Early in a new NBA season, it's important to be skeptical of small sample sizes. The league lasts an eternity of 82 games, so there's plenty of time to move up in the standings or squander a hot start.
At the same time, trends begin to stabilize around the 20-game mark of the season, or about a quarter of the way through the schedule. The NBA is rapidly approaching that benchmark, and some teams may be happy with how they've gone this year.
The definition of success in the NBA all comes down to expectations. Here are five teams that have been better than expected so far this season.
cleveland cavaliers
The Cavs are 15-0. The only team in NBA history with a better start is the Warriors, who won 73 games.
There was some optimism that new head coach Kenny Atkinson could take Cleveland to the next level entering the season. Still, few would put the Cavs among the top contenders in the East (celtics, knicks, 76ersBucks), preferring to lump them in with the second-tier Pacers and Magic instead. Atkinson figured out how to get the Cavs' core four to play complementary basketball, with an emphasis on spacing and cutting that hadn't been done before.
The Cavs have great size with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley in the middle, and they also have plenty of playmaking, with Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell playing at an All-Star level. It also has depth, so you can mix it up with other lineups. Ty Jerome has emerged as one of the best reserves in the league, Dean Wade is getting more frontcourt shots, Isaac Okoro is adding points offensively and defensively, and Caris LeVert is scoring more points. Demonstrate strength. The Celtics still have the edge in the East, but the Cavs are clearly the biggest threat to start the season.
detroit pistons
After the franchise turned into a league-wide doormat under former braintrusters Monty Williams and Troy Weaver, the Pistons had nowhere to go but to stand up. Last season's 14 wins was especially pathetic. With Trajan Langdon hired as general manager and JB Bickerstaff as head coach, the Pistons have already reached half of last season's win total less than a month into the season. , there is real optimism that this is just the beginning of the rise.
The young players Detroit drafted early in the lottery are finally coming into their own. Cade Cunningham still struggles with turnovers and scoring efficiency, but he is also one of only four players in the league currently averaging at least 23 points and eight assists. Jaden Ivey is coming out of Williams' doghouse and has the full confidence of Bickerstaff, who is unleashing his rim-attacking talent and transition scoring ability. Jalen Duren, a 21-year-old center, literally shoots 80 percent from the field. The fateful two-hitting lineup from the Williams era has been replaced by Bickerstaff, and there is one elite shooter on the floor most of the time in Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley, who entered this week with no 3-point shooting. They have a combined success rate of 41.7%.
The real reason this year's Pistons are so good is their defense. Detroit, which finished 28th in defensive efficiency last season, has now moved up to sixth in defensive efficiency. The Pistons are cleaning up the glass defensively (4th in defensive rebounding percentage) and are doing a better job of shutting down shooters. Bickerstaff's history of building great defenses in Cleveland continues, giving the offense room for mistakes to solve problems. The Pistons aren't a powerhouse yet (guards, can you please find Duren for an easier finish?), but at least they're playing decent basketball, which is better than most of the Eastern Conference at this point. That's more than the team can say.
Los Angeles Lakers
Only 5 teams have more wins lakers The team starts this week thanks to a 9-4 start. At the same time, the team ranks only 12th in net rating/point differential. LA has shown more punch than they're capable of so far, in part because they've won some close games (4-2 clutch record, +19.1 net rating), but the team's veteran stars are healthy. It will be sustainable for as long as it lasts.
With LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers consistently lead the league in free throws, and this year is no different. This team is knocking down 80% of their freebies, good for 7th in the league, and supporting a top-5 offense. Davis is currently playing at an MVP level, scoring a career high while holding the defense together. New head coach JJ Redick has given AD more possession, creating an unstoppable offense in close quarters, while also increasing the power of his improved 3-point shot. With Rui Hachimura getting more playing time and shooting better from the four, the Lakers are finally able to create proper spacing around Davis and create an efficient offense.
The Lakers' perimeter defense remains questionable. They could really use another big man. The Lakers' offense should pick up the punch as rookie Dalton Knecht becomes a bigger part of the rotation, but their defense will become even more inconsistent. Establishing a solid offensive identity is a bigger priority for Redick, as he can always rely on Davis' ability to protect the paint when the game really starts to matter. The Lakers feel like the biggest papier-mâché tiger of this group based on metrics, but the offense might be enough to keep them going.
houston rockets
The Rockets jumped from 22 wins to 41 wins in Im Udoka's first season a year ago, and appear to be taking another step in their development heading into this season. Houston has 10 wins and 4 losses (Editor's note: Currently 10-5) starts thanks to its tremendous depth, relentless athleticism, and ferocious defense. The Rockets enter this week ranked third in defensive efficiency and fifth in net rating. It's not easy to stay successful in the hellish Western Conference, but the Rockets are quickly emerging as one of the NBA's most attractive teams heading into the trade deadline.
The Rockets don't have an elite rim protector in Alperen Sengun under center, but there's so much length and explosiveness around him that the defense still thrives. Tali Eason and Armen Thompson are becoming a game-changing duo off the bench, providing Udoka with two monster athletes who can force takeaways and finish plays in transition. Houston does a good job of getting into deflection gaps (sixth in total deflections) and challenging shots at the rim with multiple defenders. The Rockets were able to unleash young players offensively without hurting their transition defense.
The offense can make up for the lack of shooting power by ranking second in the league in offensive rebound rate. Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. each shoot less than 33 percent from three, but they all have the talent and pedigree to make shots. Reed Shepard could also add to the offense with his shooting and ball movement, but Udoka has been hesitant to allow the No. 3 overall pick to play meaningful minutes at this point. Houston has done a great job of avoiding turnovers for a team that ranks seventh in transition frequency so far. As for the franchise, there are already vague rumors circulating about trades for Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Houston has so many talented young players that they can't even guarantee playing time for Cam Whitmore at this point. While a consolidation trade may be on the horizon, there's already a lot to note about the Rockets' efforts this year.
golden state warriors
The Warriors lost Klay Thompson during the offseason, but his replacement has Golden State looking like a contender in the Western Conference once again. The Warriors' dynasty has always been synonymous with shooting, but their depth and defense have always been just as important. Both elements are back in a big way this year. Steve Kerr plays in the NBA's largest rotation. 11 players have played in all games so far. Coincidentally, the defense that ranked 15th last year has moved up to fourth.
Stephen Curry remains a great player, but the Warriors know they can't rely on him, who will turn 37 in March, to be responsible for every possession of the team. Golden State signed three players over the summer to replace Thompson in Buddy Hield. Kyle Anderson and De'Anthony Melton, each of those guys have fit like a glove when healthy so far. Hield has a legitimate claim to both Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year, scoring nearly a point per minute while Golden State cuts him off defensively. All of the new pieces seem to understand the quick decision-making that is so important to Steve Kerr's system. With Curry and Green serving as the offensive and defensive quarterbacks, respectively, it's a lot easier for the new additions to the rotation.
The Warriors enter this week as the only team currently in the top five in both offensive and defensive efficiency. The West is unassailable, and the Warriors' return to relevance makes things even scarier.
