Roundball Roundtable: Who can keep up with the Thunder?
As the Association heads into the holiday season, theScore's NBA editors answer some of the biggest questions around the league.
What's been the most compelling early-season trend?
Thunder's net rating: Oklahoma City is running absolutely rampant this season with a ridiculous 12.1 net rating through 25 games. To put that into perspective, these are the owners of the best net ratings from each of the past 10 regular seasons:
- 2023-24 Boston Celtics (11.7)
- 2022-23 Celtics (6.7)
- 2021-22 Phoenix Suns (7.5)
- 2020-21 Utah Jazz (9.0)
- 2019-20 Milwaukee Bucks (9.4)
- 2018-19 Bucks (8.6)
- 2017-18 Houston Rockets (8.4)
- 2016-17 Golden State Warriors (11.4)
- 2015-16 San Antonio Spurs (11.1)
- 2014-15 Warriors (9.9)
Three of those 10 squads went on to win the title, and of the seven that didn't, four reached at least the conference finals. That list was cut off at 10 for brevity's sake, but you have to go back nearly three decades to finally find better: the 13.4 net rating posted by the 72-10 Chicago Bulls in 1995-96. It's clear we're watching something historic take shape in OKC. - Jonathan Soveta
Warriors' deep rotation: Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr raised some eyebrows when he rolled with a 12-man rotation in the club's season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers. It's a formula Kerr used during his first title run with the franchise, and he's remained committed to the Warriors' depth nearly one-third through the season. Twelve different players are playing at least 13 minutes. It's allowed them to be more aggressive defensively with so many different faces cycling in. Golden State ranks second in the NBA in bench scoring (46.6 points per contest). It's getting contributions from young pieces, veterans, and unlikely sources. Experimenting with different lineups now will help Kerr when he inevitably shortens his rotation in the postseason. In the meantime, the Warriors' strength in numbers is keeping Stephen Curry fresh for the stretch run. - Chicco Nacion
Knicks clicking offensively: After ranking in the top 10 in offensive and defensive ratings last season, the Knicks have jumped to another level in scoring and efficiency. The league's third-best offense belongs to New York, holding a 119.7 offensive rating. Despite ranking seventh in points per game (116.4), the Knicks are scoring almost four more points per game compared to last season (112.8). Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson are each averaging close to 25 points a contest, and four other players are contributing double digits. However, the Knicks' usually stout defense is more susceptible to breakdowns - dropping from ninth to 16th in defensive rating between seasons. New York will need to tighten that up before the playoffs in a few months. - Donald Higney
Who's been the most disappointing offseason acquisition?
Dejounte Murray: The New Orleans Pelicans would probably regret the size of Murray's contract - three more years with $96 million left on the deal - had he signed as a free agent over the summer. But the Pelicans gave up real assets for Murray, trading Dyson Daniels to acquire the 28-year-old from the Atlanta Hawks. Daniels has been a revelation for Atlanta, averaging career highs in points (13.4) and rebounds (5.1) while also leading the league with three steals per game. Murray, meanwhile, required surgery to fix a broken left hand he sustained in his Pelicans debut, forcing the former All-Star to miss 17 games. Murray was supposed to be the team's lead on-ball creator when Zion Williamson inevitably missed time; Williamson has appeared in only six games this season. Murray is having his worst statistical season since the 2020-21 campaign, averaging just 16.6 points while shooting 36.4% from the field and 28.1% from three. - Thomas Tittley
Mikal Bridges: The Knicks might be on an offensive upswing as a whole (as mentioned above), but the front office is surely dealing with buyer's remorse over the significant package it sent the Brooklyn Nets in July for Bridges. New York coughed up four unprotected first-rounders, the Bucks' top-four protected pick in 2025, and the right to swap 2028 first-round selections (plus a little more), all under the assumption it was supplementing its well-rounded roster with the dynamic two-way talent that excelled on the Suns and Nets. Instead, New York mortgaged its team-building flexibility for the rest of the decade for someone whose statistical profile better resembles guys you probably wouldn't sacrifice one unprotected pick for, let alone four. One name on that list is intriguing, though: 2003-04 Richard Hamilton. But unlike Hamilton's title-winning Detroit Pistons, Bridges' 2024-25 defense has been underwhelming; the Knicks surrender the most second-chance points (10.2 per game) and paint points (38.4) when he's on the floor. - Soveta
Paul George: The nine-time All-Star was supposed to relieve some of the burden on Joel Embiid and help the Philadelphia 76ers navigate through the latter's injury absences. Instead, George's lack of durability has become another headache on top of Embiid's continued struggles to stay healthy. George has been in and out of the lineup as he manages a knee injury. He's missed at least one half of a back-to-back set on two occasions. Even when George has suited up, he's looked like a shell of himself. The six-time All-NBA selection is having his lowest-scoring season since 2014-15 and has seen a significant drop in his 3-point percentage and field-goal percentage. All of this is worrisome as George turns 35 in May and has three more years remaining on his $211.6-million contract. - Nacion
Which player's injury has been the most consequential?
