5 NBA teams that have exceeded expectations at the start of the 2021-22 season

The 2021-22 NBA season is off to a hot start. There have been some early troubles for the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers. However, the NBA is seeing the unexpected ease of Chris Duarte with the Indiana Pacers, the continued meteoric rise of Ja Morant, the crazy athleticism of Jalen Green, and the poise of young NBA talent in general. There are teams that are unexpectedly showing improvement from last season. While it remains unclear if any of the following teams will make even bigger moves in the NBA playoffs, let's talk about how great they're playing right now.

#5 Washington Wizards (3-1)

Washington Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. is making an early NBA impact

Wes Unseld Jr. and his Washington Wizards team are doing all they can to change how they are perceived early. He is making the memory of his famous dad proud by finding ways to defeat teams. While we may not know how the Wizards will finish, what is assured is that they are a well coached team. Bradley Beal has missed a game to injury and that might explain his slow start both in the scoring book at 19 points but also behind the arc. Beal is shooting 16% from deep early and Washington are 3-1? Spencer Dinwiddie is also making an impact scoring also at 19 points per game. Montrez Harrell is contributing offensively with his 18 points and nine boards. Even Kyle Kuzma is stellar with 11 boards. These performances make it easy to see why the Wizards are winning early. Those contributions just weren't there last season with all the injuries. Best believe that Wes Useld Jr. will do what it takes to keep the Washington Wizards prepared as the season evolves.

#4 The Minnesota Timberwolves (3-1) are surprising the NBA

Anthony Edwards is a ridiculous athlete

The Minnesota Timberwolves are coming off a 113-108 victory vs. the defending NBA champs, the Milwaukee Bucks. The latter are a team that seems different from last season. Fan Charles sent me this message via social media that speaks to the excitement of Wolves fans near and far:

"Yo Michael Tillery my boys are looking real good. It's been a very long time since I was excited about what my T-WOLVES are doing. They're looking real good right now. They just dominated the champions in their own house. T-Wolves had the lead from beginning to end. The final score doesn't reflect on how much the T-Wolves beat them. Also, my whole squad is pretty much early 20s, so they're going to grow together. I finally think they have the pieces they need to do some damage in the West. It's been a long time for my team to be relevant again. FINALLY MY BOYS ARE BACK!!!!!!!!!"

I hear you Charles, and I don't think too many would disagree. It's good to see the young Timberwolves gain electric confidence in the Western Conference. The fans can feel it in the midst of Karl-Anthony Towns' challenging offseason. His team have responded and have supported their mourning teammate with a true level of excitement. Anthony Edwards looks like an athletic juggernaut. He's scoring 25 points and pulling down eight boards a game. The dunks from Edwards are nothing like what we'll see from him as he physically matures. He has the wow factor of putting fans in seats in the Target Center. The aforementioned Karl-Anthony Towns is destroying everything in his path. Towns is averaging 28 points and grabbing eight boards a game. KAT is shooting a blistering 56% from the field and a crazy 52% from the arc. D'Angelo Russell can shoot it better than his current 29% from deep, yet his 18 points, four boards and four assists are a factor in the Wolves' success.

Can the Minnesota Timberwolves return to the NBA era when Kevin Garnett led Minny to consistent NBA playoff berths in a competitive Western Conference? We'll see, and NBA fans will be watching.

#3 NBA mainstay, New York Knicks (3-1)

Derrick Rose continues to provide excellent leadership for the New York Knicks

The NBA shock of the New York Knicks' strong start in the Atlantic Division as it relates to the Eastern Conference is not why they are 3-1 but how they are 3-1. Utilizing a high-tech shot tracking device, the New York Knicks have catapaulted to the top of the NBA in three point makes. The Knicks are second in scoring per game at 119 points per game - up from 106 in 2020. Julius Randle is continuing where he left off in 2020 and averaging 26 points, 11 boards and seven assists. If he could raise his three point shooting beyond the current 31% he would be even more effective. Evan Fournier is averaging 20 points per game and hitting 45% of his threes. RJ Barrett is steady at 12 points a game yet has to shoot it better from everywhere. Kemba Walker, while putting in just 13 a game, is shooting a blistering 52% from the arc. Derrick Rose is averaging 15 per game and hitting a high clip of his threes with 57%. The Knicks defensively are holding teams to 41% shooting. If this isn't as close to a perfect representation of a Tom Thibodeau team, I don't know what is.

#2 Chicago Bulls (4-0)

Things are running smoothly with the Chicago Bulls early on

Before the NBA season began, the Chicago Bulls were seen as a team that would immediately ascend to the top of the Central Division and potentially the Eastern Conference. DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball have not disappointed. Did anyone have the Chicago Bulls at 4-0? Perhaps not yet, but when considering the collection of talent and where they are as individuals in their NBA, the Chicago Bulls seem like a galvanized force ready to take over the NBA. While the Bulls will not sneak up on anyone, the relentless play of their three stars in versatile ways explains the start.

Lonzo Ball is shooting 43% from the arc and averaging six rebounds and five assists to go along with his 14 points a game. He is dispelling the notion that he cannot shoot with consistency so far, and his leadership in his clandestine way is reminiscent of Andre Miller. DeRozan isn't shooting as well as he could at 41% from the field, yet his 22 points per game, five assists and six rebounds combined with Ball and the emerging versatility of Zach LaVine is hell on defense. LaVine is averaging 25 points, five rebounds and five assists for the Bulls while shooting 44% from deep. Nic Vucevic is steady down low and steadies the defense with a consistent drive.

#1 Charlotte Hornets (4-1)

Miles Bridges and the Charlotte Hornets are wrecking rims across the NBA landscape

The Charlotte Hornets are #1 here because no one in the NBA expected a 4-1 start. Charlotte leads the NBA in scoring at 121 per game - up from 110 last season. The Hornets got out on the break, shot threes at a high clip, and have put tremendous pressure on defenses with their youthful brand of team chemistry and NBA excitement. LaMelo Ball (45% from the arc) and Miles Bridges are looking like NBA All-Stars this season. Gordon Hayward seems like we'll see a big year out of him, and Kelly Oubre seems to have found a home. LaMelo Ball, averaging 19.6 points, six rebounds and six steals, continues to look like the next NBA player to possibly average a triple-double for a season. Miles Bridges (26 points on 40% shooting from the arc) destroys NBA rims nightly, this start might be something of a reality in Charlotte. Ish Smith and Cody Martin were also highly unexpected contributors early on. The Eastern Conference has another exciting invitee to the party.