Most Surprising Teams in the NBA So Far

3. Cleveland Cavaliers

In the history of the NBA, the Cavs have only been good if Mark Price or LeBron James are on the team. This year they have neither, although a 56 year old Mark Price probably still has a wetty jumper, and they are cruising right along in the East. Cleveland currently sits at 10-12 in 7th place in the East. Now I know what you’re thinking, 10-12? Thats still kinda garbage. But one Eastern Conference team’s garbage is another good Cavs fan’s ungarbage. Shoutout Ricky’s Dad. The Cavs finished the 2019-2020 season with 19 wins on the whole year, so this is actually a pretty impressive improvement. Their young leaders like Colin Sexton, Darius Garland, and Andre Drummond have helped the Cavs remain a competent team without their best player Kevin Love. Sexton is even drawing consideration for his first All-Star bid. With the new NBA playoff format including a play-in tournament for the 7-10 seeds, I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Cavs in the playoffs for the first time since 2017-18 and for the first time without LeBron since 97-98.

2. Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets looked like a dumpster fire throughout the shortened off-season. Their team was imploding from the inside out with their start player James Harden publicly wanting out, Russell Westbrook requesting what seems to be at least his nineteenth trade, and their GM and Coach hitting the road. It looked like the Rockets were destined for a top-5 pick and the start of a lengthy rebuild. Nope! Houston we have no problem. The Rockets quickly reshaped their roster by signing stretch big man Christian Wood, trading Westbrook for John Wall, and finally shipping out Harden in an elaborate package that landed them Victor Oladipo. This new big three, or maybe medium three, has the Rockets sitting at 10-10 in the 10th seed in the West. That’s more tens than a Dancing with the Stars judging panel. Christian Wood went from the Bucks G-League team, to the Pistons bench, to the best player on the Rockets. Their defense currently ranks 2nd in the league in Defensive Rating, a significant jump up from their 14th place finish last year. Houston is going to have to fight for a playoff spot this year, but it’s not often a team loses their two best players and coach and still remains competitive. The Rockets are fun again, even if those baby blue jerseys are hideous.

(Cato Calado/NBAE via Getty Images via @NBAonESPN)

1. Memphis Grizzlies

Somebody get Tony Allen and Quincy Pondexter on the phone! The Grizzlies are back! As of right now, the Memphis Grizzlies sit as the 5th seed in the West. Their defense ranks 4th in the league per 100 possessions and 7th in opponent points per game. This is all with one of the most depleted rosters in the league. The Grizzlies best player, exciting young point guard Ja Morant, as only played in 8 games so far this year. Morant’s running mate and 2018-19 All-Rookie First Team member Jaren Jackson Jr. is yet to see the floor following a preseason knee injury. Their starting center Jonas Valanciunas has only played in 12 games because of Covid-19 protocols. This hasn’t stopped the Grizz from chugging forward. They are 4-4 in games without Morant and have been contributions from all over. Players like Dillion Brooks, Brandon Clarke, and “Slow Mo” Kyle Anderson have all chipped in over 12 PPG in the meantime. Desmond Bane, a late first round pick, has been great for them in the short-term, averaging 9.6 PPG and shooting over 50% from deep on 4 attempts a game. Nobody thought the Grizzlies would be a lock for the playoffs, and they certainly aren’t a guaranteed contender, but they have been the toughest team and the biggest surprise in the league so far.

(hoopshabit.com)