Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images
A little over one month into the 2018-19 NBA season, every team has something positive to chew on. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, here’s one thing each team should be grateful for.
Five weeks into the 2018-19 NBA season, the hierarchy of the league is becoming clearer. It’s too early to make any broad statements about what will happen come April, May and June, but as we approach the quarter-mark of the new campaign, we have plenty to evaluate.
Some teams are off to stunning, feel-good starts, cementing their place in the early playoff picture. Others have disappointed their fanbase with injury woes, poor play or outright dysfunction.
Even so, with Thanksgiving just around the corner, every team has positives for its fanbase to chew on.
Thanksgiving is a time for counting blessings and being grateful, so whether your favorite NBA team is a legitimate title contender with high hopes or a cellar-dweller just waiting for the next batch of ping pong balls, there’s plenty to be thankful for.
In the spirit of the holiday, it’s time to take a look at what each and every team in the association has to be thankful for so far in 2018-19.
November 19, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Russell is posting 17.4 points, 5.5 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game while knocking down 39.5 percent of his 3s, while Dinwiddie has upped his numbers to 17.5 points, 6.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game since LeVert went down. Their status as impending free agents makes this situation more complicated, but it could wind up being a good problem to have as the Nets try to stay afloat without their best player.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Charlotte Hornets </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-331025" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1056140788-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Charlotte Hornets: Kemba, Kemba and Kemba</h3>
<p>Imagine if <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/walkeke02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kemba Walker</a> had any semblance of help. James Borrego is getting this <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/charlotte-hornets/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Charlotte Hornets</a> team to compete on a nightly basis, but at the end of the day, their mediocre 8-8 start would be leagues worse if not for Kemba’s finest season yet.</p>
<p>Averaging 29.6 points, 6.1 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game, Walker has been lights out so far in 2018-19. He’s leading the league in scoring, has dropped 60 points and 43 points in back-to-back contests and is posting .465/.389/.860 shooting splits on an absurd 10.4 3-point attempts per game.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kemba Walker erupts for a career-high & <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#NBA</a> season-high 60 points! <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hornets30?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#Hornets30</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://t.co/hY9fwjvM7E">pic.twitter.com/hY9fwjvM7E
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1064156313251471360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>November 18, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>It’s telling, then, that Charlotte lost the game Kemba dropped 60, with its All-Star point guard singlehandedly outscoring the rest of his team. It’s similarly alarming that <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lambje01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jeremy Lamb</a>, at 13.7 points per game, is the Hornets’ second-leading scorer. Even so, Kemba is pushing for recognition among the the NBA’s top five point guards, and it appears <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jordami01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Michael Jordan</a> is <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/WatchStadium/status/1064543055783456768" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dead-set</a> on keeping the greatest player in franchise history.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Chicago Bulls </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Elsa/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Chicago Bulls: <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lavinza01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Zach LaVine</a> living up to his contract</h3>
<p>Remember all the ridicule the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/chicago-bulls/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chicago Bulls</a> received for signing Zach LaVine to a massive four-year, $78 million contract over the summer? So far, they’ve been more than vindicated in that decision, with LaVine not only living up to his gaudy annual salary, but exceeding everyone’s wildest expectations.</p>
<p>The Bulls are banged up, their paltry 4-13 record is depressing and the defense is still a major issue, but LaVine has been individually brilliant on the offensive end, posting 25.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.</p>
<p>His shooting splits have taken a plunge in recent days, but it’s unfair to judge him when he has no help. Chicago still has <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/markkla01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Lauri Markkanen</a>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/dunnkr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kris Dunn</a>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/portibo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Bobby Portis</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/v/valende01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Denzel Valentine</a> sitting on the sidelines, after all. Until the Bulls are at relatively full strength again, LaVine’s stat sheet-stuffing is the biggest nightly comfort for Windy City fans.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Cleveland Cavaliers </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-331330" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1068064662-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Cleveland Cavaliers: Zion Williamson</h3>
<p>We could’ve gone with something like “<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sextoco01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Collin Sexton</a> impressing as a starter” or “assets coming back from a <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/korveky01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kyle Korver</a> trade,” but let’s be perfectly honest: No matter how well Sexton plays or how much this team gets in return for its veteran sharpshooter, the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/cleveland-cavaliers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> are probably the worst team in the NBA.</p>
<p>Due to the NBA Draft Lottery reform that kicks in this year, the three worst teams in the NBA have the same odds of securing the No. 1 pick. That could hurt the Cavs in a year where they feel like the decisive worst team, but suffice it to say they’ll probably be tied for the best odds at securing the top selection in the 2019 NBA Draft.</p>
