The Blazers unexpected leaders in the West, the Celtics already in front in the East, Luka Doncic on an MVP mission, the Warriors outgoing champions without defense, the difficulties of the Lakers, the Nets and the French… State of play in the NBA, after a month of competition.
Fresh wind in the West
Portland leads the way (10-5) and the return to form of Damian Lillard, long absent after an abdominal tear, explains a lot. But around “Dame Time”, a rejuvenated workforce is bubbling with envy, like the talented rear Anfernee Simons and winger Jerami Grant, a good pick in the transfer window.
These Blazers are driven by a fierce will to defend, a virtue long missing in Oregon. “In the past, we would have expected someone to have a warm hand,” agreed Lillard. But with the energy that is ours, we first think of stopping the opponent. That’s all the difference.”
If Phoenix (2nd) and Denver (3rd) are logically in ambush, the 4th place of the Jazz is surprising, the team being in reconstruction after the departures of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. Except that the recruits, like the astonishing Finn Lauri Markannen and Collin Sexton, show remarkable cohesion.
Green Sun in the East
As if nothing had happened, after an offseason bordering on discomfort with the suspension for the entire season of Ime Udoka, for an “inappropriate intimate relationship” with a team employee, the Celtics calmly assume their status as finalists of the last championship (best record in the league, 12-3).
The former assistant Joe Mazzula ensures the interim and the continuity of the excellent work carried out since last year. The game is in place, the workforce is more complete than ever, with the recruitment of full-back Malcolm Brogdon, around the essential duo Jayson Tatum / Jaylen Brown.
Behind, unsurprisingly, are the Bucks, 2021 champions, despite the absence of Khris Middleton, hit in the wrist, but with Giannis Antetokounmpo in MVP mode as he was in 2019 and 2020.
Doncic already “magic”
In the race for the best player of the season trophy, Luka “magic” Doncic got off to a great start. Best scorer with 34.4 points on average (8.8 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 2.1 interceptions), the 23-year-old Slovenian prodigy has already managed three games over 40 units and eight over 30 (13 matches played in total).
Warriors, the big breakdown
What’s happening to Golden State? If Stephen Curry is still as dazzling as ever, the rest of the team is transparent. Figures attest to this: eight defeats in as many trips, unheard of for a defending champion: 124.3 points conceded on average, which make it the worst defense in the league outside.
Not to the taste of coach Steve Kerr: “we lack collective desire. We play like in Drew League! (summer league mixing professionals and amateurs). We feel sorry for ourselves, but no one will take pity on us. Everyone is eager to kick our ass. Sport rewards you when you really get involved. If you really fight together, the shots come in, the whistles go your way… There’s none of that.”
Lakers and Nets, hello sadness
To say that the start of the season is delicate and laborious for the two franchises is an understatement.
In Los Angeles, even with LeBron James constant in the effort, Anthony Davis finally valid and Russell Westbrook over-motivated, off the bench, to silence the critics, the sauce still does not take. Also sorely lacking in shooters, the 2020 champion is 14th in the West.
In Brooklyn, coach Steve Nash paid the price for the lack of results (11th in the East). Only Kevin Durant, who claimed his departure this summer, holds his rank. Unlike Kyrie Irving, who still made people talk about him outside the courts, by promoting an anti-Semitic film. Suspended eight games by the Nets, the All-Star point guard should be reinstated on Sunday to face Memphis.
Pale Blues
If Rudy Gobert is in the acclimatization phase in Minnesota (14.2 pts, best rebounder in the league with 12.5 catches) and Nicolas Batum remains a shadow worker at the Clippers, Evan Fournier is in great difficulty at the Knicks, where coach Tom Thibodeau hasn’t used him for two games, after keeping him in the starting lineup at the start of the season.
Killian Hayes fights for him and shows progress with the Pistons, as does Theo Maledon with the Thunder.