The NBA 22-23 season has tipped off. Every team has played except the Bucks and Clippers. Let’s talk about what we saw and overreact a bit.

Detroit Pistons vs Orlando Magic

This game was highlighted by all the young and future talent that these rosters are filled with. The brightest of stars was none other than Bojan Bogdanovic with 24 points and 6 threes he showed his potential in this league. No this isn’t true, well kinda. Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren were the real young talent that showcased their talent in this game.

The battle of the young stars was won by Cade and the Pistons. Cade and Paolo looked like seasoned pros. Cade controlled the offense and Bojan seems to be a great addition to the team of young studs. He can help free up some floor spacing and let Cade run the offense. Ivey’s speed was on display all over this game. I know it is the first game but he is living up to those Ja Morant comparisons. (Even if that means he falls to the ground hard like Ja.) His speed was unstoppable at times and once he gets consistent finishing down he will be a big player in this league. This layup was unreal for the rookie in a great debut. Jalen Duren also added a highlight play of his own. As that tweet states, he is a perfect fit for this offense. Duren and Isaiah Stewart add rebounding and big play potential. Dwayne Casey and the Pistons are right on track with this rebuild. Cade is a player who can be the best player on a title team, give them a couple years and it’ll be interesting to see where they are.

The leading scorer of this game was the number 1 pick Paolo Banchero. He scored the first bucket in this game and finished with 27 points. He had a LeBron James-type debut and looked the part of a top guy. I picked him to win Rookie of the Year and he had a great start to his career. Paolo has the chance to lead his team in scoring in his first season. Paolo’s frontcourt mate, Franz Wagner picked up where he left off in EuroBasket. Cole Anthony was a no go for this game and Franz took a lot of the ball-handling duties. He was sloppy at times but finishing with 20 points and 5 assists is a great stat line for the German forward. The other player who handled the rock in this game was Jalen Suggs. Suggs had a great shooting night and gave some energy to the young squad in his sophomore season debut. Anthony has the irrational confidence to take the reins of this team but I think the Magic should look for some offers to let Suggs and Wagner spin on this team. Magic won’t make a playoff run but they will be fun to watch especially Paolo who may have a special season.

New York Knicks vs Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant is HIM. That leap he took last season was all about using his speed and athleticism to finish at an insanely high level. His floaters and layups were on full display in this game. The real thing to keep track of though is his three-point shooting improvements. In the playoffs, he teased some of his shooting improvements because teams would sag off and let him shoot but he clearly worked on his shooting this off-season. His dangerous driving will open up his teammates to make open threes with defenses collapsing and the Knicks did this often. Tyus Jones, Desmond Bane, and Santi Aldama got a lot of open looks. Bane’s pump fake is a thing of beauty. He got a defender jumping every time. The Grizzlies were without Dillon Brooks, Ziaire Williams, and Jaren Jackson Jr. but that didn’t affect this team even though they blew a large lead. Plugging in John Konchar, Aldama, and rookies David Roddy and Jake LaRavia is perfectly fine for a team that can throw several players at you. Who’s ready for Ja’s MVP year?

The Knicks went out and spent 104 million on Isaiah Hartenstein and in the first game, he was clearly worth it. Oh, wait no, Jalen Brunson was the free agent they signed. Brunson definitely struggled in this game. Going into the half with only six points and finishing with 15 points it was a disappointing debut. This game went to overtime and Brunson had two open threes that could’ve tied the game but missed both. RJ Barrett had his own struggles as well shooting 0-6 from downtown and 3-18 overall. Cam Reddish was a bright spot and helped bring back the Knicks back into this game. Reddish hit big shots including a corner three on a great play call by Head Coach Tom Thibodeau. Knicks will fight for the play-in this year and that’s about all I can say. \

Washington Wizards vs Indiana Pacers

Going to be honest ain’t watch much of this game but Kristaps Porzingis looks great with his new beard. Also Benedict Mathurin is definitely a dark horse Rookie of the Year candidate.

Houston Rockets vs Atlanta Hawks

The Rocket’s first game is hopefully what this year will be all about: letting Jabari Smith, Jalen Green, and Kevin Porter Jr. chuck the ball all day long. KPJ hit a huge three late in this game that extended the inevitable Hawk’s win. His playmaking ability has been great to watch improve in front of our eyes. Seven assists for him in this one. Jabari shot the ball a ton here and ended up with 17 points in a good debut that may be overshadowed by Paolo’s debut. He went 3 for 11 from three but it is his first game so let him be. Give Alperen Sengun the starting role. Pretty please.

