10. Steve Nash out for season
Face it, Steve Nash has had luck that almost compares to that of Derrick Rose for the past several years. The worst is what caused his injury: not a game, not a practice, not a scrimmage…carrying luggage.
9. Both Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant injured
We already knew that Durant was banged up with a Jones fracture at the beginning of the regular season. But Westbrook getting hurt while carrying Durant’s weight is the definition of unlucky. This has put the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 2-5 record to start, a team that compiled a 59-23 record last season.
Going into the Los Angeles Lakers game against the Charlotte Hornets on Nov. 9, Kobe had attempted 122 shots for – a league-leading total – in the Lakers’ past five games. The Lakers finally won against the Hornets on Sunday to improve their 0-5 record. As usual, Kobe fired 20 shots to register his 21 points on the night however, the shot attempt total would be a low for Kobe.
7. ‘Super Team’ Cavaliers starting 2-3
Having three superstars means there’s a whole lot of egos in one locker room, but remember that LeBron James has been here before. Despite the fact that the Cleveland Cavaliers are under a .500 winning percentage with a 2-3 record to start, this superstar-studded team remains the favourite to sweep the East and win the Finals.
6. Anthony Davis: hottest man in the league
Anthony Davis has come out of the gate this season like Seabiscuit set on fire. He is currently averaging 24.4 points a game, leads the league in rebounds at 12.8, and has been a rim protector with 4.4 blocks per game. Good luck trying to get those numbers in a video game.
5. Golden State Warriors break 5-0 start with loss to Phoenix Suns
The Warriors have been unstoppable since the season has started. That was until the Golden State hit the wall of the Phoenix Suns the night after dropping the other undefeated squad, the Houston Rockets.
4. Derrick Rose follows up great play with injury
Derrick Rose has been the cause of many frustrations. Getting injured after the commercials, the videos, his comeback presence in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) games this past summer, is a special kind of torture for Chicago Bulls fans.
3. New Orleans Pelicans surprise win over the San Antonio Spurs
What could be a better way for fans who were left sour after the Spurs won the 2014 NBA Finals than watching Anthony Davis hit the game winning layup for the Pelicans. The fact that New Orleans wasn’t even in playoff content last season made it that much sweeter.
2. Andrew Wiggins
This rookie has had an insane amount of pressure on him, and so far has been interesting. First, there were a lot of critics labeling Wiggins with a slow start, not being very effective for the Minnesota Timberwolves, and emphasizing his under 10-point production for most games. Then came a strong 17-point game versus the Brooklyn Nets. Recently against the Miami Heat, Dwayne Wade spoke to Wiggins and offered him advice, maybe these words of wisdom will help the young Canadian push forward this season.
1. Raptors off to best start in franchise history with 6-1 record
With a 6-1 record – the best start in franchise history for Toronto basketball – the Raptors have many fans dreaming of a championship. While the Cavaliers can’t get it to work, the Heat aren’t performing, and the Bulls struggling, the Toronto Raptors are putting together a strong argument for big time contention.