A fast look on the standings will recommend the LA Lakers are on monitor to dwell as much as their pre-season billing as one of many groups with a real probability to elevate this season’s NBA trophy however there are some early warning indicators in La La Land.
Heading into Friday afternoon’s (AEDT) conflict with the Thunder, they’re seemingly sitting fairly in third spot within the Western Convention with a 5-3 document and buzzing alongside because the veteran squad shrugs off pre-season rust and continues integrating the various new recruits who lobbed in LA for the 2021-22 marketing campaign.
However their schedule has been as delicate as Russell Westbrook’s defence and now LeBron James, who has already missed a few video games, will miss no less than per week with an belly pressure with powerful tussles on the horizon towards Portland, Charlotte and Miami.
Once they’ve taken on playoff calibre opponents, they’ve misplaced – by 12 to the Warriors within the season opener, by 10 to the Suns, each at residence, in addition to a street journey clunker to the group tipped to problem for the worst document of all time, the Oklahoma Metropolis.
They’ve overwhelmed the Grizzlies on the again of a late missed free throw by Ja Morant, the rebuilding Spurs in OT, the enhancing however nonetheless erratic Cavaliers and the Texan travesty often called the Rockets twice, the second after a buzzer-beating three rimmed out.
This isn’t the formline of a real NBA title contender.
(Picture by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Pictures)
The season continues to be younger and any group with LeBron and Anthony Davis within the line-up can’t be counted out however the indicators aren’t good for the remainder of this squad.
Westbrook is a notoriously sluggish starter each season, particularly in a brand new surroundings like he’s been with Houston and Washington the final couple of years, however he has a historical past of being inefficient, particularly if he’s not the go-to man and he won’t ever be greater than the second ball handler whereas LeBron is on the courtroom.
Carmelo Anthony has rediscovered his soar shot since transferring from the Path Blazers however his defence, which hasn’t been horrible recently, will likely be a legal responsibility when the Lakers are matched up towards the massive canine of the league within the common season and significantly within the playoffs.
From there, who else on this roster can coach Frank Vogel rely on for high quality minutes? His choices are both gamers who’ve had moments within the league however didn’t show their value over the lengthy haul like Kendrick Nunn, Kent Bazemore and Malik Monk or veterans nicely previous their use-by date in Rajon Rondo, DeAndre Jordan, Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza and Avery Bradley.
LeBron likes to make a mid-season commerce or two, or three, or extra to shake up an under-performing roster and it wouldn’t shock to see the Lakers hand over future property to money in on the ultimate 12 months or two of his traditionally lengthy prime.
To be truthful, Utah and Golden State are the one two groups within the west who’ve regarded indestructible thus far. Miami have completed likewise within the Japanese Convention whereas another groups have made scorching begins however have questions lingering over their credentials just like the Bulls and Sixers.
It’s manner too early within the season to make dire predictions on the Lakers however the warning indicators are there that if modifications aren’t made, they could possibly be making up the numbers when the playoffs roll round.
Hold your eyes on …
The Chicago Bulls – for all these diehards with tatty Jordan throwback singlets, the correct ones not those that put on it for the road style cred, the Bulls are again… doubtlessly.
The addition of DeMar DeRozan on a big-dollar deal within the low season was seen with suspicion however he has labored in nicely alongside Zach LaVine with Nikola Vucevic taking a lesser position because the Bulls have surged to a 6-2 document on the again of spectacular wins over shock packets Toronto, the misfiring Celtics and the beforehand unbeaten Jazz.
Three-point information – after the primary fortnight of the season there have been 9 gamers capturing at 50% or extra from past the arc, led by Houston veteran Eric Gordon’s 55.6% with Patty Mills (52.4%) additionally within the combine. That’s bonkers.
Commerce speak heating up – whereas there isn’t any motion on the Ben Simmons entrance, there could possibly be a couple of mumblings turning into murmurings then morphing into chatter at a couple of groups. Indiana look the most definitely group to make an early transfer with the group struggling, new coach Rick Carlisle eager to usher in his personal type of gamers and the Myles Turner/Domantis Sabonis surfeit within the frontcourt absolutely coming to an finish. The Portland scenario can be value watching – the assist forged round Damian Lillard continues to be not sufficient and CJ McCollum may develop into expendable.
Flagrant foul: WTF Second of the Week
Have you ever seen the OKC Metropolis Version uniform launched this week? That ain’t proper. It’s simply all white – the singlet, the shorts. The lettering and numbers are gray. It is going to be very arduous to choose up the participant’s identify and quantity after they put on this stuff however it should seem like they’re carrying underwear on courtroom.
Introducing the 2021-22 Metropolis Version Uniform
???? | https://t.co/kG1BsiAWUr pic.twitter.com/NsS7IIJSYT
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) November 1, 2021
Just about the opposite 29 jerseys are bangers or no less than the group has put some effort into making them stand out from the group. The Thunder are taking an L on this one.
Out of the field scores: Stat of the Week
Grizzlies rising star Ja Morant is averaging 2.4 free balls recovered per recreation, in accordance with NBA.com stats, the following finest is Toronto’s Gary Trent jnr at 1.8. Morant is just not solely a potent scorer and rising chief at Memphis, he grits and grind in true franchise style and is all however a lock to make his first All Stars group this season.
Boomshakalaka! Quote of the Week
“Bing bong is right here to remain as a result of it means one thing so optimistic. It means solely good issues towards the Knicks. There aren’t any unfavourable connotations. It’s not ‘Go Knicks, screw the Raptors’. It’s ‘Go Knicks, we love New York’.” The NBA’s early-season social media sensation, Bing Bong man Jordie Bloom, tells nymag.com his dream for his viral catchphrase.
Weekend must-watch
If you’re not watching Knicks v Bucks at 10.30am AEDT on Saturday, you’re doing the NBA incorrect. New York (5-3) have the higher document than the 4-4 champion Milwaukee squad which has been lacking injured guard Jrue Vacation huge time.
Sunday’s match-up is one other no-brainer – arguably the 2 hottest groups within the league going face to face when the Jazz journey to Miami. Utah guard Donovan Mitchell and Warmth veteran Jimmy Butler are darkish horse MVP candidates if both of their groups tops their convention and so they’ve each been in famous person mode this season.
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