By Emre Balkis, Year 11
The NBA season has finally started and it is as competitive as ever. Last season, the Golden State Warriors won the championship, however this year, a grand range of teams are hungry for the title.
A large number of trades have been going on this off-season, and it will be interesting to see how they evolve. First, we have Rudy Gobert getting traded to the Timberwolves by the Jazz. In return, they receive multiple first-round picks and players, which is humongous. This is a big move by the Utah Jazz, trading off one of their star players. Donovan Mitchell is also moving to the Cleveland Cavaliers, in exchange for Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, and many other first-round picks by the Jazz. Again, the Utah Jazz trade-off yet another star player, Patrick Beverly, to the Lakers and receive Talen-Horter Tucker and Stanley Johnson. The Indiana Pacers are also trading off Malcolm Brogdon, one of their key players, for Daniel Theis and Aaron Nesmith along with a 2023 first-round pick
Moving into the season itself, it has been off for three weeks, yet, we are already seeing glimpses of potential in certain teams. The Lakers are starting very rough with a record of 2-9 despite having many good players on their teams such as Russel Westbrook, Lebron James, Patrick Beverly, and many more. Russel Westbrook hadn’t been great until recently when it seems he is picking his rhythm back up. The Warriors are also struggling with a record of 4-7, despite Stephen averaging 33 points per game, 7 rebounds, and assists per game. He is also shooting an incredible 51% from the field and 47% from three. The Milwaukee Bucks and the Cavaliers, however, are doing great. The Bucks currently have a record of 10-1 with Giannis Antetokoumpo averaging 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. The Cavaliers are also doing great with a record of 8-3, second in the Eastern conference. Donovan Mitchell led the team with 32 points and 6 assists per game while shooting a solid 52% from the field. Alongside him, Darius Garland averaged sixteen points and eight assists per game. In the Western Conference, the Utah Jazz is first with ten wins and three losses. Lauri Markkanen is averaging 32 points and 9 rebounds per game, starting off the season impressively well.
It is early in the season but the MVP race is already on. The Most Valuable Player is currently being led by Giannis Antetokoumpo, who is playing incredibly and leading his team toward a great record. However, right behind him, we have Luka Doncic averaging an absurd 35 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists per game. Unfortunately, his team isn’t doing as well being the sixth seed in the Western Conference with a record of 6-4. Nikola Jokic and Donovan Mitchell are also up there being contenders for the MVP.
All in all, this season looks like it’s going to be an entertaining one with numerous talented players and teams that have a chance at winning the title. It will be a very exciting season to see which team comes out on top with the trophy.
Sources:
Staff, NBA.com. “2022 Offseason Trade Tracker.” NBA.com, NBA.com, 1 Oct. 2022, www.nba.com/news/2022-offseason-trade-tracker.
