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NBA First Game Observations – Eastern Conference
- Don’t despair Knick fans things will get better after a terrible first game. It’s expected that a team with two new starters will struggle early, see Minnesota. However this isn’t last year’s Knicks. The Knicks don’t defend nearly as well but can score more than last year’s team. Karl-Anthony Towns playing drop coverage against a team that can shoot threes is a problem. He was put in pick and roll all night leaving Boston shooters open. The Knicks didn’t pressure the ball well allowing Boston to get to wherever they wanted to go offensively. I’m confident Tom Thibodeau will make the correct adjustments to fix those weaknesses.
- As for Boston they played their first game like it was still last season. They moved the ball well and shot well. Most NBA players that are wide open will hit more than 50% of their threes when wide open. Watching the game you had to admire their unselfishness and ability to make the extra pass.
- What happened to the Heat last night playing at home in their first game. Just last week I was picking them to come in fourth in the east. If last night’s game was any indication of where they are going they have problems. What was particularly alarming was the poor games Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo had.
NBA First Game Observations – Western Conference
- I tuned into Portland’s first game hoping to see improvement from them this year. Defensively I don’t have any idea what they are doing or if anybody is trying. Offensively, they push the ball up the court and it seemed like the first player who got the ball shot. It left me to wonder what exactly they worked on in the preseason. I know Chauncey Billups is well respected but if this continues I don’t see him sticking around that long.
- Bronny James and his father Lebron did something in their first game the other night that should be celebrated. However watching Bronny play makes me think somebody doesn’t have a job in the NBA because Bronny is playing.
- Speaking of the Lakers you had to like the way they defended in their first game. If JJ Redick can keep them playing at this level on the defensive end they will surprise some people this year.
- Watching some of the Charlotte vs. Houston game was interesting. Charlotte won the game, a surprise, but more importantly the team played with enthusiasm, something they have been missing over the last few years. I know it was their first game and it’s a long season but it’s a big step in revitalizing their organization.
