The NBA is back! After 4 months of waiting, the North Basketball Association resumed its rights on Tuesday October 18 with already its share of surprises and disappointments. While some teams have met initial expectations, others have attacked in the worst possible way this 2022/2023 season. It’s time to take stock of the first week of competition in the NBA.
NBA favorites at the rendezvous
Announced as the 2 big favorites in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics (3-0) and the Milwaukee Bucks (2-0) entered their 2022/2023 season flat out. Impressive and carried by their franchise player Jayson Tatum (34.7 pts and 8.3 rebounds) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (32.5 pts and 12.5 rebounds), these 2 teams made it clear to the competition that they would be there. -you. The Cleveland Cavaliers (2-1) also showed that the integration of Donovan Mitchell, who arrived from the Jazz this summer, had gone without a hitch and that the former Utah player was ready to interfere in a collective that is not lacking talented. Deprived of Lamelo Ball, the Charlotte Hornets (2-1) surprised by showing good play in their first 3 meetings, just like the Washington Wizards (2-1), around their Beal-Porzingis duo. It now remains for all these teams to maintain their current level of play to maintain their momentum.
In the Western conference, few people would have bet on the Jazz d’Utah undefeated after 3 games, moreover with successes over the Nuggets, Wolves and Pelicans! With a Lauri Markkanen on his Eurobasket launch (24 pts and 9.7 rebounds), the Jazz displayed a flamboyant collective game, muting the rumors of tanking (temporarily). Also undefeated Portland Trail Blazers by Damian Lillard (see below) with three wins and no losses. In reconstruction, the Oregon franchise surprised everyone with a convincing success over the Suns and a last victory over the Lakers. Despite a limited workforce, the Blazers will not let go, like their leader. Beautiful face also offered by San Antonio Spurs (2-1). There too with a roster cut for the first pick of the draft, Greg Popovich and Keldon Johnson (21.7 pts and 7.3 rbds) surprise and are a pleasure to see. If these teams surprise, others like the Memphis Grizzlies, the Golden State Warriors, the Denver Nuggets, the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers are in the game with 2 wins in 3 games. Will the Blazers, Jazz and Spurs be able to keep this course? Response in the coming weeks.
False start for Philly and LA
If seeing teams like the Thunderthem Rocketsthem Kings and the Magic with 3 defeats is nothing surprising, find the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers in the same basket is much more so. Among Eastern Conference favorites, the 76ers showed an ominous face with little intensity, like its leader Joel Embiid. If the Cameroonian pivot (and French, and American) apparently suffers from a foot injury, this should not prevent him from setting an example on the ground in his attitude. Nonchalant, he left the lead of the team to James Harden (26 pts and 9 assists on average), without however winning the slightest victory. A surprising ignition delay, but the season is long and made up of highs and lows.
Same observation at the Los Angeles Lakers, even if the present problems were foreseeable. If Lebron James and Anthony Davis do the job, the problems are elsewhere. Starting with Russell Westbrook. The 2017 MVP expresses a malaise on the ground which reflects the malaise that reigns at the Lakers. Finishing 0 of 11 on shots against the Clippers, and missing an open shot with 25 seconds remaining against the Blazers, R. Westbrook is a pebble in Lebron James’s shoe with no way to remove it yet. Another glaring problem is the lack of a shooter. Without true long-range shooters, spacing is non-existent for the Lakers, leaving defenses to focus on Lebron James and Anthony Davis. Without movement in the workforce, the Lakers season is likely to be long…
Player of the Week: Damian Lillard
Back from injury after a season marred by an abdominal injury, Damian Lillard showed in the eyes of the NBA that he had lost none of his incredible talent. After a smooth (mostly awkward) comeback against the Kinks with 20 points, Dame Time rectified the target with 41 points against the Suns and Lakers, enough to end his first week of competition at 34 points on average. In addition to his individual performances, the Blazers point guard led the Oregon franchise to a perfect 3-0 record. Enough to make him our NBA player of the week!
The week of the French in the NBA
Arrived this summer at Wolves for a new challenge, Rudy Gobert was quick to prove effective. Dominating under the panels, Gobzilla was also sought out by his new teammates. With a peak of 23 rebounds against his former Jazz team, Rudy Gobert is off to a good start on the same basis as last season. For Evan Fournier, continuity is essential. Always used in catch and shoot by coach Thibodeau, Vanvan did what he knows how to do with the Knicks, bombard at 3 points. Even if its use still leaves something to be desired, Captain Fournier will always respond. For Nicolas Batum, his entry into the subject is done gently. With the return of Kawhi Leonard and a well-stocked squad, Batman sees his playing time reduced compared to last season. With fragile teammates, there is no doubt that he will be invaluable for the Clippers during the season and the play-offs.
If for our spearheads of the France team, the season has started well, for the others on the other hand, there is reason to be worried. Like Killian Hayes who cannot settle the target with the Pistons and who could see his playing time reduced when coming off the bench. Arrived at the Hornets a few days before the start of the season, Théo Maledon must for the moment be satisfied with the crumbs, worrying before seeing the return of Lamelo Ball.
French player stats
Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves): 15.7 pts, 18 rebounds, 1.3 blocks
Evan Fournier (New York Knicks) : 11 pts, 2,5 rbds, 2,5 ast
Nicolas Batum (Los Angeles Clippers) : 3,7 pts, 4,3 rbds, 1 ast
Killian Hayes (Detroit Pistons): 3 pts, 2 rebounds, 4 ast
Théo Maledon (Charlotte Hornets) : 3,0 pts, 0,5 rbds, 2,5 ast
Ousmane Dieng (Oklahoma City Thunder) : 1,7 pts, 2,3 rbds, 1 ast
Frank Ntilikina (Dallas Mavericks): injured
Moussa Diabate (Los Angeles Clippers): did not play
Olivier Sarr (Portland Trail Blazers): injured
