On The Watch “It’s All About The NBA-Who’s On Top?

The NBA-Who’s On Top?

We are officially passed the Quarter mark of this year’s NBA Season and with the successful completion of the second NBA In-Season Tournament, now dubbed the Emirates NBA Cup, proving that even with a bad start at the beginning of the season you can still have enough time to change the negative to a positive.
Although the NBA ratings are down this year, the added Emirates NBA Cup cash prize brought life to all participating teams and raised the competition to an NBA Playoff level type vibe.

The two teams who represented their respective coasts for this Emirates NBA Cup in Las Vegas were the No. 5 Seeded Milwaukee Bucks (14-11) for the Eastside and No.1 Seeded Oklahoma City Thunder (20-5) for the Westside. Staged on a neutral floor, both teams balled out like it was the NBA Finals and made the game that much hyper, but it was the Bucks who showed up and played with that hunger and armed with a two-time League MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo determined to lead the way by making his presence felt with his 26 points, 19 boards and 10 assists on the night. Giannis walked it like he talked and delivered on his promise on claiming the Emirates NBA Cup for the Bucks by defeating a very gamed Oklahoma City Thunder team who fell short on the night. Hopefully the Bucks can use this accomplishment as momentum and build towards their main goal of another NBA Championship.

In Season Tournament aside, the true and surprising team holding down the No. 1 Spot is none other than the Cleveland Cavaliers (23-4). Them Boys are looking stronger and stronger game by game improving on every aspect on the floor. The defending Champions the Boston Celtics (21-5) are proven and still the team to beat and are well-equipped for the long haul this early in the season. The New York Knicks (16-10) with Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson and an improved team defense, are prime to keep things interesting. The Orlando Magic (17-11) is surprisingly in the mix with a young nucleus competing night in and night out. The Milwaukee Bucks (14-11) fresh off winning the Emirates NBA Cup, the momentum is on their side, now its up to them stay in the running and keep climbing up with Giannis in top MVP form. The Miami Heat (13-11), the Atlanta Hawks (14-13), the Indiana Pacers (12-15) and the Chicago Bulls (12-15) are all still in the running but gotta fight hard in these early stages to maintain a spot.

As for the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder (20-5) may have fallen short in the Emirates NBA Cup Finals, but they still hold the No. 1 Spot in the competitive Western Conference looking like the team to beat. Let’s not get it twisted-them Boys are a powerhouse on any given night and with Shai Gilgeous Alexander leading the squad the sky is their only limit. The Memphis Grizzlies (18-9) are picking up steam with a healthy Ja Morant on the floor. Now it’s all about building their way to the top and maintaining a strong hold. The Houston Rockets (17-9) are just now getting it together and improving as a young unit game by game. They have the potential and the goods to stay competitive all season long. The Dallas Mavericks (17-9) are steadily getting it together with Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving gelling game by game with their supporting cast playing their positions. Them Boys will remain a threat throughout the season. The Denver Nuggets (14-10) are not to be overlooked. Them Boys are going through the motions right now but remain in contender status and could easily take over the Western Conference at any time with Nikola Jokić averaging 30 points, 13 boards and 10 assists leading the pack. The Phoenix Suns (14-11) are definitely in the mix for contender contention but only if the 3 headed shooters Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal can stay healthy long enough to maintain a position in the running. Real Talk! As for the Golden State Warriors (14-11), the Minnesota Timberwolves (14-11), the LA Clippers (15-12), and the Los Angeles Lakers (14-12), any one of these competitive teams could easily move up in the tough Western Conference so don’t be surprised at an inevitable shuffle in the future standings.

Stay locked to another interesting Season.

Blaze

On The Watch “It’s All About The NBA-Who’s On Top?”

The NBA Who’s on Top?

We are officially at the Quarter mark of this year’s NBA Season and with the successful completion of the first NBA In-Season Tournament, the changing of the guards is looking quite optimistic within the early standings updates making some teams quite uncomfortable at the moment.

The NBA In-Season Tournament created some traction and some competitiveness that kept the players involved and motivated to reach the destination in Las Vegas and the two surprising teams to represent their respective coasts for this In-Season Tournament were none other than the two No. 5 Seeds in the Indiana Pacers (12-8) and the Los Angeles Lakers (14-9). Staged on a neutral floor both teams balled out like the NBA Finals and brought us a serious game this early into the season. LeBron James and Anthony Davis took it to the next level and raised the bar with LeBron closing out the game with 24 points and 11 boards while Davis finished off a run that secured him the first NBA Cup MVP Award with a performance of 41 points and 20 boards. Unbelievable! The Laker’s one-two-punch was simply too much for Indiana to contain. The Lakers were the In-Season Tournament’s best team from the jump and proved it by walking away with the Trophy of the NBA’s first In-Season Tournament. As the In-Season Tournament Champion all the players and coaches on the Lakers will receive $500.000 each and as runners-up, the Indiana Pacers will receive $200,000 each. Incentive well-earned.

In Season Tournament aside the championship game will not count for either team’s regular season record, unlike every other game played in the event.

Although the In-Season Tournament was interesting, the true and surprising team holding down the No. 1 Spot is none other then the Minnesota Timberwolves (17-4). Them Boys have been looking like true contenders game by game. The season is a long one but if they can maintain the right nucleus and keep growing as a unit, they could see themselves creating some serious havoc come Playoff time.

Another surprising team on the come up is the Oklahoma City Thunder (14-7). With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander increasingly improving year by year and leading this team to stardom, the Thunder seems to have the right attitude and competitiveness to maintain their position amongst the tough Western Conference.

The Dallas Mavericks (13-8) have been maintaining but have also been hit with the injury bug to key players like Kyrie Irving. Depending on how long Kyrie could be out they could find themselves in the hole quickly if Luka can’t hold down the fort for the time being.

The Defending Champs the Denver Nuggets (14-9) haven’t been themselves as of late but still maintain a certain presence in the league as Defending Champs. Health is key and when healthy they are damn near unstoppable. Nikola Jokic is still piling up the stats in an impressive fashion and has proven capable to carry the team when needed.

With new faces climbing up the standing in the Western Conference the Los Angeles Lakers (14-9) (In-Season Tournament Champion), Sacramento Kings (12-8) and the Phoenix Suns (12-10) could find themselves moving up in no time.

The Boston Celtics (16-5) are holding the No. 2 Spot in the league and are in a very competitive Eastern Conference where the new players on the squad have been gelling just right. Them Boys are proving to be legit and can ball with the best of them from either coast. Definitely early contenders on the watch.

The Orlando Magic (15-7) have showed mass improvement and seem to be getting it together. They have been competitive night in and night out but still have lots to prove but are definitely willing to put in that work.

The Milwaukee Bucks (15-7) have proven to have the fire power on the offensive end to hold onto their standing for now but where they fall is at the defensive end. With the loss of Jrue Holiday, the defense has taken a major hit that needs to be addressed if they are to compete towards a Championship.

The Philadelphia 76ers (14-7) have been competitive for the time being but do also suffer from weak defense that needs to be addressed as well. Two-way player MVP Joel Embiid is playing at an all-time high but can’t cover every part of floor at the same time.

The Indiana Pacers (12-8) (In-Season Tournament runners-up), the Cleveland Cavaliers (13-9), the New York Knicks (12-9), the Brooklyn Nets (12-9) and the Miami Heat (12-10) all have the talent but lack consistency but with the right momentum going their way could find themselves bumping the higher ups down from their pedestals.

So much can change from game to game so stay locked in as the season progresses.

Blaze