<p>That will give them a shot at Zion Williamson, who’s been an absolute monster for the Duke Blue Devils and their highly vaunted trio of freshmen. Through five games, the burly and unbelievably athletic Williamson is posting 20.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, 2.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game on a jaw-dropping 70.7 percent shooting. Cavs fans should get intimately familiar with Duke’s three draft gems, especially the early frontrunner for the No. 1 overall pick.</p>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-331334" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1063588922-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Dallas Mavericks: <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/doncilu01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Luka Doncic</a></h3>
<p>Luka Doncic is the best rookie in one of the best NBA Draft classes we’ve seen in years, and it’s not particularly close. He can be a step slow defensively, but other than that, it’s hard to pinpoint too many areas for criticism with this 20-year-old.</p>
<p>His paltry 3-point shooting overseas has been just fine in the NBA, with Wonder Boy knocking down 37.5 percent of his 6.5 long range attempts per game. His 19.2 points per game leads both the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/dallas-mavericks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dallas Mavericks</a> and all rookies, he’s adding in 6.8 boards a night, and his 4.1 assists per game are barely scratching the surface of his playmaking potential.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Luka Doncic comes up big late and finishes with 24 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST in the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/dallasmavs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@dallasmavs home win! <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/MFFL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#MFFL</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBARooks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#NBARooks</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://t.co/y34yLbzuzq">pic.twitter.com/y34yLbzuzq
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1064166358861209606?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>November 18, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>The concerns about his shooting and ability to create space to get his shot off look severely overblown, and the Mavs have won five of their last seven games. At the center of it all is Doncic and the unbridled joy he brings to a team that’s looking for the heir to <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nowitdi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Dirk Nowitzki</a>‘s throne.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Denver Nuggets </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Denver Nuggets: Unexpected contributions</h3>
<p>Just going with “<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jokicni01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Nikola Jokic</a>” is a boring and obvious answer, and it’s less prominent now with the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/denver-nuggets/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Denver Nuggets</a> on a 1-6 skid over the last seven games. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/murraja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jamal Murray</a> was moved to the bench for a game in that span, and it’s starting to feel like Michael Malone is losing his grip on a team that looked like the second-best squad in the West two weeks ago.</p>
<p>For the sake of avoiding any premature, sweeping statements, however, it should be noted that the Nuggets have been getting solid contributions from a lot of unheralded bench guys, such as <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/morrimo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Monte Morris</a> (who replaced Murray at point guard for that one game) and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hernaju01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Juan Hernangomez</a>.</p>
<p>Carving out 23.9 minutes per game, Morris has filled in admirably as the backup point guard — a necessity with <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/thomais02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Isaiah Thomas</a> still sidelined and Murray all over the map. Hernangomez has stepped into the starting small forward spot for the injured <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bartowi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Will Barton</a>, posting 51 points and 27 rebounds over his last three contests while allowing <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lylestr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Trey Lyles</a> to still eat up minutes as the backup 4. The Nuggets aren’t getting the job done, but the reserves are rising to the occasion.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Detroit Pistons </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Detroit Pistons: <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/griffbl01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Blake Griffin</a>‘s health</h3>
<p>They may have tapered off a bit since that 4-0 start, but the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/detroit-pistons/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Detroit Pistons</a> are two games above .500 under Dwane Casey and look the part of a playoff team — provided they can stay healthy, that is.</p>
<p>People forget, but one of the biggest obstacles to the Pistons getting back to the postseason the last two years traced back to health issues, mostly with <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jacksre01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Reggie Jackson</a>. He’s underwhelming as a starting point guard, but Detroit’s 26-41 record without him over the last two years spoke for itself, especially compared to its 50-47 record <em>with</em> him.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Blake Griffin ERUPTS for a CAREER-HIGH 50 PTS to propel the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/DetroitPistons?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@DetroitPistons to the overtime victory at home! <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/DetroitBasketball?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#DetroitBasketball</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/KiaTipOff18?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#KiaTipOff18</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://t.co/igYs2dRqVe">pic.twitter.com/igYs2dRqVe
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1055096697519517697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 24, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>This season, however, the Pistons’ ability to stay above .500 — and therefore in playoff contention in the East — relies on the health of Blake Griffin, their consensus best player. Griffin looks recharged with the offense flowing through him, averaging 24.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game while knocking down 37 percent of his 5.8 3-point attempts per game. Now he just needs to stay on the court as he’s done through the first month of the season.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Golden State Warriors </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-331341" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1060977278-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Golden State Warriors: <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/curryst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Stephen Curry</a> should be back soon</h3>
