Five stories to follow a month into the NBA season

With one month of the 2020-21 NBA season coming up next Friday, the tournament is starting to take stock. The favorite teams have entered the rhythm and have resumed the first positions in their respective conferences,

However, the main protagonist has been the pandemic. In just over a week, COVID-19 led to the cancellation of 14 matches, affecting 19 of the 30 sets.

The hardest hit are the Washington Wizards, who have been out of action for 11 days. Then a look at the picture a few weeks before the start of the Enbeista season.

They dominate the Lakers

The defending champions have geared up with all their new pieces and are marching with the best tournament record (11-4) without losing on the road on seven occasions, something the franchise has not achieved since 1895. Lebron James, 36, leads the Lakers in points and assists with 23.7 and 7.5, respectively, in 32.2 minutes of action, the minimum time per game on the court in his 18-year career. In addition, the Lakers are first in defensive efficiency and fifth in offensive.

They straighten out the Clippers

After receiving a historic 124-73 loss to Dallas on Sept. 27, the Clippers straightened up and are barely halfway through the Lakers in the West, winning four in a row. Winger Paul George has as a priority to remove the thorn from his poor performance in the postseason. He averages 24.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists. “I’m in revenge mode,” he recently expressed to the media. Stellar Kawhi Leonard is not far behind either (24.3 pts., 5.9 assists and 5.1 rebounds). The angelic quintet stays in shape with its two stars. It remains to be seen if the bank will help when the miles count.

Durant and Harden get scared

James Harden finished his bittersweet novel in Houston and looks rejuvenated with his new team. The Nets add two wins to the thread after the arrival of the last Most Valuable Player, recording a triple-double on their first night in the Brooklyn uniform. Kevin Durant, meanwhile, is playing at a high level after Achilles tendon surgery and has scored 25 points or more in nine games played, averaging 30.6 units, the second best in the league. The dynamic duo have brought back memories of their good times at OKC early last decade. It remains to be seen what role Kyrie Irving will take on in this new “Big Three”. The shipowner is scheduled to return tonight after an absence of seven challenges for “personal matters.”

Don’t sleep with Golden State

Despite Klay Thompson’s absence for the rest of the season, plus the buildup of injuries, the Warriors have remained competitive (7-6) in the West. They even managed to beat the Lakers leaders on Monday after being down by 14 points. Stephen Curry leads the young squad (28.2 points and 6.2 assists). Rookie center James Wiseman has been slowly adjusting to his role in the paint, while Andrew Wiggins is the team’s second offensive voice (17.4 points).

Skate Atlanta, Toronto and Miami

The Hawks, one of the most active teams in the offseason with the acquisition of several relevant figures, have plummeted 5-7, losing six of their last seven after a 4-1 start. Porta Young star base averages less than 20 points (17.9). The Raptors, 2019 champions, improved a bit with a three-win streak, but play 5-8. The games of veterans Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka continue to take their toll. In Miami, the NBA runner-up Heat has been affected by injuries and COVID-19 (excluding Jimmy Butler and Avery Bradley) and plays 5-7.