The first game with Dejounte Murray on the team was an interesting one if you look at the stats. Out of 30 team assists, Trae Young and Murray had 24 of them. I am not sure how often that happens but that seems like something to keep track of this year. They also combined for 43 points but teammates De’Andre Hunter and John Collins combined for 46 together. That is 89 points between four players, quick maths. Trae and Murray didn’t shoot the ball particularly well however John Collins did, he only missed three shots.

New Orleans Pelicans vs Brooklyn Nets

Zion Williamson is back to playing basketball. There were multiple times when the camera caught him smiling as he was running up and down the floor. You love to see it. After he was rumored to want out of New Orleans it is great to see him happy with a great team around him. Brandon Ingram with the afro is something else. The big three combined for 74 points. The third member of that big three is CJ McCollum and as a Blazer fan, it’ll be cool to see him play with this team and see how far they’ll go. CJ being the main ball handler will help Zion and BI get great looks. The Pelicans could make a deep run because of the talent on this team and Zion becoming the superstar we have been waiting for him to become.

Brooklyn lost this game and it was never really in question. Unfortunately for Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons didn’t really show up for this one. I thought Ben matching up with Zion was a really cool matchup we won’t get to see often but boy did Ben let me down. When he was on the JJ Redick pod he really roped me into thinking he was going to be the Ben very few of us know and even fewer of us love. It was just the first game so obviously he’s got more time to show us the “real” Ben if there is one still left.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors

This matchup was a great game between two young eastern conference teams looking to rise up in the standings this year. The Cavs and newly acquired shooting guard Donovan Mitchell lost the game and lost their star point guard Darius Garland 13 minutes into the game due to his eye getting poked. A lot of eyes wanted to see how Garland and Mitchell would play together including my eyes. Mitchell is what the Cavs needed and that is a go-to scorer. Garland is a great player but he isn’t the type of shot creator Mitchell is, not just yet at least. Hopefully, he can return soon and we can see how these two gel together.

The Raptors made sure to let the Cavs know that they are still the young eastern conference darling. Pascal Siakam dominated Evan Mobley in this matchup. This starting lineup will cause so many problems for teams. Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. add great shooting. OG Anunoby and Scottie Barnes continue to develop into great playmakers and defenders. Siakam does all of the above. These five will help Nick Nurse coach the Spurs of the East, at least the old Spurs.

Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat

I ain’t catch much of this game but Bam Adebayo where you at.

Charlotte Hornets vs San Antonio Spurs

With the number one pick, the San Antonio Spurs select Victor Wembanyama

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Minnesota Timberwolves

Going to be honest here I thought the Wolves traded for Rudy Gobert’s defense not his offense but look at him shine.

Denver Nuggets vs Utah Jazz

The game can get summed up by a quote from my girlfriend when I told her Jokic was losing to the Jazz, “He better step it the f**k up.” I don’t know what went wrong I didn’t really watch, all I know is young bull Collin Sexton is ready to take on the world with his own team.

Dallas Mavericks vs Phoenix Suns

This game looked like game eight of the western semi-finals until the Suns came out of nowhere and made the comeback. Damion Lee won the game in the final seconds of the game, looking like Kobe with the fadeaway. Insane start to the NBA season. Luka Doncic was thriving he loves dominating the Suns it sucks they blew this game. Christian Wood needs to not come off the bench. He had a 16-point run by himself. Devin Booker and Chris Paul were just about ready to get packed up but like they did several times last season they came back late and won. I am quite low on this team but maybe Jae Crowder and I are wrong.

Portland Trail Blazers vs Sacramento Kings

Isn’t it just great seeing Damian Lillard play basketball again. I missed him so much. This team the Blazers are running out here could be one of the best they have built around Dame. Josh Hart and Jerami Grant are much better wings than players like Moe Harkless, Al-Farouq Aminu, or Robert Covington. People may underrate this team and let me warn you know: don’t let Dame get hot. Anfernee Simons isn’t better than McCollum but there is something different about him with Dame. Lillard was definitely rusty in his first game back as expected but he has led worse to the playoffs. PS watch for Shaedon Sharpe’s future sixth man of the year or MVP he can do it all.

The Kings are everyone’s favorite random playoff team the Blazers want that spot. De’Aaron Fox couldn’t carry the Kings to the W but boy has he improved. His three-point shot was amazing in this one which is something that has limited him. 33 points in the first game of the season is an outstanding start and this could be a Most Improved year for him if the Kings make a run. Domantas Sabonis had one of his worst games in a minute unlike teammate, Kevin Huerter. Huerter made six threes and helped Fox out with 23 points. Kings will for sure make the Play-In this year and they have needed some meaningful basketball.