Orlando for sure
this post was submitted on 25 Nov 2023
1 points (100.0% liked)
NBA - Main
14 readers
4 users here now
Game analysis, highlights and everything else that is happening in the NBA.
founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
Team wise - It’s the magic
Player wise - there’s so many players that made a jump.. I couldn’t even make a full list. It’s wonderful to see the new era of the league come into fruition
Bridges playing this good after being out for so long has been a surprise
Rockets. They were getting memed on so hard this offseason for their pick-ups.
Magic is a close second. I love their squad but I didn't think they were gonna take such a big leap so soon.
Magic being ahead of schedule, their defense is stifling
Maybe not the most surprising thing but nobody has said it, I didn't think the Wolves would be this good. The double big lineup looks good, Ant is dominating, they're a great squad.
Before the season someone pointed out there are 11 teams in the West who seem to have playoff aspirations this year, one will miss the Play-ins. Popular answer was the Wolves.
The play in champs finally living up to the hype
The Rockets. I had no idea how much effect Udoka would have, and he has them being one of the best defenses in the league. Huge surprise for me.
The Magic being good is not a surprise for me. I wouldn’t have picked them to have a record THIS good this early, but I had them as a playoff team before the season started.
Sengun looks so much better now that he’s not playing in drop against guys like Curry and Dame like last year
Amazing what a decent coach can do, Silas was straight ass. Obviously adding vets like VanVleet and getting rid of maniacs like Porter Jr. helps too.
Josh giddey
The return of Game 1 magic
Are you for real with the shade to the Grizzlies?
The G leaguers (ALL OF THEIR TEAM IS INJURED) are chucking, but the team prior to this had a better constructed offence and was one of the best defenses in the league. Way to kick a team when they’re down
Bruh I watched the Clippers vs Grizzlies game and Clips have NO INTERIOR defense, but y’all kept deciding the shoot 3s. Y’all had a big lead, lost it and barely won.
Best part is when Grizzlies forced a turnover, went on a 3 on 1 fast break and Bane, already having a bad start, bricked a 3 pointer. Even the commentators said that was a very bad shot.
They're having to reconfigure the offense/their style of play because they are missing their starting PG, SF, C, and backup PG, PF, C. They are missing 5 of their best 8 players right now.
They are playing Jacob Gilyard, Ziaire Williams, David Roddy, John Konchar, Vince Williams, Bismack Biyombo heavy minutes right now. Of course they suck.
Totally unfair to use them as the 'poorly organized team' example when they literally were doing what Orlando is doing right now for the pst 2 seasons. There are so many actually bad young teams to choose from. This one's just hurt
Minnesota is a bigger surprise to me than Orlando. I just really didn't think Minnesota would gel and be this good.
It has to be Minnesota over Orlando. Everyone thought we saw Minnesota’s ceiling last year since they have relatively established players in KAT and Gobert. The Magic have a bunch of younger lottery picks that you expected to make a jump (like Franz was everyone’s dark horse MIP).
Huston and Orlando and I am here for it, likable and hardworking teams. Not entitled like the some contenders
Lol likeable teams until Orlando and Houston start going deep in the playoffs and people get sick of the hype. I watched the public opinion turn on the Grizzlies from a fun young team to omg they’re annoying fuck them 😂
Teams with Dillon Brooks will be known as annoying
Rise of the underdog/previously underperforming or rebuilding teams in general like the Wolves, Magic, Thunder, and Rockets.
I did not expect Rudy and KAT to work this well right away. I was a believer in the trade, and was called crazy and a "coper" a lot last year, but even I did not expect KAT's defense to be as good as it has been and Rudy to look like a DPOY again.
I did not expect Grizzlies to start this poorly and be as injured as they are. It makes sense they are struggling, like practically their whole rotation is out. I find it weird when people make fun of them, it's like laughing at the crippled kid.
For me it’s Damian Lillard.
I know he usually starts slow and he very well could just be getting in a rhythm and getting healthy again but I thought he would come out with more of a chip on his shoulder.
I’m not worried about Milwaukee as I’m a firm believer that they’ll get their shit sorted out before the playoffs come.
The Thunder is my surprise team pick. Such a young and terrifying team led by a cold blooded SGA. Very impressed by their unity and identity.
As long as they keep their core, they will be a threat to the league for many seasons to come.
The in season tournament actually being fun
Rockets, Magic, and Wolves
Suggs is playing defense like Marcus Smart. Their numbers this season are nearly identical. Not to mention Jonathan Isaac’s resurgence isn’t talked about.
For me it's honestly scoot not being able to perform
the Magic being 11-5 and on a 6 game win streak
This part by itself actually does not surprise me. Anyone who watched any of their games toward the end of last season can see that there's a LOT of raw talent on that team. Side note I'm also a big Fultz believer, I think some people still haven't realized how much better they looked when he was playing vs not playing last season. I feel for the kid after all the stupid 'fultz forgot how to play basketball har har' nonsense that keeps getting spread even now, as opposed to 'fultz had a rare and easily misdiagnosed condition that screwed him over'. Hope he continues to correct his trajectory along the rest of the improvements the Magic have made/are making.
Anyway, what does surprise me about the Magic's strong showing atm is that they're doing it while Franz is in the middle of a fairly noticeable slump. I would have expected him to be one of the key factors in a strong early start/win streak like what they have, but they've actually done a great job with much less contribution from him than I could have guessed.
It’s gotta be the Rockets. Most people took under on 40 wins but they are playing like a top 6 seed
Rockets or Magic. Maybe the Grizzlies for the wrong reasons. I didn't think they'd be great but I wasn't expecting then to suck this much
As a magic fan, I’m not completely surprised. This team has been formulating over the last few years. Banchero has star potential. But yes, 11-5 start, Back to back wins against Denver and Boston. I’m happily surprised. I don’t see us being a title contender but damn I’ll be happy to be back in the playoffs
Minnesota putting all the pieces together in a way that works. I'd have to say KAT surprised the hell out of me so far.
Surprised by the Pacers hot/historic offensive start, but then was surprise how good the Magic defense is. Clamped us
Pacers score 150 only to allow 140 being scored on them
The Wolves had no business being this good with how mid they were last year.
I didn't think the Gobert/KAT experiment was going to work. But by god they made it work so far. Top that with the fact that Ant is a legit star and you have a bonafide contender
Not the biggest surprise, but I gotta shout out the Lakers somehow fixing Cam Reddish. He's been excellent for us