The 2013-2014 NBA season is underway. So far this season, there have been many eye-opening events. Ever team in the NBA has played three games so far and some franchises are not where they thought they would be.
Here are a few takeaways from the beginning of the 2013-2014 NBA season.
Courtesy: CBS Sports
MICHAEL CARTER WILLIAMS AND THE 76ERS ARE BETTER THAN EXPECTED
The Philadelphia 76ers are off to a hot start. A big part of this start, can be credited to Michael Carter Williams, the rookie from Syracuse. Williams has been almost perfect in his first games this season, which is why the 76ers find themselves to be 3-0. The 76ers recently beat the Miami Heat 114-110. In that matchup, Williams had 22 points and 12 assists. What is even more jaw dropping, this rookie had nine steals and only one turnover.
76er fans should be thrilled. They were predicted to be one of the worst teams in the NBA this season and guess what, they probably will end up higher on the totem pole than expected. Michael Carter Williams could also end up taking home Rookie of the Year honors, if this type of performance continues.
KEVIN LOVE IS BACK
The Timberwolves were hurting while their superstar stayed sideline. Now, it is official, Kevin Love is back. With the Love and Rubio duo back on the court, the T-wolves are another team off to a hot start. They are currently 3-0. In their first three games, the Wolves have beaten the Magic, the Thunder and the Knicks. In all three games, the Wolves have put up 100+ points.
To me, it seems like Rubio and Love are getting back to some unfinished business they have. With these type of performances, the Timberwolves should easily make somewhere between he 6th and 8th seed in the West. After being plagued by injury, Love is back with vengeance. Against the Orlando Magic, Love put up 31PTS, 17REBS and 4 AST. He is healthy and showing off. The addition of Kevin Martin is proving to be a good one. In just three games, Martin is averaging 20PPG. If the T-Wolves keep it going, they could be a playoff contender in the Western Conference.
MIAMI HEAT HAVE CHEMISTRY ISSUES
It has been surprising that the Heat have been having chemistry issues. In their game opener, the Heat beat the Bulls. In their second game, the Heat lost to the 76ers. They had a rough start falling behind 19-0 in the first quarter. Chemistry, or lack there of, has been an issue so far this season. In just three games, the Heat have given up 55 turnovers. Dwayne Wade compared the Heat’s chemistry to a relationship saying, he told ESPN, “Let me give you an example. If you’re in a relationship with a woman for a long time, you start getting comfortable. You stop doing the little things that you should do, that you did in the beginning. It’s just like a relationship. We got a little comfortable. Now we have to get back on that edge a little bit.” Well, maybe Wade is right, the Heat have been to the Finals three years in a row, maybe all their winning is causing players to not step up like they use too.
The Heat could be feeling a ‘title hangover’. They look rusty and rebounding still seems to be an issue for Miami. Bosh leads the team in rebounding averaging 6.8RPG. Yes, Bosh leads the team in rebounding and he only averages six per game. Hopefully, Oden can become a dominant rebounder for Miami. I would not read too much into the Heat’s slow start this season, they usually figure it out when it matters the most.
DERRICK ROSE IS BACK BUT STILL SHAKING OF RUST
Derrick Rose is back on the hardwood. Many have been awaiting his return. The Bulls are currently 1-2 and the only thing keeping them from a 0-3 start was Derrick Rose’s game winning jump shot against the New York Knicks. We have seen the explosiveness of Derrick Rose. We know he still has it but he still is rusty. Basketball is an extremely fast game and Rose is still playing catch up. Rose is currently shooting .288% from the field in his first three games back. He is also averaging almost three more turnovers than he did in any previous season with, 5.7 turnovers per game. I believe that he is just getting rid of the rust after spending all season rehabbing his knee. Bulls’ fan should not worry too much from this slow start in Chicago. I know Rose and company will get it going and figure it all out.
Courtesy: Sports Illustrated/CNN
THE WARRIORS ARE SLEEPER TITLE CONTENDERS
I believe, that this year, the Warriors have the potential to be the strongest team in the Western Conference. The Warriors have proved so far that they can run with the best, as Curry and Chris Paul went head to head in the Warriors loss to the Clippers. I would not be surprised to see the Warriors make it to the Western Conference Finals this year.
Golden State has Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, who could possibly be the best backcourt in the NBA. Their frontcourt is just as strong with Igoudala, Lee and Bogut starting. Curry is by far one of the smartest point guards in the NBA and he has an amazing scoring ability. Curry and Thompson, together, are a backcourt duo, which is probably on of the best in the NBA. This season, behind the arc, Thompson is shooting 44% and Curry is shooting 59%. This team is well rounded offensively.
The Warriors have a very strong solid starting five and I would not be surprised to see them make a strong run at the title.
All statistics credited to basketball-reference and Espn.com
