Week 2 NBA Notes

It has been an interesting first two weeks of the NBA season headlined by injuries to key guards and surprising records.

This has not been a good start to the season for guards in terms of health.  Ok I understand we already knew about Rajon Rondo, Victor Oladipo, Michael Carter-Williams, Bradley Beal, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook coming into this week.  I don't know about you, but that's enough injuries to key guards for me.

I guess we'll start with the Celtics.  Rondo came back sooner than expected but is now missing time for a follow up surgery to remove a screw from his hand.  This shouldn't sideline him for too long as he's expected to be back on Wednesday against the short handed Thunder. The Celts are also without their top pick in this years draft, Marcus Smart.  He had a scary moment last week where he came down awkwardly.  Smart may have dodged a bullet being diagnosed with only a left ankle sprain and bone bruise.  These will cause him to miss 2-3 weeks.

This may sound like a familiar story but Derrick Rose is hurt again.  He sprained both ankles and has only played in one of five games this year but is considered a game time decision.  With that said he should be back on the court in the next couple days.

Minnesota has also been bit as their star guard,  Ricky Rubio, went down with a severe ankle sprain.  This is very tough news as it will keep him out for 7-8 weeks.  If the young kids don't come together quick they could very well be near the bottom of the standings.

The league's leading scorer after last week, Klay Thompson, also got hurt with a sprained hand.  He is set to return tomorrow night, but the Warriors suffered their lone loss during his absence.

Houston is another top team missing one of their starting guards.  Point guard Patrick Beverly has been bothered by a hamstring injury the past week and has not played since 11/4.  Isaiah Canaan should continue to fill in until Beverly returns later this week.

Other injured point guards include Steve Nash, Jose Calderon, Raymond Felton, Patty Mills, George Hill.  Some other shooting guards bit by the injury bug include Nick Young, Rodney Stuckey, CJ Miles, and Martell Webster.

There has also been some surprises in the standings thus far.  I'll talk about the three from each conference that are the most unexpected.

One of the biggest surprises of the West is the Sacramento Kings who currently have the fourth best record in the west with a 5-2 record.  I understand they are better this year but really don't see them sustaining this success.  Oklahoma City has also underwhelmed thus far with a 2-5 record but that can mostly be the result of injuries. I touched on them in last week's post.  Mark Cuban has also mentioned a possibility of playing for the lottery this season because of the significant losses.  San Antonio is also below .500 at 2-3.  Don't get too used to this as they are too experienced and talented to be kept down for too long.  I expect them to be back near the top by the end of the month.

The East also has some suprises.  Indiana is as close to Oklahoma City as you can get.  Their best player, Paul George, broke his leg while with Team USA and will miss the entire season.      David West has also been hurt leaving them without their two best players.  No disrespect to Roy Hibbert, but he doesn't consistently play up to his talent level.  They should be better than their 1-6 record, but they should still be in the bottom half of the East this year.

Cleveland has many people pushing the panic button already due to their 2-3 record.  In the words of Aaron Rodgers "R-E-L-A-X."  If you and I played together tonight would we really be that good.  Give them one more week to gain familiarity and trust with each other.  The wins will start piling up real soon.

The final surprise is the success of the Miami Heat.  Many people expected them to fall off with the departure of LeBron James, but all they've done is won to the tune of 5-2.  Chris Bosh has performed like his days in Toronto and Dwyane Wade has also turned back the clock.  I don't see Wade being able to hold up physically for the entire season or Bosh being able to carry the load all year.  With that said, they should be able to continue their streak of playoff appearances.

When all is said and done Oklahoma City should be in the fight for the 7-8 seed.  Sacramento will most likely fall out of the playoff race and be lottery bound again.  San Antonio will pull it together soon and be in the mix as one of the top 4 out West.  Indiana should be in the bottom half of the East and lottery bound.  Cleveland will have a similar track as San Antonio.  They'll come together soon and be a top 3 team in the East.  Miami will still be strong and should finish around the 4-6 seed.

Try not to get caught up in small sample sizes during a long season.  A short term injury or rough stretch in the schedule could skew the numbers.  My last bit of advise today is to always remember to look at the bigger picture and assess all the parts when judging a team.