Early season patterns

PARIS (The International Show) - The NBA season is young but the games are passing by at the rythmn of a high-speed train, so even if only eight games have been played I feel that some definite patterns are developping.

The first startling fact is that, ladies and gentlemen, there is finally some hope in Minnesota!

The Spanish crown jewel rookie, Ricky Rubio, has already changed the mentality of the team with his Maravich-like, unselfish passing skills as he leads all rookies in assists and efficiency rating.

He is on a collision course with Kyrie Irving of Cleveland for Rookie of the Year honors and should join his excellent teammate Derrick Williams on the All-Rookie team.

New coach Rick Adelman has the team playing together as Rubio gradually increases his playing time and a thinner Kevin Love continues to compete for a new contract and the title of best power forward / stat machine in the league.

Sunday afternoon the contrast was telling between a Minnesota team, which is going somewhere, and a Washington team that doesn't seem to have a clue after 7 losses in a row to start off the season and a style of play which can only be described as anarchy!

The Wizards are among the East's early season disappointments along with Charlotte, Detroit, Milwaukee and New Jersey.

The direction that these teams are taking is hard to decipher and not signing Andrei Kirilenko won't help the Nets whereas recuperating Andrew Bogut after a trip to Australia because of personal problems should help Milwaukee.

On the other hand, a very satisfactory pattern is emerging in the East thanks to a great harvest of rookie guards headed by Irving who has Cleveland buzzing along with Norris Cole in Miami, Kemba Walker in Charlotte, MarShon Brooks in New Jersy and Iman Shumpert in New York.

The Knicks and the Celtics are off to a mediocre start and in the long run I would not be surprised to see Atlanta and Orlando finish ahead of them thanks to more continuity in their rosters and the players being used to playing together.

The Celtics still have their Big Four intact but they have been poor at finding a way to inject new blood into their roster and Jeff Green's heart ailment set them back.

The Knicks have alot riding on the weak back of Baron Davis when he returns to shore up their guard play and this remains a giant question mark as far as their progress is concerned.

Miami has confirmed and even embraced its role as a mega-favorite to win it all this season and LeBron James might even give Kevin Durant a run for his money in the MVP and Leading Scorer races.

Chicago, Philadelphia and Indiana came out strong from the start playing some heads up team defence and I see no reason why this tendency would not continue.

In the Western conference it is interesting to note that ONLY Oklahoma City has a positive road record! If Russell Westbrook can keep his ego under control, the young Thunder have a clearly traced route to the Finals if they follow the lead of their ultimate winner: FIBA World Champion, MVP and top scorer Kevin Durant!

The only weaknesses I see in OKC are a lack of inside scoring and Westbrook's mercurial personality.

There seems to be a transfer of power from the Southwest division (where everyone but the Spurs are struggling) to the Northwest division, whereas in the Pacific the fight is on for the supremacy of Los Angeles.

Andrew Bynum's return from a suspension was just what the doctor ordered for the Lakers as he seems even more dominant than before if only his knees hold up.

The "Lob" Angeles Clippers are curiously seeing more alley-oops go towards DeAndre Jordan than Blake Griffin but what's really important is whether they will play some defence and get some inside production from Reggie Evans.

The Clips have alot of point guards and they need to trade one for a backup, athletic wing player.

Golden State, New Orleans and Houston are plunging fast with long losing streaks ongoing.

The problem for all these teams already in a downward spiral is that the games keep coming at breakneck pace and there is no time to practice and improve the teamwork!

This confirms the enormous advantage  that will go this season to relatively young teams that have been together a while like Miami, OKC and Chicago!

One last word to salute the excellent start by Denver. Despite all kinds of difficulties, the Nuggets have the second best offensive production in the league behind the Miami Show and George Karl is my early favorite for Coach of the Year.

George Eddy

FIBA

FIBA’s columnists write on a wide range of topics relating to basketball that are of interest to them. The opinions they express are their own and in no way reflect those of FIBA.

FIBA takes no responsibility and gives no guarantees, warranties or representations, implied or otherwise, for the content or accuracy of the content and opinion expressed in the above article.