The big positive surprises at the start of the NBA

The NBA season is just getting started, but there are already three franchises challenging expectations and forcing a shift in outlook. Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, and Washington Wizards have found reasons to dream of a much more interesting season than expected. The Grizzlies have started strong with an impressive record of 6-1, Portland has shown that its rebuilding process may be progressing faster than anticipated, and Washington is finding a competitive identity around Anthony Davis and Trae Young. It’s early to draw definitive conclusions, but their first weeks have provided enough reasons to keep a close eye on them.

Memphis Grizzlies: Cam Boozer and Ty Jerome's scoring explosion

The situation in Memphis is particularly striking. No one expected the Grizzlies to start the season at this level, but Cam Boozer and Ty Jerome are becoming two of the big stories of the season's onset. The rookie has already shown he can influence all facets of the game, and his first triple-double in the NBA, with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists against Portland, confirmed that his impact goes well beyond scoring.

However, the biggest surprise has been Jerome. The point guard has started with an extraordinary scoring appetite, even leading the NBA in points per game during the first week. He scored 45 points in his debut, added 28 against Golden State, and netted another 31 against Sacramento. A series of performances that turned him into one of the most unexpected players at the season's start.

His production has moderated since then, a logical circumstance given such a scoring volume, but his emergence has given Memphis an offensive dimension that few imagined. Additionally, the Grizzlies are finding contributions from the bench and a distribution of responsibilities that allows them to compete as a cohesive unit.

It is true that the early schedule has been relatively favorable and that it remains to be seen how they will respond against the top contenders. That does not diminish the merit of a 6-1 record that exceeds any reasonable expectation. The question now is whether Boozer can maintain his impact and if Jerome can continue being a constant threat when defenses begin to devise specific plans to stop him.

Portland Trail Blazers: not even Ja Morant's injury stops the optimism

The Portland Trail Blazers are also one of the big surprises in the West. Their 5-1 record confirms that the team has found a competitive formula and that Damian Lillard's return is having a positive effect. The veteran point guard is averaging around 19 points per game and is delivering more than many expected after missing the previous season while recovering from his Achilles tendon injury.

Alongside him, Donovan Clingan is imposing his physicality in the paint, while Deni Avdija contributes scoring, rebounding, and playmaking. Portland plays with fluidity, finds different ways to cause damage, and has shown it can win even in challenging scenarios. Their comeback against Denver, capped by a 118-110 victory, demonstrates the confidence the group has built.

The main uncertainty is Ja Morant's injury, which will keep him out for at least four weeks due to a grade two strain in his left hamstring. The point guard had begun to fit into the system, and his chemistry with Lillard was relieving other players of excessive ball-handling responsibilities. His absence necessitates a rotation adjustment, though the team’s initial responses are encouraging.

If the Blazers maintain their level without Morant, they will cease to be a mere anecdote and become a team capable of competing for something significant.

Washington Wizards: Anthony Davis, Trae Young, and the emergence of Dybantsa

The case of the Washington Wizards is different but equally exciting. The franchise had been mired at the bottom of the standings for several seasons and needed signs that its project could progress. The arrival of Anthony Davis and Trae Young has changed the landscape: both are showing a competitive attitude that can help transform the team's culture.

Davis is averaging 22.3 points and 9.2 rebounds, while Young contributes 20.7 points and leads the NBA in assists, with 10.2 per game. Beyond their numbers, their presence provides Washington with clear references on both ends of the floor and elevates the level of demand for a roster used to struggling.

The other big news is AJ Dybantsa. The number one pick from the last Draft missed the first four games due to an ankle sprain, but his debut provided reasons for excitement: he scored 19 points on just 12 shots, with notable efficiency and a capacity to finish around the rim that hints at a special player. In his first two games, he has averaged 18 points.

It’s still early to think that Washington can compete with the best in the East, but the team is showing a defensive energy and ambition that deserve recognition. If Davis and Young maintain their commitment and Dybantsa confirms his potential, the Wizards could leave behind their status as a project destined for years of rebuilding sooner than expected.

Memphis, Portland, and Washington represent three different ways to defy the forecasts. The Grizzlies have chemistry and individual surprises; the Blazers have an increasingly solid structure; and the Wizards have a mix of experience and young talent that can expedite their transformation. The season is long, and there will be setbacks, but the three franchises have already achieved something important: getting the NBA to start looking at them differently.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Las grandes sorpresas positivas del inicio de la NBA