FG%, .200 3PT%) and Murray (.370 FG%, .304 3PT%) have done little so far to answer those offseason questions.
Again, with the caveat that the sample size is small, we want to hear your takeaways from the first week-and-a-half of the season.
Which fall trends are you taking seriously and which ones do you expect to be short-lived? Which struggling teams and players should be worried and which ones just need more time to hit their stride? Which clubs off to strong starts are legitimate and which ones do you expect to come back down to earth?
Head to the comment section below to weigh in with your thoughts!
Milwaukee is done. Giannis to OKC for Hartenstein and picks… but keep this year’s unprotected Clippers pick and capture the Flagg:
Chet
Giannis
Flagg
J-Dub
SGA
That would be insane if it worked out for thunder. They certainly have ammo to get wild.
I’d dare say Williams would have to be included with Hartenstein with a boatload of picks including any clips picks. Picks from OKC won’t mean much. Someone like Brooklyn has 9 1sts that can be traded from what I’ve been reading. Much more valuable than picks from OKC. This type of trade would be in the off-season me thinks.
Milwaukee would rather make a play-in game than tank as long as they have Giannis. Small market teams do not have the luxury of choosing to close their window on their own to kickstart a rebuild when they are still decent and have a top 5 player who wants to stay with the organization and is still in his prime.
Re-tool around him.
I don’t see him demanding out publicly, but if they don’t win a series, I see a divorce after the season, and I don’t see him going to a rebuilding club like Brooklyn. Hartenstein and picks ain’t enough, sure, but they could send Milwaukee young contributors as well as picks.
OKC not making that move and Bucks would insist on all the best picks. Also Giannis makes $52 and Ihart does not so money does not match. Ihart was just signed can’t be traded until Jan. Either way OKC not trading a core that can go 8-10 yrs for 2 years because they wouldn’t be able to pay SGA new contract, Giannis, and a new Chet contract if he makes 1st team all D & AS game. Presti does not make short sighted moves.
No way in hell do the bucks do that trade…they have only played 5 or so games.. they will get better and don’t need to panic…they are aging and over the next year or two will probably change things up…but to be panicking now …no need… don’t listen to NBA today haha
Things will eventually normalize for teams like the BUCKS.
Once Middleton gets back, the offense will be a bit easier for Giannis and Dame.
Doc’s long been over the hill, but he’s still a decent enough regular season coach.
Bucks and Nuggets need Jokic and Giannis to be better than they have ever been to compete…
Both teams need to shake it up…
Pacers are suffering from young team being taken serious…
And the West in general is looking a lot stronger overall… Going to be one hell of a season with all those competitive teams…
Mil should not have signed Middleton back, but I believe Giannis wanted him back so they had to. Middleton was only going to decline.
I can’t believe MIL GM Horst still has a job. Every one of his decisions have made the Bucks worse than before.
Bucks issues unfortunately has always come down to injuries. This team healthy is still a contender. But after this year. It’s time to start looking at the future. Bucks only need to be healthy for playoffs.
A big part of it for sure but firing Bud because Giannis got hurt was the 1st bad decision
Remember all the Haters …. Especially the ones who don’t get development. 24 yrs old
RJ Barrett – 33.5 mins, 29 pts, 7.3 ast, 6 reb
You said he can’t shoot. 3pt .462%, FG .50%
I’m only talking about the haters here >>> K
Kiss Philly and Milwaukee goodbye now. The east will have at least 4 to 6 teams below 500 when the playin starts.
Golden State has managed to get younger and stronger.