<p>Remember Stephen Curry, Dubs fans? Remember when the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/golden-state-warriors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Golden State Warriors</a> looked absolutely unstoppable, with their superstars trading off mammoth performances and no sense of a collapsing dynasty in sight? Yeah, that was only like two weeks ago.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Warriors have lost 5 of their last 7 games. That's Golden State's worst 7-game stretch under Steve Kerr. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://t.co/20m4TH0GA0">pic.twitter.com/20m4TH0GA0
<p>— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1064357297491591168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>November 19, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Since Curry went down, the two-time defending champs have lost five of their last seven games, lost <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/greendr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Draymond Green</a> to a toe injury and possibly lost <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kevin Durant</a> in free agency after his verbal altercation with Green over a late-game gaffe turned to all the distractions and pent-up frustrations with KD’s upcoming summer decision.</p>
<p>Those are the kinds of wounds that take time to heal, especially after the Warriors suspended Green and wounded <em>that </em>relationship, but winning is one hell of an ointment. Curry is what makes this team so good, so deadly and most importantly, so fun. Hopefully he’s back on the court soon, because the Warriors suddenly need him more than ever.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Houston Rockets </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-330126" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1056592566-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Houston Rockets: <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/anthoca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Carmelo Anthony</a> is gone</h3>
<p>This writer has defended Carmelo Anthony’s legacy as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history for years now, but the last few seasons have definitely left an ugly dent in his Hall of Fame career. At this point, denying Melo is on his way out of the league would be sheer ignorance.</p>
<p>To that end, it’s no coincidence the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/houston-rockets/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Houston Rockets</a> look like the Western Conference contender they were supposed to be since parting ways with Anthony. He hasn’t officially been waived yet, but since he separated from the team, the Rockets are 4-1, compared to their 4-6 start with him.</p>
<p>In 10 games with Melo, Houston ranked 26th in offensive rating (104.2) and 21st in defensive rating (109.9). In five games without him so far, Clutch City is third in O-rating (117.2) and ninth in D-rating. At age 34, Anthony was incapable of being a difference-maker offensively or even mediocre defensively. For that, and for Houston no longer having a problem, the Rox should be grateful.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Indiana Pacers </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-331371" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1066650436-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Indiana Pacers: Continuity and improved depth</h3>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/oladivi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Victor Oladipo</a> is the straw that stirs the drink on both ends for the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/indiana-pacers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indiana Pacers</a>, but their 11-6 start for third place in the East hasn’t fallen squarely on his shoulders either.</p>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sabondo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Domantas Sabonis</a> is the best big man on the team, even coming off the bench. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/evansty01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Tyreke Evans</a> has been reliable as a scorer, playmaker and long range threat in the second unit, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bogdabo02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Bojan Bogdanovic</a> is scorching the nets from deep and perhaps most importantly, the new additions haven’t disrupted the cohesion of last year’s dark horse team that hopes to make more noise this year.</p>
<p>Indiana’s 38.5 percent shooting from 3-point range ranks second in the association, and that’s <em>with</em> Oladipo shooting a ho-hum 34.5 percent from downtown. This team knows its identity, everyone knows their roles, and that continuity has been key in the Pacers’ strong start.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Los Angeles Clippers </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-331141" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1057959286-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Harry How/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Los Angeles Clippers: Everything (except that Wizards loss)</h3>
<p>Aside from <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bradlav01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Avery Bradley</a> and a disappointing collapse against the imploding Wizards on Tuesday, what <em>isn’t</em> going right for the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/los-angeles-clippers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Los Angeles Clippers</a> right now? They’re a fun and plucky bunch as expected, but they’re also legitimately good, with a real shot at making the playoffs when most wrote them off before the new season even began.</p>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harrito02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Tobias Harris</a> is finally getting recognition as one of the NBA’s most underrated wing scorers at 21.4 points per game on .519/.444/.810 shooting splits. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gallida01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Danilo Gallinari</a> is right behind him at 18.6 points per game, reminding people how effective he can be when he’s actually healthy. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilgesh01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a> has earned his place in the starting lineup and looks uncharacteristically composed for a rookie point guard.</p>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/willilo02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Lou Williams</a> is putting up terrific numbers in his sixth man role, even with a decrease in minutes from last year. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harremo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Montrezl Harrell</a> has been an absolute monster, looking like the reincarnation of <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/farieke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kenneth Faried</a>, only suited for the modern NBA. This is an experienced and underrated group under <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/riverdo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Doc Rivers</a>, and Clippers fans have a lot to be thankful for during this surprising 11-6 start.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Los Angeles Lakers </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-331083" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1063358224-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Los Angeles Lakers: <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jamesle01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">LeBron James</a></h3>
