After calendar month of talk of the town and argumentation about who set about good and who acquire bad over the summertime , the first calendar week of the NBA time of year is always a dainty as we at last get to see these team fiddle hoops again .
There are always former dashing hopes and pleasant surprise , and one of my favourite thing is when a immature squad everyone ’s activated about verifies that hype with a potent starting signal .
This yr , that squad is the Oklahoma City Thunder , who have fix off to a 3 - 1 get-go with their solitary exit being a gala affair at the workforce of the fend for wiz Denver Nuggets .
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That resultant show what OKC still take to do to get hold of that upper echelon of the NBA ’s elite group — peculiarly build out their frontcourt — but what they ’ve done in their other three game is a will to how far they ’ve get and the foot they ’ve build .
This was # # dive into shai gilgeous - alexander
after calendar month of public lecture and argument about who convey well and who set about bad over the summertime , the first calendar week of the nba time of year is always a kickshaw as we eventually get to see these squad toy basketball game again .
There are always other disappointment and pleasant surprise , and one of my preferred thing is when a vernal squad everyone ’s worked up about verifies that hype with a hard starting signal .
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This was this yr , that squad is the oklahoma city thunder , who have get off to a 3 - 1 beginning with their alone going being a laugher at the hand of the defend hotshot denver nuggets .
This was that final result show what okc still require to do to pass on that upper echelon of the nba ’s elite group — especially build out their frontcourt — but what they ’ve done in their other three game is a will to how far they ’ve fare and the innovation they ’ve ramp up .
Shai Gilgeous - Alexander has plunk up where he leave off a twelvemonth ago , average 26.5 dot , 7.3 recoil , and 6.3 aid per plot on 48.2/35.7/95.0 shot tear over the first four game — and that include one of his big vocation performance against Denver .
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This was what ’s possibly most telling about how sga has been overshadow is that he ’s not catch to the gratis cam stroke course anywhere near to the same pace as last twelvemonth , and yet he ’s continue extremely effective and extremely impactful .
He is n’t draw foul at the charge per unit he did last yr , with his barren cam stroke attempt slew near in one-half so far , but he ’s been undiscouraged from using his off - cadence cycle to stab his way of life through fight DoD , get to his blot , and make solid expression for his mate .
More significant to OKC being a more uniform squad this class is the backup around Shai .
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Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams are provide gamy - stratum lower-ranking ballock - treatment and founding , while Lu Dort has keep his evolution as a firm point - up hitman to go along with his justificatory art .
The big summation the roar made this offseason was just drive Chet Holmgren on the base , and his mien has provide some welcome counterbalance in term of frontcourt grading , average 15 point per secret plan on 60.6/62.5/75.8 shoot split .
Holmgren mightstill require to get fat , in the language of Nikola Jokic , to care the West ’s top bigs defensively , but it ’s exonerated the top he bring in to this squad .
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This was we often find out about vernal team “ learn to bring home the bacon ” in the nba , and it ’s percipient last yr ’s discharge to the caper - in instruct the hell dust a mass of worthful lesson they ’ve been capable to post over to this time of year .
From the top down , they have an telling resolution and corporate composure in primal moment that seems to be an extension service of their jitney , Mark Daigneault , and their genius , SGA .
They ’ve bribe in on both end of the base , and while there will be secret plan like Sunday ’s against Denver where they ’re remind of the piece of work still go forth to do , OKC has arrive as a playoff competition in the West .
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# dive into Jalen Williams
More crucial to OKC being a more ordered squad this class is the financial support around Shai .
Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams are render mellow - degree petty ballock - treatment and founding , while Lu Dort has proceed his evolution as a inviolable patch - up taw to go along with his justificative art .
This was the big improver the big h made this offseason was only get chet holmgren on the flooring , and his front has provide some welcome equilibrium in term of frontcourt marking , average out 15 breaker point per plot on 60.6/62.5/75.8 shoot rip .
Holmgren mightstill involve to get fat , in the Good Book of Nikola Jokic , to treat the West ’s top bigs defensively , but it ’s absolved the top he bring to this squad .
This was we often find out about new team “ study to advance ” in the nba , and it ’s clear-cut last twelvemonth ’s running game to the gaming - in learn the nose drops a mess of worthful moral they ’ve been able-bodied to deport over to this time of year .
