Weird things happen and in the NBA it is common to see them. For example, that in the Western Conference there is right now the classification that exists is, to say the least, strange: the Blazers are second, something that within this premise is quite normal. But, and here we do enter the field of madness, the Jazz are third (6-2) and the Spurs fourth (5-2). Something that corresponds to a frenetic start to the season in which it seems that the teams are not shot and are still going in fits and starts, at half throttle. That the good ones are still not that many and the bad ones seem, at times, very good. It is not preseason per se, but at times it can seem like it. And yes, there is a lot (a lot) ahead, nothing has been decided and the normal thing is that the classification changes and the aforementioned franchises enter, sooner or later, in a spiral of poor results and a downward dynamic that takes them away from playoff options. Also that they begin to lose many games and look askance at the next draft, which will be commanded by Victor Wembanyama. But for now, the situation is what it is. when i change, we will talk.
And not only Jazz and Spurs star in real surprises. A lower level, but no less important, are the Thunder. They haven’t had as amazing a start as Salt Lake City and Texas, but they’ve beaten the Magic and moved up to eighth in the West.. Another strange position, especially considering that they are ahead of teams like Wolves, Mavs, Clippers or Warriors. And that their victories have been against, prior to the victory against Orlando, against, Mavs and Clippers (twice)… and the losses have been by 10 points or less against Wolves (twice) and Nuggets. In other words, very good feelings and an extraordinary start for an unusually young team that General Manager Sam Presti has built through a huge mansalva of draft rounds that he has been accumulating without anyone knowing why neither what for. And a project that, in theory, looks to the long term… but that is currently competitive.
The Thunder, who at 22.9 years old are the youngest team in the NBA, beat the Magic with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as a great reference: 34 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. He is the best player in the project and it seems that the future of it, with an average of more than 30 points in these first seven games (he has played six), of which he has exceeded thirty in four of them. Luguentz Dort contributed 14 points, Aleksej Pokusevski had 16, Tre Mann 13 and Josh Giddey only 7 (with 3 of 12 shooting, very poorly), but 10 rebounds. The Thunder clearly lost the fight for the rebound (36-49), but distributed 28 assists and took advantage of the 24 losses of their rivals, a frightening fact that ended up condemning them. A serious match against (finally) an inferior rival and a 4-3 that already looks in the locker of a West that is immersed in an absolute fire.
And the Magic? Looking at the future. Paolo Banchero has been one of the attractions of this start of the season, but his prominence will diminish as the Magic begin to accumulate losses. With a record of 1-7, they are the worst team in the NBA and have no aspirations in a basketball course that will end up being long and that they will end up in a position similar to the one they are in now. But the future is still there and it can be for them: Banchero averages more than 20 points in his first eight games, and against the Thunder he has stayed at 15+8. Along with him, a good Bol Bol (13+12, with 4 blocks but 6 turnovers) and an extraordinary Wendell Carter Jr., who has achieved an incredible double-double (30+12), have stood out. The Magic fell after starting the last quarter ahead (85-88), but sinking in the last (31-20 partial), in which Carter was too alone (12 of his team’s 20 points) and the triple became torture (1 of 7). The Magic live what was expected of it. The Thunder are above expectations. And there is a world, yes. But…