<p>Let’s see here…<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/ingrabr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Brandon Ingram</a>‘s Most Improved Player campaign hasn’t exactly gone according to plan, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rondora01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Rajon Rondo</a> is out for the next month or so with a broken hand and it took the unlikely addition of <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chandty01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Tyson Chandler</a> to breathe some life into this team. That’s a less than ideal start.</p>
<p>And yet, here the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/los-angeles-lakers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a> are at 9-7, winning seven of their last nine contests after an alarming 2-5 start. The reason? The singular power of LeBron James, who is the reason Lakers fans feel characteristically confident about their prospects, both for this season and the seasons beyond.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">LeBron James puts up a season-high 51 PTS (19-31 FGM) in the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/Lakers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@Lakers road W in Miami! <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/LakeShow?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#LakeShow</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://t.co/8GJ5KRdBJ9">pic.twitter.com/8GJ5KRdBJ9
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1064345879556034561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>November 19, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Can this team win a championship as currently constructed? No. But L.A. has already shown enough in the King James era to entice top-tier talent next summer, which is the point of all these one-year deals and the cap space <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsma02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Magic Johnson</a> will have to play with. Whether it was the money, escaping Cleveland, the off-court opportunities, the youth easing his burden or simply living in Los Angeles, LeBron chose to make this franchise relevant again. All hail the King.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Memphis Grizzlies </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-331379" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1063323712-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Memphis Grizzlies: A healthy <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/conlemi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Mike Conley</a></h3>
<p>Mike Conley is back. He’s healthy, he’s sporting a dope new hairdo and he wants everyone to remember that as long as he and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gasolma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Marc Gasol</a> on the court, the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/memphis-grizzlies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Memphis Grizzlies</a> are a playoff-caliber team.</p>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=jacksja01,jacksja02&search=Jaren+Jackson&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jaren Jackson</a> Jr.’s exemplary start was a close second here, but what else can be said about the undying Grit-N-Grind era? It simply won’t end, try as everyone might to shut the door on it. If anything, the transition to the next group won’t even be too bumpy when Conley and Gasol’s time finally comes, since JJJ and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brookdi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Dillon Brooks</a> look like perfect successors to the Grind City mentality.</p>
<p>Without Conley last year, the Grizz lost 60 games and nearly lost Big Spain’s heart. With him back, and the right role players around them, Memphis is off to an 11-5 start, with the second-best record in the West. It’s surprising, but at the same time, we probably shouldn’t be surprised.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Miami Heat </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-330039" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1060097408-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Miami Heat: They didn’t trade <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/richajo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Josh Richardson</a></h3>
<p>Trading for <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/butleji01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jimmy Butler</a> would’ve been nice, but unless it also led to unloading <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/whiteha01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Hassan Whiteside</a>‘s contract, the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/miami-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Miami Heat</a> are probably better off without adding more long-term baggage to the salary cap sheet of a team that’s underwhelmed so far.</p>
<p>After all, a trade for Jimmy Buckets would’ve undoubtedly meant parting ways with Josh Richardson, one of many blossoming two-way stars in the league. Not only is this J-Rich one of the NBA’s most team-friendly contracts, but he’s rapidly becoming essential to the Heat’s success on both ends.</p>
<p>Averaging 19.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game on .467/.391/.733 shooting splits, Richardson is also one of Miami’s best and most versatile defenders. It’s no coincidence the Heat’s Net Rating of +4.5 with him on the court plummets to -16.7 with him sitting, and the fact that <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rileypa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Pat Riley</a> didn’t ship him elsewhere — even for an expensive star like Butler — is a reason to be thankful.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Milwaukee Bucks </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-329685" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1064410818-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Milwaukee Bucks: Mike Budenholzer</h3>
<p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/milwaukee-bucks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Milwaukee Bucks</a> have plenty of reasons to give thanks, not the least of which are MVP frontrunner <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/antetgi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Giannis Antetokounmpo</a>, two-way glue man <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/middlkh01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Khris Middleton</a>, Contract Year <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bledser01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Eric Bledsoe</a> and stretch-5 <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lopezbr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Brook Lopez</a>. However, any roster can have talent and complementary pieces. What makes these Bucks truly special is having the right head coach to harness it properly.</p>
