NBA Week 5 Takeaways

Pistons impress, Bucks turnaround

The Pistons continue to impress

The Pistons currently hold an 8-12 record which has them in 11th place in the East, much higher than many would’ve expected. The reason for their improvement? This team finally believes in themselves and their players. Last season was a complete write-off - any team that loses 28 straight games has their eyes set on next season. Now, Cade Cunningham has averaged 24/7/9 and has his team in a good position through 5 weeks of action. Meanwhile, Jaden Ivey is extremely valuable as the 2nd option, with a beautiful buzzer-beater against the Raptors proving that the game plan isn't simply reliant on Cade. This 1-2 combination alongside an inspired Malik Beasley (15/3/2) and Jalen Duren - who is consistently capable of double-double numbers - has the Pistons looking to sneak their way into a play-in spot.

However, my concern with the Pistons is centered around how they gained their wins, beating teams such as the Raptors, Wizards, Heat, and Nets, teams that are below .500 themselves. The Pistons beat the Lakers, but other than this, they really haven't beaten a formidable opponent. It has me worried that as the season goes on, and teams become more familiar with their midseason routines, the Pistons will fall back to the ways of previous years, dropping game after game with no answer in their playbook.

Bucks win 7 of last 8

Since their shaky start to the season, the Bucks seem to be course-correcting, winning 7 of their last 8 including unexpected victories over the Rockets and Pacers. However, beyond this, these victories - especially those against the Bulls, Raptors, and Pistons - are games in which at the start of the season the Bucks were comfortable favourites in. Regardless of how wins are accomplished, it is still extremely important for a team such as the Bucks to see win after win next to their name; for if the trend of sloppy play, Giannis overuse, and all-round team misery were to be continued, it was not ridiculous to suggest big changes at the trade deadline. However now, with a solid stretch of good form under their wings, the Bucks can look to prove their doubters wrong as they slowly creep up the standings in the Eastern Conference.

Unpacking the Timberwolves’ struggles

For a team that took the Dallas Mavericks to 7 games in the Western Conference Finals only 6 months ago, 11th place in the West with a 9-10 record is a completely unwelcome position to be in. The Timberwolves underwent serious changes in the offseason, giving up one of their franchise players for a series of talented role players in an attempt to centre the team around Edwards and make it one step further than a game 7 knockout. Similar to the situation the Knicks are in, it is possible to dismiss this early season struggle as new players in a new team trying to work together.

However, as we currently sit one quarter through the season, teams have had plenty of time to shake off any offseason rust and players have had ample time to find their footing in their new cities. The past few weeks of Timberwolves drama - including a 4 game-losing streak, two games dropped to the Trail Blazers, and the apparent beef between Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle - culminated with Anthony Edwards openly admitting that “we can’t talk to each other, just a bunch of little kids,” has sent an extremely negative message to the rest of the locker room and the Timberwolves fanbase. I don’t believe the Timberwolves will make any big decisions at the trade deadline, however, there is palpable tension within that team, and until it is resolved, the Wolves aren't getting anywhere close to the Western Conference Finals.