Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Predictions and Reactions: Hoops Habit’s First Quarter NBA Survey

By Michael Shearer

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 30: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball during the NBA game at Footprint Center on November 30, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 104-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 30: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball during the NBA game at Footprint Center on November 30, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 104-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 7
Next
NBA Predictions and Reactions:
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 01: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards dribbles the ball in front of Josh Okogie #20 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena on December 01, 2021 in Washington, DC, , NBA Predictions. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement, NBA Predictions and Reactions: Hoops Habit’s First Quarter NBA Survey. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

NBA Predictions and Reactions: Which hot start will fade?

Shearer: Warriors. It’s all relative, of course, and they should still be one of the best teams in the league., but re-integrating two pieces like Klay Thompson and James Wiseman is difficult, and there will be growing pains as both players get back up to speed. It’s not that brave to predict a team will slow down from their 18-3 pace.

Jeter: Washington Wizards. The regression to the mean has already begun, as the Wizards have gone 4-5 after starting 10-3, and their once top-five defense has cratered to the middle of the pack. Washington is far from the worst team in the league, and they’ll probably make the playoffs again (either outright or via the play-in), but their offensive and defensive deficiencies will inhibit any sort of consistency.

Rausch: Considered one of the more dangerous teams in the league, the Miami Heat look like they are about to hit a lull. The injury to Bam Adebayo is crippling, as the big man is the fulcrum of the defensive identity that this team prides itself on. Plus, Duncan Robinson has not been the player who earned a monster payday in the offseason. The Heat may be in trouble over the next few weeks.

Harris: While they are only the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, I see teams around the league figuring out how to handle the Cavs’ giant lineup that has been throwing teams off, and they will once again finish the season as a mid-to-high lottery team.

Marcus: There are multiple teams in the east that are going to have trouble maintaining their impressive records. The Chicago Bulls come to mind for me. They started off great and will remain competitive, but there are other, more experienced teams in their conference that are starting to figure them out.

O’Keefe: DeMar DeRozan has begun the season on fire, even discussed by some as a potential MVP candidate. For a couple of reasons, I just don’t think his 25.9 points per game will sustain across the entire season. Firstly, Nikola Vucevic has just returned to the Bulls lineup, adding another offensive threat that Billy Donovan will need to find shots for. Second, and more importantly, I truly believe Zach Lavine needs to be the out-and-out number one player for the Bulls to achieve playoff success. Right now, he and DeRozan are like a two-headed monster. Personally, I’d like to see Lavine take another step into being the Bulls’ undoubted best player.

Simone: It’s sad to say, and not necessarily a knock on the player himself, but Nikola Jokic’s numbers will probably start to fall soon. With essentially his entire team on the injury report, teams will be able to focus on him more. On top of that, his assist numbers are probably going to dwindle. Again, it’s not his fault, but that’s just my guess.