There has definitely been a couple of early surprises so far this season, but what shouldn't be a surprise is how good the Dubs are. The Warriors are simply on fire and can't find a way to lose! People outside the Bay Area just aren't as spoiled in getting to watch Steph Curry and Co. just dominate teams coming through Oracle. Their undefeated record should surprise nobody despite being without head coach Steve Kerr for the foreseeable future (rumored to be out till after the All-Star break). The Flap, the Chosen One and El Mijo were even witnesses last Friday night!
O, ya. We sat that close and could literally see just how frickin huge Mo' Speeets is. A fantastic night, that was a ton of fun. Special thanks to The Chosen One and The Flap for making it happen. While some of the Aficionados are looking towards becoming Stanford Football fans/tailgaters, your boy is over here screaming for Dubs season tix! Some folks aren't a fan of the NBA (Uncle Pat) but sit Row 3 at any NBA game and you'll change your tune real fast. SF Arena 2018!
Early Surprises/Top Teams:
Warriors: Again, Curry and the Warriors are tearing through the league but what is most surprising is that they remain undefeated without their head coach Steve Kerr. Interim coach Luke Walton is doing a great job just setting the Warriors to cruise control and letting Curry defend his NBA/MVP crown. Festivus and Barnes are really blossoming so far this season, look for the Warriors to challenge the 96' Bulls 72-10 record, they are that good.
Cavaliers: You knew this was coming. Lebron continues to be his dominate self and has even got Kevin Love returning to All-Star form. What's most impressive is that the Cavs are the best team in the East despite not having a healthy Kyrie Irving. Irving ridiculous injury-prone history aside, the Cavs should be the top team in the East and the 2015 NBA Finals rematch with the Warriors on Xmas day can't come soon enough!
Andre Drummond/Detroit Pistons: Look at Andre Drummond go! Averaging 19pts/19rebs a game are some Shaq-like numbers. The Pistons are young, fast and well coached by Stan Van Gundy. The team might be a little burned out come 2016 but I like the young Pistons. Maybe getting a 5/6 playoff seed isn't too crazy of a prediction.
Kristaps Porzingis: I love being right! If you read my NBA draft preview earlier this year, you'd find my comments here, "The top prospect coming over from Europe is Porzingus. KP is freakishly tall/long at 7'1 and is also only 19 years-old. His offensive skills are very impressive for someone his size/age, he loves dunking on/over defenders". If I'm not your most honest NBA source, I'd like to meet the one you have that's better. Anyway, KP is impressing so far in NY. The Knicks should consider trading Melo, tanking another season and building a team around Porzingis/2017 Top pick. Call me, Phil!
Warriors: Again, Curry and the Warriors are tearing through the league but what is most surprising is that they remain undefeated without their head coach Steve Kerr. Interim coach Luke Walton is doing a great job just setting the Warriors to cruise control and letting Curry defend his NBA/MVP crown. Festivus and Barnes are really blossoming so far this season, look for the Warriors to challenge the 96' Bulls 72-10 record, they are that good.
Cavaliers: You knew this was coming. Lebron continues to be his dominate self and has even got Kevin Love returning to All-Star form. What's most impressive is that the Cavs are the best team in the East despite not having a healthy Kyrie Irving. Irving ridiculous injury-prone history aside, the Cavs should be the top team in the East and the 2015 NBA Finals rematch with the Warriors on Xmas day can't come soon enough!
Andre Drummond/Detroit Pistons: Look at Andre Drummond go! Averaging 19pts/19rebs a game are some Shaq-like numbers. The Pistons are young, fast and well coached by Stan Van Gundy. The team might be a little burned out come 2016 but I like the young Pistons. Maybe getting a 5/6 playoff seed isn't too crazy of a prediction.
Kristaps Porzingis: I love being right! If you read my NBA draft preview earlier this year, you'd find my comments here, "The top prospect coming over from Europe is Porzingus. KP is freakishly tall/long at 7'1 and is also only 19 years-old. His offensive skills are very impressive for someone his size/age, he loves dunking on/over defenders". If I'm not your most honest NBA source, I'd like to meet the one you have that's better. Anyway, KP is impressing so far in NY. The Knicks should consider trading Melo, tanking another season and building a team around Porzingis/2017 Top pick. Call me, Phil!
Early Disappointments:
Kobe/The Lakers: Kobe's legs just can't carry him the way they used to any more. While Kobe still has the ability to knock down a shot, being the focal point of an offense is just too taxing. Passing up on franchise center Jahlil Okafor might be the dumbest move made by the Lakers for the 2015-2016 season. This franchise will slowly implode this year, Kobe-trade rumors will fly, the Lakers will be looking for a new coach after the season, and hopefully a new GM because Mitch Kupchak's glitter is quickly fading.
Clippers: For all the shit-talking they do, the Clippers never back it up. Younger teams with more back-court depth will be able to feast all over the Clippers this year, especially when Chris Paul goes down with some kind of injury. The Clippers are still a very good team and will no doubt make the playoffs as a high seed, but they are still a disappointing team to be involved with, in my humble opinion.
Uncle Pat's Sac Kings: Another season that started with some promise but now the Kings have reverted back to their losing ways. Rajon Rondo is looking good at PG and Cousins is still a Top 5 Center in the league but the Kings still don't know how to put it all together. It's a shame because Uncle Pat's 49er season ticket-scratch will be available come 2016 but the Kings won't be able to swoop.
New Orleans Pelicans: The Pelicans were smart to pick up coach Alvin Gentry off the Warriors bench but that's about all they did this off-season and it's coming back to bite them in the ass. Having one of the best/youngest talents in the league in Anthony Davis isn't enough as it was last season. The Pelicans have to make some heavy trades for new pieces or pull the plug on the season to get a nice draft pick to pair with Davis. That's what you get for choosing to be the New Orleans Pelicans over the New Orleans Cajuns!
By: El Mijo
Kobe/The Lakers: Kobe's legs just can't carry him the way they used to any more. While Kobe still has the ability to knock down a shot, being the focal point of an offense is just too taxing. Passing up on franchise center Jahlil Okafor might be the dumbest move made by the Lakers for the 2015-2016 season. This franchise will slowly implode this year, Kobe-trade rumors will fly, the Lakers will be looking for a new coach after the season, and hopefully a new GM because Mitch Kupchak's glitter is quickly fading.
Clippers: For all the shit-talking they do, the Clippers never back it up. Younger teams with more back-court depth will be able to feast all over the Clippers this year, especially when Chris Paul goes down with some kind of injury. The Clippers are still a very good team and will no doubt make the playoffs as a high seed, but they are still a disappointing team to be involved with, in my humble opinion.
Uncle Pat's Sac Kings: Another season that started with some promise but now the Kings have reverted back to their losing ways. Rajon Rondo is looking good at PG and Cousins is still a Top 5 Center in the league but the Kings still don't know how to put it all together. It's a shame because Uncle Pat's 49er season ticket-scratch will be available come 2016 but the Kings won't be able to swoop.
New Orleans Pelicans: The Pelicans were smart to pick up coach Alvin Gentry off the Warriors bench but that's about all they did this off-season and it's coming back to bite them in the ass. Having one of the best/youngest talents in the league in Anthony Davis isn't enough as it was last season. The Pelicans have to make some heavy trades for new pieces or pull the plug on the season to get a nice draft pick to pair with Davis. That's what you get for choosing to be the New Orleans Pelicans over the New Orleans Cajuns!
By: El Mijo