NBA’s 1st Quarter of the Season Shocks and Disappoints

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Photo Credits to the NBA

Jake Ross

After 21 games, the NBA season is a quarter of the way in and we’ve already witnessed shocking and unheard of plays and statistics. From breakout rookies to red hot lineups, this year’s NBA season has been nothing short of thrill and excitement. The Golden State Warriors currently hold the best record in the league at an astonishing and undefeated 21-0. Stephen Curry of the Warriors has been lights out from behind the three-point line and with assisting his teammates. The Warriors are off to the best start in NBA history and are on stride to beat out the Michael Jordan-led Bulls of 1996 for the best record in NBA history. The Warriors have been unbelievable and are stunning the basketball world.

On the other hand, some teams have disappointed thus far. Some teams who were playing great basketball in previous years and are falling short this year are 5-15 New Orleans Pelicans, the 3-16 Los Angeles Lakers, and the 1-20 Philadelphia 76ers. The Pelicans who are led by Anthony Davis made the playoffs last year and showed some promise but having been hurt by injury are not successful this year so far. The Lakers led by the future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, who will be retiring after this season, have a high caliber roster but just cannot find the right mix of offense and defense and have disappointed up to now. Lastly, the 76ers drafted Jahlil Okafor with the third overall pick this year and have only one win this year. The rookie Okafor has shown bright spots but, has been involved in a number of off-the-court incidents impairing his playing time.

However, there have also been many surprises this year in the NBA. One of which is the dominance of rookie power-forward Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis was drafted fourth-overall by the New York Knicks in this year’s draft and was immediately met with “boos” from the crowd. Porzingis thought nothing of it and is proving, with his play, that he was worth the high draft choice. Porzingis has recorded a rookie-high 10 double-doubles. Porzingis has propelled the Knicks’ offense and defense this year with his talent and 7’3” frame.

The NBA season will come down to the wire and it will be an exciting postseason.