Well it’s that time of year again! With Christmas here (and Boxing Day right around the corner), it gives us a perfect opportunity to see what’s what with the NBA so far this year right in time for their yearly regular season showcase and unofficial real start to the season.  It just may not be much of a showcase this year with so many players in Covid protocols.

First, Pencilstorm prides itself on getting that insider insider content that separates us from your run of the mill “content factories” so pervasive in American media today.  ESPN can manufacture all the Stephen A. Smith shouting matches its heart desires but here is where you’ll get unfiltered, completely true, we couldn’t make this up if we tried sports news content.  So it was no surprise that one of our most intrepid sources forwarded us this email string from just a couple days ago.  The conclusions, dear reader, I shall leave to your imagination.

Welp, looks like those LeBron to Cleveland rumors are quashed! Now let’s dive into where we stand headed into the new year. One thing that unfortunately hasn’t changed from a year ago is that the whole world is still dealing with Covid-19. It is continuing to wreak havoc on most facets of life. The NBA isn’t planning on pausing though. Commissioner Adam Silver says the logic just isn’t there for that.

It’s a reflection of what many have come to realize recently, Covid is not going away and we will just have to learn to live with it. There are rumors that the NBA was even considering letting asymptomatic players that test positive to still continue playing. The NFL recently determined they would only test unvaccinated players who are symptomatic.

I think the NBA is going to take a wait and see approach before implementing that. They might see what happens in the NFL first to make sure it’s sound policy. The NFL is wrapping up it’s regular season and with playoff berths on the line, it’s imperative that teams are as close to full strength as possible and if the asymptomatic don’t spread, it meets the all important health standards. The NBA is not even at the midway point so they have a lot of options open.

They did however implement some measures to allow teams to sign players just to be able to fill rosters. Right now it’s creating a lot of frustration and uncertainty for teams but on a bright note, it’s opening up opportunities for players that may never have been able to set foot in an NBA game otherwise. It’s also letting some old fan favorites have a last hurrah in the league. Perhaps the best example of this is 40 year old Joe Johnson, just signed by the Celtics who drafted him 20 years ago while Red Auerbach was in the room!

Now a look into some of the more compelling storylines so far this NBA season. You can click here for the current standings. Don’t worry, it will just open up a new page, you won’t lose your place. I promise.

Chicago loves basketball again. Perhaps no team made a bigger splash in the offseason than the Chicago Bulls. In 2020, after 18 years, the Bulls made a change in management. They then proceeded to spend over $200 million in signings this offseason and it’s worked out with a bang. The Bulls are the current number 2 seed in the East and their fans couldn’t be happier. Perhaps only one other team made as effective offseason moves which we’ll get to later (Spoiler Alert: it’s the Cavs).

The Knicks and the Hawks who had promising seasons last year are both currently outside the playoff picture. Julius Randle has regressed closer to what he was before winning Most Improved Player last season and the Knicks will need to see major improvement if they want to make the playoffs again this year. But having said all this, it’s early and both the Hawks and Knicks are less than 2 games behind the 6th spot. No need to panic.’

In the West, the Memphis Grizzlies might be making their leap this year after a tough start. With Ja Morant out over 3 weeks, they went 10-2 to find themselves at the top of the 2nd tier of West teams. Zion Williamson, who’ll forever be linked with Morant as the only guy picked over him, meanwhile still hasn’t played this year after a recent injury setback. This has to be concerning for Pelicans fans especially amid rumors that Zion wants out of there. My hope: Zion finds his way to Dallas to reunite with his Thicc Boy cousin Luka Doncic and wreak havoc on the league for the next decade.

The Lakers are currently an embarrassment. Granted, they’ve already had a league-leading 17 different starting lineups so their record is a reflection of that but with Anthony Davis out 4 weeks and LeBron James being forced to play center more, they need things to turn around quickly. Russell Westbrook has played much worse than most expected and has tried to do too much leading to turnovers and defensive lapses. The Lakers keep saying wait til they have Trevor Ariza and Kendrick Nunn but no one in the history of the world would buy that sack of b.s. But as enjoyable as the pre-season Western Conference favorite’s struggles have been, once completely healthy, they should find a defensive identity and find themselves right near the top of the seeding eventually. But it’s gonna take a serious change in fortune for them to be

Your 2021-22 Cleveland Cavaliers, ladies and gentlemen! The Cavs made some interesting moves over the off-season but no one could have foreseen this. Number 3 draft pick Evan Mobley seems to be the favorite for rookie of the year and is on pace for a historic rookie season turnaround joining all time greats like Larry Bird, David Robinson, and Tim Duncan. They already have as many wins as last year! They’re doing it with the dynamic all around ability of Mobley surrounded by savvy veteran play and the emergence of young studs like possible all-stars Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen. But most importantly, these guys are fun to watch! You want a team that plays hard defense, never quits, and hits opportune shots? This team is your huckleberry.

And finally it’s looking like a collision course of two championship winning former teammates just as I predicted in my 2021 preview. It’s just Kevin Durant and Steph Curry instead of Kyrie and LeBron. The Nets are first in the East without the services of noted philosopher king Kyrie Irving but recently decided to change their policy by letting him play in road games where he’s able to.  And currently, the only place in the US besides New York that won’t let an unvaccinated player play is San Francisco where the Warriors have one of the top records in the league while they await the arrival of the remaining member of their big 3, Klay Thompson, in January (Kyrie also wouldn’t be able to travel to Toronto as Canada doesn’t easily let in the unvaccinated).  And with the way these two teams are playing, it would make for a riveting and evenly matched Finals.     

So I’ll close with a wish for a Happy Holidays to all and to all a good night!