NFL
By: Greg Rector
Week one of the NBA season is in the books. Here are some things we learned.
Westbrook
Yet again Russell Westbrook is shooting at a pathetic level. The Lakers can defend but can’t carry on with the horrendous lack of shooting. 10.3 points 4.3 assists a pathetic 8.3% 3-point percentage and an equally horrendous 28.9% field goal percentage. He’s stealing $47 million from the Lakers. How long can they keep him around?
Best Start
No one would have had the Utah Jazz at 3-0, yet there they sit after the first week. Danny Ainge not only acquired a boatload of draft picks, but he has a competitive roster early on. Can this continue? Only time will tell but the Jazz have looked very good in their three wins including beating Minnesota with former Jazz center Rudy Gobert in overtime.
Worst Start
Thankfully for the Sixers, the Phillies are World Series bound and the Eagles are unbeaten, otherwise, the residents of the City of Brotherly Love would be demanding Doc Rivers head on a platter. Rivers better turn things around or he could be a very early casualty as far as coaches go. The fans seem none too pleased with Joel Embid as well.
Dame Is Still Dame
After a rather quiet 20 points on opening night, Damian Lillard has back-to-back 41-point games and the Trailblazers like the Jazz are off to a 3-0 start. Personally when the Blazers and the Warriors next play Dame and Steph should only be allowed to shoot from the logo.
Rookies
Paolo Banchero (Magic) has looked good as an offensive threat which we all expected. Keegan Murray (Kings) has also not looked out of place at all so far. Now he’s not even going to be talked about very much at all because he was a second-round pick and plays in Toronto, But Christian Koloko was called upon in game one by Nick Nurse against a very tough Cavaliers team, gave the Raptors a solid 15 minutes and was very solid defensively while both Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley was on the court. Koloko was also mugged by Caleb Martin (Suspended One Game) of the Heat in a bizarre incident Saturday night. Shaedon Sharpe has also impressed after week one for Portland.
Good to See Them Back
John Wall has looked good coming off the bench for the Clippers (Man how I hate Using that Name) given the severity of his injury and then his forced exile from Houston, it was really good seeing him back. The same has to be said in Denver where the Nuggets have two big-name returners in Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. I really hope both remain healthy this season. Now being the anti-Duke person that I am I know Zion Williamson is also back, although he will miss a game already with a hip injury.
Let’s Slow Down
It’s week one and there is NO best backcourt in the league that can be determined. There’s also NO surefire Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man, Coach, or MVP at this point of the season. Can we let the season play out some before anointing players for awards?
It’s great to have the association back!!!
As always you can find me on Twitter @GregsCowboys
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