Lay Up Line: Bobcats Win, Spurs Keep Rolling and Troubles in OKC?

Music to listen to:  Sabbath Bloody Sabbath by Black Sabbath

Your early season MVP:  We’re only one week into the NBA season but if an MVP award had to be given, James Harden of Houston would be the decisive winner.  He’s averaging 35 points per game, including high outputs in the Rockets’ wins at Detroit (37) and a career-high at Atlanta (45).  Harden has more freedom on the offensive end then he had with Oklahoma City and even has a point guard that will distribute passes to him more consistently than ever before.  The Rockets have work to do in the building process towards a championship but Harden has been a pleasant surprise so far this season.

Drama for the Lake Show:  The Los Angeles Lakers finally won their first game of the season against Detroit last night 108-79.  When you outscore your opponent 34-13 in the first quarter like the Lakers did against the Pistons, a victory is virtually guaranteed.  Kobe Bryant and Metta World Peace were laughing on the bench at someone in the stands in the middle of play during the second quarter.  Needless to say, it was an easy victory.  Dwight Howard was able to get a game-high 28 points and looked comfortable for the first time as a Laker.  However, Steve Nash was injured last week with a leg injury and will most likely miss a month.  Steve Blake is a solid point guard but the unit of Bryant, Howard, Pau Gasol and Nash need to play together to develop continuity right now to prepare for the postseason.  This won’t happen now until December.

Troubles in OKC:  If you’re reading this post, you’re well aware of the Thunder’s loss on national TV to San Antonio when Russell Westbrook was made as a scapegoat for the loss to the Spurs.  The new-look Oklahoma City team took another troubling loss, by early-season standards, last evening at home to Atlanta, 104-95.  The box score looked good for the Thunder, with Durant scoring 22 points, Westbrook notching 14 of his own along with nine assists.  Even Kevin Martin gave OKC 28 points off of the bench.  However, the Thunder allowed the Hawks to outscore them 29-21 in the fourth quarter and made Atlanta’s Lou Williams look like a modern-day Vinnie Johnson.  The Thunder are still going to be a title contender but the Hawks’ game outlined two major factors in Oklahoma City’s potential demise in the postseason.  Westbrook outshot Durant, 18-17, and the Thunder has more turnovers than the Hawks, 20-10.  If those two things happen in the playoffs, the Thunder won’t even return to the conference finals this season.

Best team in NBA so far has been:  It has taken me four sections to discuss the San Antonio Spurs, the league’s only 3-0 team so far.  The Spurs defeated a feisty New Orleans team on the road in the season opener, got past the Thunder at home and had a late-game comeback to best the Jazz,  on Saturday.  Those are two playoff teams from last year and another squad that has the probable rookie of the year (Anthony Davis).  The Jazz outscored the Spurs 35-17 in the third quarter but San Antonio kept its composure to get the win.  Manu Ginobili returned to the lineup Sunday as well which only makes the Spurs stronger.

Bobcats win…Bobcats win: Charlotte’s 90-89 victory over Indiana on Friday evening snapped the Bobcats’ 23-game losing streak.  Kemba Walker had 30 points in the victory.