The NBA Week 1 Report
Giannis has arrived, the egg is the issue, and we’re getting Cavs/Warriors 4.0… but when they stop being bored.
Observations
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a top five player in the NBA… and he’s not done improving.
People have spoken about this ad nauseum, but Giannis has opened out the season with these four statlines:
Game 1: 37 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 stocks on 59.1% shooting
Game 2: 34 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 stocks on 68.2% shooting
Game 3: 44 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 stocks on 73.9% shooting with the go-ahead dunk and two key defensive plays in the last 15 seconds
Game 4: 32 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 stocks on 61.9%
Here are his totals: 37–11–5–4 on 70% true shooting
What the ACTUAL FUCK…
(Possibly) ex-podcast host CJ Norsigian will attest to this, but I was in on Giannis from when he was drafted. Not in the Bill Simmons “hmm, this guy is interesting…” way, in the “I believe Giannis is gonna throw up 18–8–8 consistently with good defense.” Turns out I was wrong.
He’s actually going to throw up 30–8–8. And he can’t shoot threes. What is happening?
Giannis is literally running around doing LeBron things in young KG’s body.
A lot of young players are actually really, really good.
Ben Simmons is really, really good. When Ben Simmons talked about wanting to be a point guard, the Westbrook “that’s cute” meme was all I could think of. I was under the impression that Draymond Green minus the three point shot was the offensive ceiling for Simmons. But he’s actually a giant Ricky Rubio right now, if Rubio could finish really well, probing the defense, trying to contort his way into the lane and finish or dish. Here’s the stat line: 17.5–9.5–7.5 on 50.6% effective field goals with less than 3 turnovers a game. That’s a promising start for a next-generation power forward. My ROY pick
Jayson Tatum is a really pure scorer already, and his shooting has significantly improved since his freshman year at Duke, as I pointed out after watching one game. He’s scoring 15.2 points a game on 65.2% true shooting and has continued his graceful footwork on one-on-one attacks. The shade over 6 rebounds needs to tick upwards on a rebounding deficient team. Once his ball-handling catches up to his getting buckets skill, he’ll be lethal.
The list continues: Lauri Markannen might be a more versatile Ryan Anderson, which is a good player. OG Anunoby will be a defensive monster, a bigger MKG. Dillon Brooks might have a place in the league as a heat-check guy off the bench. Donovan Mitchell and Dennis Smith are fun watches right now, and when the speed of the game comes easier to them, they’ll be great guards. And obviously, the Lonzo/Kuzma tandem are looking solid already. Frank Ntilikina might be the perfect complementary piece to a Porzingis/Doncic (please tank, New York) tandem.
But let’s not limit this to rookies: D’Angelo Russell is really, really good. In fact, the triumvirate of Russell, Caris Levert, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson make sense together. Two guards with size and pick-and-roll shot creation ability and a large small forward with crazy defensive potential.
Aaron Gordon is really, really good, too. Who knew that sticking him in an up-tempo system as a power forward would unleash his athletic potential? Oh wait, everyone and my mother. No, seriously. “He should be guarding LeBron.” That is an actual quote, verbatim, from my 53 year old Indian American mother.
Josh Jackson and Devin Booker look a lot better when they’re playing in a system with a semblance of movement and defensive liability.
It really begs the question: does the system make the player? Basically, if you stuck 18 year old Giannis on the Sacramento Kings, would he be Dark Giannis, the 6'11" behemoth KG doing LeBron things, or Light Giannis, a good defender who’d never figure out how to play offense? Or if Mike Conley dropped to the seventh pick and was Minnesota’s point guard of the future? Would he develop into an All-Star like he unequivocally is now or would he be Devin Harris? I’m leaning towards the latter on both those questions.
The Cavs and Warriors are bored, and that will not change until March or April.
I don’t much to add to this. They’re both playing worse defense than their roster should be playing, are entirely reliant on their point forwards (James and Green), and play down to their opponents. It’s not an issue. We’ve played 7 or 8% of the season. We’re still burning in.
LeBron’s LeBron, and the Warriors are the Warriors.
The Eric Bledsoe Fake Trade Corner
Bledsoe wants out, and unfortunately, the Suns will not be getting a good package for the point guard.
Bledsoe to the Nuggets
Throw in a future first rounder to Phoenix from Denver, and this is the best package the Suns will probably get. It’s also the best, seamless fit for Bledsoe.
Bledsoe, Murray, Harris, Millsap, Jokic is a great roster defensively, and Bledsoe gives Mike Malone a legitimate point guard to pair with their passing bigs.
Bledsoe to the Bucks
Throw in a future first to Phoenix again. I’d rather ship out Delly instead of Henson, but Henson’s contract is probably more cumbersome and makes the salaries match.
This also opens up the nightmare defensive lineup (given the Bucks modernize their defense to an all-switch mentality) of Bledsoe, Middleton, Snell, Giannis, and Thon. It also gives the Bucks a third creator. The Bucks can stagger Bledsoe and play him against bench lineups with Monroe and let them feast on lesser matchups. This’ll let Brogdon and Middleton play more with Giannis, when they’re most effective.
Bledsoe to the Magic
Throw in a second from the Magic to the Suns. I think I’m two more big wins away from buying in with Orlando and their new playing style. It’s time to free Mario Henzonja, move a wing who plays in front of him, and bring in a legitimate NBA point guard. Bledsoe, Fournier, Hezonja, Gordon, Vucevic is actually an interesting offensive lineup, and Bledsoe, Simmons, Isaac, Gordon, Biyombo should stop anyone.
Bledsoe to the Clippers
Be ruthless, Doc. Trade your son. DJ wants you to.
Bledsoe to the Cavs
This is the shake-up that would be incredible to see. Throw out the trash that Tristan Thompson is providing this year with the Brooklyn pick to bring in Boogie and his me-against-the-world attitude (which hopefully lasts), and sent away Shumpert and Cedi Osman for Bledsoe. The Cavs may have to throw in a deep future first to beat other offers, but the Cavs should try to gear up the lineup.
Bledsoe would be the perfect second point guard should Isaiah Thomas be prey upon in the playoffs or if he’s not entirely healed. And it allows for the lineup that might just beat the Warriors: Bledsoe, Smith, Crowder, LeBron, and a motivated Cousins.
What to Watch for 10/30 to 11/5
Warriors at Clippers, 10/30
Clippers should look for more than a moral victory here, bullying the Warriors inside and making Curry’s life hell with Beverley. Alas, the Warriors are probably going to be motivated for this
Pick: Warriors by double digits
Oklahoma City at Milwaukee, 10/31
Who’s guarding Giannis? Who’s guarding Paul George? This is a matchup between two teams that should be fighting for the three seed in their respective conference.
Pick: Milwaukee in a close one
Cleveland at Washington, 11/3
Will the matchup with a top Eastern Conference team motivate LeBron and company to play defense? Where do the Wizards stack up in the East?
Pick: Washington in a close game