<p>Enter Mike Budenholzer, who’s looking like the early favorite for Coach of the Year. The Bucks always had the pieces to be a dangerous offense and the length to be a smothering defense, but Bud is the one putting them into place, with Milwaukee ranking second in offensive rating and fifth in defensive rating.</p>
<p>The 3-point overhaul has been key on the offensive end, with the Bucks ranking second in attempts, first in makes and ninth in percentage. We’ve been waiting for someone to properly unleash the Greek Freak, and so far, it’s looking like Budenholzer is up to the task.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Minnesota Timberwolves </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-331066" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1068595768-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Minnesota Timberwolves: The season can begin now</h3>
<p>There was fault on both sides, but no matter where you stand on the issue, Jimmy Butler was basically holding the entire <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/minnesota-timberwolves/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> organization hostage. It took an 0-5 road trip for Tom Thibodeau to finally see the cancerous situation for what it was, but with Butler’s exile to Philly, the Wolves’ 2018-19 season can <em>truly</em> begin.</p>
<p>It’s unfortunate they’re basically beginning this journey with a 4-8 handicap, but since then, Minnesota has gone 3-2. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/townska01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Karl-Anthony Towns</a> and Jimmy Butler look reinvigorated, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/covinro01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Robert Covington</a> is already feeling the self-inflicted wrath of having two-way talents while playing for Thibs and though <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/saricda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Dario Saric</a> should be starting, he’s already helping an improved bench unit.</p>
<p>It’s not ideal <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rosede01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Derrick Rose</a>‘s usage rate is through the roof, but with Butler gone, KAT will hopefully stop peddling this “<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"http://www.startribune.com/wolves-trade-of-jimmy-butler-to-76ers-is-finally-official-but-new-players-will-not-suit-up-tonight/500300312/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">I’m just another player</a> on the team” BS and become the franchise star Timberwolves fans need to feel hope again.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> New Orleans Pelicans </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-331397" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1066676006-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>New Orleans Pelicans: A winning formula is there</h3>
<p>Forget about <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/davisan02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Anthony Davis</a> for a second. Well, okay, don’t <em>forget</em> about him, since the dude is an MVP frontrunner averaging an absurd 27.6 points, 12.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 2.7 blocks and 1.4 steals per game on .489/.355/.080 shooting splits, but there’s more to the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/new-orleans-pelicans/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Orleans Pelicans</a>‘ 10-7 start than just AD’s individual dominance.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Anthony Davis stuffs the stat sheet with 43 PTS, 17 REB, 5 AST in the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/PelicansNBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@PelicansNBA win at home over NYK! <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/DoItBig?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#DoItBig</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://t.co/DZU46cRuf8">pic.twitter.com/DZU46cRuf8
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1063829153131175937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>November 17, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/holidjr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jrue Holiday</a> is one of the best two-way players in the league, regardless of position. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mirotni01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Nikola Mirotic</a> is the perfect stretch-4 to pair with Davis, who has been unleashed at his true position, the 5. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mooreet01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">E’Twaun Moore</a> is filling his role better than expected, and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/randlju01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Julius Randle</a> has been a force<em> </em>off the bench as a leading Sixth Man of the Year candidate.</p>
<p>Head coach Alvin Gentry isn’t getting enough credit for the turnaround his team has seen ever since <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/couside01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">DeMarcus Cousins</a>‘ injury plopped the Brow into the center spot last year. Assuming <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/paytoel01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Elfrid Payton</a> can stay healthy once he returns from a broken pinkie, this Pellies team has enough to keep Davis happy with their trajectory. The depth and surrounding pieces can be upgraded, but the foundation of a contender is there now.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> New York Knicks </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-331402" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1059441698-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>New York Knicks: <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=hardati01,hardati02&search=Tim+Hardaway&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Tim Hardaway</a> Jr.’s breakout year</h3>
<p>Knee injuries for any seven-footer are concerning, let alone an ACL tear for the star of a big-market franchise like the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/new-york-knicks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York Knicks</a>. Assuming he can return and be himself again though, his absence might wind up working wonders for the Knickerbockers down the road.</p>
<p>There’s the obvious tanking angle given the crop of Duke prospects entering the 2019 NBA Draft, as well as next summer’s cap space to get New York back to competitive basketball, but Porzingis’ absence has also opened up avenues of development for younger players whose roles might have been more limited otherwise.</p>
