NBA Week 1 rewind: Stephen Curry, Thunder put on a show
By Tom West
Who’s Struggling?
Besides the Lakers’ woes and Kobe Bryant shooting 31.4 percent and taking 12.7 threes per 36 minutes, here’s a look at two teams who need to pull themselves together next week.
The New Orleans Pelicans didn’t start their 2015-16 season as intended. First off, their MVP candidate Anthony Davis shot 4-of-20 in their season opener against the Warriors. Even if it was against the league’s best defense, it wasn’t exactly pretty. However, he soon corrected himself with two double doubles with at least 25 points in the following games. There’s no worry when it comes to Davis. His Pelicans, on the other hand, haven’t corrected themselves.
Sitting at 0-3 is somewhat understandable after playing the defending champion Warriors twice, though. It would be tough for the Pelicans to win either of those games, even if they’re at home. However, their defense has been abysmal so far. We all know Stephen Curry is often unguardable, but for New Orleans to allow a 24 point quarter and and 28 point quarter for Curry to tally 93 points against them is just poor.
From getting burned at the perimeter to averaging just 3 blocks per game so far, the Pelicans currently rank 29th in defensive efficiency after allowing 114.7 points per 100 possessions.
Plus, the Pelicans also lost by 18 points to the Portland Trail Blazers and surrendered 43 points in the opening quarter. Their defense just has to start shaping up if they want to earn their first win.
The Houston Rockets have had a dismal start. Yes, they should be a top contender as the season develops, but their initial start has been nothing short of disappointing. An 0-3 start can’t be ignored, especially when looking at the fashion they’ve lost in. Following two 20-point losses at home (the Warriors is more understandable, but not to the Nuggets), the Rockets went to Miami and took control against the Heat. They were playing fluid basketball and making threes, then they blew a 21-point third quarter lead and lost the game.
Not only did the Heat comeback in exhilarating fashion, they also scored 15 unanswered points against the Rockets’ struggling defense as they were without Dwight Howard. Now, Houston sit 26th in defensive efficiency and, despite being renowned as an offensive force behind James Harden, they rank a dismal 29th in offensive efficiency.
Of course we’re still incredibly early on in the season, but the Rockets’ start has shown they have plenty of kinks to work out at both ends of the floor, regardless of their struggles without Howard. And as for their MVP candidate Harden, he shot a mere 2-of-15 against the Heat to go 22.2 percent over his first three games. What’s even worse about Harden’s start? He’s made 3-of-32 three point attempts. Seriously.
Not quite as convincing the start of reigning MVP Curry and his 39.3 points per game, is it?
Next: The NBA's Best Highlights of Week 1