Scottie Barnes: After missing 11 games because of an orbital fracture, the Raptors All-Star is now set for another significant absence this season because of a sprained ankle. Since the keys to the offense were fully turned over to Barnes after the Pascal Siakam trade in January, he has appeared in 34 out of a possible 68 contests. Even if the 23-year-old's injury helps Toronto's chances of contending for a top pick in the seemingly star-studded 2025 draft, he and the rest of the team are losing out on building more of a connection together on the court. With Immanuel Quickley also sidelined by an elbow injury, the organization has to wait longer for key pieces to all play together. - Higney
Joel Embiid: The Process might be over for the Philadelphia 76ers: Embiid is 30, has undergone multiple procedures on his left knee – missing 17 games with lingering knee problems - and he sustained a sinus fracture Friday. The Kansas product has looked like a shell of himself when he has been healthy, averaging his fewest points since his first full season in the league and shooting just 41.1% from the field. The Sixers have the league's sixth-lowest point differential (minus-5.3) and have accumulated only seven wins, placing them 12th in the East. Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain look like foundational pieces Philly can build upon but now the latter's out long term, too. It might be time to focus on the upcoming draft as four or five potential franchise-altering players are at the top. - Tittley
Zion Williamson: You could almost feel the life get sucked out of the Pelicans fan base the moment Williamson was ruled out indefinitely with a hamstring strain in early November. Not only have various injuries sidelined the Duke product in nearly all six of his years in the NBA, but the rest of the squad appeared to fall like a house of cards in the aftermath. Just days later, Jose Alvarado suffered his own hamstring strain and still has no return date. Brandon Ingram then missed five consecutive games with a sore calf, returned, and sprained his ankle in his second game back. He, too, is out indefinitely. Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy, CJ McCollum, and Herb Jones have also missed a combined 61 games this season, and we're still in December. - Soveta
Which team is best suited to challenge OKC for top spot in the West?
Memphis Grizzlies: A number of injuries to key players quickly derailed Memphis' previous campaign. The Grizzlies are now picking up where they left off with Ja Morant and Co. now back in the fold. Taylor Jenkins' squad is excelling on both ends of the floor. Seven different players are averaging at least double digits in scoring. Jaren Jackson Jr. is pouring in 22 points per game and is in the mix for his second Defensive Player of the Year award. Morant's averaging a career-high 8.4 assists and continues to wreak havoc on opponents with his explosive drives. The club's stars are certainly shining. But Memphis' bounce-back wouldn't be possible without the unlikely contributions from Jay Huff, Scotty Pippen Jr., and Jaylen Wells. - Nacion
Dallas Mavericks: Coming off a seven-game winning streak, the Mavericks are rounding back into their Finals form in December. Luka Doncic remains potent, averaging a robust 28.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. Kyrie Irving is adding 23.9 points, along with a scorching 46.8% 3-point field goal percentage. The supporting cast is contributing, as offseason additions Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, and Quentin Grimes have combined for 34.6 points per game while Daniel Gafford is leading the league in 2-point field goal percentage (73.8) and Dereck Lively is just behind him (68.8). The Mavs’ balance and star power will lead them deep into the playoffs again. - Higney
Houston Rockets: Apart from the Thunder, the Rockets have the most intimidating defense in the Association, possessing a defensive rating of 105.3. A team hasn't recorded such a low rating since the 2019-20 campaign when the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks had ratings of 104.7 and 102.5, respectively. Because of their prowess on that end of the floor, the Rockets have a chance at winning every game - Houston has lost by double digits only twice this campaign. Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., and Dillon Brooks are all capable of guarding a variety of positions and player profiles, while Fred VanVleet is one of the better on-ball defenders in the league. The Rockets are also built to withstand injury. With seven double-digit scorers, Houston won't tumble down the standings if a key player is forced to miss an extended period of time. - Tittley