<p>Again, this is all contingent on the Unicorn returning fully healthy, but for the time being, Tim Hardaway Jr.’s breakout year deserves some love. Averaging 24.4 points per game on 37 percent shooting from 3, THJ may never live up to his massive contract after a poor first year, but he’s done his best to bounce-back here in year two.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Oklahoma City Thunder </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-331060" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1061544182-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Oklahoma City Thunder: <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/georgpa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Paul George</a> looks comfortable</h3>
<p>Paul George’s efficiency could do with a slight touch-up, but by and large, he looks far more comfortable in his <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/oklahoma-city-thunder/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> jersey than he did last year. Maybe it was the four-year commitment, a whole season of building chemistry or just getting rid of Carmelo Anthony, but PG-13 looks like the two-way superstar he used to be with the Indiana Pacers.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Paul George drops a season-high 35 PTS in the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/okcthunder?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@okcthunder win over NYK! <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThunderUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#ThunderUp</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://t.co/qt3886gueK">pic.twitter.com/qt3886gueK
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1063074183289208835?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>November 15, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>It’s not that George was <em>bad </em>last year, but he’s already upped his numbers to 24.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.4 steals per game (ranked second in the NBA). If he can get his 34.9 percent 3-point shooting back up, he’ll look more like the alpha dog OKC needs to consistently push its current alpha, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/westbru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Russell Westbrook</a>.</p>
<p>Westbrook’s off-and-on absence may have played a part in this more confident start for George, but now that both stars (and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/adamsst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Steven Adams</a>) are locked in for the long haul, it’s time to start building toward legitimate contention. The good news is George is already laying the foundation, driving the Thunder during their recent 10-2 turnaround.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Orlando Magic </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-331418" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1063596770-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Orlando Magic: Being a .500 team</h3>
<p>Much like last year’s 6-2 start, the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/orlando-magic/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Orlando Magic</a> look promising in the early going of 2018-19. Unlike last year’s start, however, this team’s 9-9 start isn’t built on unsustainable 3-point shooting and feels a lot more like par for the course.</p>
<p>Are the Magic going to contend for the Eastern belt? No. In fact, they may not even be a playoff team when all is said and done. Even so, there are tangible signs of progress for this rebuild, which is far more important than the win-loss column after years of treading water.</p>
<p>Steve Clifford has been a God-send. The ball is moving, the defensive pieces are in place, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gordoaa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Aaron Gordon</a> is quietly building on his breakout season, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/v/vucevni01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Nikola Vucevic</a> is injecting hormones into his trade value, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rosste01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Terrence Ross</a> has been a solid sixth man, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/fournev01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Evan Fournier</a> is providing his scoring punch in a refined role and Orlando has registered quite a few wins over playoff teams. Even if the Magic continue to hover around .500, that might be enough for a return to the postseason in the East.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Philadelphia 76ers </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-331419" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1063585780-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Philadelphia 76ers: The Jimmy Butler trade</h3>
<p>It’s no secret the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/philadelphia-76ers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Philadelphia 76ers</a> struck out in their search for a third star over the summer. Paul George quickly re-signed in OKC, LeBron James went to L.A. after giving the Sixers a courtesy meeting that he didn’t even personally attend, and the Toronto Raptors swooped in for <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/leonaka01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kawhi Leonard</a>.</p>
<p>However, even if he’s the riskiest star among this group of imposing two-way wings, Jimmy Butler represents the arrival of a long-awaited Big 3 in Philly. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/embiijo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Joel Embiid</a> looks like an MVP candidate and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/simmobe01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Ben Simmons</a> is a triple-double machine, but adding Butler provides a closer, a designated defensive stopper and a 3-point threat to take pressure off Simmons and the Sixers’ spacing.</p>
<p>It’ll cost a pretty penny to re-sign Butler this summer and there are lingering concerns about a max deal for an injury-prone star who’s been ridden into the ground by Thibodeau, but the early returns have been good. Providing not one, but TWO game-saving blocks on a guy who dropped 60 in overtime, and then hitting the game-winner? That’s why you trade for Jimmy Buckets.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The game-saving block and the game-winning triple!</p>
<p>JIMMY BUTLER comes up huge for the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/sixers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@sixers down the stretch!<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/HereTheyCome?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#HereTheyCome</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://t.co/P47MLqcXQU">pic.twitter.com/P47MLqcXQU
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1063991847247323138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>November 18, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Phoenix Suns </a>