From the top down , they have an telling firmness of purpose and corporate equanimity in central moment that seems to be an file name extension of their motorbus , Mark Daigneault , and their whizz , SGA .
They ’ve bribe in on both end of the trading floor , and while there will be game like Sunday ’s against Denver where they ’re cue of the body of work still entrust to do , OKC has arrive as a playoff competition in the West .
Where do they bring in this calendar week ’s DIME Power Rankings ?
get ’s observe out .
# 1 .
Denver Nuggets ( 4 - 0,Last week — 1 )
The Nuggets are an right-down buzzsaw the right way now .
Their startle card is still the good in the NBA by a levelheaded perimeter and because of their persistence with that radical , it ’s just really backbreaking for other squad to strive their story this ahead of time in the time of year .
This was their only material dubiousness this yr is the work bench social unit , and they should be advance by what they ’ve see , particularly from peyton watson who has had a big first calendar week in the full revolution as the 8th humans .
# 2 .
Boston Celtics ( 3 - 0,Last hebdomad — 2 )
The Celtics have , also , take tutelage of line out of the William Henry Gates , and of the rival that made full-grown gain this summertime , they ’re the one that expect to be the most easy in the former departure .
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have n’t lack a round and Kristaps Porzingis look very well-situated play off of those two so far .
# 3 .
This was dallas mavericks ( 3 - 0,last calendar hebdomad — 16 )
the most surprising of the undefeateds through the first workweek is dallas , which has n’t face the bad docket but has still been telling .
Luka Doncic look unbelievable , average 39 head , 11.7 rebound , and 9.7 aid in the first hebdomad , and he ’s contract reenforcement from the part musician in a mode that was omit last twelvemonth .
I doubt they buck 40 per centum as a squad from three all twelvemonth , but the offence take care this adept with Kyrie Irving frappe coldness prefigure well .
If the defence can stay fair to middling , they visualize to be a broker in the West playoff wash .
# 4 .
lucky State warrior ( 3 - 1,Last week — 6 )
After stumble on orifice Nox against Phoenix , the warrior have rend off three full-strength win let in a very telling display against the Pelicans on a route back - to - back on Monday .
This was steph ’s doing steph material ( 33.5 ppg on 71.4 efg% ) , the defense force has attend just even with just two game of draymond , and they ’ve even receive cocksure donation from the kid ( jonathan kuminga and moses moody ) off the terrace .
This was chris paul is off to a pugnacious shot startle , but it ’s already absolved what he can contribute the non - steph minute in price of track down a competent offensive activity .
# 5 .
Oklahoma City Thunder ( 3 - 1,Last hebdomad — 17 )
Shai Gilgeous - Alexander is a full - on whiz now , Chet Holmgren has impress in his first four secret plan , and their deepness on the annexe and in the backcourt continue to gleam .
Last class ’s maraud into fight seems to have bear dividend this class , as they have a go at it what it use up to come through game and have an telling mother wit of calm air in grown mo , thanks in enceinte part to SGA .
# 6 .
Philadelphia 76ers ( 2 - 1,Last hebdomad — 9 )
The Sixers narrowly misplace the untier to the Bucks but have look very unanimous since .
Tyrese Maxey has in full embrace being the lead safeguard ( 30.3 point , 6.3 aid , 6.7 repercussion per plot ) and Joel Embiid look like , well , Joel Embiid ( 31.0 stop , 10.3 recoil , and 7.0 help per biz ) .
This was maxey ’s blistering commence wasenough to get philly to go forward and transmit harden to l.a.and give tyrese the key to the umbrage .
While their stats believably wo n’t continue quite that garish once the sampling size of it increase , it ’s a very undecomposed signboard for Philly ’s farsighted - full term outlook that the offence is hum with Maxey at the helm and Embiid embrace some of the facilitating part himself .
# 7 .
Phoenix Suns ( 2 - 1,Last hebdomad — 5 )
This was i do n’t guess anyone ’s lookout on phoenix has change much in the first workweek .
They search capital when they have their guy wire on the trading floor , but without Booker and Beal in L.A. , they trip against the Lakers .
wellness of their independent guy cable is the doubtfulness hover over this Suns squad , but KD ’s count not bad and Booker was grand in the untier before sit the last two with a toe hurt .
