The US media listed the top ten most surprising events of the season
10. Ben Simmons has not played this season
In the offseason, one expects Simmons to be traded. After the 76ers lost to the Hawks in the semifinals, Simmons was criticized for his offensive contributions. Summer passed and the deal was not completed. The bootcamp has passed and the deal is still not completed. Then there were reports that Simmons would not play for the 76ers.
We've seen many times that relationships can be repaired, and simmons being able to really hold out for so long isn't something anyone thinks is possible. So far this year, he has lost about $20 million. That's a lot of money.
9. The Hawks may miss out on the playoffs
Last year, the Hawks made a slow start, firing Lloyd Pierce and Nate McMillian taking over as interim coach. He helped the Hawks enter the playoffs as the No. 5 seed. The team then reached the divisional finals, nearly beating the Bucks, the first time since the time of Bob Petit. In the offseason, the team kept John Collins and it looked like they could start all over again.
Now, if things don't change, the Hawks seem to be on a similar path. The Hawks have a 26-28 record, and if the playoffs start today, they will be the 10th seed. Before this year, the Hawks were seen as a top three team competing again with the Nets and Bucks. Now, they can't even make it to the playoffs.
8. Zion Williamson hasn't played a single game
When Williamson was selected with the first pick in 2020, it was expected that he would miss the first half of the season. That's well-known news. He came back and played 24 games and it got us a little bit of excitement. Last year, Williamson was thrilled with averaging 27.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, while also getting the chance to play in the All-Star Game as a starter.
During the offseason, Williamson mysteriously fractured his bones. He is expected to return on November 26, but there has been little progress in recovery. Now the team recently traded CJ McCollum to pair him with Brandon Ingram, and maybe there's something we don't know about.
7. Damien Lillard remained loyal to Portland
When rumors about Damian Lillard asking for a deal surfaced, he immediately debunked the rumors and said he wanted to stay in Portland. However, he never really wanted to stay. Despite their claims to build the team around him, the team didn't do much in the offseason. From the 76ers to the Lakers, it always felt like he had a chance to be traded.
Now, the team traded mcCollum and Larry Nance. The team also traded Norman Powell and Robert Covington, while Yusef Nurkic was a free agent. Lillard remains loyal to the team, but now the team has hope of buying free agents.
6. Demar DeRozan is an MVP candidate
DeRozan is one of the few players to have averaged at least 20.0 points per game in the past seven consecutive seasons. While in San Antonio, he didn't do well as a member of the Spurs. DeRozan was forced to play more forward roles. He averaged 21.6 points and 6.9 assists per game.
The Bulls got DeRozan on a first-come-first-come-first-served basis, giving up first-round picks and giving him a three-year, nearly $82 million contract. Executives called the move the worst offseason signing. DeRozan now averages 27.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. DeRozan is an All-Star starter and a potential first-team candidate for the Best Team. With the cooperation of Lonzo Ball and Zach-Lavin, not many people could have expected this.
5. The Cleveland Cavaliers are the best defensive team in the league
If the season ends today, the Cavaliers will have the best team defense. The Warriors and Cavaliers have been battling for the top spot on the leaderboards. Another surprisingly tough defensive team is the Lone Rangers.
The Cavaliers are actually fighting for first place in the East. The combination of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley has been one of the best frontcourts in the league. The Cavaliers also kept their opponents' shooting percentages at around 44 percent. The Cavaliers should have had a year or two left, but are now in a good position.
4. Scotty Barnes could be the best rookie
The 2021 NBA draft is top-heavy, with Cade Cunningham, Jaylen Green and Evan Mobley, and many expect the three players to be selected with the top three picks in any given order. With the 4th overall pick, the Toronto Raptors shocked the world when Barnes defeated Josh Gidey, Jonathan Cumminga and Jalen Saggers.
Barnes ranked second in terms of rebounds and fourth in scoring. He proved to be a great fit for the team's defense. While Cunningham came in as a scorer and Mobley had a great season, he should be in the top three if Barnes hadn't won the Rookie of the Year vote.
3. The Charlotte Hornets are the team with the highest average scores per game
A squad of Lamelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward and Mason Plumlee once led the league in points per game this season. The team's average of points per game is second only to that of the Utah Jazz, but less than a point apart. What sets things apart is The Growth of Ball, who was recently named an All-Star, and potentially fastest improving player of the year, Miles Bridges.
Bridges averaged 19.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. He has been one of the best players of the year so far. The Hornets' record hovers around 50 percent, but could wobble in the playoffs. Needless to say, if a team makes it to the playoffs, they could be a dark horse.
2. The Nets may participate in playoffs
If the playoffs start today, the Nets will be the No. 8 seed and will have to play the Hornets in the playoffs. The team has lost nine games in a row and is in trouble after approaching the top of the rankings. The team was affected by Kevin Durant's injury, while Kyrie Irving could only play on the road. Now, there are rumors that James Harden is not happy with his current position.
When Durant, Irving and Harden come together, the Nets can beat any team. Now, if Harden isn't traded by the deadline, he could leave this summer. To make matters worse, there is suspense in the so-called hot teams making it to the playoffs.
1. The Lakers can't make the playoffs
When the Lakers were paired with Russell Westbrook with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the team had three superstars all eager to win the championship. On the contrary, it is counterproductive and the future prospects are unclear.
The Lakers recently lost to the Bucks in one of their most embarrassing losses of the season. Westbrook was left on the bench in the final minutes. James was frustrated after the game. This team should be the best in the West. Instead, they're currently only ninth in the West and risk not making the playoffs at all.
Which one do you think surprised you the most?