You sort of think in the season following retirements of Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and the great Kobe Bryant, NBA wont be the same. How can it be,after all they will be part of NBA hall of fame eventually leaving behind a great legacy in their own ways.A part of me had no stimulation in watching what would happen opening night on October 25.Even if it did involve San Antonio Spurs playing Golden State Warriors in which Kwahi Leonard would score big. NBA wont be the same … or so it seemed like that in the end of October.
Come December 25, things took a different outlook.The NBA launched itself with marquee matches.It feels similar to a Boxing day line up in football here in UK or the Divisional weekend in NFL only in that its a regular season fixture list on a big holiday.Unlike NHL, there isn’t a mini break. Defending champions Cavaliers and the finalists Golden State Warriors wet the appetite impressively with a show piece afternoon game in Cleveland and whilst the Lakers fascinated many with win over the local rivals Clippers later on at Staples centre, one couldn’t avoid finding out the statistics of a certain Californian point guard from Long Beach who has taken the league by storm.
Russell Westbrook has knocked in 17 triple doubles this season in no time. He once shared the stage with Kevin Durant and James Harden in the Oklahoma city Thunder team which reached the NBA finals in 2014.With Durant in Golden state and Harden in Houston,Russell has become the brand for Thunder.He has totally dominated the boards and assists alongside his shooting percentage which has not been capped at all by any defence so far.He is in a world of his own which is “Westbrook’s World “.
His previous colleague James Harden is another who is thriving in a team that is rocked around him and quite appropriately named the ” Rockets”.James has spurred Houston onto a huge platform this year, recording 11 triple double to date.A 31-9 team record with a 9 game win streak as we approach the half way point of this transitional regular season put them 2nd overall in the league.He has support on the front court with Trevor Ariza and the way he managed to lift the team in a comeback win against Charlotte spells that he is ready to for duel with Westbrook.Whilst Oklahama City might not have that potent a two pronged threat post Durant, Houston have certain stride in the way they are approaching this first half.The MVP race is on and Houston does not have a problem with that.
These two Californians have taken the first half of the NBA season by storm and also into a much more enthused setup.Oscar Robertson’s 55 year old mark of 41 triple doubles might be a parameter to chase.Whereas NFL playoffs would normally dictate January sporting schedules and interests in North America, NBA hasn’t been in total isolation.Warriors, Cavs, Spurs and Raptors continue their perennial expertise racking up the number of W’s. and their match ups do ignite week day match ups if not weekend action. Atlanta Hawks have been trying to join the select band of team jumped into this bandwagon this season. Thabo Sefolasha another team mate of Harden,Westbrook and Durant in that Thunder team of 2014 is the back court force of the club which has acquired home grown Dwight Howard this year from Houston and the results seem to be showing for now.Only time will tell whether they can materialise into a consistent threat.
LeBron James’ numbers don’t seem to be as exciting so far but his peak is yet to be discovered for the season.His real threat will be in the bigger games and in the playoffs and having found some one like Kyrie Irving who was part of the gold medal winning Olympic squad of Rio, will only alleviate any fears that Cavs can’t repeat. Kyrie is an exceptional talent,a 3 time NBA all star and MVP of the all start game in 2014 before Russell took over.
So if you were thinking The Final Four has to take place in Phoenix before some one really starts taking an interest in the NBA,think again.Its been a pretty interesting beginning to the year that now promises a heated MVP race as well as some strong challenges to Cav’s defence.Russell and James are proving that it will be season to watch after all.
Sportsfan Says 