Similar to the Raines Reaction and MLB Roundup, I will be giving my NBA takes from week to week. Whether it is if I like what a player is doing, or a coach that should be fired, or a streaky team, it will be touched on with a take by myself. Some may be over-reactionary, especially for the first few weeks due to a small sample size.

NBA Take #1: The Phoenix Suns will be Playing Meaningful Basketball Come Springtime

New coach Monty Williams have the Suns looking better than most people expected. Photo Credits to nba.com

Maybe not the playoffs, but contending for a playoff spot, that I can see. Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton is too much talent too keep silent. New coach Monty Williams have them competing with top tier teams like the Nuggets and Clippers. Hell, they even beat the new look Clippers. Devin Booker and co. beat the Kings by almost 30 last week. Lost to the Nuggets by 1, and beat the Clippers by 8 before falling victim against the new look Jazz on Monday.

Yeah losing Ayton to suspension is tough, but the roster looks better than ever. Kelly Oubre looks like a legitimate number 2 scoring option playing off Booker. Rubio adds a veteran presence at a point guard position where the Suns have had a hole the past few years. Saric and Kaminsky give the Suns spacing at the big man position as well.

Sure the West is tough, but the Warriors have fallen off. The Thunder will struggle. No Zion for a month or so means the Pelicans will dig themselves a hole. The Kings have started slow, and there are a lot of new pieces in Sacramento. Like I said, I’m not penciling them in for a playoff spot, but come March, the Suns could be around the 8 seed playing for something other than the #1 pick.

NBA Take #2: Karl-Anthony Towns is an MVP Candidate

The T-Wolves have started their year off with 3 straight wins with much help from KAT. Photo Credits to zonecoverage.com

Averaging 32.5 points per game along with 13.3 rebounds per game and 5.0 assists per game, Towns has been one of the best players in the 2019-2020 NBA season. He is scoring efficiently (52.5% from the field), and as a big man, it is the 3 point percentage (51.7%) that shocks me. Everyone knew KAT had MVP potential in him coming out of Kentucky, but at age 23? Nobody expected this monster of a start from him or the Timberwolves.

It may not be sustainable over an 82 game season. But if KAT can average a double-double with upwards of 25 points per game and the Wolves stay in playoff contention, who says KAT can’t be MVP?

NBA Take #3: The Detroit Pistons will be a Top 6 Team in the East

The Pistons went 2-2 in their first 4 games, but Drummond, Rose and Kennard proved that the Pistons can be a force in the Eastern Conference. Photo Credits to nba.com

I’ve said it before, and I will say it again. Even without All-NBA Blake Griffin, the Pistons managed to beat the Pacers twice and gave the 76ers a run for their money. I like their roster a lot, Rose can still score and has proved that by averaging over 20 points per game over his first 4. Kennard can shoot it and spread the floor for the Pistons, shooting 48% from 3 point range. Andre Drummond is doing Andre Drummond things, dominating the paint, and hitting the boards hard (16.2 RPG). Once Blake Griffin gets back, the Pistons should be even better and give them a chance to assert their dominance on the weaker Eastern Conference Teams.

There are some questions. Derrick Rose and Blake Griffin’s health is always one. On top of that, Andre Drummond is a free agent at the end of the year, and trade rumors will swirl around the talented big man. Although there is some doubt and questions raised, I expect the Pistons to be at least a 6 seed heading into the Playoffs.

NBA Take #4: Markelle Fultz has Potential to be NBA Comeback Player of the Year

The former #1 pick is showing a lot of promise in his first full year back from injury. Photo Credits to cbssports.com

Even if he doesn’t win the award it is still a feel good story nonetheless. Many dubbed Fultz a bust, but the 21 year old is showing he can still be a playable NBA player. Averaging 12.3 PPG and 4.7 APG, Fultz has been a key piece on the Magic bench.

His athleticism has shown through.

Bleacher Report – Markelle Fultz Throws Down Nasty Dunk in Transition

His jump shot is improving.

NBA Cinema – Markelle Fultz GOES CRAZY From Three

He only hit two here. And he’s only shooting 23.1% from 3 point range, but he is taking them consistently and making some of them. It’s not great, but he is making himself a playable player, and if he continues to improve, a Comeback Player of the Year could be a possibility.

NBA Take #5: Ja Morant is a PROBLEM

With #1 pick Zion Williamson out, Ja Morant steps into the favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year. Photo Credits to nypost.com

The Grizzlies are 1-2, but in the 1 game they have won it was due to Ja. Morant locked up Kyrie down the stretch, and had the assist to the game winning jumper from Jae Crowder. In their lone W, Morant had 30 points and 9 assists. In only 3 games that big game will skew the numbers, but Morant is averaging 17.5 PPG and 5 APG. Those are ROY numbers. The Grizzlies won’t be a playoff team, but Morant has a ceiling of say a Westbrook? Rose? So yeah, Ja Morant is a problem now, and will be in the future.

NBA Take #6: Pascal Siakam will be on the All-NBA 2nd Team

What a uniform… Photo Credits to si.com

The forward position is loaded. Kawhi, LeBron, Giannis, Paul George, Blake Griffin, my oh my. But no Kevin Durant all year, Blake Griffin and Paul George being hurt for the beginning of the season open up potential All-NBA spots. Enter Pascal Siakam. He is undoubtedly the star of the Raptors and is showing it. Averaging 27.5 PPG and 10.2 RPG on 48% shooting, Siakam has taken another leap. His 3 Point % continues to increase as well, shooting 42% this year.

