NBA Takes are back after another week of basketball. This week proved that the Suns can play with the big dogs of the NBA. The Warriors might not make the playoffs, and Miami has two Rookie of the Year candidates. Similarly to Week 1, it is still early into the season, so the takes still may be overreactions due to small sample size. But they are takes on the league we all know and love, so without further ado, NBA Takes Week 2.

NBA Take #1: LeBron and the Lakers are Slightly Over-Hyped

The King is proving not to be washed up, but the Lakers are not leaps and bounds better than everyone else like fans are making them out to be. Photo Credits to sbnation.com

The Lakers are clearly one of the favorites to be raising the NBA Finals trophy, I am not taking that away from them. What LeBron is doing at age 34 is nothing short of impressive either. But the media is absolutely over-blowing the 3 straight games with a triple double. Remember Russell Westbrook? Sure he stat pads, but the guy has averaged a triple double for 3 straight years. How bout Luka? He’s half an assist away from averaging a triple double through his first 6 games. So we as a fan base have to cool it with the LeBron love in the media.

I get LeBron and Los Angeles are the golden gooses of the NBA. But he is 34, and he will not be doing this forever. It feels that every nationally televised game is a Lakers game, which is understood, they are the golden goose like I said. But players like Luka, Trae Young, Devin Booker, Pascal Siakam, and KAT are the future and putting up absurd numbers on par with the King. However night-in-night-out it is all about what LeBron does in L.A. I get it, big star in a big market, but show some love to the stars that are on the up and up NBA. Bron isn’t going to be here forever, so prepare fans for the future.

For the Lakers, I feel they are put on a pedestal head and shoulders above everyone. I’m here to say they shouldn’t be. The Mavericks showed they can hang with the big dogs in L.A. The Clippers are still down Paul George and beat the Lakers. The 76ers are elite and lock up with their size. The Celtics are a big man away. So the Lakers aren’t above the whole crowd, but they are elite.

NBA Take #2: Both Kendrick Nunn and Tyler Herro are Rookie of the Year Candidates

The Heat may have struck gold with the young duo of Herro and Nunn. Photo Credits to clutchpoints.com

Kendrick Nunn was signed by the Heat at the end of the year last year. Since then, he has done nothing but impress all of the NBA. In his first 6 regular season games of his career, Nunn has averaged 19.5 points per game on 48.4% shooting from the field. The young guard who played his college ball at Illinois for his first 3 years, and Oakland his last, went undrafted, and is now showing the rest of the league what they missed out on. With no Zion until December, Nunn and Ja Morant have shown they are both rookie of the year candidates.

Out of Kentucky, Tyler Herro was seen more as a scorer and many worried about his defensive skill. Now the 6th man on the Miami Heat, Herro is averaging 15.7 points per game with 6 rebounds per game. His defense is still below average, but Herro has shown he can be an effective spark plug off the bench. It will be tough for Herro to surpass Morant or Nunn for rookie of the year, but his name will be in the conversation if he continues his strong play in Miami.

NBA Take #3: Luka Dončić is an MVP Candidate

The second year player in Dallas is putting up historic numbers, placing his name into the crowded MVP discussion. Photo Credits to hoopshype.com

Throw him in with KAT, who I mentioned in last week’s NBA Takes as an MVP candidate. Dončić and LeBron James went back and forth on big play after big play on Friday night in Dallas. And even in a loss, the game gave off a little changing of the guard vibes. Luka had 31 points, 15 assists, and 13 rebounds against LA. Very similar stat lines to prime James. Mind you through his first 6 games, Dončić is averaging just under a triple double with 26.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG, and 9.5 APG. He’s no where near as physically dominant as the King, but his stat lines are strikingly similar to prime James.

In a league with the previously mentioned LeBron, AD, Giannis, Harden, and Kawhi, the MVP will be tough to get for Dončić. However there is a path for Dončić to win the prestigious award. If the Mavericks are able to squeeze into the playoffs in a tough Western Conference, and Dončić continues to put up big numbers, it will be tough to leave his name out of the discussion.

Part 2: Dončić and Porzingis are a Top 5 Duo in the NBA

Bron and AD

Kawhi and PG

Westbrook and Harden

Dame and C.J.

Who else?

