In this article, we overreact to the week’s NBA games. We also tie together a few loose thoughts we have had watching one of the best starts to a basketball season ever.

Matt: exorcising royal demons

Dave ‘the Baptist’ Joerger has performed some sort of exorcism in Sacramento. As absolutely no one thought he would, he has his scrappy Kings playing some real cohesive basketball.

I’m not sure if Rudy Gay is playing his way to a paycheck or a one-way ticket out of 4-on-1 out of Neverland, but it’s safe to say he won’t be bumping “highway to hell” on his workout mix.

The Kings seem better and do somewhat resemble a professional basketball team, but it won’t be enough to get them through the Rocky III slugfest that is the Western Conference.

(B: then why wont they win when I tip them matt, why won’t they win? Go to hell Vlade).

We could all see the pain last year, like watching Jack fall from the door into the Atlantic.

Interestingly, there is now probably little desire for them to actively trade Boogie, or even Rudy. Instead, they might want to look at packaging Willie (decent) and thrift shop himself (McLemore) and obtain someone like a Nic Batum to offer them a play making 3 with decent defence.

(B: Are you saying the offence against Men’s Style that is Matt Barnes top knot is not enough of a deterrent Matt?).

I’ve spent too much time on the Kings. Its time to move on to another western conference (anointed) contender

(B: is it too soon to call them a pretender?)

B: KAAAAAAAHHHHHNNNNNNNN.

M: Yep its everyone’s second team, the Minnesota Timberpups.

Matt: the Minnesota Timber’teen’wolves

Thibs, the wolves are not living up to the hype. We (read: Ben) were assuming for them to go all Michael J. Fox and transform into some teen wolf shit, but instead they have gone all Michael J. Fox and turned too shaky for their own good. (Look guys, he uses the finest ingredients). They have shown that they are exactly what they are supposed to be, a young team that needs time to grow.

Strong Athleticism from the starting PF - Great Motor

UNKNOWN: So you’re saying they need some direction from a floor leader?

Jonny Flynn

B: Not now, David. Matt, please continue.

M: Karl-Anthony has slid from “better than Anthony Davis” and “future MVP”, to regressing to the mean – a good second year player in this league. An exceptional player at that, but still a second year player. He isn’t going to throw up Shaq numbers (B: except on 2k Bro) like NBA Twitter thought, but he will one day. But today is not that day. Andrew has about as many assists as I have, and with the addition of Kris Dunn, Rubio (Injured: Paella Burns) be the part to move the needle to trading for the right fit.

The Pups look exactly like a work in progress with flashes of brilliance, and they haven’t figured out how to close yet, instead looking like a stunned Mike Ross in housing court, as opposed to Harvey Specter.

I love (B: WE love) where they are going, but the hype was too much, they won’t be a 5 seed, I say give them another year or two (B: I say let them figure out how to win a close one, and then we’ll talk).

Matt: Pasta a la Warriors.

We need to talk about the warriors and their interior defence. WTF happened!? Like a colander, everything is draining straight through, much like all the Lakers shots were draining straight through. The Warriors had a tough night, Shaq and Kobe gelled nicely, shooting 24-29 in the paint. Wait. It’s 2016. Julius Randle and Lou ‘2 bitches’ Williams are no doubt a replacement for Shaq and Kobe.

No one was looking at the baby Lakers at the beginning of this season and saying “What a strong interior presence the have!”. Instead we were all thinking “If they fall outside the top 3, their pick goes to Philly”, which in itself is a great turnaround.

I’m curious about the Warriors, and I’ll be paying close attention when they face the Clippers. Blake and DeAndre are far better than the Baby Lakers front court, being that they do not have a T-Rex at power forward (I’m looking at you Julius). Further, When LeBron comes to town, he’s going to stick it to Andy Varejou by abusing Zaza. Alternatively, the Cavs may stick the more limber Tristan

As a fan though, there is very little to worry about. Steph is not going to turn up hungover (Steph, never underestimate the power of a quarter pounder at 1030am) and shoot 0-10 from 3 let’s say…ever again, and Klay will eventually resemble something that looks like a professional NBA player.

There has to be some comfort knowing that KD has not missed a step, he has fit in beautifully and early on, seems to be the only one that is engaged.

Integrating a new player ca be tough. The ball will change hangs, shots will be redistributed, and player will adapt in time. Just look at the 2011 Heat, 8-9 (Sorry Dwyane, 9-8) and jumped to spanking the bulls time and time again. Warriors fans should see how well KD has integrated, and take solace from that, the rest will follow.

Matt: believe the hype – Westbrook is crazy

The hype is real. Oklahoma City Westbrooks are exactly as hyped, a 50-point triple double, you can’t even pull that stats on 2K on rookie difficulty. You’d be too busy watching your teammates fuck up a simple open 15 footer, while rolling to the rim and getting called for the charge (we have some, say, difficulties, understanding the logic of 2k). Russell is exactly as advertised; he doesn’t seem to run out of energy. OKC recently extended Adams (excellent decision) and Oladipo (more questionable decision) which sets up the Westbrooks with a long-term foundation.

I am inclined to believe they are a decent 3 (SF) away from being a serious contender (see: Clippers, Los Angeles), but do they have the trade assets to make a deal? If they could package Victor and Cam for a decent 3 or 2, I would vault them into contention. Russell is that good. The problem is, the market is barren for 2s and 3s. If only they had someone like a say, Harden or Durant. Man, that would have solved a lot of their issues (B: Matt, back away).

Matt: getting into the lab with Cleveland

The Cavs are where we expected them to be. They are wiping the rubbish teams, while extending the team chemistry that became such a valid part of their run last year. Kevin is playing some sort of defence, LeBron is throwing up decent numbers while essentially getting a manicure on the court and Kyrie has taken responsibility as the main scorer every night.

They honestly look good, however they are teetering on the edge of a championship hangover game (they are overdue), and we could see Philly putting up a won them, and everything we have said earlier should be thrown out.

One thing that hasn’t got as much attention about Kevin joining the Warriors is just how badly LeBron has manhandled him in matchups in the league. I don’t believe he has lost one since Shane Battier became the human torch, scorching the Thunder in the 2012 NBA Finals. LeBron always plays Kevin so well, and this concept has flown under the radar, instead all the attention being paid to how many games the Warriors will win. With the lack of an inside presence (as we outlined above) and LeBron’s knack of destroying opposing match ups, we could have a fascinating little discussion over the course of the season.

(B: Clippers might have something to say in this discussion too).

If Kevin Love is matched with Draymond (who is unwilling to shoot threes and has taken a backseat role to KD) and Tristan matched with Zaza or which ever warm body the Warriors roll out against the Cavs at centre, we have an interesting cross match down low. Draymond has to push to cover Kevin and Zaza will require the legs of Usain Bold to have a chance at regularly boxing out Tristan.

Of course, when the Warriors move to the Avengers line-up, it gets more interesting, The Cavs did a great job of stopping the bleeding by moving Mr Snapchat himself into the starting five over Kevin, allowing them to switch easier from the 3-5 spots. However, if Kevin continues to show the defensive effort he has displayed in the first week it will be that much more important come June.

Kevin offers much more variety offensively at the four (sorry Mr Snapchat – middle age ain’t easy).

I’m excited for the rest of this season, I’m loving overreacting, it’s what I do best. See you next week for more hot takes.