Starting this week, TheMindOfMyron.com is bringing you the "TOP 5 TOP 5 TOP 5" NBA teams of the week (also with other NBA tidbits). This is the inaugural edition so enjoy and also #SpeakYourMIND with your TOP 5 teams in the comments!
5. OKLAHOMA Thunder (3-0)
When Kevin Durant left OKC for Golden State, many expected Russell Westbrook to put up insane numbers the next season. Well...three games into the next NBA season, he is averaging INSANE NUMBERS! Westbrook is averaging a triple double with 38.7 PPG, 12.3 RPG and 11.7 APG. He made crucial buckets late in the fourth quarter in the season opener versus the Philadelphia 76ers and went for 51 points in an overtime win against the Phoenix Suns. The Thunder as whole have looked decent thus far but they face their first real test of the season when they play the Clippers and Warriors in a back to back games (Wednesday/Thursday). Victor Oladipo has looked decent so far as Westbrook's new sidekick but it will be entering to see if this play continues when the competition stiffens.
4. Los Angles Clippers (3-0)
The Clippers are healthy and looking good to start the season. In their first two contests, they beat two potential playoff teams fairly convincingly in the Portland Trailblazers and Utah Jazz. They have had solid contributions off the bench from Jamal Crawford of course but also from Austin Rivers who lead the team in scoring with 19 in their win versus the Jazz. The biggest problem I see from the Clippers is the SF position. Luc Richard Mbah A Moute is the current starter and is giving his squad nothing offensively. The Clippers will have to upgrade at this position sometime during the season to be serious contenders with the Warriors and the Spurs.
3. Chicago Bulls (3-0)
We are only three games in but this revamped Chicago Bulls roster is looking pretty impressive. The analysis before the season was that "the three alpha dogs won't get along" and "this team has no shooting" but they are proving those statements wrong thus far. Dwayne Wade had an impressive season opener with 22 points and a clutch three to clinch the game against the Boston Celtics (see picture above). They also have had impressive wins against the Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets. Rajon Rondo has been spreading the ball around well as expected and Jimmy Butler has looked rejuvenated. Doug McBuckets and Nikola Mirotic have provided nice sparks off the bench as well. If the Bulls can continue to jell and stay healthy, they might become a true threat to the Cavs.
2. San Antonio Spurs (4-0)
No Tim Duncan, No Problem!
The San Antonio Spurs have not seemed to have lost a step since losing their future First Ballot Hall of Famer in Tim Duncan. That is partially due to the great signing of Pau Gasol and largely due to the improvement of Kawhi Leonard. After working out with Kobe Bryant in the offseason, it seems as if the 2x Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP has gotten even better! Leonard started the season out by scoring a career-high 35 points in a blow-out win versus the star-studded Warriors squad. He is leading his team in PPG (28.0), APG (4.3) and SPG (3.3). Lamarcus Aldridge has looked good to start the season and second-year player Jonathan Simmons looks to to be yet another jewel in the rough found by the Spurs. For those who thought the Warriors would just walk to the Finals yet again, this team from San Antonio might have something to say about that.
The San Antonio Spurs have not seemed to have lost a step since losing their future First Ballot Hall of Famer in Tim Duncan. That is partially due to the great signing of Pau Gasol and largely due to the improvement of Kawhi Leonard. After working out with Kobe Bryant in the offseason, it seems as if the 2x Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP has gotten even better! Leonard started the season out by scoring a career-high 35 points in a blow-out win versus the star-studded Warriors squad. He is leading his team in PPG (28.0), APG (4.3) and SPG (3.3). Lamarcus Aldridge has looked good to start the season and second-year player Jonathan Simmons looks to to be yet another jewel in the rough found by the Spurs. For those who thought the Warriors would just walk to the Finals yet again, this team from San Antonio might have something to say about that.
1. Cleveland Cavs (3-0)
Last but not least, the Cavs top the TOP 5 for this week. They are the defending champs and are undefeated thus far this season at 3-0. They started the season off with a BANG with a blowout win over the New York Knicks. LeBron James led the team with a triple-double. Their next two games were closer but yet they managed to pull them off. Kyrie Irving is leading the team is scoring and could potentially be the first person ever to lead a LeBron James team in scoring not named LeBron. The Cavs will be tested this week as they face James Harden and the Rockets as well as the Boston Celtics but I would not be surprised if they ended up 5-0 after those games.
QUICK HITS
- GET ANTHONY DAVIS SOME HELP: Davis put 50 points in the season opener against the Denver Nuggets and 41 in the Pelicans second game against the Golden State Warriors. The Pels lost both games. Solomon Hill signed a four year 48 million dollar deal with the Pels and is averaging 3.3 PPG. E'twaun Moore signed for 34 million and is averaging 10 PPG. Those signings are not looking so great so far. The Pelicans need to get healthy fast and make some deals so they do not waste Anthony Davis is his prime like Demarcus Cousins is being wasted in Sacramento.
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