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<img class="wp-image-331422 size-large" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1063592062-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Phoenix Suns: A new starting lineup with #PointBook?</h3>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aytonde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Deandre Ayton</a> is stuffing the stat sheet for the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/phoenix-suns/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Phoenix Suns</a>, but his defense remains a cause for concern. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bridgmi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Mikal Bridges</a> looks like a <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"http://bit.ly/2DndTUX" target="_blank" rel="noopener">key piece of the future</a>, but he’s <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"http://bit.ly/2qPva0W" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not featured prominently enough</a> to be the “big thing” to be thankful for. Even <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=bookede01,bookede02&search=Devin+Booker&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Devin Booker</a>, the franchise savior, has gotten off to a <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"http://bit.ly/2DJkEAJ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">slow start</a> in 2018-19.</p>
<p>So where does that leave Suns fans as they root for a team that’s shown flashes of brilliance but has been thoroughly unable to build on them due to underwhelming effort, nonexistent defense and yes, the glaring lack of a point guard?</p>
<p>Well, look no further than Phoenix’s last contest against Philly, when head coach Igor Kokoskov finally rolled out the lineup everyone’s pined for by moving Book to the point and keeping Bridges in the starting five alongside <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/arizatr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Trevor Ariza</a>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/warretj01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">T.J. Warren</a> and Ayton. The Suns lost, but the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/GeraldBourguet/status/1064748271900315648" target="_blank" rel="noopener">returns</a> for that lineup were good and they competed against a good Sixers squad on the road. For such a flawed roster, that’s a start.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Portland Trail Blazers </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-298013" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F04%2F948283856-new-orleans-pelicans-v-portland-trail-blazers-game-two.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Portland Trail Blazers: Last year’s playoff sweep</h3>
<p>We should know this by now based on the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lillada01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Damian Lillard</a> rampage that’s spawned from every All-Star snub he’s ever received, but he (and the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/portland-trail-blazers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Portland Trail Blazers</a>, by extension) thrive on doubt and motivation. To that end, maybe that embarrassing first round sweep last year was the best thing for Rip City in 2018-19.</p>
<p>The Warriors’ recent downward spiral obviously plays a part here, but the Blazers currently own the best record (12-5) and best point differential (+6.8) in the Western Conference. After fears about regression coming off a third-place finish and totally underwhelming four-game playoff exit, the Blazers are making a statement early on.</p>
<p>Will it actually translate to playoff success this time? It’s impossible to say. For now though, a deeper bench, internal development and the success of the Big 3 is driving Portland to an impressive start. That Pelicans sweep was humiliating, but it’s undoubtedly the driving force in the back of their minds for the new campaign.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Sacramento Kings </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-331424" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1063757328-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Sacramento Kings: Franchise cornerstones emerging</h3>
<p>Against all the odds and years of organizational dysfunction, the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/sacramento-kings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sacramento Kings</a> are finally the young, exciting, on-the-rise team they’ve been trying to become for a decade now. Despite doubts about whether <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/foxde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">De’Aaron Fox</a>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/caulewi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Willie Cauley-Stein</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hieldbu01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Buddy Hield</a> could ever become franchise cornerstones, they <em>all</em> kind of look like they might be capable.</p>
<p>Fox is the centerpiece, averaging 18.2 points, 7.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds a night on drastically improved .491/.400/.690 shooting splits. His playmaking, speed and more efficient jumper are setting the tone for Sacramento’s fast-paced offense.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">De'Aaron Fox fills up the box score, notching his 1st career triple-double with 31 PTS, 15 AST, 10 REB! <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/SacramentoProud?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#SacramentoProud</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://t.co/cOzdClJtMi">pic.twitter.com/cOzdClJtMi
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1058206332086636544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>November 2, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>WCS looks like a legitimate two-way center; Hield is ripping the twine from 3 at a 44.3 percent clip on 5.7 attempts per game; <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bjeline01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Nemanja Bjelica</a> has been a terrific stretch-4; <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/baglema01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Marvin Bagley</a> III has posted impressive per 36 minutes numbers (and should be getting a <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-disagreement-kings-direction-lead-coach-dave-joergers-dismissal-003326681.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">front office-mandated</a> boost in minutes); and best of all, the team’s potential best player, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bogdabo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Bogdan Bogdanovic</a>, just returned to action. Just don’t fire Dave Joerger, KANGZ, and you may go back to being the Kings soon.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> San Antonio Spurs </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-331436" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1046285466-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Edward A. Ornelas/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>San Antonio Spurs: <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/derozde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">DeMar DeRozan</a>‘s passing</h3>