Now those are in no particular order. But with KD out in Brooklyn and Steph and Klay out of commission, who takes #5? Embiid and Simmons is a possibility, but they are surrounded by 3 positions loaded with talent. Josh Richardson, Al Horford, and Tobias Harris makes that duo look better than what they are. Giannis is one of the best players in the NBA, but any duo in Milwaukee isn’t as elite as KP and Luka. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are good in Denver, but not nearly as good as what Dallas has shown. The Mavericks are 4-2, Luka is already in MVP discussions, and Porzingis is averaging 20.5 PPG and 8.2 RPG. Tough to leave that duo out of the Top 5.

NBA Take #4: The Houston Rockets Will Not Get Out of the Second Round in the Western Conference Playoffs

Even with the superstar duo of Westbrook and Harden, the Rockets chances of getting out of the West are slim to none. Photo Credits to NBA.com

With both LA teams and their superstar duos, the improved Jazz, the previously mentioned Mavericks, the Nuggets and Trail Blazers, getting out of the West will be tough for anyone. But the Rockets will struggle to get out of the second round for many reasons. A big issue in Houston is defense. just this week they gave up 159 points to the Wizards, 123 points to the Nets, and 129 to the Heat. Another issue is Harden, sure he is leading the league in scoring, but he is only shooting 38% from the field and is missing on average 10 threes a game. He will probably start shooting more consistently as the season progresses, but it is tough to pick the Rockets over either Los Angeles team to get into the Western Conference Finals.

NBA Take #5: Andre Drummond has a Case for the Best Rebounder of All-Time.

Yes, I said it. Photo Credits to clutchpoints.com

Since his second year in the league, Drummond has not averaged less than 13 rebounds a game. And this year Drummond has came out of the gates hot, averaging almost a 20-20, 21.3 PPG and 19.4 RPG. The Pistons big man is more gifted than Rodman, who is recognized as one of the best rebounders of all time, but that doesn’t hurt Drummond’s case to be the best rebounder of all time. His career average of 13.78 RPG ranks 7th all time. But the stat that truly shows Drummond’s dominance on the boards is Rebound Percentage, where he ranks 1st ALL TIME. So who’s to say that a 26 year old who’s proved to be one of the best rebounders in NBA History already, can’t make himself statistically the best rebounder of all time.

The reason I bring up Drummond outside of his case to be the best glass cleaner, is the dominant play he’s shown in Detroit.

We have this feeling Andre Drummond is not yet done with his incredible streak. 💪👊#DetroitBasketball #Pistons pic.twitter.com/tYE7kscVXF — Pistons Nation (@PistonsNationCP) November 5, 2019

With a player option at the end of the year, Drummond is showing the rest of the league he is worth all of the money and maybe more. He’s in elite company and HE’S ONLY 26! If the Pistons continue to struggle, he may be on the move, and don’t be surprised to see many teams jump at the elite big man out of UCONN.

NBA Take #6: Monty Williams is a Coach of the Year Candidate in Phoenix

It seems the Suns have found their guy as they have started the season hot. Photo Credits to brightsideofthesun.com

I said the Suns could be a playoff team in a very tough Western Conference, and I will stick to my guns in week 2. Adding on to that, new Suns’ coach Monty Williams has proved to be their first competent coach in a while, as he has lead them to a 5-2 start.

The schedule has not been a cakewalk either. he first week they came in and beat the Kings by almost 30. Followed that up with a tough one point loss against a Nuggets team who was one of the best in the NBA last year. They rebounded after the loss and beat Kawhi Leonard and the Clips by 8. Lost to the Jazz by 1, beat up on the Warriors, beat the Grizzlies, and then was the first team to beat the 76ers.

Devin Booker seems to have taken a step forward, and even without former 1st pick, DeAndre Ayton, the Suns are proving to be a force to be reckoned with. A lot of the credit is due to their new coach. Williams has the offense moving the ball and getting open looks, shown by their incredible 67.4% assist percentage. Phoenix is also 2nd in assists per game. Some credit is due to their offseason moves to build around Booker and Ayton, and the pieces seem to fit in Monty Williams’s system. If the Suns can hang around a playoff spot, Williams’s name will be in Coach of the Year conversations for their improvement.

NBA Take #7: The Celtics are a Proven Big Man Away from Being a Title Contender

Losing Horford left a big hole in Boston’s big men rotation. Photo Credits to bleacherreport.com

Al Horford would fit this Celtics team perfectly, but he is in Philadelphia. Horford’s departure left the Celtics to sign Enes Kanter, who is a fine NBA player, but he runs into trouble in post defense. Post defense is not a good problem to have when the Celtics will have to face off against star big men like Embiid and Giannis. But they are close, and much better than the team last year. A lineup of Smart, Kemba, Tatum, Brown, and Hayward lacks size but will lock up on the perimeter and can stretch the floor on offense. Even without a proven big, the Celtics have started 5-1, and of those 5 wins, 2 of which came against the Bucks and Raptors. The Celtics can leap into becoming a Finals contender if they make a move on one of these big men on the trading block.

