The 3rd week of the NBA is dead and gone. In this past week, the Suns have come back down to earth, Jokic only hits game winners, and the Celtics have proven to be elite. Similar to Week 1 and Week 2, NBA Takes are going to be over-reactionary in nature. As the year progresses, I will be looking back at some of my best takes early, and some of the worst. So here we go with NBA Takes Week 3.

NBA Take #1: The 76ers Need A Proven Shooter

Almost could use a player of the same shooting skill as J.J. Redick, but hey that’s just my thoughts. Photo Credits to libertyballers.com

Ben Simmons has yet to progress his shot. Tobias Harris is shooting 21.7% behind the arc. Josh Richardson is shooting a measly 26.5% from 3. So the spacing for Embiid and Simmons is minimal. And let’s be real here, Furkan Korkmaz can’t be best shooter for the 76ers. Defensively the 76ers are one of the toughest matchups with all their size, but what does that do for them offensively?

I am not sure who the 76ers look for. Former 76er, J.J. Redick would be a perfect fit. J.R. Smith is available, he can score off the bench, but his on court ‘Shaqtin a fool’ moments might keep him a free agent. Like I said, the 76ers need a veteran shooter, and as the season progresses, a buyout guy will present itself for Philly.

It is unlikely Harris’s shooting woes continue, but only him on the arc still limits spacing. A bench guy who strictly spreads the floor is needed for the 76ers to make them even better.

NBA Take #2: The Loss of Malcolm Brogdon Will Cost Milwaukee a Championship

Not only did the Bucks lose Malcolm Brogdon this offseason, Khris Middleton has just been ruled out for a couple weeks in Milwaukee. Photo Credits to clutchpoints.com

I will take this to the basketball grave, Malcolm Brogdon is the perfect player to play off of Giannis. He is the ultimate 3-and-D guard, he can run an offense, an his basketball IQ is very high.

Now in Indiana, Brogdon is averaging 20.7 PPG, 8.5 APG, and 5.2 RPG. You’re telling me the Bucks couldn’t use this production? He is a better fit than Bledsoe as he is a better shooter. He costs less than Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe. Mind you he was a restricted free agent meaning the Bucks had priority when signing him. So I ask again, why didn’t the Bucks keep him?

NBA Take #3: Andrew Wiggins is the NBA’s Most Improved Player (so far)

The former #1 pick has taken a big step forward through the Timberwolves’ first 10 games. Photo Credits to nypost.com

Thus far, Wiggins has averaged 25.5 PPG on 47.3% shooting. Fans were quick to dub the former Jayhawk a bust when he didn’t live up to his lofty expectations. But this year, Wiggins has come out and been a viable scoring option for a playoff contender. After a few years of what fans call ’empty calories’, Andrew Wiggins has taken a big leap forward and I wouldn’t be surprised to see his name in the MIP discussion.

NBA Take #4: The Hornets are the Best of the Worst

The young Charlotte Hornets have proven to be frisky even though they were deemed to one of the worst teams coming into the season. Photo Credits to sbnation.com

Terry Rozier, Devonte Graham, rookie PJ Washington, Miles Bridges, and Cody Zeller are laying a foundation of the future for Charlotte. Head coach James Borrego has made a point to play the young guys, and even though they will more than likely not make the playoffs, the young Hornets are frisky and fun to watch. Of the bottom tier teams in the NBA, i.e. Warriors, Pelicans, Knicks, Wizards, Grizzlies, the Hornets have been the best of the bunch. In the years coming, I would not be shocked to see continuous development in Charlotte.

NBA Take #5: With no Zion, This Draft Class has no Rookie of the Year Favorite

I mentioned Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn, and Ja Morant in the NBA ROY award race. But all 3 have cooled off as the league adjusts. No Zion Williamson means the rookie of the year favorite is wide open as the #1 pick is injured. There are plenty of good rookies, R.J. Barrett has been a good rookie in New York. I mentioned P.J. in Charlotte. Ja is still probably the favorite, but it’s closer than many thought. Eric Paschall in Golden State has played better than scouts assumed. Another Grizzly, Brandon Clarke, has shined in his opportunities as well, averaging 11.8 PPG and 6.6 RPG.

With all these names listed along with Herro and Nunn, there are plenty of candidates, but no one quite has emerged as the favorite. So the ROY chase will be fun to follow.

NBA Take #6: The Utah Jazz are a Title Contender

Many thought of the Jazz as possible contenders out West, I’m here to tell you that they are contenders. Photo Credits to slcdunk.com

You can have the names and not put it all together to be successful. See the Lakers with Nash, Kobe, and Howard. But what Utah has built is something to be recognized. The guards of Mitchell and Conley is an elite combination at 1 and 2. Gobert locks down the paint. Ingles and Bogdaonvic spread the floor for Utah as well.

The Jazz have wins against the Clippers, 76ers, Bucks, and Nets. Those are wins against 4 playoff caliber teams. Sure they lost to the Lakers, but sitting at 8-3, Utah has proved to be an elite team out West, and are ready to compete for a championship.

NBA Take #7: Pascal Siakam is an MVP Candidate

Toronto’s forward is the superstar that the Raptors needed after Kawhi’s departure. Photo Credits to SI.com

I’m doubling down on my take from Week 1, saying he was an All-NBA 2nd Teamer. He is averaging 26.3 PPG and 9.5 RPG and has lead the Raptors to a 7-3 record through their first ten. Siakam is a big part of keeping Toronto successful after losing a superstar. Sure there are names like Doncic, James, Harden, Giannis all in the MVP conversation. But the reason they are in that conversation is because they lead their team to success. Siakam has taken another leap, and is leading Toronto to success. Pencil him in the MVP conversation for now.

NBA Take #8: The Cleveland Cavaliers Under John Beilein are Much Better than Anyone Expected

Granted they are only 4-6, but the Cavaliers are mediocre which is better than any fan expected coming into this season. Tristan Thompson has become relevant again and is hitting 3’s now. Sexton has taken to the former Michigan coach’s tutelage and is seeing improvement in his sophomore season. Cleveland has a unique roster, and maybe Thompson will be on the move, or maybe it will be Love who is on the move. But either way, Beilein has made this team surprisingly fun and the Cavaliers should see progression in the upcoming years.

There are only 8 takes this week, however the NBA talk doesn’t stop here…..

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