<p>A plethora of injuries have prevented the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/san-antonio-spurs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">San Antonio Spurs</a>‘ backcourt from even approaching its fullest potential, but thankfully, DeMar DeRozan’s playmaking has helped compensate for the early absences of <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/murrade01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Dejounte Murray</a>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/walkelo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Lonnie Walker</a> IV and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/whitede01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Derrick White</a> (who just returned seven games ago).</p>
<p>Averaging a career-high 6.4 assists per game, DDR is leading the Spurs in that category by a wide margin. In fact, he actually ranks in the league’s top 20 for assists. San Antonio is still a below-average team in distributing the ball, but the situation would be much worse if not for their star acquisition from the Kawhi trade.</p>
<p>His team-high 24.9 points per game, ability to get to the foul line and 6.3 rebounds a night are obviously key to the Spurs’ success as well, but for a team that desperately needs a facilitator, DeMar DeRozan has quietly expanded yet another area of his game.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Toronto Raptors </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328513" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1055605420-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Toronto Raptors: Kawhi Leonard’s seamless fit</h3>
<p>Kawhi Leonard is an odd and quiet guy, but his basketball fit with the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/toronto-raptors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Toronto Raptors</a> has been pretty seamless thus far. Aside from their recent three-game skid, the Raptors look like the best team in the association through the first month of the season.</p>
<p>There were concerns about rust and whether he’d be 100 percent after missing all but nine games last year, but Leonard has quickly put those doubts to bed, averaging 24.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game on 47.5 percent shooting.</p>
<p>He’s only canning 34 percent of his triples, but he’s still a masterclass defender whose versatility and takeover scoring ability will make a huge difference come playoff time. Will he re-sign in Toronto? That’ll probably depend on how far this team goes, but for now, the Raptors have the best record in the NBA and more importantly, their best chance of reaching the Finals … ever.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Utah Jazz </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-331432" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1063591756-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Utah Jazz: It’s still early</h3>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mitchdo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Donovan Mitchell</a>, the golden boy of the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/utah-jazz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Utah Jazz</a>, is averaging 20.7 points per game, but they’ve come on 41.2 percent shooting from the field and 29 percent shooting from deep. Last year’s league-best defense, which remains entirely intact personnel-wise, is currently ranked 16th. And if all this surprising mediocrity weren’t enough, the Jazz are below .500 at 8-9.</p>
<p>Suffice it to say this wasn’t the start anyone was expecting. Last year’s squad started the season 19-28 before turning things around, but that was because of <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/goberru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Rudy Gobert</a>‘s absence due to injury and Mitchell needing time to come into his own.</p>
<p><em>This</em> team was supposed to take the West by storm as one of the main up-and-coming challengers to the Warriors’ throne. The good news is it’s still early. Mitchell has time to prove he’s not an inefficient volume scorer (like he did for a significant stretch last year), the defense has all the right pieces to be elite again, and the bench can pick it up too. There isn’t much time to waste out West, but this team’s play on both ends should look very different come April.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Washington Wizards </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-331434" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1063353774-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Washington Wizards: Trade rumors are fun, right?</h3>
<p>Let’s not <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/CandaceDBuckner/status/1065077287824039936" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mince words</a>: Even after that 24-point comeback, the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/washington-wizards/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Washington Wizards</a> are a pure and unadulterated s**t-show right now. Both in and outside the lines, chaos reigns. On the court, the Wizards are 28th in defensive rating, sport an inexplicable 6-11 record and look nothing like the surefire playoff team they were supposed to be. They really just don’t give a damn.</p>
<p>Off the court, the Wizards have added <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/walljo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">John Wall</a>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bealbr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Bradley Beal</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/porteot01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Otto Porter</a> Jr. to their <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25320702/washington-wizards-include-john-wall-bradley-beal-trade-scenarios" target="_blank" rel="noopener">list of expendable players</a>. This entire roster is up for sale now, and even if the front office prefers to build around its disappointing Big 3, it’s just not financially possible anymore.</p>
<p>The problem is, given Wall’s declining production, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1064672876073230337" target="_blank" rel="noopener">worrisome leadership qualities</a> and supermax deal that kicks in next year, he’s an albatross no smart team would dare trade for. Beal is the best player for Washington to build around, but he’d also net the most significant return, since his contract is nowhere near as bad as Wall’s or Porter’s.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Week 6 NBA Power Rankings" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/19/2018-19-nba-power-rankings-week-6/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/19/2018-19-nba-power-rankings-week-6/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Week 6 NBA Power Rankings </a> </div>
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<p>After a <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1064676962600394752" target="_blank" rel="noopener">volatile practice</a> that has this team <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://twitter.com/CandaceDBuckner/status/1064676319944953857" target="_blank" rel="noopener">imploding at the seams</a>, it’s time for change. It’ll be an unfortunate end to a once promising era for the Wizards and their long-suffering fanbase (and it’s low-key hilarious <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/21/nba-thanksgiving-every-team-thankful-2018-19/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/howardw01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Dwight Howard</a> hasn’t been mentioned in any of this tension), but hey, at least trade rumors are fun!</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">