Chicago Bulls Hot Start – Something
The Chicago Bulls Hot start is something we would have expected a team centred around Demar, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic to do. Those players provide the team with a superior scoring prowess with Lavine’s ability to score in bunches and Derozan’s work in the mid-range game. Vucevic has taken a back seat scoring wise but has found other ways to impact games whether it has been with strong screen-setting or things that don’t appear on the stat sheet.
The Bulls are also a much better defensive team and so much stronger being 4th in the conference in Opposition PPG. The Bulls are on the rise and a formidable team in the East the hot start is just something for the moment. How consistent they remain will decide if it becomes everything.
Cleveland Cavaliers Evan Mobley’s Fit – Everything
Evan Mobley’s fit in Cleveland at the moment is everything. I for one was one of the few people that believed that the fit with Jarrett Allen alone was challenging let alone playing with shooting big’s such as Markkanen and Kevin Love.
Evan Mobley has proven to be the NBA ready prospect we had thought he may become coming out of college but through the first 11 games he has 4 double-doubles and 2 games falling one rebound short of a double-double. Mobley is also averaging 1 steal and block per contest as the Cavaliers have had a hotter start than anybody expected. Mobley is the real deal and with an improved 3 point shot he may be scary in years to come.
Milwaukee Bucks Slow Start – Nothing
After having one of the shortest turnarounds for an NBA season and the Bucks are having another short turn around due to winning it all in 2021. The Bucks have struggled to remain healthy throughout their first 11 games with Giannis as the only starter from last season to play in all games.
Due to injury through 11 games Lopez has missed 10, Middleton has missed 5 and remains out due to the league’s health and safety protocols, and Holiday also missed 6 at the start of the year with an ankle injury and non-COVID related illnesses. Due to this, the Bucks have started 4-6 (pending tonight’s result against Philadelphia) but it isn’t all negative as they have been able to find great minutes from player’s such as Pat Connaughton, George Hill, Jordan Nwora, and recently acquired Grayson Allen. It’s not panic time yet in Milwaukee, by the time it comes for the playoffs they will be where they need to be. Let them get healthy then we can evaluate what they are.
Indiana Pacers Finally Nailed a Draft Pick – Everything
For years the Pacers have wasted first round picks, more specifically since 2015 when the Pacers selected rim protecting centre Myles Turner. Indiana finally selected a player that appears to be a guy that fits their system. Chris Duarte was the oldest rookie in the draft and the 24-year-old 2 way guard from the Dominican Republic has proven to be a great fit in Rick Carlisle’s system with the green light.
Duarte has averaged 16 points 5 rebounds and a steal per contest. Chris chimes in defensively and broke the franchise record for most points in a game by a Pacers rookie with 27 in his first game against the Hornets where he also hit 6 3’s. Chris is going to be a two-way problem for the future.
Was Cade Worth the Number 1 Pick – Something
Although it may be too early to judge as Cade Cunningham was the consensus number 1 overall pick and he has only played 4 NBA Games but I am already concerned about Cade Cunningham and his ability to be efficient at NBA Level. It’s a well known fact that some collegiate basketball stars struggle coming into the NBA shooting the 3 due to the extra distance on the 3 point line. Cade has struggled scoring the ball shooting splits of 15% from 3 and 23% from the field.
It may be early but I am concerned when I look at Cade and then see how other players drafted with the next 5 picks have started. Jalen Green is growing into a solid role in Houston, I have just spoken about Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes is a two way machine with outlandish athleticism, Jalen Suggs has been solid for a struggling Orlando team and Josh Giddey has already started to fill up the stat sheet and became the youngest player in the NBA to have a double-double since Lebron. I know it’s early but I think this is something, however it may become nothing.
