NBA season mimicking the AFL

THE NBA season has started with a bang, providing some surprises and interesting storylines, as it looks set to follow the even and competitive season the AFL bought in 2017.

In a league dominated by the best teams and best players, more than any other in the world, the beginning of the 2017-18 season has seen young and seemingly unknown clubs push the games finest.

At times seen as irrelevant in their existence, teams such as Philadelphia, Orlando and Minnesota are proving tough opponents for the leagues best in Golden State, Cleveland and Houston.

The AFL led the way in this trend, with 2017 bringing one of the most even seasons the league has witnessed in recent memory.

At the end of the season, 7th to 11th were separated by one game, whilst 3rd to 6th were also separated by only one game.

Of the four teams fighting for 3rd and 4th, two did not make the finals in 2016. One of these was Richmond, who won the premiership for the first time in 37 years.

Source: AFL

As the competition became more even, the pressure for wins increased, as no weekend promised a comfortable win, and one loss could drastically alter ladder positions.

The NBA is following the same path. With three straight years of Golden State facing Cleveland in the Finals, you would be smart in assuming the same fate this season.

However to start the year, the Cavaliers are 4-5 sitting 10th in the Eastern Conference.

The Warriors are 6-3, however four of those wins are at an average margin of only 6.5 points a game.

In 2016, their average winning margin for the entire season was 12.0 points, double San Antonio in second, showing their utter dominance, and slight drop off to start this new year.

What do all these stats tell us? The association is interesting in the regular season again, and it’s a beautiful sight.

For at least three years, fans and teams have coasted through the season, waiting for the Warriors verses Cavaliers Finals matchup. Whilst a great spectacle once it happened, it created a boring regular season.

Source: NBA.com

Now we have an Eastern Conference with Detroit, Orlando, Philadelphia and Charlotte sitting 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th respectively, all of whom were perennial strugglers last season.

In the Western Conference, Oklahoma City, with three All-Star’s, sit 10th at 4-4, whilst the Los Angeles Clippers lead the conference.

Now we are fully aware that this is at the start of November, three weeks into the season with at least three months until the season ‘gets interesting’.

However the season is looking exciting and competitive, which as a fan of the game, is all you can ask for.

Will it continue? We’re very interested to wait and see.