Bulls, Heat vie for East supremacy as downtrodden rise in NBA

Bulls, Heat vie for East supremacy as downtrodden rise in NBA

Up is down and down is up in the current NBA standings.

Clubs that had in previous seasons been among the front runners have struggled this campaign.

These outfits find themselves in or near the bottom half of the league in win-loss record. They will need a late surge to secure a play-off spot.

Meanwhile, formerly downtrodden teams that had previously resided in the lower portions of the standings have suddenly risen up and currently find themselves sitting comfortably in the higher echelons of conference tables this campaign.

A look at the leaders in the Eastern Conference standings finds the Chicago Bulls shockingly in the top spot with a record of 27-15.

In just his second season as coach, Billy Donovan has engineered a remarkable turnaround.

If you saw the Bulls -- a team that struggled to a 22-43 mark last campaign -- pulling this off, you are probably some sort of wizard from a Harry Potter movie.

Nipping at the heels of Chicago in the East are a surprising Miami Heat squad, currently 28-16.

Adding free agent sharpshooter Kyle Lowry, a member of the Toronto Raptors title-winning team several years back, has made all the difference in the world. Lowry frees up superstar Jimmy Butler to do his own thing and not have to carry the Heat on his shoulders.

Perhaps we don't give Lowry enough credit and praise Kawhi Leonard too much for that Raptors' crown.

The Brooklyn Nets are the only pre-season favourite living up to expectations.

But because they only have the services of Kyrie Irving for away contests (he is banned from New York City games because he is not Covid vaccinated), the Nets have had to battle to compile just the third best log in the East with a 27-16 record.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are yet another surprise team and find themselves in the fourth Eastern spot at 27-18, by far their best record since LeBron James left the Land for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics, perennial title threats, are struggling just to stay above .500 at 21-20 and 23-22 respectively.

The New York Knicks have also disappointed, compiling a 22-22 mark after last season's strong showing.

But the biggest negative surprise in the Eastern Conference has been the Atlanta Hawks, who showed such great promise in the 2020-2021 play-offs. Trae Young and Co have stumbled to an 18-25 mark so far this season.

Over in the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors have rebounded from two straight sub-par seasons to claim the second spot at 32-12.

Stephen Curry is once again pouring in three pointers at an ungodly rate as the Warriors try to hunt down the Phoenix Suns, who are in the top spot at 34-9.

The unheralded Memphis Grizzlies, behind now superstar guard Ja Morant's spectacular play, have worked their way to the third rung of the Western ladder with a glitzy 31-15 record.

On the other side of the Western coin, the Los Angeles Lakers -- despite the addition of Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony -- have endured several losing streaks and struggled to a 22-22 record.

This despite LeBron James having one of his best seasons ever -- LBJ has scored at a 28.8 per game clip while averaging 7.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per contest.

With Kawhi Leonard out and Paul George seeing only limited action, the LA Clippers are even worse at 22-23.

The Houston Rockets, without Westbrook and James Harden, both traded away, have slumped to a 13-32 mark.

San Antonio Spurs, without a big man to lean on, are no longer contenders for a play-off spot.

Without a Tim Duncan or David Robinson available, Greg Popovich is apparently not that great a coach.

There is still time for struggling squads to turn things right side up and fast starters to falter, but so far surprisingly good and bad NBA showings are the rule.


Contact Wiggins World at davwigg@gmail.com

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