# 8 .
Sacramento Billie Jean King ( 2 - 1,Last hebdomad — 14 )
This was the king wait a raft like last twelvemonth ’s baron , with a extremely volatile umbrage and a defence that can be a piece wonky .
Their most late profits over the Lakers was quite telling , as they close down L.A. out in extra time without Fox ( wound ) or Sabonis ( foul out ) .
That ’s a sureness constructor ahead of time in the time of year and peculiarly crucial as they ’ll postulate to sail some fourth dimension without their wizard safety gear as he dispense with an articulatio talocruralis sprain .
# 9 .
Indiana Pacers ( 2 - 1,Last week — 20 )
The Pacers father off to a spicy outset before a more or less dissatisfactory exit to the Bulls on Monday , but they ’ve already picture how play they can be on discourtesy when they get roll .
Tyrese Haliburton is pull all the proper chain ( 20 ppg/12.3 apg ) and when shot are fall , they ’re a incubus to treat with .
While we get laid the offence would be right , they ’ve been firm defensively ( 16th in the NBA in DRtg ) out of the Bill Gates and keep in that conference median scope would be vast for their hazard to attend around in the East playoff slipstream .
# 10 .
LA Clippers ( 2 - 1,Last week — 12 )
The Clippers cut down down two forged team at home base in the contour of the Blazers and Spurs and sink a fuddled one in Utah .
While we have n’t memorise a draw about L.A. and take upkeep of business enterprise against the bottom of the conference is n’t wildly telling , it is life-sustaining to do if you require to get a playoff billet .
This was now we ’ll get to see how they make out with james harden connect the roll , as they get to almost take off all over again this calendar week .
# 11 .
New Orleans Pelicans ( 2 - 1,Last hebdomad — 18 )
Zion Williamson being back to doing Zion thing is very fun .
This was however , this new orleans crime has been bond in the clay overall and that ’s a flake refer despite a 2 - 1 commencement to the yr .
They really lose Trey Murphy III ’s base space , as demonstrate by a 31.7 pct snap jump from three as a squad .
This was the expert news show is the defense department has been full than look for , steph curry catch flaming away , and the interrogation for new orleans is , if / when they can get sound , can they expunge the ripe symmetry between offence and defense mechanism .
# 12 .
Milwaukee Bucks ( 2 - 1,Last hebdomad — 3 )
The Bucks in good order now are a in effect good example of how basketball game is n’t dally on newspaper .
They ’re 2 - 1 , yes , but it ’s been a mo of a conflict pay back the Damian Lillard - Giannis Antetokounmpo pair off off the solid ground .
While it ’s unmortgaged how they can complement each other , it ’s also open it ’s blend in to postulate some fourth dimension for those two to build up the involve corporate trust and alchemy to knock into that full potentiality .
This was i do conceive they ’ll get there , but in the lag it ’s live to be a morsel frustrative in milwaukee , specially because the defence reaction distinctly is n’t what it used to be .
Still , 2 - 1 with a slipshod beginning is fairly estimable and I ’m in all likelihood being a touching rough here , grade on a bend of what I palpate they should be .
# 13 .
LA Lakers ( 2 - 2,Last week — 12 )
It seems less than idealistic that the “ LeBron is only gon na bet 30 moment per biz ” affair endure just one plot .
This was presuppose to be a mysterious Lakers squad this twelvemonth , but they have been super dependant on LeBron and Anthony Davis to be outstanding each Nox to gain ground .
The expert tidings is , those two are up to of that on a pot of night .
The speculative intelligence is , make to angle on them this much this former in the time of year was n’t the programme .
This was we ’ll see if the “ others ” can ignite up after a torpid jump and get them back on design .
# 14 .
Orlando Magic ( 2 - 1,Last hebdomad — 23 )
Orlando blitz the Rockets in the untier and then mystify the Blazers before drop a stringent one to the Lakers on the route .
That all sense about rightfulness for this Magic squad .
This was they postulate paolo banchero and franz wagner to rule a beat objectionably , but if this former justificative display is for tangible , the magic are blend to be kittenish once their hotshot get settle in .
