LINCOLN SOLOMON — It is now 18 days into the 2021-2022 NBA season. The projected top three teams in the preseason power rankings are sitting at fourth place (Nets), tenth place (Lakers), and tenth place (Bucks) in their respective conferences. All three have lost games to teams who ended at tenth or lower in their conferences last season and have all come up short against a team (or teams) who are twenty-sixth or lower in NBA team salary.
Upsets are inevitable, especially at the beginning of the season. The Nets have faced issues with Kyrie’s vaccination status; the Bucks are dealing with injuries to Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez, and Donte DiVincenzo; and at the same time, the Lakers are managing injuries, defensive struggles, and the chemistry of a new big three. But even after many explanations, it is impossible to ignore the army of hyped, energetic, and young teams galloping ferociously across the horizon with no white flag in hand. How is it possible that the Nets are dishing out $60 million more than the Hornets and yet they lost them by 16? How did the Lakers lose to the Thunder, a team they have more than doubled in total salary? Can money still buy you success? Are the wealthiest teams going to prove the most successful?
A key ingredient may have just been re-added to the recipe for success.
Michael Jordan entered a team with a record of 28-54 and went on to win 6 championships.
Lebron took the 29-53 Cavaliers in 2003 to a 50-32 record and 2nd place in the eastern conference in just 4 years.
The concept of a low budget team centered around its young players is not new to the NBA. In fact, the concept of super teams is newer. But over the last few years, we’ve missed this energy from young teams.
From the exuberant calls of Eric Collins to arena shaking dunks, the energy that we have been missing for so long has now returned.
As a Brooklyn fan, I can testify that the excitement from two years ago has dimmed slightly. The big three is now just two, and the new season has started more mundane than miraculous. And even knowing the experience factor, I look longingly at the elation of the Bulls. A team whose total salary the Nets have doubled. This isn’t an unfamiliar phenomenon in the NBA, but along with changes to officiating and the pace of games, it is certainly a change from last year.
As we look toward the rest of the season, we know that the superteams will work their issues out. That experience will play a crucial role in the late season. That depth will allow for success even without one of their star players. But if there’s one thing we’re certain about this NBA season, it’s that we’re in for a treat.
The Dutch Report 