Early NBA season thoughts

Image Courtesy of Bing

I really haven't followed the NBA as closely as I usually do. That's no doubt in large part because of my favorite team, the Chicago Bulls being dismal and so eager to accept that condition. I guess now being bad is the goal instead of the byproduct of ineptitude. Having said that, the Bulls have settled comfortably into the NBA's basement.

Bad, but not punchless

It says a lot about the team, when their best find, Lauri Markkanen got playing time when another forward, Bobby Portis, punched out another player, Niko Mirotic's, lights out. I guess the best way for the Bulls to improve is by more violent team brawls. The Bulls might be bad, but they're not punchless.

The general consensus going into this season was the Warriors and Cavs would meet in the finals. While that may very well still could be the case, the Celtics have looked stronger than the Cavs despite the loss of Gordon Hayward. Kyrie Irving looks just fine in Boston, averaging a little over 22 points per game.

LeBron's load has gotten bigger

Meanwhile, the Cavs look weaker. The Cavs took a chance on Derrick Rose, and it hasn't worked out. Rose's injuries continue unabated. After Rose's latest ankle injury, he is contemplating his playing future. I haven't been a fan of Rose's for some time. I do hate to see any athlete deal with the things he's had to deal with. While his latest injury is sad, it should not be surprising. If the Cavs were counting heavily on Rose, they were setting themselves up for disappointment.

Wake me up when it's time for the playoffs

Out west the Warriors seem to be marking time until the playoffs. The Rockets are off to a hot start at 16-4, but I have a hard time thinking it matters very much. Actually, I have a hard time thinking any NBA game matters very much until playoff time.

Where's Melo?

One of the more interesting stories in the NBA, at least to me, is the home of Carmelo Anthony, past and present. The New York Knicks are at .500 and within striking distance of a playoff spot. Kristaps Porzingis is averaging 27 ppg. It looks like Porzingis has been liberated.

Oh, there he is

Meanwhile, the home of Carmelo Anthony present, Oklahoma City is below .500 at 8-11. Russell Westbrook is averaging 21ppg, Paul George is at 20 ppg and Carmelo Anthony is at 19.9 ppg. I'm not surprised the Thunder is below .500. If Russell Westbrook couldn't win it all with Kevin Durant and James Harden, I don't know why he would fare any better with George and Anthony. Westbrook is a great player, but his style of play isn't conducive to making others around him better. The same can be said of Carmelo Anthony. While the Thunder have some great individual talent, it doesn't mesh.

Finally

It looks like the 76ers might actually be good. Ben Simmons has a well rounded game and Joel Embiid is an emerging star. The Minnesota Timberwolves are also an interesting team. I kind of think of them as the Chicago Bulls North, with Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson adding stability to a young team. I'm curious how far coach, Tom Thibodeau, can take them.

The Ugliest Gun in the West

Highly touted Lakers rookie, Lonzo Ball, has displayed an excellent floor game and terrible shot. He shooting at just under 31% and has one of the ugliest shot ever seen in the NBA. His shot is so bad, even the NRA wants him to stop shooting.