The NBA Is Back
By Maggie Hoffman
The NBA is officially back, and after just three weeks of action, players and teams are already making big moves. Between breakout rookies, superstar shifts, and contenders battling for the top spots in their conferences, it certainly has not disappointed.
Entering the season, first-overall draft pick Cooper Flagg was far and away the favorite for Rookie of the Year. However, the Dallas Mavericks’ current struggles have made his development difficult after opening the season 2-7.
A surprising shift in rookie odds came on the second night of the season, when the third-overall pick in Philadelphia made his statement. VJ Edgecombe dropped 34 points, the most for a rookie in their debut since Wilt Chamberlain, as the Sixers beat the Celtics. Since then, he’s been putting up close to 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. While Flagg certainly is not out of the conversation yet, his performance thus far has not lived up to the preseason expectations set for him.
In terms of NBA superstars, there are some familiar faces in the mix as well as some players who have clearly taken strides this offseason. Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic is already averaging a triple-double to start Denver’s 6-2 season. Reigning 2024-25 MVP and Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has picked up right where he left off, continuing to dominate on both sides of the ball as the Thunder sit atop the Western Conference.
Victor Wembanyama, in just his third season, has shown elite scoring abilities and rim protection skills, turning the Spurs into a legitimate contender in the West after years of struggles. Averaging four blocks a game, including one game with nine blocks, he has proven he was worth the hype he initially received.
In terms of top teams in each conference, the West is filled with the usual suspects. Coming off a championship, the Thunder have a better record than the Lakers, Spurs, and Nuggets, and are the current favorites to claim the Larry O’Brien trophy once again.
In the East, however, after struggling in recent years, the Pistons and the Bulls are vying for the number one seed ahead of the preseason favorite Cavaliers. The Knicks, meanwhile, have continued to thrive, and the Sixers have made significant improvements following a disappointing 2024-25 campaign.
The start of the NBA season has proved that nothing is certain. Top players will change, conference leaders will shift, and surprise storylines will continue to emerge. The only thing we can do is just sit back and watch it unfold.