NBA trends – What to make of 5-0 Cavs and new Knicks offense

Ten days into the NBA season, there is very little — aside from the Oklahoma City Thunder looking dominant with four straight double-digits wins — that we know for certain.

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr is using his biggest rotation ever as he navigates things without Stephen Curry, who is out with an ankle injury. And the Philadelphia 76ers, who fell at home to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, have no choice but to be a work in progress as they await Paul George and Joel Embiid‘s 2024-25 debuts.

Meanwhile, other trends look as if they’re starting to take hold. The JJ Redick-coached Los Angeles Lakers seem more committed early on to doing the little things. Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic, last in 3-pointers during the 2023-24 season, suddenly look ready to launch triples at will. Understandably, the New York Knicks, who made the offseason’s biggest trade just before training camp, still look as if they have plenty to figure out on both ends of the floor.

Here, we looked at some early-season standouts — from an Eastern Conference contender that has sprinted out of the gate, Ja Morant‘s midair playmaking and a New York duo navigating early growing pains.

Jump to a section:
Why the 5-0 Cavs are cruising
Did New York just unlock KAT?
Ja Morant’s floating dimes
Small sample size theater