It’s only been one month in the 2012-2013 NBA season, but there has been a lot of action so far. Here’s a look at the most surprising storylines:
The Underachievers:
Jeremy Lin, PG, Houston Rockets
After signing a three-year, $25 million contract this offseason, Lin has started off the year very poorly for the Rockets. He is only averaging 10 points per game, while shooting an abysmal 37.7 percent from the field. The Knicks look like the biggest winners of Lin’s departure from New York by not matching the contract for the point guard—at 11-4, they are tied for first in the Atlantic division. In contrast, the Rockets are 7-8. They’ll need Lin to play better in order to win more games.
Boston Celtics
Before the season started, many people said that the Celtics were the second best team in the Eastern Conference. After a month, the Celts are 9-7 and fourth place in the Atlantic division. Mounting frustration erupted during the Celtics-Nets game in a scuffle amongst Kevin Garnett, Kris Humphries, Rajon Rondo and Gerald Wallace. Rondo’s unnecessary shove to Humphries cost him a two-game suspension and some fines. Despite these early setbacks, the Celtics should remain composed and competitive for the rest of the year.
Los Angeles Lakers
The acquisition of Steve Nash and Dwight Howard in the off-season is not paying off for the Lakers. After losing the first three games of the year, they find themselves at 8-8, good for third place in the Pacific division. They have replaced a head coach, and their starting point guard (Steve Nash) and backup point guard (Steve Blake) are on the shelf with injuries. The Lakers hope to get healthy and build chemistry by playoff time. Anything short of a championship will come as a failure for this team.
The Overachievers:
Anderson Varejao, PF/C, Cleveland Cavaliers
Averaging 15 points and 15 rebounds per game, Varejao is having a tremendous beginning of the season. He is playing at a very high level as seen by his 53 percent in field goals and an impressive 80 percent from the free-throw line. With the injury to star Kyrie Irving, the Cavs need Varejao to continue to play at a high level.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies have the best record in the NBA at 12-2. They are winning games by 8.8 points per game on average, second in the league behind the OKC Thunder (+9.2), and are allowing only 90.1 points per game, best in the league. With a young core of players who have been together for the past couple of years, the Grizzlies are primed for a really good season. Look for them to go further this postseason than they did last year.
Charlotte Bobcats
The Bobcats find themselves at 7-8. No, that’s not a typo. At just under .500 one month into the season, they have won as many games this year as in last year’s WHOLE SEASON! With a new head coach and some personnel additions in the off-season, the Bobcats are playing very well for the talent that they have. It is hard to see their success continuing for the whole year, but so far they are the feel-good story of the year.