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We’re a few weeks into a new season, and while it’s too early for teams to establish their full identities, we can start to see some stories forming. Some preseason contenders are struggling; other teams have been surprising, and others are returning to the teams we know them to be.
Here are the five team situations that many should keep their eyes on at this point of the season.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have started the season 2-6 and the way they’ve lost has been concerning to most. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have been playing at their usual All-Star level but it’s clear there’s other issues around them. Since hiring Doc Rivers mid-season last year, the Bucks have struggled. But it’s still early enough in the season for them to turn things around. It’ll be interesting to see if they can turn things around before the In-Season Tournament.
Brooklyn Nets
After trading Mikal Bridges across the bridge and receiving their draft picks back, and hiring a new head coach in Jordi Fernandez, many believed that this would be a rebuild year for the Brooklyn Nets. But as of now it seems the Nets have other plans. Players like Cam Thomas, Cam Johnson, Dennis Schroder, and Nic Claxton have played pretty well to start the season, and their attitude towards winning speaks volumes.
Looks like this team is shooting to be the best version of themselves as possible in the midst of establishing their future. Currently 4th in Eastern Conference standings with a 4-4 record, the Nets have had some impressive victories under their belt.
They beat the Bucks, the Memphis Grizzlies twice, and took the Denver Nuggets to overtime. It’s still too early to tell what kind of team they’ll be. If these players keep playing at a high level, expect for some movement to happen as the Nets look to build with young pieces for the future. They’d be fools to not put themselves in a position to have a lottery pick in this upcoming draft with a loaded class.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles lakers started the season strong going 3-1 but have gone 1-3 since. The Western Conference has shown to be the tougher conference once again this season. The Lakers are 4-4 and currently 10th in conference standings. We have already seen the effects of new leadership in JJ Redick, who has made them look like a new team. Anthony Davis has performed at a high level as well.
The young players on the team have seemed to improved. Health will be a large factor for their success. There’s still a great amount of basketball left to be played. Can Redick lead the Lake Show back to greatness?
Philadelphia 76ers
This season hasn’t gotten off to the greatest start for the Philadelphia 76ers as they have had many struggles early on. Paul George missed the first few games of the season with an injury he suffered in preseason.
Joel Embiid has missed time due to injury and now serving a 3-game suspension for an altercation with a reporter. And Tyrese Maxey is expected to miss a few weeks with a hamstring injury. On top of those absences, the 76ers have started the season 1-6, losing their last four games. With a start to the season this rough, you have to wonder how they choose to respond. After Embiid’s suspension, they could be right back on track.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies have been solid to start the season. With them returning to as close to full strength as they can, you’d have to imagine what kind of team could they be this year. Ja Morant seems to be on a redemption tour of sorts.
They’ve been in some tough battles, beating the Lakers, Bucks and 76ers already this season. Their young talent is shining too. Rookie Zach Edey seems to have fit in seamlessly and Scotty Pippen Jr has played impressive as well. We know this team is hungry to get back to the playoffs and make a deep run.
We’ll see how they perform in the In-Season Tournament. That will really tell us what kind of team they really are this season.
It’s still too early to tell with these teams but these are definitely situations that’ll be interesting to see play out throughout the season. We all know it’s not about how you start, it’s how you finish.
An avid sports fan and journalist who’s main focus is the lovely game of basketball. If I’m not covering the game, I’m either playing ball or watching it.
