The NBA’s Biggest Surprises and Disappointments So Far, Plus An In-Season Tournament Preview
Dec 1, 2023
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Podcast discusses future in-season tournaments, Warriors' need to reinvent themselves, biggest surprises and disappointments in NBA season
01:22:02
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Quick takeaways
Ty Ty Washington's improved shooting ability has made him a crucial scorer for the Miami Heat.
The Dallas Mavericks' success without Luka Doncic showcases the effectiveness of their offense.
The Philadelphia 76ers' offensive performance has exceeded expectations with notable improvements from Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris.
Deep dives
Surprise: The emergence of Ty Ty Washington
Ty Ty Washington has been a pleasant surprise this season. He has shown great improvement in his scoring ability, particularly in his pull-up shooting. He is taking fewer pull-up twos and more pull-up threes, and his shooting percentages are impressive. His improved perimeter jumper has opened up the floor for him and made him even more effective as a scorer. With the Miami Heat, his shooting ability is a crucial piece of their half-court offense.
Surprise: The success of the Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks have surprised many with their early-season success. Despite not having Luka Doncic for several games, they have managed to secure the third spot in the Western Conference. The combination of Luka and Kyrie has worked well, and they have been able to win games even without their full roster. Their offense has been potent, and although their defense needs improvement, their positive performance overall is impressive.
Surprise: The offensive prowess of the Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers have exceeded expectations on the offensive end this season. Despite missing James Harden, their offense is ranked second in the league. Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris have notably improved, and their new system under Nick Nurse has been effective. Joel Embiid's playmaking has also improved, making the offense more dynamic and enjoyable to watch.
Surprise: The resilience of the Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns have been impressive in their ability to perform well despite missing key players. Despite not having their full roster, they have maintained a strong record and have shown the ability to adapt without their star players. Their roster construction has allowed them to compete and win even when missing key contributors. If they can eventually have all three of their stars perform together, they could be a dominant force in the league.
Disappointment with the San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs have been underperforming this season with a 3-15 record. Despite expectations, their offensive and defensive ratings are among the lowest in the league. The lack of progress from players like Devin Vassell and the absence of a reliable point guard are highlighted as areas for improvement. While there are discussions about utilizing Victor Wembanyama more effectively, it is emphasized that Wembanyama also needs to improve his shooting outside the restricted area. Overall, there are hopes that the Spurs will show improvement as the season progresses.
Disappointment with the Eastern Conference Bottom Half
The bottom half of the Eastern Conference has been disappointing, with many teams not giving any reason to care about them. Teams like Cleveland, Toronto, Chicago, and Washington have failed to impress, lacking standout rookies or exciting storylines. The overall mediocrity and lackluster performances of these teams have been a letdown. While there are occasional positive stories like the Orlando Magic, the overall competitiveness and excitement in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference have been lacking.
Verno and KOC go through the night's slate of NBA action before discussing what they would change for future in-season tournaments (02:11). They next discuss KOC’s article detailing the need for the Warriors to reinvent themselves around Steph Curry (18:17). Also, the guys give their biggest surprises (34:17) and disappointments from the season so far (48:47).
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