The 2023-24 NBA season has witnessed both fraudulent and fabulous starts from various teams and players. From rising stars to cold starts, let’s delve into the early season performances and categorize the teams accordingly.
FRAUDS:
1. Milwaukee Bucks: Despite being the championship favorites, the Bucks have shown signs of being fraudulent at the start of this season. While having a respectable 4-2 record, their performance has been arguably underwhelming. Although Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have been solid individually, they have failed to live up to the high expectations set for them. The Bucks start to raise questions about their ability to go into their championship form, especially with the seeming reliance on Dame. In both games they’ve lost, Dame scored only 9 and 15.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: With star power in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers’ 3-4 record is concerning.
Although LeBron continues to impress with his scoring and playmaking abilities, the team’s overall performance has been inconsistent. The Lakers have struggled against teams they were expected to dominate, suggesting cracks within their foundation. Their start has been fraudulent compared to their potential, but there is still plenty of time to prove that wrong.
3. Phoenix Suns: The Suns, who were conference semi-finalists in the previous season, have also had a fraudulent start to the 2023-24 season. Despite the presence of KD and a talented roster, their 3-4 record is disappointing. The main concern so far for the Suns has been injury struggles, ⅔ of the big 3, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker, seem to be unable to get fully healthy so far. Assuming they can work through injuries, however, the Suns could still be an easy finals favorite.
FABULOUS:
1. Phoenix Suns Bench: The bench players for the Phoenix Suns have been fabulous, providing valuable contributions to the team’s success. Players like Eric Gordon average 15.2 points and 3 assists per game, showcasing their impact off the bench. The Suns’ depth in the second unit has played a crucial role in their victories and is a strength the team can rely on moving forward.
2. Chet Holmgren: The young Chet Holmgren has made a fabulous start to his NBA career and easily has the potential for future success. As the third option on his team, Holmgren has averaged an impressive 17.8 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game, he even had 7 blocks in a single game already which is unreal. His defensive presence combined with his scoring ability showcases his potential to become a force to be reckoned with in the league.
3. Cam Thomas: Another player making a fabulous start to the season is Cam Thomas of the Brooklyn Nets. Despite being a very quiet player in preseason media, Thomas has immediately made an impact, averaging an impressive 29.4 points and 2.4 assists per game. His scoring ability and overall performance rival those of established superstars, making him one to watch as the season progresses.
4. Golden State Warriors: The Warriors have been nothing short of fabulous this season. Led by the exceptional
performance of Stephen Curry, who is averaging a stunning 31.5 points per game, the team has dominated with a 6-2 record. This strong start, coupled with excellent team chemistry, makes the Warriors a formidable force in the league. Along with Curry, Chris Paul is showing that he’s still got it, averaging 9/4/8. The only concern so far with him is shooting percentages, averaging 14% from 3 and 36% overall, which is awful, I could average better percentages.
As the 2023-24 NBA season unfolds, it becomes evident that some teams and players have made fraudulent starts while others have been simply fabulous. The Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers have underperformed compared to expectations, while the Phoenix Suns have struggled to replicate their previous success. On the other hand, the Suns’ bench players, Chet Holmgren, Cam Thomas, and the Golden State Warriors have made fabulous contributions, showcasing their potential for success. As the season progresses, it will be intriguing to see how these teams and players navigate their early performances and whether they can sustain their fabulous starts or overcome their fraudulent ones.
