Random thoughts on the season so far:
* Looks like the West is shaping up into a two-way race. While everyone is hyping up the Warriors (and deservedly so), the Suns have quietly rounded back into Finals form with an 11-game win streak. They will face each other by end of the month in a back-to-back set. The rest of the contenders in the West just don’t seem to have the same chemistry and teamwork to compete at the level of GSW or PHX (for now), with all the injuries and other issues. Utah’s playing well too, but they haven’t really proven themselves when it matters in the playoffs.
* The East remains wide open. With the Bucks struggling early, Brooklyn still bogged down by Kyrie’s absence, and the Sixers a Ben Simmons trade away from being dominant, new contenders like the Wizards, Bulls and Hornets have made the EC more interesting IMO. Watched some of the recent Bulls games in the West. The LaVine-DeRozan combination is really formidable offensively. Pick your poison in the endgame. I like their chances.
* Curry could really run away with the MVP this year, with KD contending if the Nets can lead the way in the East.
* Forecast: Scottie Barnes will win ROTY