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After three weeks of action in the 2020-21 NBA season, fans are beginning to get a clear picture of how the standings may look like the end of the season.
As the league comes to grips with ongoing COVID-19 disruptions, several teams have emerged from Week 3 with vastly improved fortunes after the opening fortnight.
2020-21 NBA Week 3: Ten key talking points
The Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics have all had great weeks, but the Atlanta Hawks went backwards.
On that note, let us take a look back on an eventful seven days and the ten biggest takeaways from the week.
#1 Need to amend COVID-19 protocols
The NBA has fallen prey to the current COVID-19 pandemic as league officials discuss what future protocols should look like.
After the farcical nature in which a depleted Philadelphia 76ers lost to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, it was clear that the NBA needs to address its current ruling about player who contract the virus.
At the time of writing, NBA officials are due to discuss how the health and safety protocols could be amended. While it is unlikely that the league will get postponed, the NBA will need to attempt to put in place stricter rules to protect the teams and staff, a task they completed well in the summer.
#2 Dallas Mavericks find their rhythm
One team who have been involved in NBA news regarding match postponements are the Dallas Mavericks, who will feel aggrieved to see their winning run getting delayed.
After starting the season with a 2-4 record, Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle made tactical changes to his side which then went on a 3-game winning streak, knocking off the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets.
Embracing his benching, Tim Hardaway Jr. has been in inspired form, producing two 30+ games during week.
Now that the Mavericks appear to have their season back up and running, fans will be excited by the prospect of Kristaps Porzingis returning to the floor this week alongside MVP candidate Luka Doncic.
#3 Boston Celtics display grittiness despite COVID-19 setbacks
The Boston Celtics were one of the week's top performers in the NBA, as they stretched their winning run to four games this season.
Usually known for their steely defense, the Celtics have instead had to rely on their ability to close out games, winning four of seven games by five points or less.
Despite their good run, the Celtics have learnt that Kemba Walker has returned to training, but Jayson Tatum will have to isolate for 10-14 days, as has been the case with the majority of their lineup.
Nevertheless, the Boston Celtics could have a very positive season and should expect to reach the Conference Finals based on their current form.
#4 Jayson Tatum and Luka Doncic win the 'NBA Conference Player of the Week' awards
Future faces of the NBA - Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum - have had stellar weeks while helping their sides climb up the Conference rankings.
Tatum has already hit a game-winner against the Milwaukee Bucks and has averaged 33 points off a 55.6 effective field-goal percentage last week. Both he and Jaylen Brown are having career-years and have been the driving forces in the Celtics' offense.
After initially struggling to find his offensive edge without his teammate and friend Kristaps Porzingis, Luka Doncic roared back to form, averaging a triple-double during the Mavs' successes this week.
The Slovenian has been widely tipped to win the MVP award this season, which given his all-round performances thus far, remain an accurate assumption.
#5 Chicago Bulls display their competitiveness
Despite having the second-worst defensive rating in the 2020-21 NBA, the Chicago Bulls are showing they could prove to be good value for money, as they have emerged as an outside bet to reach the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Coby White and Zach LaVine have been hugely exciting to watch. LaV will be aggrieved not to have not earned the Eastern Player of the Week after scoring a combined 83 points on the road in LA.
The Chicago Bulls have defensive issues. However, if they manage to address the same, they could have a genuine chance of making the playoffs, given the less stacked nature of the Eastern Conference.
#6 Atlanta Hawks fritter away a good start
How quickly a 4-1 start can turn into a 4-5! After John Collins expressed his displeasure with the Atlanta Hawks' offense, his side have lost two games against the Charlotte Hornets, scoring an average of 99.5 points.
Trae Young has looked lethargic and disinterested, perhaps even a little betrayed.
Collins' point stands that Atlanta need not hoist up shots close to the start of the 24-second clock, given the wealth of talent they now boast. However, Atlanta have lost two games on the bounce with a less-efficient offense.
That suggests that Collins could be exiting the franchise sooner than expected as the Hawks focus on their superstar talent Trae Young.
#7 Offense the key for LA Clippers
Heading into the new season, LA Clippers fans would have hoped to see signs that they can make the Conference Finals. With their offense, the LA Clippers will likely finish second in their Conference, but they would want to make it difficult for teams to score against them, particularly from the perimeter.
The LA Clippers currently have a bottom-5 defense despite having elite defensive assets like Kawhi Leonard and Patrick Beverley.
Ty Lue will undoubtedly bring his side back into top-10 contention. However, if they are to succeed this postseason, they will need to lose the ghosts of failures past.
#8 Draymond Green's return rejuvenates the Golden State Warriors
The much-anticipated return of Draymond Green is paying dividends and bolstered the prospects for the Golden State Warriors in the 2020-21 NBA.
Green is not only a leader on the court for both the Warriors' defense and for their young roster, but he is also the key to unleashing Steph Curry's brilliance.
Curry has seen his shooting from the field and from beyond the arc dramatically improve since Green's return, helping the Warriors up to a 6-4 record in the West.
#9 Markelle Fultz suffers a torn ACL
The Orlando Magic franchise will be wondering when their luck will finally turn. After a positive start to the season, point guard Markelle Fultz suffered a torn ACL while driving toward the basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
That has only compounded the Magic's offensive woes and could trigger their front office to move Aaron Gordon on for a few scoring replacements.
#10 Rookies gather momentum
A supposedly poor NBA Draft class is doing its best to prove its critics wrong.
There is genuine excitement about LaMelo Ball, who has contributed significantly to the Charlotte Hornets' 3-1 record this week, as he became the youngest player to post a triple-double in an NBA game.
The Golden State Warriors have also massively benefitted from having a consistent traditional center in James Wiseman, who is rapidly evolving under the tutelage of Draymond Green in defenese.
In Tyrese Maxey's only start this season, the rookie guard scored an incredible 39 points for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Elsewhere, Tyrese Haliburton and Anthony Edwards have made considerable contributions in their first season in the league.
Guess the Lakers players!
