By Ryan Moshasha

Staff Writer

Image Source: bleacherreport.com 

The NBA’s 75th Year started on October 19th, 2021. Only 3 weeks has gone by since, and yet it has been one of the most entertaining starts to an NBA season ever. The NBA officially listed its top 75 players for the 75th Anniversary Team. 

When the official list was released, there was a lot of controversy regarding the NBA and the voting system due to the fact that two Important names were forgotten on the list. One of these names was the 8x All Star and 4x Champion, Dwight Howard, and the other was the 5x All Star, 3x Champion, and record holder for most 3 pointers in a game, Klay Thompson. 

Most NBA fans and players were shocked when the NBA didn’t include these two names in the Anniversary list, especially considering how much these guys have put towards the game of basketball. 

Rookies acting explosively

Everyone knows how much Rookie players have to try and make a name for themselves throughout the NBA if they want to get to the top of the ladder. This week these NBA Rookies proved that they really want it and want it bad. Indiana Pacers swingman, Chris Duarte (No. 13 pick), leads all rookies in scoring at 20.3 points per game while shooting an impressive 45.8% (11-24) from 3-point range. 

Toronto Raptors forward, Scottie Barnes (No. 4 pick), is averaging a double-double at 18 points and 10 boards through his first three games. And Houston Rockets guard, Jalen Green (No. 2 pick), capped off the week with a breakout performance on Sunday against Boston as he finished with 30 points on 8-for-10 shooting from distance, four rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. These stats continue to grow as these guys play more games. 

Player Milestones 

Only a week in and Chris Paul became the first player in NBA history to have 20,000 Points and 10,000 assists (though Lebron James is on the chase to cap this milestone with only 228 assists needed left). James Harden passed Kyle Korver in career 3-pointers, moving him to 4th Place all time while Carmelo Anthony has just passed legend Moses Malone for the 9th all time on the scoring list. 

Russell Westbrook and the Lakers

Russell Westbrook had a tough start to his first NBA game. As a Laker he totaled just 8 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists while shooting 4 of 13 or 30% from the field. In his next few games his game has taken a turn with a triple double against the Thunder, having 14 rebounds, 13 assists, and 20 points. Even though the Lakers have had a rough start to the NBA season, the future is still bright for the team. 

Ben Simmons and the 76ers

It’s been weeks since Ben Simmons has been spotted in NBA news pages. Ben Simmons and the 76ers are having a dramatic relationship with each other right now with Ben Simmons demanding a trade and the 76ers still trying to keep the former All-Star on the team, struggling to find a max trade for him.

Ben Simmons has missed multiple practices in the pre pre-season, costing him almost $400,000. Due to his financial situation, Ben Simmons showed up to the next two practices. During those practices he never joined the team huddle and was in a bad mood the whole time, which ultimately led to him dropping the ball in the middle of practice and leaving after having an argument with head coach Doc Rivers.

At the start of the NBA season Ben was still signed with the team but has not played one game and is currently still on payroll with “Mental Health Issues.” Reports are saying the team is still trying to negotiate about the future with him as a Sixer. 

Lebron James and Laker Trouble

After all the excitement fans expressed for the 21-22 Season for the Los Angeles Lakers, things aren’t looking too well for Laker fans. Currently standing at the 7th seed, Basketball commentators are starting to speculate the amazing career of Lebron James is slowly coming to an end based on the team’s performance.

Starting Powerforward Anthony Davis told NBA reports, “We suck” in his post-game interview after losing to the Bulls 121-103. In a game against the Pistons on November 22nd, 2021, Lebron got his first ever suspension of his career.

Attempting to box out, a huge altercation broke out when Lebron elbowed Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart in the face. This altercation caused Lebron to be fined and suspended for a game.