NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
One week into the NBA season and the action was just what we wanted and then some. The champs showed the Lakers that they will need to BRING it if they want to take the crown. Dame and Giannis needed one game to have people pushing the Celtics to the side, and rookies made splashes all across the association. As we will every week Court Side Chronicles shifts through what has taken place and looks ahead to the upcoming slate, so let’s come off the screen and let it fly.
Week 1 In The NBA
Victor Wembanyama The Hype Is Real:
The Spurs rookie did not let the Spurs down in his opening week showing off his alien DNA and basketball IQ. It was far from perfect but the future is bright for the player and team. Starting off with a matchup against the Mavs and Luka Doncic who was his normal MVP-caliber self. But the big man from France held his own. I liked how he let the game come to him not allowing the hype machine to affect his game, he was a factor in the 4th getting 9 points in the final 7 minutes.
© Scott Wachter-USA TODAY SportsI
The foul trouble could have thrown him off but he was solid. Hall of Fame head coach Greg Popovich felt the same way “One of the toughest things for a player is you get into foul trouble,” Popovich said. “You never get in a rhythm and you’re in and out of the game and that sort of thing. So, I thought his maturity showed even at a young age where he came in with the last, I think, seven minutes and just played.” He came back to put up a double-double against the Rockets hitting the game-tying basket and leading the overtime charge.
He found out in his 3rd game that the season is long and full of lessons as the Clippers played a little bully ball with him and held him in check. Turnovers hurt him and the Spurs in a blowout loss. Again he says what you want to hear “I wouldn’t see any reason to be frustrated three games into the season, but it is a learning experience,” This is only the start for him and so far I would say as good as advertised. This week he will face: KD and company along with Joel Embiid. I along with the rest of NBA fans are locked in on his journey.
Just Give The Nuggets The Larry O’Brien NOW:
Most teams after winning a championship get talent plucked away and lose some of what made you great, not to mention the little loss of hunger for most. Well, no one told the Nuggets that if anything I feel like they are playing with a chip on their shoulder and want to prove last season was no fluke. Ring presentation night a nice trap for a poor performance did the opposite they handled the Lakers with ease and put the league on early notice. With the entire starting five back in the fold and good young talent that will get better as the season goes on. While the rest of the NBA figures out rotations and roles Mile High Basketball will just coast along and stack up wins. Only after a week, my question is who are they facing the Bucks or the Celtics?
James Harden We Don’t Need You:
His name is Tyrese Maxey and this kid is ready to step into the role of star. So now I see why the Sixers front office wasn’t screaming the sky is falling with the James Harden soap opera. His numbers have already improved season to season but this is the one where the rest of us take notice. The quick first step and improved jumper. No, I do not think he will average 30 points per game, but he is a great number two for Joel Embiid and can also create for others something many questioned when he first came into the league. Maxey makes moving on from the headache that is Harden much easier the game against Milwaukee he couldn’t care less about Dame and his crew as he tossed up a cool 31 points to go with 8 dimes. The run for the most improved player early on starts with the young guard from Philly. Once they are able to rid themselves of Harden even more clam should be found as new head coach Nick Nurse finds his way in a new town.
Serious Questions Already? Yep:
I really tried to limit the overreactions with a whole 3 to 4 games into this NBA season, BUT some stuff you just can’t let slide even if it’s early right? What are we doing in Chicago? Have we ever had a players-only meeting after the second game of the year? This roster is full of well-played players but are they a great fit together, and do they have the right coach leading them? Time will tell but put a pin in this one for a moment. I need to see more from the Bucks before I give them the edge over a DEEP and talented Celtics team which played well last week. What are some of your takeaways from week 1 and things you are keeping an eye on? Follow me on X @JoeCardoso301. And check out me and my crew on The Hoops Heads Podcast.
