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The 2021-22 NBA season is off to a terrific start. Ben Simmons and Kyrie Irving continue to be major topics of conversation, yet what's happening on the NBA floor is far more entertaining.
Houston Rockets' phenom Jalen Green had perhaps the most electrifying missed dunk in a while, Chris Duarte is surprisingly good and looks poised for the Indiana Pacers, and Evan Mobley is playing great help-out defense for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Veterans everywhere are lighting it up: Seth Curry and Steph Curry are the mad bombers and while some teams are playing well, others are having a difficult time establishing themselves in their respective divisions. It's early, yet let's examine the top story lines of the NBA season thus far.
#5 The New York Knicks are turning NBA heads with three point accuracy
The New York Knicks will be the darlings of the NBA this season, and if they consistently win at Madison Square Garden, the Gotham faithful will love them even more. They currently sit at 2-1, are third in the NBA in offensive rating at 110.8, are also third in the NBA in scoring (121 points per game), and 8th in 3-point shooting (37%).
Tom Thibodeau and the New York Knicks have turned things around in Manhattan, and once again, the New York Knicks are on everybody's lips. This is despite falling back to earth a bit after a 110-104 loss to the Orlando Magic -- where Cole Anthony put up 29 points, 8 dimes and a crazy 16 boards to remind MSG of his father, former New York Knicks guard Greg Anthony.
Unfortunately for the New York Knicks, everyone struggled (Julius Randle had 30, but shot 8-24 and is struggling from deep shooting 29% so far) with the exception of Derrick Rose -- who scored 23 points off the bench.
I've mentioned in a few pieces about the trust Tom Thibodeau has in the youngest MVP in NBA history, and it will not be a shock if both Thibs and Rose are decorated at the end of the season if the positivity continues under the bright lights of New York City.
#4 Running with the Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are 4-0 and have a net rating of 10.0 (4th in the NBA). Their defense is great and holds opponents to 97.5 points a game, which is also 4th in the NBA. The Chicago Bulls are lighting up the stat sheet, and the verstility of their starters seems to be the key to why Chicago is yet to lose.
The starting five is holding big weight, and as DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine put up 23 and 26 points a game, respectively, Lonzo Ball can just sit back and control the show. The Chicago Bulls are playing better defense than expected, and while their pace is 24th in the NBA at 99.5, the Bulls are outscoring opponents by 10 points a game.
The United Center is back in effect, and the triumphate of DeRozan, Ball and LaVine has been as great as advertised. If Billy Donovan can hold this together, the Chicago Bulls might surprise in the postseason. It seems like they're ready to do so.
Also Read: What is Seth Curry’s Current Contract?
#3 The Charlotte Hornets are moving up in the NBA
After a 3-0 start that turned NBA heads, the Charlotte Hornets fell to the Boston Celtics in a wild game, 140-129. Eastern Conference Player of the Week, Miles Bridges, continued to play well and had 32 points and 9 rebounds. LaMelo Ball had 18 points, 5 boards and 5 assists.
James Borrego's crew are all about the points. The Hornets are 2nd in the NBA in scoring with 121 points a game. The Charlotte Hornets shoot 40% as a team behind the arc and have held opponents to 33% shooting from deep in four games.
LaMelo Ball is hitting 50% of his threes and he is often way behind the line when he lets it fly. Lonzo Ball's brother is quickly making a name for himself in his second season, and combined with Miles Bridges wrecking shop in his third year, the Charlotte Hornets are changing the franchise's culture.
Teams must be in shape to run and defend the Charlotte Hornets, and even Ish Smith is contributing in big spots. Look out for Charlotte!
#2 Will the Los Angeles Lakers figure it out?
The Los Angeles Lakers put together a veteran team that will be prepared and alert for the playoffs. LeBron James and his teammates average 30 years of age -- which leads the NBA.
That hasn't mattered to Carmelo Anthony. The 37 year old had 28 points and passed Hall of Fame center Moses Malone for 9th on the all-time NBA scoring list with 27,423 points in the 121-118 win (Shaq is next on the list with 28,596 points). Ja Morant had 40 in the loss.
''I keep saying it's an honor and a blessing to be on that list and pass Moses (Malone) for what he did for the game of basketball. It's hard to put it into words. That I'm still here and doing it, that's what I'm excited about, that I'm here in year 19 and doing what I'm able to do. I'm still passionate about the game, and I'm still passionate about coming to work and getting better,'' said Anthony.
Russell Westbrook bounced back with a 13 point 13 assist game. The 1-2 Los Angeles Lakers are dealing with LeBron James' minor ankle sprain, and are just trying to figure out the chemistry.
Carmelo Anthony has been a plug-and-play scorer since he was the 3rd pick in the draft in 2003 and his veteran leadership will help the Lakers find the chemistry on offense and defense that they need to continue to get better.
Malik Monk is a positive, Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard have squashed their beef, and maybe the sideline dustup was good for the team to get out their frustration. The Lakers are seemingly turning it all around. We'll see.
#1 Are the Brooklyn Nets in trouble?
Similar to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Brooklyn Nets have to figure out their chemistry and defensive issues. The loss of Kyrie Irving is obviously glaring, yet as the NBA season progresses, the Brooklyn Nets have to put aside a dependence on Irving and get it together themselves.
A 104-90 win vs. the no longer undefeated Washington Wizards (2-1) is a sigh of relief for the Eastern Conference favorites. Kevin Durant and Patty Mills paced the Brooklyn Nets with 25 and 21 points, respectively. Patty Mills will be seen as a key pick up if his stellar play continues.
James Harden seems to be pacing himself offensively and had an off night from the field -- 5-17 field goals and just 1-8 from the arc. James Harden has always been laid back, and maybe he's onto something considering the Brooklyn Nets are back even at 2-2.
James Harden is the key because he has so much playmaking and pace responsibilities, and as he and Kevin Durant shoulder most of the scoring load, which Brooklyn Nets players will step up in support?