And this is very sustainable barring injury for the Raptors forward. No Kawhi leaving opened up the ball dominant superstar spot for Toronto, and Siakam said don’t mind if I do, stepping into that role. Toronto is a worse team than last year, you lost arguably the best player in the NBA this offseason. But Siakam should keep the Raptors afloat for home court advantage in the Eastern Conference. It is possible Siakam can vault himself into the First Team conversation if the Raptors are a top 3 team, but getting by 1 of Giannis, Kawhi, or LeBron to get into that spot will be tough. I feel comfortable penciling in Siakam as a All-NBA Second Teamer.

NBA Take #7: The Atlanta Hawks are the Most Fun Team to Watch in the NBA

The Hawks are still one of the most entertaining teams in the NBA with or without Trae Young. However, having the second year PG puts them as one of the most exciting teams to watch. Photo Credits to nba.com

Trae Young

Photo Credits to tenor.com

Not counting his 5 point effort before getting hurt, Trae Young averaged 32 PPG and 9 assists per game. Pretty elite offensive output for the young PG out of Oklahoma. Shooting 50% from 3 this year, Young continues to become more of a marksman. Word has it he will only miss a week or so, so the Hawks won’t be missing him too much.

Outside of Trae Young, the Hawks are one of the most intriguing teams in the NBA. They may be a little young and inexperienced, but the lineup of Young, Huerter, Hunter, Reddish, and Collins could be a force to be reckoned with in the next few years. Combine the microwave that is Trae Young shooting from the logo, with the athleticism of John Collins dunking people through the earth’s crust, the Hawks have a duo of the future. They also have 42 year old Vince Carter on the team who can still put up a highlight reel play or two.

If you need any more explanation why the Hawks are the most entertaining team to watch, click here.

NBA Take #8: One of the Nets or Pacers Will Not Make the Playoffs

Photo Credits to NBA.com

Photo Credits to NBA.com

Brooklyn has started slow at 1-2. Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, the Brooklyn Nets’ team officials are concerned with Kyrie Irving. They are worried about how his mood swings will affect the team. I like the Nets pieces around Irving. Caris LeVert, Joe Harris, Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince, Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan, all of those are great role players to have on a playoff team. But, the off the court issues is what scare me.

The Pacers not having Victor Oladipo is the true issue here. But his injury and his effectiveness after the injury could affect the Pacers as well. Turner and Sabonis are both young, talented big men, but the league has been dominated by 3 point shooting, and losing Bogdanovic will hurt them in the long run. Brogdon was a nice addition however.

The Eastern Conference is weak. As only 5-6 spots are truly locked up. Bucks, Sixers, Raptors, Celtics, Pistons, and many people thought these two teams would be playoff teams. But, the Hawks are better, the Magic are better, the Heat are significantly better. So that leaves about 1-2 spots open for playoff teams. And from what I have seen from both teams thus far, albeit early, it is not crazy to rule out one of these two teams for playoff basketball.

NBA Take #9: The Bucks need a Veteran True Point Guard if They Want to Win the Finals

Giannis is great, but in the age of duos, he may need more than Middleton. Photo Credits to nba.com

Sure Bledsoe is good on defense, but his floor spacing is not great for the Bucks attack. Middleton is a third option on a championship team. He is not a second option. So where do they look? Well Chris Paul will be on the trading block in OKC. If the Raptors fall out or if Masai feels it is time to move on to youth, Kyle Lowry will be available. It’s not sexy, and he’s not a star, but if they want another solid guard who can shoot after losing Brogdon this offseason, Jeff Teague could be a possibility.

If I’m the Bucks I’m going after Chris Paul. He’s got experience, he can set a half court offense which is an area the Bucks struggle. He can space the floor and play off Giannis like he did Harden last year. It would take getting rid of Bledsoe to make the money work, but if the Bucks really want to capitalize on this time period, CP3 should be a trade target.

NBA Take #10: Neither the Nuggets or Trail Blazers Will Be a Top 4 Seed.

Photo Credits to nba.com

Photo Credits to nba.com

The Nuggets have a better chance to be a top 4 seed than the Trail Blazers but it still seems unlikely. They just loss a close one to the Mavericks on Tuesday in a game where the Mavericks had 9 players score over 10 points. I just feel the Nuggets can’t defend guards or forwards. Jamal Murray is a nice piece, but he cannot be a second scoring option of Jokic. Jokic also carries a lot of weight, and even though his play style isn’t taxing, I don’t know if he will be able to withstand an 82 game season of tough ball in the Western Conference.

The Trail Blazers already have injury issues. Zach Collins just dislocated his shoulder, and Nurkic is still out from his injury last year. In contrast to the Nuggets, the Blazers are all small guards and wings, with centers, no forward depth, which will do them in against some of the more talented teams in the West.

In a conference with the Lakers, Clippers, Rockets, Jazz it makes it tough to look at either of the Nuggets or Trail Blazers as one of the home court advantage teams in the West. For both teams I do not know who matches up against LeBron and Davis when playing the Lakers, or who matches up against Kawhi and PG when playing the Clippers. So I am out on either one of these teams being a top 4 team in the West.

THE NBA IS BACK

I will be keeping up with the NBA season as it has a chance to be one of the best of all time. So be on the look out for some NBA Takes from me each week, and don’t be afraid to get some of yours off in the comments.

Raines Radio and SFS Talk will also feature a lot of NBA Talk, so if that tickles your fancy, tune in to the pod on anchor.fm!

Featured Image. Should the NBA logo be changed? Photo Credits to exnba.com