NBA Notebook: Warriors off to worrying start

The 2020-21 NBA only tipped off on Dec. 22, but we've already seen enough to know this is going to be a year unlike any other. Let’s take a look at five key takeaways after the first 10 days of play.

The Warriors rebound won’t take place in 2021

The Warriors experienced a dramatic drop-off in 2020 after Kevin Durant departed, and Steph Curry and Klay Thompson dealt with injuries. In losing so many games, however, Golden State secured the No. 2 pick in the draft, and many believed a prized rookie and the return of the Splash Brothers would lead to a resurgent 2021.

With a starting lineup of Curry, Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, and James Wiseman, the Warriors were expected to be a formidable opponent in the West again. Unfortunately Thompson is out for the year, and Wiggins doesn’t look the part of a No. 1 overall selection. Kelly Oubre Jr. also can’t shoot from outside, a fact the Chicago Bulls broadcast team cleverly noted was a transition from "Klay to Bricks" at the position.

While Curry will get better, and Green has been sidelined early-on, this doesn’t look like a deep enough roster to contend. Look for the Splash Brothers to make their splash in 2022 instead.

The Pelicans want to play defense

In 2020, the New Orleans Pelicans only held four opponents under 100 points. They’ve already done that twice through the new season. While part of that can be attributed to their own slowed offensive pace, there is also clearly a commitment from their young stars, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, to lead the way as two-way players. The addition of Steven Adams has certainly helped as well, and it will likely result in far less shootouts in the Bayou.

The Clippers did what?

After kicking off their season on opening night with an impressive win against the defending champs, and soundly defeating the Denver Nuggets on Christmas Day, the Clippers did the unthinkable. L.A. surrendered a 50-point halftime deficit to the Dallas Mavericks, the largest in franchise history.

The Clippers’ ceiling is as high as any team in the league, and yet apparently their floor can be as low as anyone’s as well. This is a team that blew several big leads in the playoffs last year too. With the Clippers, the key takeaway is to expect the unexpected.

The Grizzlies' future is bright with Ja Morant

The NBA is loaded with young stars, but Grizzlies guard Ja Morant is one of the brightest. After winning Rookie of the Year last season, he debuted with 44 points to kick off his sophomore campaign. That was a career-high for the young star, and it made him the youngest player ever to score 40 or more in his team’s season opening game.

Morant will be out three-to-five weeks with an injured ankle, but he is must-see TV when available, and a thrilling addition to the league.

The Nets are going to be a problem

The Brooklyn Nets lost a head-shaker against the Charlotte Hornets, followed that up with a loss to the Grizzlies, and are just 3-2 on the season, but it’s clear that they are going to be a contender by the end of the campaign.

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant are both averaging 28.3 points per game, and as those two stars gel with Caris LeVert they will be hard to stop in the critical final minutes of NBA playoff games.

Durant looks recovered from his Achilles injury, and while the reinventing of their roster will contribute to some growing pains, it’s obvious that the Nets have all the pieces they need be one of the top teams in the NBA come season’s end.