Steven Adams, Clint Capela, and Andre Drummond could all become available if the right package presents itself. With all the prospects and draft picks the Celtics have, they could make a move on any one of those 3 centers. Matching salaries will make it tough for the Celtics, as Gordon Hayward will probably have to be involved in a trade for a big name big man. But it will be worth it if the Celtics are able to get a proven center, as they will be able to secure rebounds and defend all three levels.

NBA Take #8: Brandon Ingram is a Top 25 NBA Talent

Getting away from LeBron has done wonders for the former #2 pick. Photo Credits to theundefeated.com

I had Brandon Ingram as the 86th best player coming into this season. I was dead wrong about Brandon Ingram. He had flashes of the player he is in New Orleans while playing with LeBron. But now in a new situation, Ingram is averaging 25.9 PPG, 7.1 RPG, and 4.3 APG. It may be empty numbers as the Pelicans are 1-6 and in dead last in the Western Conference. But the former Duke Blue Devil can flat out score, and is the favorite for most improved player through the first stretch of the NBA season.

He is 6’7″ with a 7’3″ wingspan, and that lankiness has helped him draw KD comparisons throughout his career. I never understood the comp to Durant, until watching him play for the Pelicans. His ability to score and create offense at the forward position makes him easily a top 25 talent in the NBA right now, and has plenty of room to grow.

But will the Pelicans extend him this offseason? He is coming to the end of his rookie deal, and will have an opportunity to go after max deals due to his previously mentioned scoring ability. I personally would offer the 22 year old the 5 year max as he has improved throughout his career.

NBA Take #9: Anthony Davis Will Sign With a New Team Over Next Offseason (Looking at you Bulls?)

Anthony Davis stands by Chicago being the Mecca of Basketball: “It is. We’ve got the best basketball players ever. You look at the history with all the guys we’ve got that made the league and even the guys that didn’t make the league. They say New York, but it’s not even close.” pic.twitter.com/k7Xfmg1CRb — Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) November 4, 2019

Anthony Davis on the possibly of playing for Chicago….pic.twitter.com/w9dKY1pYPn — Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) November 5, 2019

Both videos show AD’s willingness to sign with Chicago. Davis is from Chicago, growing up in the same neighborhood as Derrick Rose. When someone is talking about a city as the ‘Mecca of basketball’, it is tough not to believe he will play there during his career.

In the age of player empowerment and movement, AD has an opportunity to opt out of his contract the end of this season and sign elsewhere. Now nobody truly knows what Davis will do. But for Bulls fans, at least you have something to follow this season, as your team is 2-5 and under-performing.

NBA Take #10: The Pacers Should Look to Get off of One of Sabonis or Turner

Both players have the potential to become elite big men in the NBA, just not playing with eachother in Indiana. Photo Credits to indystar.com

Indiana has started 3-3, and will now be dealing with another injury to Myles Turner. Sabonis is also dealing with a nagging injury, so rookie Goga Bitadze has had to step in, and has done a solid job. Last night in the Pacers loss to the Hornets, Bitadze had 6 points and 11 boards, proving to be a serviceable center in the NBA. So where does that leave Indiana with Turner and Sabonis? I think one should be dealt.

Many teams could use some muscle at the center position. The Celtics, Mavericks, and the Kings all could use adding a center of either Sabonis or Turner’s caliber. If the Mavericks were looking for a European big 3 and some muscle to add with Porzingis, Sabonis would be a perfect fit. The Celtics could use any sense of a big man alongside their deep rotation of guards and forwards. The Kings, well they could use more talent to put with Fox, and the center position is a little thin with Marvin Bagley out.

Indiana could trade either big to any one of those 3 teams and get pieces to put along side of Oladipo once he’s healthy. On top of that, the rotation at the big man would be fixed. Whoever they keep would get the bulk of the minutes at the center position, and would be backed up by Goga. So Indiana, I beg of you, it could be a win-win if you get off one of your big men.

The NBA Talk Doesn’t Stop Here

The first episode of Raines Radio and SFS Talk will be coming within a week. So if you are looking for more basketball talk, be sure to tune in on anchor.fm!

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