With
eleven games now in the past, the San Antonio Spurs remain defiant of
father time against the winds of change, whereas other teams are falling
from grace and rising to power.
The Spurs find
themselves with an 11-0 record, atop the entire league in the standings,
even with the Lakers just one game behind at 10-1. This is a far cry
from a league-record 41-game win streak San Antonio set just 3 seasons
ago after winning 70 games, but it's definitely promising, given the
roster shakeup this summer and the turbulent recovery period after Kawhi
Leonard's departure from the team two seasons ago.
Kent
Bazemore has been impressive, shooting above 40% from long range,
including a new career-high 33 points performance already in the
background. Trey Lyles is excelling in the mid range and Jarrett Allen
is almost too good as a backup, certifying a large contact, whether it
comes as an extension before the deadline by San Antonio or by another
team next summer as a free agent. Brandon Ingram has shown a new scoring
prowess, as other core players show improvement--a testament of the
training staff's hard work over the last couple seasons. "The way
Brandon eyes that net now, and how fierce Dejounte is on the fast
break--it is impressive, let me tell you. We had a part in that, but the
credit goes to our players most of all. They have tremendous heart, and
a warrior spirit," Coach Popovich said, next to Assistant Coaches Tim
Duncan and Becky Hammon, who he continues to mentor on the sidelines.
"We're off to a strong start, but we got a rough set of games coming up. We gotta keep strong."
The
Spurs will soon face the Los Angeles Clippers (8-3) and Utah Jazz, the
former ousted without Brandon Ingram on the court, and the latter
stretching the Spurs out to 7 games last season.
Meanwhile,
some teams with high promise are off to shaky beginnings. The Brooklyn
Nets have a seemingly healthy Kevin Durant on the hardwood at Barclays
Center now, yes, but their record is just 3-8, with two of those losses
courtesy of the Spurs. Doubters are asking the question: Will Kevin
Durant return to form? Also underwhelming so far is the Golden State
Warriors, going 8-5, despite a new exciting arena at the Chase Center
(7-0 at home) and a healthy Klay Thompson, having lost once to San
Antonio.
Not far behind the Lakers is the Utah Jazz at
9-3, who San Antonio would be wise to keep an eye on. Meanwhile, the
Milwaukee Bucks stand at 6-7, just 4-3 at home, roster standing pat for
the most part from two consecutive Finals runs, before bowing out to the
76ers last season. Not a good sign, considering that the Greek Freak
will be the most-prized free agent next summer.
Down
South, the Miami Heat now appear to be contenders once more at 8-3,
after a lengthy absence from the wars of this Spurs team's earliest
title victories; a refreshing sight as it was Miami that last defeated
the Spurs in the NBA Finals, yet so long ago. The acquisition of Kevin
Love from the Cavaliers and Andre Iguodala has definitely paid off. The
basketball gods may be finally shining light upon the New York Knicks,
if only some light, as LaMelo Ball has been a rookie sensation so far,
propelling the Knicks to a 9-2 record (5-0 at Madison Square Garden).
The Atlanta Hawks, with LaMarcus Aldridge, Trae Young & #1 Pick
Anthony Edwards lead the Eastern Conference at 10-2 having won 6 in a
row (7-1 at home).
Lastly, the 76ers (fresh off a 1-4,
NBA Finals defeat to San Antone) have started out solidly at 8-5, aiming
to defend the Eastern Conference Title. Then, there's the Toronto
Raptors, sans DeMarr DeRozan (and Marc Gasol, now a Laker) staggering
out to a 2-10 tally (1-7 on the road), looking to Pascal Siakam to carry
the torch from Kyle Lowry. If it helps, the Magic are just 3-10
with
DeRozan. With a now-healthy John Wall, the Washington Wizards are 0-10,
scoring just 79.9ppg thus far, as a leadership tension seems to be
building between Bradley Beal & Wall, the former this past summer
saying he'd like to play his entire career in Washington, since it's
different to have an NBA Team build the roster around
you, seeming to imply that John Wall's time is up as the front-man of the Wizards.
In
closing, the NBA Season is still young, as the undefeated Spurs head
into Charlotte to match up with the 1-10 Hornets, who have their own
problems with promising sophomore prospect, P.J. Washington &
third-year talent, Devonte Graham contending against second-year
signing, Terry Rozier, III. Danilo Galinari's free-agency arrival has
done little to win games, with Rozier clearly struggling to lead the
team in Kemba Walker's wake. Rozier shot 37% last year, including 30%
from 3PT distance. 11 games in, he is shooting worse at 36% and a
shocking 28% from 3PT range, averaging just 3 assists and 10ppg.
Charlotte also has the albatross contract in Nicolas Batum, who's not
been able to live up to the agreement due to injuries and roster
acclimation. So, even with Michael Kidd-Gildchrist now in Dallas with
his own hefty contract in the past, Jordan's organization clearly has a
rocky future ahead.
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