Matt Mathias

Sports Editor

mcm5909@psu.edu

A week has passed and the NBA has once again kicked off it’s season. However, headlines from the start of the season have been about anything but basketball. Between vaccine drama ensuing in Brooklyn and brotherly love being forgotten in Philadelphia, the action has unfortunately taken a backseat. With that being said, there is still plenty to be said about some of the talent that teams are displaying. 

At the top of the Eastern Conference is the Chicago Bulls with a record of 4-0. The Bulls have made leaps and bounds in improving their team’s roster over the offseason adding the likes of DeMar DeRozen and Lonzo Ball. The improvements on offense and defense have been clear as their chemistry as a unit is already appearing to be some of the best in the league.

Right behind Lonzo and the Bulls in the East is actually the Charlotte Hornets and the younger of the two Ball brothers in the NBA, Lamelo Ball. Lamelo had quite the rookie campaign last season and was on track to be developing into a premier point guard in the NBA. With help from Miles Bridges, the Hornets are hot to begin the season. Teams following the Hornets include the Milwaukee Bucks, reigning Finals Champions, the New York Knicks, and the Philadelphia 76ers in fifth place without the help of Ben Simmons.

In the west, we have just as many exciting narratives. For one, the Golden State Warriors, led by superstar Steph Curry, are a perfect 3-0. Curry looks primed to put the Warriors on his back until co-star of the team, Klay Thompson, returns from injury sometime this winter. The Utah Jazz look to continue their consistent performances in the West as they are in second place at the moment. Ja Morant continues to shine as the second year point guard continues to improve with the Memphis Grizzlies scoring 37, 28, and 40 points in each of the teams first three outings respectively. 

The Las Angeles Lakers have gotten off to a brutal start. As of now, the Lakers seem to be relying on NBA greats Lebron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook, who was recently acquired from the Washington Wizards this past offseason. Along with these stars, LA will depend on the contribution of league veterans such as Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony, and Rajan Rando. The Lakers have gotten off to a slow start this year, losing two of three games. Lebron was also shaken up after a collision in their game versus Memphis as he and Grizzlies forward Desmond Bane collided. “The first thing I was thinking to myself was, ‘Not again,’’ James said following the game. “Because obviously it was almost similar but not the same kind of play. Guy falls into my leg and there’s nothing you can do about it and I couldn’t get my leg out of there in time.” James missed 26 games last season due to a high right ankle sprain and is hoping to avoid any other setbacks as he has been able to do mostly throughout his career. Westbrook said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times that he is not worried about the Lakers slow start and that he is confident in their ability to pull things together as a unit. 

The 2021 rookies have been exciting to watch as well. The number two overall pick, Jalen Green of the Houston Rockets, has had a fairly decent showing thus far, he’s averaging 16 points, 3.7 rebounds and three assists to go along with an amazing 48 percent 3-point shooting statline. The future looks promising in Houston with Green to say the least. The Cleveland Cavaliers have had some success with their third overall draft pick Evan Mobley. Mobley is averaging 15.7 points, 8.3 boards, three assists, and 2.3 blocks per game. The number one overall pick in the draft, Cade Cunningham has yet to see real NBA action at the start of this season as he has been limited by an ankle injury. Detroit Pistons fans will look forward to seeing their young prospect in action when healthy.