The NBA has started on an excellent note and how. After all, the offseason drama starting from Kyrie’s stand on vaccination to Ben Simmons trade saga has been a roller coaster. At the start of every NBA season, we expect a handful of teams to always perform better, but this year there have been unexpected teams that have started the season on an amazing note.
Let us look at the teams that have been a surprise for the season.
5. Washington Wizards
An offseason which was of mixed feelings for the Wizards. Wizards traded Russell Westbrook for a string of players who had been a disappointment for the LA Lakers in the past season – Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell & Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Also brought in Nets star Spencer Dinwiddie and made sure that post-Russell Westbrook’s departure, Bradley Beal stays with the squad.
It paid off, Wizards is on a hot start with Bradley Beal doing his thing, but it has been a rise for Montrezl Harrell. The former 6th Man of the year has been averaging 18.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game which have been an influential factor for the squad.
Current Record – 5 wins and 2 losses
4. The New York Knicks
The Knicks made a comeback to the Playoffs picture after a gap of 11 years in the last season. They were defeated by the Atlanta Hawks after the heroics of Trae Young. However, it looks like they did not miss out on the momentum gained in the last season. This season, Randle has taken a step ahead in his game after winning the Most Improved Player the last season. He is currently averaging 21.0 points per game, 10.9 rebounds per game, 6.3 assists per game, and 1.1 blocks per game which is more points than Anthony Davis, more rebounds than Joel Embiid.
Alongside Randle, Knicks made two great pickups this offseason – Evan Fornier and Kemba Walker from the Boston Celtics. The rise of RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Austin Rivers.
Current Record – 5 wins and 2 losses
3. Golden State Warriors
The shooting God, the cheat code of the modern NBA era, Steph Curry is on a God mode. After missing on the Playoff last season, the Warriors are a team to fear for. This squad looks like the most balanced squad for the Warriors after a very long time. Alongside Curry, Draymond, and Wiggins – the role players like Jordan Poole, Otto Porter Jr, Nemanja Bjelica have been a great surprise this season.
The rise of Jordan Poole was needed for the Warriors when Curry is taking his minutes off. An early contender for the most improved player, Poole has been averaging 14.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.
Current Record – 5 wins 1 loss
Also Read | Golden State Warriors 2021-22 squad
2. Miami Heat
After a disappointing Playoffs exit in the last season, the Miami Heat were expected to go further down as the Heat squad looked like stray’s who had no direction whatsoever. After being in the NBA Finals just a season before the last, Heat looked like a comfortable 7 – 8 seed who might have fought for a Play-in position. But Heat has been on a hot start this season. With the addition of Kyle Lowry from the Raptors, the Lowry Factor has played out well for Miami where he has been grabbing 7.2 assists per game which have benefited Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro.
There were a lot of backlashes to the Miami Heat front office guys where they were not ready to trade Tyler Herro in the package to land James Harden in the last season – but now it all makes sense. Herro is averaging a career-high 22.0 points per game with a 39.5% from beyond the arc.
Current Record - 6 wins 1 loss
1. Chicago Bulls
The most sort after squad or a squad which is expected to shine. Let us have a look at the offseason trades for the Bulls – Lonzo Ball from Pelicans, Alex Caruso from Lakers, DeMar DeRozan from the Spurs, Derrick Jones Jr from the Trailblazers. A squad that a sure a Top 5 seed.
Zach LaVine was expected to demand a trade if he had not given a squad that could be Playoffs worthy which is expected from an All-Star as he has never appeared in the Playoffs. Will this be the breakout season for Chicago Bulls as they are hungry for a place in Playoffs?
Current Record – 6 wins 1 loss
Also Read | Chicago Bulls – The Squad – 2021/22 Season
