This NBA season has been so abnormal, it’s almost like we’re living in an alternate universe.
Out West, teams are scrambling to find their place in a loaded conference. With a record of 12-6, the Clippers sit atop the West, a fact most didn’t see coming. Stranger still, there’s only a 5 game difference between those Clippers and the 14th seeded Jazz, sitting at 8-11. There’s a 3-way tie for first place, and 11 total teams with a record of .500 or better.
In the West, shockingly, all four California teams (Lakers, Clippers, Kings, Warriors) are currently in the playoff picture, while all three Texas teams (Rockets, Spurs, Mavs) are on the outside looking in.
Coming into this season, who would’ve expected that?
The craziness doesn’t stop there, either.
In the East, the Raptors have adjusted better than expected, the early-season favorite Boston is struggling with a 10-10 record, and the Milwaukee Bucks are dominating in a way they really should have no business doing.
There’s also been turmoil on every front for a few previously well situated teams. The Warriors are dealing with the Draymond/KD saga (while multiple stars are nearing the end of their deals), the Wizards are mired in scandal not only because of the John Wall/Scott Brooks dynamic, but because of the recent accusations against their big-man Dwight Howard. Let’s not forget the 76ers and the mystery surrounding Markelle Fultz, and the Jimmy Butler/Minnesota fiasco.
Point is, there’s been a whole lot of shocking weird and wacky stories this season. Coming in, we expected the “Warriors are still unbeatable” narrative to be the driving force behind everything. We are all expecting a continuation of what we had seen for the past 3 years.
Though, as we’re seeing, reality is giving us a different story.
