PASS OR SHOOT: The Real Celtics, Ant-Man and Dismal Grizzlies

No matter what, I’ll always love the NBA. This season, however, doesn’t seem very competitive. 

There are some teams that are the clear favorites and blowing away all others. The parity isn’t what it was last season. 

Fortunately, there’s always noteworthy storylines even if the season is not as intriguing.

Who’s up for some PASS OR SHOOT? 

The Celtics are for real.

SHOOT 

Man-o-man! This team looks like its got its wings back. The additions of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis have really added a new look to a squad that’s been in the title contender conversation for a few years but could never get over the hump. 

This year, it looks like it can. Jaylen Brown got some new money and is playing like it. Tatum looks like he’s FINALLY ready to be consistent and Porzingis seems to have accepted the role as contributor on a championship team. 

For now, the Celtics are my pick to come out of the East. My only issue is they gave up size and defense in the middle — which can be problematic against teams like Philadelphia and Denver. 

I don’t know if Boston noticed but the best players in the league are centers. The top three for that matter — Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo — are big men who can ALL play. 

Again, I love the moves from Danny Ainge but I don’t know if small ball is the way right now. The Lakers realized that went a got long players. The defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, are also HUGE, and Milwaukee has a monster lineup. 

Let’s see if the Celtics can prove everyone wrong with their small ball. 

Anthony is an MVP Candidate. 

SHOOT 

Looks like someone is trying to make up for a not-so-great FIBA World Cup… 

Edwards was the best player on the summer team and the USA finished fourth. Honestly, I didn’t expect that team to be dominant but at least finish top two.  

At any rate, Edwards is now playing the way he should’ve played at the international level. He’s averaging 28.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.

That’s just too good! 

The Timberwolves are also 7-2 with quality wins over Boston, Miami, Denver, New Orleans and Golden State. 

Lookout! Minnesota looks like a real team that’s actually playing up to its potential. Is it  championship contender? It could be if it keeps playing like this and gets a good seed in the playoffs. 

The Wolves are talented enough to run with anyone in the league — they just have to decide they want to win. Like REALLY win. Questions linger about the hearts of Minnesota’s cornerstones Edwards and Karl Anthony Towns.  If they’re killers. 

They’ve directly addressed that critique thus far and Edwards looks like an MVP. 

Grizzlies won’t bounce back from their terrible start. 

PASS 

Let’s not sugarcoat it: It is UGLY in Memphis right now. UUUUUGGALY. 

Astoundingly, the Grizzlies 1-8. We knew they wouldn’t be as great without Ja Morant for 25 games but DAMN. At one point last season, the Grizzlies had a better record WITHOUT Morant. So, again, this start is shocking. 

What hurts even more is that Steven Adams is out for the year. Memphis might as well kiss its title hopes goodbye. 

The Grizzlies, however, can recover from their misery once Ja returns. YES, he’s that elite. YES, he’s that special. YES, I miss him. 

Fifteen more games before the high-flying, awe-worthy, jaw-dropping showstopper returns. Until that time, the Grizzlies have to hold on and try to figure out how they can win without their superstar.