RealGM

Magic: 12-5 record, 5th in net rating, 3rd in defense, 15th in offense. Really shocking, idk if they can keep this up but great defense so far.

Timberwolves: 12-4 record, 4th in net rating, 2nd in defense, 13th in offense. This is what we were expecting last year, elite regular season defense and it's finally bearing out. Will the offense be good enough to keep this afloat?

Thunder: 11-5 record, 2nd in net rating, 7th in defense, 6th in offense. They were the sexy pick to be good this year but idk if we expected them to be this good. One of only 3 teams to be top 10 in both offense and defense (nuggets and celtics are the other 2

Someone else?

Thunder aren't a huge surprise, but Chet's further along than most expected. Timberwolves looked like they were figuring it out last year, and seemingly had the right pieces.

Despite the Magic having a few decent pieces like Banchero and Wagner, I think they were expected to be a bottom feeder again. They're probably the biggest surprise.

It's a toss between Houston and Magic

Indiana Pacers also deserve a mention. I've always been high on Haliburton, but I don't think I saw this offensive juggernaut coming. Especially since they're such a young team. Highest scoring team in the league, and number one ORTG. Haliburton is really looking like the second coming of Steve Nash.

Houston for sure.

Was not a fan at all of their offseason, other than the Udoka hire. They look fantastic though. Sengun has taken a massive leap forward and Brooks seems to have embraced the veteran leader role and the young guys have all bought in.

The Grizzlies being a ~27 win pace team so far is absolutely shocking. I thought they'd be a top 3 seed this year before the Steven Adams injury. Injuries and the Ja suspension have just obliterated the team

Almost everybody in general chat had the Wolves missing the playoffs after we made it twice in a row, and most recently with KAT missing 50 games.

Magic don't surprise me, as I thought they would be good. They are better than expected for sure but it is also still early.

T wolves look like a genuine threat. Seem to be playing within themselves and have sorted out the challenges of that roster.

Special_Puppy wrote:The Grizzlies being a ~27 win pace team so far is absolutely shocking. I thought they'd be a top 3 seed this year before the Steven Adams injury. Injuries and the Ja suspension have just obliterated the team

And no Brooks. Look at Houston. Give the guy some credit.

thinktank wrote:Almost everybody in general chat had the Wolves missing the playoffs after we made it twice in a row, and most recently with KAT missing 50 games.

I had the Timberwolves being a top 4 seed coming into this season. There is just too much talent on the team for it to be bad

thinktank wrote:

Special_Puppy wrote:The Grizzlies being a ~27 win pace team so far is absolutely shocking. I thought they'd be a top 3 seed this year before the Steven Adams injury. Injuries and the Ja suspension have just obliterated the team

And no Brooks. Look at Houston. Give the guy some credit.

It's karma for the way they treated Brooks while they still plan to parade Morant around as their franchise guy.

It's houston.

Minnesota was in the playoffs last year and has a good roster.
OKC just needed Chet to progress and stay healthy.

I don't think either of those teams are considered surprises. Orlando definitely is. Most people had Paolo as a bust and Miami was not supposed to even sniff the playoffs.

I expected all of those teams to do well. They were good last season. Magic was trending upwards last season, too.
Twolves and OKC are good, they were playoff teams last season. These are very talented teams. Minnesota probably the best of the bunch.

I selected other: Houston Rockets or Dallas Mavs (yes....Dallas). But, def Houston for sure.

Houston for me, they were much worse than us last year and while they signed solid vets, I didn't think Brooks and FVV would make that much of a difference. But I probably underestimated what a terible coach Silas was.

Profound23 wrote:Most people had Paolo as a bust

They did? That certainly wasn't my impression from the General Board here and from Reddit.

Houston is a good call, they have come back to earth a little bit (still winless on the road) but overall a great improvement.

They are a great example of what getting a couple veterans can do for a young, directionless team. I'm not even a FVV fan but there is no doubt is a competent NBA point guard. Even if they had to overpay, it fits their timeline because their young guys are cheap for now. More young teams need to do this rather than just committing to the "all guys need to be the same age" approach.

Nothing can surprise me in any November

Houston has been surprising, Magic too, Wagner took a step forward, and Banchero didn't hit a second season wall. If they manage their cap and picks well, they can contend sooner rather than later.

Minny I expected to contend, they did great considering health last year, and a full year with Conley at the helm, I see how amazingly he influences teams.

thinktank wrote:Almost everybody in general chat had the Wolves missing the playoffs after we made it twice in a row, and most recently with KAT missing 50 games.

Anyone who thought that is foolish. We just saw the Kings make a huge jump and we have seen Anthony Edwards getting better every year. I don't think they finish #1 in the West, but I just assumed most people expected Minnesota to be in the upper echelon of the Western Conference.

Minnesota,i have to be honest,i did not expect Gobert-Towns pair would work.