East: Atlanta, supposed to be 0-n and finish this season <25, they reach 1/8 of expected win games in the first week. West: Portland, supposed to be the worst team in NBA, played solid and won 3 of 5.
Their schedule makes it happen. Mavs lost Spurs, Rockets, LAC, and rising Warriors(a bit surprise) Suns lost Spurs, Jazz, LAC, and Lakers(a bit surprise) It is not fair that NBA gave Lakers the easiest Schedule (All the first 5 oppenents are last lottery teams).
There is always a couple of crappy teams that have quick starts. Portland has a bad defense and Atlanta has a bad offense. Rest assured, both teams will have their hotel reservations for Secaucus, NJ by the all star break.
What do you mean it's not fair? Every team plays the same amount of games. The schedule will even out over the course of the whole season.
Yeah, people are making big deals of these poor starts but this isn't the NFL. A 0-4 start or 1-4 start doesn't mean you're dead.
Atlanta won again! Portland won again! 1. Portland plaied good defense right now. 2. JJ gave offense to Atlanta
1. If you win many in the first period, you will get more confidence and good chemistry in the team. When you meet a good team, you have high more chance to win a game. 2. If you meet a good team when they are playing the 2nd game of back-back, you have more chance too. And you will play a bad team in your 2nd game of back-back. Of course, the schedule does not affect the great teams and the lottery teams, but it is important for the middle-level teams like Lakers.
I like Portland. Nate Mcmillan is a good coach and has the respect of the young players and they believe in his system. They got rid of the glut in the backcourt from last year and have Jarret Jack running the system which is very nice because he's a pass 1st distributor. They also have Zach Randolph playing up to his potential and if he keeps his mind set like right now he will continue to be a monster. Lastly, they're young, they hustle, have talent and got rid of most of the headaches/cancers. Oh yeah and Brandon Roy is a stud.
Amazing! they came back 9 in the last 3 minutes to win Sonics; came back 16 to win Wolves; Completely dominated Lakers; come back 27 to win Hornets.
So Nate Mcmillan is their coach? No wonder. Nate is very good at 180-degrees-turning of bad teams into playoff teams. He did the same thing with the Supersonics as few years back. They went from a lottery team to one of the leaders in the Western Conference. Then they got stoopid and didn't lock up Nate. And now Nate is doing his thing at Portland. Players (especially previously recalcitrant trouble makers) listen to him. Nate can unleash the potential of bad teams loaded with talented trouble makers.
Utah in the West b/c they have had some good wins and Carlos Boozer is playing great right now. I knew they were good, but I thought good like the Lakers as in they will compete for one of the last playoff spots, but now they have a chance to win their division, even if its a weak division. Sixer in the East b/c they have a chance to actually get home-court advantage in the first one in a very weak conference.
Ya the Jailblazers are no longer the scrub of NBA. I like Zach Randolph's attitude taking a 180C turn from last year. I heard he was in the best shape within the team at the start of the game. Also some good side of this team include: -Deadliest interior players such as Pryzbilla, Magloire, Lafrenz, Zach. Also developing players such as Aldrige -Atheletic team that can play small ball: Webster, Outlaw, JJ, Randolph, Dixon - Decent outside shooting team with Dixon, JJ, Roy, DICKAU!!!, Lafrenz. Even Zach Randolph is hitting outside shots -Depth is the advantage of this team. They've got players that can play multiple positions -Isolated the tumour of the team by putting him on the IL list. I think the coach has done a great job on arranging team chemistry. Nate also kept his promise to management by changing the team from scrub to superb -Zach is the franchise of this team if he keeps on this attitude. Even Garnett priased "It is hard to keep up with Zach Randolph for 40 minutes a game" btw who is Dean Demopoulos?
Good to see Nate McMillan get some respect here. He's a very good coach who's "take no prisoners attitude" is just what Portland needed. I think they benefit from Darius Miles not being around. It might be good for them if he misses the entire season. But I wonder how long Randolph will continue to play this well and it won't be long before he flakes out and McMillan holds him accountable. The Hawks will come down to earth. This could be a breakout season for JJ but that team doesn't impress me at all. If Speedy Claxton doesn't pull it together, I look for them to have an extended losing streak (or two) coming up. If Utah doesn't get decimated by injuries, they are definitely for real. But something will happen to Boozer and/or Kirilenko. On the Suns, I think D'Antoni is about ready to bench Diaw, who has been a disappointment this season. What excuse does a 24 year old player have for being out of shape? Amare's presence is disrupting their team chemistry. He's also got some personal issues too. Check this out if you care: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=147339 Lastly, Marcus Banks has been a complete bust so far. At least JL3 came cheap for us.
It's impossible to predict accuarately in the NBA. Suppose you have the best team in NBA and all five starters get injuries during th first game and you finish last. First off, even the weakest teams can have a shot to win your team. Secondly, vs better teams even the weakest teams tend to play better, since it's an extra motive. On the other hand, if you're weak, often your opponents will underestimate you. See how the win vs Mavs was treated by fans of the Rox. First five or ten games are a good starting indication, but lets not forget there are 82 in the NBA. A great deal of teams, depending on their schedule put more effort later on. The important thing is the playoffs. There is no use to a team to have a miracle 80-2 and then disq. during the first round. And there have been teams in the past with good season records that didn't go well during the playoffs. You have to keep a little strength for the playoffs. Also, lets wait till midseason, cause I supsect if the teams see they'll not get to the playoffs they'll play worse for a shot in the first 4 draft picks.
Atlanta and Portland are definately off to fast starts, but the true suprise team in my book is Utah. They look legit, and I didn't expect them to do much.
