It all started years back, when NBA TV would offer a free preview for the first two weeks of the season. Snuggled in the corner of my living room, I would binge watch NBA basketball like your favorite Netflix series.

But unlike your favorite shows, I didn’t need to watch the entire series to figure out the ending. You may need an entire season or more to see Tony Soprano die, Walter White blow up a cartel, or Jon stab Daenerys. All I needed was a dozen games to tell me all that I needed to know.

I can’t predict mid-season trades, or who gets hurt, but after a dozen games I can tell you who looks like a playoff contender, who doesn’t, and which rookies or free agent pickups look like difference-makers.

After a dozen games we now know plenty. The Celtics are still good, the Thunder are hungry, Milwaukee’s in trouble, and It’s Not Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

• After a dozen games, maybe it’s time that Kawhi Leonard gives up his starting job for the Clippers and simply comes off the bench. No, I mean literally comes off of that bench. It’s been years since he played in a meaningful game.

• In the never-ending argument for top center and League MVP, I’ll take Nikola Jokic and his 29.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, 11.7 assists, and 38 minutes per game so far over Joel Embiid’s promise not to play back-to-backs, lousy treatment of the Philly fanbase, and zero total minutes.

In fact, the only stat line Embiid has so far is for an offensive foul and a three-game suspension for shoving a local reporter.

• I am a little worried about the Nuggets (7-3) and the number of minutes that Jokic is playing. But then I recalled that Wilt Chamberlain averaged 48.5 minutes a game during the 1961-62 season. Not bad considering an NBA game is 48 minutes long.

• The Cavs (12-0) are playing great. It’s early, but I know a playoff team when I see one. A second-round exit playoff team, but still.

A 12-0 start is amazing. But considering that the Celtics (9-2) are the only other team in the Eastern Conference with a winning record so far, they may want to pace themselves.

Credit via YouTube

• Milwaukee (2-8) is in trouble. The team is frustrated, the fanbase is frustrated, and Giannis Antetokounmpo called out teammates who he claimed didn’t want to be there. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dame D.O.L.L.A. gets shipped to Miami – for Pennies on the D.O.L.L.A.

• And I’m not sure the Knicks (4-5) and Timberwolves (6-4) trade is working out for anyone. Karl-Anthony Towns ranks near the bottom in almost every defensive efficiency statistic. And poor Donte DiVincenzo. They trade him away from his Villanova bros, move him from a starter to the bench, he’s hanging out at Mall of America instead of the Upper Westside, and winter in Minnesota isn’t even here yet. Now that’s cold!

• With the Knicks chemistry issues, the 76ers injuries, and the Bucks dysfunction – the Boston Celtics just clinched a playoff spot.

Credit via Basketball Network

• I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that Ben Simmons does not win Comeback Player of the Year again this season.

• You know what would be a great magic trick? Making Paolo Banchero reappear.

• Injuries to Banchero, Embiid, Aaron Gordon, Chet Holmgren, Paul George…I heard the commissioner is contemplating moving all-star weekend from the Chase Center to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

• Speaking of injuries. The New Orleans Pelicans are missing Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Jordan Hawkins, Jose Alvarado, and Zion Williamson due to injuries. As a matter of fact, Zion has missed so many games – when he does suit up, they are making it a Pay-Per-View.

• The Oklahoma City Thunder (9-2) was off to a terrific start before losing Chet Holmgren to a hip injury the other day. I hate the Chet vs Wemby comparison. But if Victor Wembanyama is The Alien, Chet was balling like Roswell, New Mexico – keeping him quiet.

• What a crazy start to the season when everyone gets hurt – yet Bradley Beal has barely missed a minute.

Credit via USA Today

• The Warriors (8-2) are celebrating Klay Thompson’s return to Golden State with Salute Captain Klay Night as the team gives away thousands of sailor hats, Klay’s signature look, to the fans in attendance. Thompson, who signed with the Dallas Mavericks in the offseason, is shooting just 41% from the field, and only 35% from three. Apparently, that ship has already sailed.

Golden State is playing so well right now, Draymond Green doesn’t even lead the league in technical fouls.

• I’m not saying that the Lakers dynasty is over, but when Boston and Los Angeles are both trying to repeat as champions – but one is for the Emirates NBA Cup, times are tough.

To be fair, Bronny James shouldn’t even be in the G-League. He should be in the – Gee, maybe I should have stayed in college – League.

• I’m picking James Harden to make it to the Finals of the NBA Cup in Vegas. Just not sure if his Clippers teammates are joining him.

• And the Raptors, Jazz, and Wizards already look to be in position to draft next year’s projected number one pick, a 6’9 freshman from Duke. I’m not saying these teams are tanking on purpose, but they’re definitely waving the white Flagg.

Images via sportsbusinessjournal, youtube, basketballnetwork, usatoday, slammagazine

Alan Tapley The Athletic Supporter

Alan Tapley is an educator, author, and blogger who has lived just outside of Boulder for the last twenty years.  His published work includes two novels, two children’s books, a series of cartoons in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, and multiple sports related articles. His love for family and the state of Colorado is only matched by one thing, his passion for sports.  The first baseball game he ever attended was at Wrigley Field, before there were lights.  At the final Bronco game at the old Mile High, he allegedly cut out a piece of his seat in the South stands.  But regardless of being here for the Avalanche’s last Stanley Cup, the Rockies only World Series appearance, and all the Broncos’ Super Bowl Victories, his wife never fails to remind him that he wasn’t at the University of Colorado in 1990, like she was.  The year the Buffs football team won the National Championship