Written By: Jason Hu
Edited By: Nabil Haider
With the 2020-2021 NBA season approaching the all-star break, the NBA has already provided fans with some exciting basketball. We have already witnessed many incredible individual performances, a blockbuster trade, and are currently in the midst of a tight race for the NBA MVP award. However, every season, there are always teams who exceed expectations and others who have fallen short. Here are the biggest surprises and disappointments thus far in the season.
Surprise: Utah Jazz
The Jazz have been a very good team the past few years, but this year, they have surprised everyone by playing at an entirely different level than what we were accustomed to. They are currently 1st in the league with a record of 27-9 and beating elite teams such as the Clippers, Lakers, and 76ers. They currently boast a top 5 offense and defense in terms of points and are getting great contributions from their players. Donovan Mitchell is averaging a career high 24.7 PPG and Jordan Clarkson is a leading candidate to win sixth man of the year. If the Jazz keep playing like this, and if Mike Conley can maintain his all-star caliber of play, they are going to be a problem for teams in the West. The Jazz have a good shot at making it very far in the playoffs.
Disappointment: Boston Celtics
The Celtics were a team many people had as a top contender to win the East prior to the start of the season, but right now they look like a team that will certainly get bounced in the opening round of the playoffs. They have a mediocre record of 19-17 including a horrid 7-12 record on the road this season. The injury to Marcus Smart has had a huge impact on the team. The Celtics are missing his grit and determination on defense, in addition to his ability to provide a spark for the team. Kemba Walker has also not been the player he was in Charlotte, and has regressed a bit in his second season with the Celtics. However, it could be because of the knee injury he sustained prior to the start of the season. Nonetheless, the Celtics should still be better, especially with the continued ascension of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, who are both currently playing very well this season. The Celtics will be counting on head coach Brad Stevens to help turn the season around before it is too late.
Surprise: New York Knicks
The biggest surprise this season belongs to the New York Knicks. They currently have a record of 19-18 and have a winning record through the first 35 games of the season for the first time since 2012-2013. The decision to hire Tom Thibodeau as head Coach, is proving to be very successful so far, as the Knicks are currently the top defensive team in the NBA, according to points allowed. The uptick in effort shows how the players are clearly buying into coach Thibodeau’s defensive game-plan. A huge part of the Knicks success has been the play of Julius Randle. Randle is averaging a career high 23.2PPG and is shooting at an incredible 40.8% from 3-point range. Randle has had several monster games this season and has rightfully earned his first all-star selection. The Knicks are also getting some solid production from players like R.J Barrett, who has improved mightily in his second season, and rookie Immanuel Quickley, who has been a pleasant surprise averaging 12.2 PPG. The Knicks also acquired Derrick Rose, who can mentor young players, in addition providing some offense to a team that ranks 29th in the league in scoring. After disappointing fans with horrible free agency signings, trades, and James Dolan drama, the Knicks have finally given fans something positive to talk about.
Disappointment: Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks had a great offseason and were, on paper, one of the most improved teams in the NBA. They signed Bogdan Bogdanovic and Danilo Gallinari to help on offense, and acquired Rajon Rondo to add another floor general with veteran leadership. Unfortunately for the Hawks, their offseason moves have not produced the results they were looking for, mostly due to injuries. They have had injuries to Bogdanovic, Kris Dunn, Rondo, Clint Capela, Cam Reddish, and most importantly, De’Andre Hunter, who was having a breakout season before going down with an injury. In light of these injuries, things have not looked good for the Hawks. Since starting the season 10-9, the Hawks have gone 4-11 and are 11th in the eastern conference. The team’s struggles have cost head coach Lloyd Pierce his job. The team will now look to regroup under new head-coach Nate McMillan and get everybody back healthy. Fortunately, the team is in a weak eastern conference and are only a half game back from the Indiana Pacers for the 10th seed to qualify for the play-in game.
Surprise: Phoenix Suns
When the Suns acquired Chris Paul from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and signed Jae Crowder in free agency, people knew that the Phoenix Suns would be a more competitive team coming into the season. What many people did not see coming, was that the Suns would be 24-11 and 2nd in the Western Conference, 35 games into the season. After a strong performance in the bubble last season, the Suns have followed up with their best play since 2009-2010, when they had players like Amar’e Stoudemire and Steve Nash, and made it to the conference finals. Devin Booker and Chris Paul are proving that they are among the best backcourt duos in the league so far this season. Booker is averaging 24.9 PPG and Paul is once again displaying his elite leadership skills, while averaging 16 PPG and 8 AST. They have also been getting some good contributions from role-players Jae Crowder and Mikal Bridges. Head Coach Monty Williams has garnered some attention for coach of the year, as the Suns currently have the 12th best offense and the 3rd best defense in the league. The Phoenix Suns will be a team to watch as the season progresses, and it will be interesting to see how they will fare in the playoffs against some of the top teams in the western conference.
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