Concerned or Not?
For today’s blog, I am going to run through 5 teams that had high expectations and explain why I am concerned or not.
Brooklyn Nets (2–2)
I am not concerned just yet for the Nets. There are some things I do have doubts about, mainly Joe Harris’ mini-slump and Harden not driving as much. However, I know both of these things will fix themselves fairly quickly. The big reason I am saying no is two letters: KD.
Kevin Durant is somehow playing even better than last year and carrying this team. Until Irving can come back and Harden gets back into game shape after the hamstring injury, KD is going to have to carry the load. For Durant, this is not a hard task.
Brooklyn is also coming off a big win over Washington to get back to an even record. They have had a rocky start, but the team is almost completely new so that was to be expected. Brooklyn has also made it clear that they don’t really care about the regular season, so no concern will be had by me for a long time.
Los Angeles Lakers (2–2)
This is another no from me. People are making a big deal of their struggles when it is a very similar situation to the Nets. They are a very new team in terms of roster composition and have had two really impressive wins in a row. LeBron being out last night and still pulling out a win showed me that this team is going to be fine come playoff time.
Russell Westbrook struggling was a big portion of the criticism from media and fans when it came to the Lakers so far. He put some of those doubts to bed carrying the team to an overtime win against San Antonio and proving he can still play great when he needs to be.
My biggest concern with LA is durability. Anthony Davis rarely plays a full season. LeBron has begun to play less and less due to his age getting up there. If both of these guys can play 70 or more games, the Lakers should rightfully be in the conversation for the one seed.
Phoenix Suns (1–2)
Of the teams discussed so far, I am in the middle with Phoenix. It’s only been three games, but their last loss is something to look at with a wary eye. Losing by 29 to a Portland team that hasn’t been too impressive is a sign for concern. On the other end, the game before, they whooped the Lakers. This is signs of an early-season fluctuation.
Any team that has Booker, CP3 and Ayton is going to win many games. The question is how they rebound tonight after such a big loss. The Kings should be an easy win. If they end up losing this game, the concern will become much more prevalent and points will have to be made about what is going on over in Arizona.
Indiana Pacers (1–3)
Of the 5 teams, this is the one I expected to do the worst. I did not expect them to lose like they have. Every single game they have played has featured a collapse in the second half. Even their sole win was almost a loss. When a team with playoff aspirations keeps imploding during games, concern is very valid.
Another reason for concern is the injuries. The Pacers are currently missing both Caris and TJ Warren while Myles Turner has somehow lost his spot in the rotation. If Indiana doesn’t beat Toronto, I might write Indiana off for being able to make any noise due to the amount of heartbreak they would have suffered only five games in.
Philadelphia 76ers (2–2)
I have huge concerns about Philly. Embiid is saying he has to push through an injury four games in. Ben Simmons probably won’t play another game in a Sixers uniform. Doc Rivers is still an awful coach. Morey is too focused on his ego and being right to get rid of Simmons and make them a championship team.
All of these struggles are an awful sign for a team many people had high hopes for. If Embiid is already struggling with injuries and there isn’t Simmons, they might not even be a top-half team. I love Tobias Harris, but he can’t be a number one option on a team that has aspirations to be a team that can win a title.
With the loss against the Knicks, their next game is super important. They play a Pistons team that is not very good. If they don’t win by more than 20 points, things will need to change.