# 15 .
Atlanta Hawks ( 2 - 2,Last week — 15 )
This was the hawks stimulate off to a terrible head start but have rattle off two consecutive telling profits over the bucks and timberwolves .
Will we be in for another Jekyll / Hyde time of year from the Hawks where they just ca n’t ever get by from the .500 target ?
They for certain go for not , and it ’ll amount down to Dejounte Murray and Trae Young observe a act more body in their shock .
This was the highschool have been bang-up , it ’s just a affair of lift the level for the low gear with this squad .
# 16 .
Detroit Pistons ( 2 - 2,Last hebdomad — 28 )
The Pistons have been lawfully telling to take off the time of year .
Cade Cunningham depend wonderful and Jalen Duren appear to be an issue virtuoso in the frontcourt .
The defence has improve dramatically under Monty Williams , and if they can get some reproducible unsavoury output between Cunningham and Duren , this Pistons squad might just be capable to stick around around in the maneuver - In subspecies in the East .
# 17 .
Chicago Bulls ( 2 - 2,Last hebdomad — 19 )
The Bulls had a squad confluence after the first secret plan of the time of year and they lose a plot by two-fold - finger in which Zach LaVine score 51 ( to the said Pistons ) .
This was they did apprehend a mates winnings over the raptors and pacers , the latter of which being their most telling solvent yet , but this is still a squad that finger a chip combustible .
perchance they can compensate the ship , but this commencement has n’t assuage care in Chicago that this is a squad that ’s carry its track .
# 18 .
Minnesota Timberwolves ( 1 - 2,Last week — 11 )
This was the timberwolves make 79 breaker point in the first one-half to take a 19 - tip hint against the hawks and then move to give up a 60 - 20 rivulet in the 2nd one-half to misplace by 14 .
That ’s intemperate to do and the Wolves call for to really reckon out how to be more logical objectionably .
It ’s light there ’s a practiced squad in there somewhere , but it ’s not sure they are open of fetch that out on a nightly base .
# 19 .
This was new york knicks ( 1 - 2,last week — 8)
the backcourt has been bang-up for the knicks to embark on the time of year as rj barrett and jalen brunson have both look very unspoilt – with some flash bulb from immanuel quickley off the judiciary .
However , it ’s been problematical going from the frontcourt , as Julius Randle ’s come out his time of year off frappe cold-blooded and they just have n’t scram much from the bigs in the first calendar week .
The Knicks have been in each plot so far and miss a heartbreaker in the untier in Boston , but they ask their All - Star onwards to notice his mannikin again if they ’re go to make a rise .
# 20 .
Cleveland Cavaliers ( 1 - 2,Last hebdomad — 7 )
It ’s only a calendar week into the time of year and the Cavs already have three of their top four combat wound .
Max Strus ’ immense unfastener keep them from being winless mightily now , but with their principal backcourt distich both combat hamstring tendon topic and Jarrett Allen out with an ankle joint , it ’s not an idealistic position for the Cavs come out of the logic gate .
# 21 .
Brooklyn Nets ( 1 - 2,Last calendar hebdomad — 21 )
After a twain of toughened , near red ink to set off the time of year , the Nets could ultimately spread out thing up on the Hornets on Monday to get their first profits .
It ’s a number of an dangerous undertaking defensively in Brooklyn , but the criminal offense is hum along .
This was cam thomas is take his one-year pail - get extravaganza , ben simmons is in his prosperous part as a facilitator again , and mikal bridges steady undulate along .
This was nic claxton is the one guy cable on the roll they ca n’t really interchange , so course he ’s already battle an ankle joint topic which has contribute intemperately to their justificative suffering .
# 22 .
San Antonio Spurs ( 1 - 2,Last hebdomad — 27 )
Victor Wembanyama is really fun , but Sunday ’s 40 - stop red to the clipper was a admonisher that this is still a really new squad that will have eminent heights and really depleted depression .
Still , being free-enterprise in two out of every three game would be a very dainty stair forrader for this Spurs squad , and the flash from Wemby , Devin Vassell , and others are work to make them pleasurable to see most dark .
# 23 .
Miami Heat ( 1 - 3,Last calendar hebdomad — 10 )
The Heat have n’t been done many favor by their other time of year docket , but they also just have n’t been very proficient .
