Putting aside the pathetic NBA gambling scandal story being broken last week…otherwise it was a stellar week for the NBA on Opening Week.
OKC’s Thunder as defending champs has proudly presented itself as the clear cut favorite going 3-0 last week without JDub, Caruso, and Kenrich. Add to the fact–Shai has been even better than last season’s MVP version with a 55 point effort on the road versus the injury depleted Indiana Pacers.
This is where I give Chet an encouraging pat on the back for his solid 31 point performance in Game 3 on the road against the Atlanta Hawks. This is exactly what Shai needs from Chet every third game or so, especially with JDub out. Shai got some much needed rest in the 4th period against the Hawks. Keep this in mind…Shai played a combined 92 minutes in the Thunder’s first two wins over Houston and Indiana.
Here’s what I would also say three games in…none of OKC’s three wins have come against a team I currently have in my Top 12. Houston doesn’t have a point guard and is 0-2, Indiana is not even remotely the same team they were last season on their run to the Finals, and Atlanta appears to have a very serious identity issue as a basketball team.
The Thunder are in Dallas tonight playing the confused Dallas Mavs who I do not currntly have in my Top 16 poll. Cooper Flagg’s NBA debut was in three words…horrific and borderline unwatchable. Hopefully, for his parents’ sake it will be better for him tonight versus the Thunder.
The Denver Nugget are 1-1 two games in with a tough road loss against the better than I thought they would be Golden State Warriors. Aaron Gordon in my mind has passed Jamal Murray as the Nuggets’ second most valuable player behind Nikola.
Another tough road game tonight for the Nuggets at Minny. Then the Nuggets have very four winnable games against the same type of competition the Thunder have faced their first four games. Cam Johnson struggled in his first game as a Nugget, then was much better agianst the Suns with a 15 point performance in Game 2.
Coach David Adelman doesn’t need Cam Johnson to be a star. He already has three of those in Nikola, Aaron, and Jamal. What Coach Adelman needs from Cam is 14-16 points a game and some game to game consistenty Michael Porter Jr. could never delievered when it mattered.
Otherwise…I think Denver game by game will look more comfortable as a team as they define their roles. Denver has not extended Peyton Watson…and I agree with that move. Peyton, buddy, this is Dr. El Prez in Deer Creek, Oklahoma home of the semi-iconic okcthunderground.com…let me give you some unsolicted advice—PICK IT UP IN HURRY IN A SIGNIFICANT MANNER.
In closing…don’t sleep on the youthful 3-0 San Antonio Spurs or the aged Golden State Warriors if Steph and Jimmy B stay healthy.
Peace, love, harmony, and mercy.
MJ