Welcome everyone to the Christmas 2023 NBA early season review.
In Season Tournament: Let’s start with the new in season tournament. Honestly, I didn’t get it. Made no perceptible difference to me. It was won by the Lakers and LeBron was made MVP but it was such a non-event to me that I didn’t even watch any of it. The players made a pittance, $500,000 to each player on the winning team, it just doesn’t make sense to me. I can’t see it lasting more than a couple of seasons without a significant upgrade.
Rookie Surprise. While all eyes were on Victor Wembenyama to blow the doors off the ROTY, it has been Chet Holmgren who is shining like a star in the sky. With 17, 8 and 2, shooting over 50% from the field, he has helped OKC to the 3rd spot currently in the west. Good for him after missing out on his actual rookie year due to an offseason injury. What happened to Wemby? Don’t be alarmed. He is, after all, 2 years younger than Chet. I suspect he’ll still be the phenomena we all believe him to be.
Chasing records: Unwanted records to be sure. The Detroit Pistons currently sit on 26 consecutive losses tying the most unwanted record of them all. Their next game? Tonight against Brooklyn. Sporting a lineup of only 2 recognizable names, the Detroit front office has put these guys in an untenable situation. Hard to say what their long term game plan is. They have a handful of good young players and will likely have a top 3 pick in the 2024 draft but with the 5th lowest payroll, they aren’t playing to win now. Maybe they’re thinking about the OKC plan? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
Whatever happened to: Zion Williamson. Five years ago he was heralded as the next big generational talent. Today? You have to dig around to find any Zion news. What happened? Was it as simple as he couldn’t control his eating? Jeez, on one hand I hope not because tens of millions of dollars are at stake. On the other hand, I hope it is giving him a chance to overcome his eating issue, have a long and healthy career as well as a long and healthy life.
The class of the League: Boston, slightly outshining Minnesota at this point, would seem to be the odds on favorite to win it all this year. They’ve come so close the last few years this must be their year even without Marcus Smart. Smart, a player I really like, hasn’t been making the Grizz look very good to now but let’s see what happens now that Ja is back. So far, Kristaps has been a solid replacement. But here they are 2 games clear on defending champions Denver, playing solid ball and competitive every single night. You have to like that.
Raptors: Good and bad. Scotty is looking like the world beater Masai and Bobby hoped he would be. Clearly having the strongest year among his draft class. He looks great. On the down side, the team looks awful playing no defense and languishing at 12th in the East. No playoff hope and no draft pick. It seems like a lost year. How can they give Scotty the support he needs? Masai really will have to be a wizard to figure this out, particularly because both OG and Pascal are on the last year of their deals without much hope to renew.
Holy Crap he’s good: Tyrese Haliburton is showing this year that he’s got superstar potential. He’s been doing it all. With over 24 points and 12 assists per game, he’s a difference maker. He’ll make your team better.
Okay, let’s rev up and get ready for the second half of the season. I hope to see you watching games!