NBA Quick Hits: 11/16
By Michael Schneid
Some quick hits on a few surprising and disappointing teams from around the NBA.
The Lakers have a true "Mike D'Antoni team" this year in terms of their roster. In Phoenix, D'Antoni had success running his system with role players and shooters. Steve Nash was the catalyst and Amar'e Stoudemire was the superstar. In New York, he had a lot of success with Amar'e and role players. Than when Carmelo and Tyson Chandler came on, it muddled things. He was forced to adapt to superstars, which he refused to do and was run out of town. Last year he refused to adapt to Dwight Howard. This year though, with Kobe Bryant out recovering from his torn achillies, the Lakers are 4-7 and doing so with role players. Guys like Nick Young, Xavier Henry, Jodie Meeks, Jordan Hill, Wesley Johnson have all started games for LA. Jodie Meeks actually leads the team in scoring with 13.2 ppg. Of course, having a true D'Antoni team doesn't mean success.
The Bobcats have been one of the league's pleasant surprises early in the season. But new head coach Steve Clifford has them believing and running a solid system. Charlotte is 29th in the league in scoring, averaging just 90 ppg. But they are 4th in points allowed, allowing just 93 ppg. Al Jefferson has only played 3 games due to injury but is nearly averaging a double-double as you would expect. Kemba Walker looks like a much improved player, averaging nearly 15 ppg, 5 apg, 4 rpg. Gerald Henderson is scoring 13 ppg and even Michael Kid Gilchrist, who some people wanted to proclaim a bust after year one, is showing signs of potential, averaging 11 points, 6 rebs. Bobcats biggest issue might be their depth. They have a weak bench and could possibly compete for the 8 seed this year if they can add a little more bench scoring, someone to pick up the slack when Walker and Henderson are out of the game
The 76ers might be the most incredible story in the early season. We here at MotleySports, predicted the Sixers would have the worst record of all-time, winning few than 9 games. Well right now, they are 5-5. And it's all because of the 11th pick of the draft, Michael Carter-Williams. MCW is averaging 17 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 7.6 apg, 2.6 spg. Amazing numbers for a rookie, who began his career recording a triple double in a shocking upset over the Heat. The future is certainly bright for the Sixers, and winning games this year is a big bonus. Eventually, the Sixers will get Nerlens Noel, the 6th pick in this year's draft. Whether it is this year or next, Noel will be a big impact player. Philly will likely have their own lottery pick and perhaps the Pelicans first round pick, which has some lottery protection.
Speaking of the Pelicans, they are off to a 3-6 start. And that 4 year, $44 million contract for Tyreke Evans is looking like a bad idea right now. Evans is scoring only 9 ppg and just 4 rpg, and 3.6 apg. Evans, a career 44% shooter, is shooting just 36% from the field. They play of last year's first round pick, Anthony Davis, has been a treat to watch. Davis is averaging 22 ppg, 11 rbp, and 3 bpg.
Utah Jazz are easily the NBA's worst team. The Jazz has a lot of recent lottery picks but also have guys like Richard Jefferson and John Lucas playing big minutes. The injury to Trey Burke has hurt this team and should help their lineup when he returns. Big men, Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors are playing well. No one expected the Jazz to be great, but 1-9 is rough. We projected before the year that Tyrone Corbin would be the first head coach fired, and it looks like that prediction may have a chance to come true. I hope Andrew Wiggins, Julius Randle, or Jabari Parker are comfortable living in Salt Lake City.
Some quick hits on a few surprising and disappointing teams from around the NBA.
The Lakers have a true "Mike D'Antoni team" this year in terms of their roster. In Phoenix, D'Antoni had success running his system with role players and shooters. Steve Nash was the catalyst and Amar'e Stoudemire was the superstar. In New York, he had a lot of success with Amar'e and role players. Than when Carmelo and Tyson Chandler came on, it muddled things. He was forced to adapt to superstars, which he refused to do and was run out of town. Last year he refused to adapt to Dwight Howard. This year though, with Kobe Bryant out recovering from his torn achillies, the Lakers are 4-7 and doing so with role players. Guys like Nick Young, Xavier Henry, Jodie Meeks, Jordan Hill, Wesley Johnson have all started games for LA. Jodie Meeks actually leads the team in scoring with 13.2 ppg. Of course, having a true D'Antoni team doesn't mean success.
The Bobcats have been one of the league's pleasant surprises early in the season. But new head coach Steve Clifford has them believing and running a solid system. Charlotte is 29th in the league in scoring, averaging just 90 ppg. But they are 4th in points allowed, allowing just 93 ppg. Al Jefferson has only played 3 games due to injury but is nearly averaging a double-double as you would expect. Kemba Walker looks like a much improved player, averaging nearly 15 ppg, 5 apg, 4 rpg. Gerald Henderson is scoring 13 ppg and even Michael Kid Gilchrist, who some people wanted to proclaim a bust after year one, is showing signs of potential, averaging 11 points, 6 rebs. Bobcats biggest issue might be their depth. They have a weak bench and could possibly compete for the 8 seed this year if they can add a little more bench scoring, someone to pick up the slack when Walker and Henderson are out of the game
The 76ers might be the most incredible story in the early season. We here at MotleySports, predicted the Sixers would have the worst record of all-time, winning few than 9 games. Well right now, they are 5-5. And it's all because of the 11th pick of the draft, Michael Carter-Williams. MCW is averaging 17 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 7.6 apg, 2.6 spg. Amazing numbers for a rookie, who began his career recording a triple double in a shocking upset over the Heat. The future is certainly bright for the Sixers, and winning games this year is a big bonus. Eventually, the Sixers will get Nerlens Noel, the 6th pick in this year's draft. Whether it is this year or next, Noel will be a big impact player. Philly will likely have their own lottery pick and perhaps the Pelicans first round pick, which has some lottery protection.
Speaking of the Pelicans, they are off to a 3-6 start. And that 4 year, $44 million contract for Tyreke Evans is looking like a bad idea right now. Evans is scoring only 9 ppg and just 4 rpg, and 3.6 apg. Evans, a career 44% shooter, is shooting just 36% from the field. They play of last year's first round pick, Anthony Davis, has been a treat to watch. Davis is averaging 22 ppg, 11 rbp, and 3 bpg.
Utah Jazz are easily the NBA's worst team. The Jazz has a lot of recent lottery picks but also have guys like Richard Jefferson and John Lucas playing big minutes. The injury to Trey Burke has hurt this team and should help their lineup when he returns. Big men, Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors are playing well. No one expected the Jazz to be great, but 1-9 is rough. We projected before the year that Tyrone Corbin would be the first head coach fired, and it looks like that prediction may have a chance to come true. I hope Andrew Wiggins, Julius Randle, or Jabari Parker are comfortable living in Salt Lake City.
- We also predicted before the year that the Nuggets and Grizzlies would miss the playoffs, due to their ill-advised coaching changes and both teams have really struggled to start the season.
- The Pacers are the only unbeaten team in the NBA (9-0). They play at Chicago tonight and at MSG against the Knicks Wednesday.
- The Sacramento Kings are apparently interested in Knicks guard Iman Shumpert.
- Seems like the media is picking on the Knicks for their slow start (3-5) but the Brooklyn Nets are also 3-5 and don't seem to get any attention. Is it because they get a pass until they build chemistry? Or is it because the Knicks are and always will be New York's team?
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