Surprise! What Else We Didn’t See Coming.
The world wakes up this morning with a dazed look of shock in a year stocked full of them. The Cubs of Chicago, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Leicester City’s Football Club all provided a similar underdog story in the sporting sphere. If you think it’s just the political pollsters that got Brexit Part I and Amexit Part II so wrong, think again.
The Premier League 5000/1 long shots cost UK bookmakers more in a single day than any other sporting event. That was followed up by the US Election costing one betting company alone over five million pounds in losses as they priced the Republican at 5/1 to win against the favorite’s price of 1/5. And, no that’s not a typo in odds or currency.
Given the topic around many water coolers today needing to move away from politics for the first time in 18 months. How about the top ten things the basketball world didn’t see coming so early in the 2016/17 season:
a) The Brooklyn Nets CAN Actually Win:
Even with their record (3-4) being enough of a shocker, it’s the fact that the Brooklynites are playing an attractive style of blue collar ball. All while moving the rock and themselves around the court despite a roster lacking in the caliber many thought was required to win. Defensively they’ve improved on last season’s stats and were it not for some early season resting, they could well have a winning record on Election Day. Whether or not this will last given their growing injury list and the difficulty of winning late season games when scouting kicks in, shouldn’t take away from their relatively blistering bolt out of the blue.
b) The Sixers Still CANNOT Actually Win:
Sitting with another winless start to the season, the 0-6 Sixers have stumbled out of the gate once again, despite an influx of talent from home and abroad. It’s not just the rookies and returnees that are shocking everyone with their collective struggles, but also imported veterans like Sergio Rodriguez. Their numbers look great on an individual level and the buzz is something not seen in the City of Brotherly Love in years. But something hasn’t quite clicked as the slip towards the double whammy of other team’s motivation spiking to not be the first to fall to them.
c) Unlike Politics, Basketball Still Isn’t A One Man Show:
The Pelicans' woe has put even the Sixers into the shadows as their winless eight games have been marred by the same injuries but additional roster churn that has hampered their chemistry early on. It’s the stellar play of their leading light, Anthony Davis that many teams would only crave to have, yet isn’t enough to lead his team over the hump. Granted bad luck has followed the team onto the court, take for example the record thirteen three pointers of Steph Curry which edged the Warriors past the gutty Pelicans. Unfortunately it might not be enough to save Coach Gentry from being fired.
d) The Offensive Flip Away From Defense:
Year on year we see the new coaches of the NBA preaching faster pace, smaller lineups and more points with the hope of buying votes from the fan base and players. When it was said best by George Karl when he took over the hot seat in Seattle way back in 1992. Instead of toeing the party line on pace, he confessed his role was actually to figure out what this team needed to do. Even if that meant slowing the pace. However, despite the shrinking of the average player in small-ball lineups and the reduced role of the traditional big-men, those with the most success still put defense first. The Bulls (4-3) last year downsized and left defense behind. This year’s Pacers (3-4) did the same thing as both have meddled their way to middling records out of the traps. As much as basketball still isn’t a one man show, good teams don’t play at just one end of the court. Karl put an S.O.S out on the Sonics defense initially thanks to Bob Kloppenburg and only then pushed the tempo.
e) The Association Establishment Is Still In Control:
Despite the sporting and political movement to the outsiders in 2016, the NBA’s outliers like Jazz (5-3), Timberwolves (1-5) and Celtics (3-3) aren’t quite ready to take over the reins. The NBA Order of Cavaliers, Spurs and Thunder are still leading the way with the buffer of the usual also-rans of the Clippers and Raptors jogging behind the pace setters. That surprises us in the same way that the next President Elect did. It’s always more fun to vote for and believe in change. Maybe the more things change, the more they stay the same.
f) Rudy Gay Is Still An Impact Player:
Long forgotten after becoming a journeyman after being bumped from pillar to post around the league, the newly motivated deputy King is putting up career numbers behind Boogie Cousins. Granted the contract year won’t surprise anyone for his desire but the output is still shocking. Shooting 50% from the floor and 45% from three, his 23 points per game are all above his career numbers in fewer minutes. So even if you did see this production on the horizon, chances are the Kings will still surprise us all by what they eventually trade him for.
g) New Players, Old Results In New Amsterdam:
The Knicks continue to stumble through life which doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone, even after the shocking appointment of a non-triangle based coach this summer. Again, the knock on effect of grumblings over the lack of triangulation from management won’t surprise you either. But the big sticker shock is the unwillingness to hand the keys to the spluttering (2-4) car over to their 21 year old driver, Kristaps Porzingis. Given the youth revolution in other areas of the league, even losing teams hand control over to their lottery picks. Even if this is simply to keep them engaged and more importantly in town. The Knicks are astonishingly playing with fire by relegating KP to the third string behind two future has been players in Carmelo and Rose.
h) Cleveland Quickens The Push For Home Court Advantage:
No one saw this coming. The lack of championship hangover. The spirited start to the season. The true impact of Coach Lue’s first full training camp resulting in zippy ball movement and a faster pace all while not losing out defensively. But despite the dire need for a true backup point guard, it seems that’s the only thing standing in the way of the Cavs locking up home court in the league, instead of just the presumed eastern conference. Splitting usage rates between their three stars on an unheard of equality has helped ease the burden on LeBron and make role players more effective.
i) The Clippers STILL Don’t Have Functioning Small Forward:
Their inclusion in the also ran section above despite their record (6-1), staunch defense and punchier bench is mostly because of the ongoing need for a small forward. GM Doc has still to furnish Coach Rivers with that final piece to the championship puzzle. After three years in control, this might be the most shocking of all. But like we said before, the most astounding move of this list may end up being what the Kings do with Rudy Gay. It says here that the Sacramento number 8 heading down the west coast to the Staples Center may well push the Clippers over the edge. Yet other than a salary dump and draft pick grab, there’s not much of interest to head back north.
j) A Lack Of Northern Power Hampers Forward Movement:
Speaking of heading north, people must share in the shock of Toronto failing to upgrade their other forward spot this summer. Despite plucking numerous draft picks to fill the position and Sullinger heading across the border from Boston, his injury only served to highlight their roster shortcomings. With an interest in Noel, Philly’s most unwanted man being expected, the Raptors are in less of a bind than their fellow also rans because of the trend towards small ball which allows Carroll to play up at the four and plug in Joseph into the back court to enhance ball movement. But the real surprise would be if DeRozan’s improvement alone was enough come the spring to counter the Cavs.
So if it’s a break from the reality of “Brexit Part II: The Republic Strikes Back”, that you need then take the chance to be kinder and talk to your fellow Americans today. There’s very little chance they’ll disclose their voting preference but every possibility they’ll admit to a different kind of sporting surprise.
@iamGRWilson