Expectations can really set the tone entering a season, but that could also be a two-way street, as very high expectations can also be truly hurtful for those teams that aren’t able to deliver right away.
Even so, we all love when a team turns things around and manages to prove their doubters wrong. Moreover, regardless of the fact that the season has just began, getting off to a hot start of the year is always the right way to build success.
Everybody expected some teams to struggle out of the gate, while others were supposed to be good, but not as good as they’ve been. That’s why today, we’re going to let you know about the top 5 teams that are better than anyone expected.
5. Portland Trail Blazers (7-3)
The Portland Trail Blazers weren’t even supposed to make it to the playoffs this year as the team was supposed to trade away Damian Lillard or CJ McCollum to put an end to their isoball offense.
Nonetheless, Lillard and the Blazers have gotten off to a very surprising start of the season and they’ve truly diversified their offense, with Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins getting more involved in that side of the hardwood.
4. Memphis Grizzlies (5-4)
Even though the Memphis Grizzlies aren’t likely to be able to maintain this kind of performances throughout the season, the fact that they’ve already piled up 5 wins is quite impressive to say the least.
Truth to be told, they’d be better off just tanking through the season and trading away Marc Gasol as soon as possible while letting Jaren Jackson Jr grow through his mistakes, but that’s another story.
3. Sacramento Kings (6-4)
The Sacramento Kings have been truly impressive, mostly led by De’Aaron Fox, who looks poised for a breakout year after a bit of a letdown during an inconsistency plagued rookie season.
The Kings should only get better once Bogdan Bogdanovic is back and healthy, but Buddy Hield has definitely been able to fill the void so far. Still, they’re going to find a way to mess things up like they always do.
2. Milwaukee Bucks (8-1)
The Milwaukee Bucks were the last team to be beaten this year and have been extremely prolific in both sides of the hardwood, led by a stronger, bigger and somehow more athletic Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Giannis is keen to take the East for assault now that LeBron’s throne is up for grabs, and even though everybody had the Raptors, Celtics and Sixers as the top dogs in the Conference, the Bucks have made a legit case to be considered as a threat to make it to the ECF.
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1. Denver Nuggets (9-1)
And the most surprising team so far has been the Denver Nuggets, not because we’re surprised of the fact that they’re good, but for how good they’ve been, even beating the defending Champions.
The Nuggets have only lost against the Lakers this season and look poised to put an end to their playoff drought. Jokic and Harris have been studs and they should only get better once Isaiah Thomas comes back.
