Ten Things About the NBA: The Week Three Edition

It’s hard to believe the NBA is about to wrap up its third week of the 2016-2017 season. Weren’t we just talking about what Free Agents were going to sign where? Now we’re watching our debates and opinions unfold in real life…..and here are ten things I’ve noticed thus far this season.

1). Atlanta Hawks Power Forward/Center Mike Muscala is better than I gave him credit for. In 20 minutes a night he’s averaging 9.5 points and just over four rebounds a night. And he does stuff like this too.

2). Are the Los Angeles Lakers for real? They sure seem to be. They have quality wins over Golden State, Atlanta and Houston this season. It’s really early yet but it’s hard not to get overly enthusiastic about their chances when we see things like this;

3). Dwyane Wade returned to Miami on Wednesday night to play his former team and received a standing ovation from the crowd; somehow I don’t think former Hawks player Al Horford will get the same treatment when he returns to Atlanta on January 13, 2017. That’s also a Friday BTW.

4). Golden State Warriors and two time NBA MVP Stephen Curry knocked down 13 triples the other night against the New Orleans Pelicans. Check out how he did it.

5). The Milwaukee Bucks probably won’t make the playoffs this season but man are they sure fun to watch…….especially plays like this.

6). San Antonio Spurs SF Kawhi Leonard is a quiet man who simply goes about his business. It’s hard not to notice an early season stat line like 27.4 points a game, 5.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.3 steals a game. I know it’s early but he’s already one of the favorites for Most Valuable Player. Have a look why.

7). FOX SPORTS 1 NBA reporter sent out the following tweet Sunday morning. Kris Willis and I host the number 1 Atlanta Hawks podcast and responded with this;

8). As Head Coach of the New Orleans Pelicans Alvin Gentry is 31-60. Since taking over the Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach Brett Brown is 47-206. Wonder which one will get fired first?

9). At the beginning of the season plenty of analysts believed the Boston Celtics would be poised to challenge the likes of Toronto and the Cavaliers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Currently the Celtics are 3-4 and on the outside looking in.

What the hell happened? Al Horford has missed the last four games with a concussion; Jae Crowder has missed the past three games with an ankle injury and won’t return until next week “at the earliest” . Marcus Smart has also missed three games due to various maladies. That’s what happened to them.

10). Is there reason for optimism for the Memphis Grizzlies? Memphis Flyer reporter Kevin Lipe and I think so!