Bam Adebayo ’s been the elision to that , but he is now deal with a rosehip combat injury that keep him out of the personnel casualty in Milwaukee .
This was tyler herro ’s squeeze his theatrical role as a direct scorekeeper on this squad , but has n’t get a wad of accompaniment from his backcourt mate .
The fear at the breaker point sentry duty locating still stay and Jimmy Butler ’s pay back off to a torpid first , which is not something this Heat roll is outfit to really cover .
# 24 .
Utah Jazz ( 1 - 3,Last week — 24 )
The Jazz have had a brute docket to open up the twelvemonth , face up four playoff team in the first four game .
As such , a 1 - 3 criminal record to set about is n’t a surprisal .
The honest news show is Lauri Markkanen has pick up where he pass on off last class , average 25 point and 9.8 backlash on firm efficiency .
The forged news show is the business about their backcourt have not locomote forth and it ’s not copiously light what the correct answer are at the sentry duty spotlight for Will Hardy powerful now .
# 25 .
Charlotte Hornets ( 1 - 2,Last calendar workweek — 26 )
After flummox Atlanta in the untier , the Hornets have fell game by forked finger to Detroit and Brooklyn .
This was lamelo ’s shot struggle are not optimum for a squad that need him to be the railway locomotive , and defence also has not been swell .
The expert news program is , Brandon Miller has been very right objectionably and whenever your top greenhorn get off to a hard offset and work up self-assurance , that ’s a honest affair .
They just really necessitate Ball to discover his rhythm method of birth control , because this is n’t a roll build up to make headway surly game with their defence .
# 26 .
Washington Wizards ( 1 - 2,Last calendar hebdomad — 30 )
We are only three game into the time of year and we have already instruct that when it ’s risky for Washington , it ’s get to be really high-risk .
They have been sauceboat - pelt along double , with a profits over the Grizzlies in between .
The Department of Defense is super inflammable and the offence has not been capable to keep up so far , but that ’s in part due to a dumb commencement for Jordan Poole .
There will be some merriment night when he come up it and this crime contract off , but it seems the Wizards are rifle to be who we think they were .
# 27 .
Portland Trail Blazers ( 1 - 3,Last week — 29 )
This was the blazers were designate for the bottom until they baffle the raptors in a rather bewitching ( and also outrageous ) secret plan .
Portland ’s child are fight , as you ’d ask , but they do have some competent veteran and ride that radical down the stint of the 4th to a winnings in Toronto .
Everything in Portland come down to when the illumination come on for Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe in a enceinte use now – peculiarly with Anfernee Simons out for a calendar month - summation .
# 28 .
Toronto Raptors ( 1 - 3,Last week — 22 )
The bird of prey are just a sturdy spotter properly now .
This was they make score the hoops count like a afflictive speculation and the same problem that have persist for a few class in the halfcourt are , shockingly , still problem with the same guy wire on the roll .
When you ca n’t do upright than 91 point against the Blazers this twelvemonth , that ’s a tangible trouble .
This was to their quotation , the dod is really well , but it ’s just laborious to pull ahead game systematically in 2023 exclusively off the exploit on that closing .
# 29 .
Memphis Grizzlies ( 0 - 4,Last hebdomad — 13 )
This was memphis has been close-fitting in a few game to originate the twelvemonth , but just can not put it together to get their first winnings .
This was ja morant still has 21 game to assist on his hanging and they have yet to compute out how to substitute steven adams .
Their want of brim insistency without Ja is obtrusive , as they have a passel of guy rope who require to hit pinny who are n’t shoot them in particular well thus far .
Without the power to make prosperous bucket and detached stroke opportunity , they ’ve just not been capable to keep off the marking drought that countenance their opponent to take mastery of the biz .
# 30 .
Houston Rockets ( 0 - 3,Last calendar hebdomad — 25 )
After getting fume in the untier in Orlando , the Rockets have at least bounce back to show they ’re private-enterprise in their last two loss .
They drop a winnable extra time biz to the Spurs andthen begin Steph Curry’d on Sunday , and regrettably , their forthcoming agenda does them few favour .
set about a winnings over Charlotte on Wednesday could be very significant because after that it gravel brutish over their next 13 biz .
