One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for this Thanksgiving

<span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 3 blockbuster NBA trades that would surprise everyone </a> </div> </div> <p>Thanksgiving is here! Even the worst teams in the NBA have something to be thankful for, and here, we’ll run through them all. This is going to be a cheerful post for fans of every team, so I’ll try my best to think of good things (even for Pelicans fans). Everyone deserves to feel joy this week before the cold, cruel realities of early December set in.</p> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Brooklyn Nets – Patty Mills is electric</h2> <p>For all the hoopla and distractions, the Nets just keep on truckin’. They’re on top of the East at 13-5 and are looking like the contenders many thought they could be, even without Kyrie Irving.</p> <p>The main reason? Kevin Durant, of course, and then the resurgent James Harden (don’t look now, but Harden’s drawing heaps of fouls once more!).</p> <p>But Patty Mills might be the third most important player on the Nets. In Irving’s absence, Mills has been the ultimate plug-and-play gunner. He is equally deadly spraying threes off pindown screens as he is on pull-up jumpers, and he opens up innumerable looks for teammates with his off-ball movement and timely cuts.</p> <p>Playing with deadeye shooters like Harden, Durant, and Joe Harris has a multiplicative effect on shooting efficiency. Mills knows that defenders can’t leave their man to help on him when he’s running around, so he’s getting more separation than ever before. It’s resulted in a 49% three-point percentage, the best of his career by a metric mile.</p> <p>The best part about Mills is his ability to fit into any lineup. He’s just as comfortable running with the starters as a catch-and-shoot specialist as he is anchoring second units as a playmaker and initiator. Whether or not Kyrie returns this season, Mills has proven that he can fill Irving’s low-tops capably enough to make this team a contender.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Chicago Bulls </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438655" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-438655" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1355153054.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1355153054.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1355153054-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 21: DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball against the New York Knicks in the second half at United Center on November 21, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.; Thanksgiving (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Chicago Bulls – Everything?</h2> <p>Only the rosiest preseason projections had the Bulls looking this good. Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan are playing the best basketball of their careers, and are <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/team/5/lineups?on=867&amp;on=2099#tab-four_factors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">smoking opponents when on the court together</a> by huge margins.</p> <p>Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso are terrorizing opponents on the perimeter. Caruso, especially, is out here extinguishing careers. The Nuggets’ poor Monte Morris is going to have to sleep with the lights on for the next few days.</p> <p>Even if the Bulls’ elite defense cools off a little, there’s still upside on offense. Nikola Vucevic has had a rough start to the season, but he’s too talented to shoot this poorly for long.</p> <p>Depth was a concern coming into the season, but even with Patrick Williams’ unfortunate injury, they’ve been able to patch together some strong defensive units on the second team.</p> <p>Javonte Green and Derrick Jones Jr. have made life tough on opposing bigs, and Ayo Dosonmu has been a pleasant surprise as an energy guy capable of knocking down threes. Coby White’s return should give the bench unit some more scoring punch to complement the defensive core.</p> <p>The new-look Chicago Bulls (only three players remain from last season) had one of the higher variances in the league coming into the season, and pundits predicted everything from 11th in the East to championship contender.</p> <p>Now, it’s clear they’ll be fighting for home-court advantage in the East, and after that… last season’s playoffs proved that anything is possible.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> New York Knicks </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438657" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-438657" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1187,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1355198178.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="1600" height="1187" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1355198178.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1355198178-768x570.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 23: Obi Toppin #1 of the New York Knicks celebrates his dunk in the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden on November 23, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement; NBA; Thanksgiving. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: New York Knicks – Obi Toppin has vastly improved</h2> <p>The Knicks have had an up-and-down year, but one thing that has been a pleasant surprise so far has been the improved play of Obi Toppin.</p> <p>The springy big man drafted out of Dayton is still only playing 15 minutes a game, but his usage rate has skyrocketed compared to last year, and he’s doing a lot more with those opportunities.</p> <p>His per-36 minute numbers of 19 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks are a big step forward, but there’s one very specific thing that stands out about Obi.</p> <p>This guy runs the floor like a man on fire.</p> <p>Obi thinks that every single play has highlight potential, and he’s not going to mess it up for lack of effort. Transition points are the easiest way for a team to score, and Obi is a one-man fast break.</p> <p>His on-off numbers are outrageously good, but that’s true of all of the Knicks’ backups. Defensively, he still has a ways to go, but he doesn’t look as lost as he did his rookie year, and it’s clear he’s playing with more confidence on that end of the floor.</p> <p>I’m not sure what role Toppin will end up playing long-term for a playoff team, but the fact that he’s improved by leaps and bounds in his second year and is playing consequential minutes under coach Tom Thibodeau is a great sign.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Washington Wizards </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438608" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438608 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2130,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1354124292.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="3200" height="2130" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354124292.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354124292-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 18: Deni Avdija #9 of the Washington Wizards points to the sky after hitting a three-point shot during the second half against the Miami Heat at FTX Arena on November 18, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NBA; Thanksgiving  (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Washington Wizards – Deni Avdija’s defense</h2> <p>Teams keep trying Deni Avdija. Teams keep failing.</p> <p>The second-year wing from Israel has improved dramatically on defense, to the point where he’s used as a stopper. Several times this year, coach Wes Unseld Jr. has subbed Avdija in as a defensive specialist for end-game situations.</p> <p>He’s not a freak athlete, but he is big at 6’9,” and he’s gained a lot of strength since draft night. He’s fouling significantly less while blocking more shots. Avdija moves his feet well and has done a great job of improving his positional defense from last year.</p> <p>The Wizards somewhat perplexingly remain a top-tier defense, and Deni has the best defensive on/off numbers of any rotation player. Washington gives up more than nine points fewer per 100 possessions when Deni is on the court.</p> <p>Opponents also shoot <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1630166/defense-dash/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nine percentage points worse than expected</a> when Deni is the closest defender. As of the time of this writing, he’s also <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2022_advanced.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">10th in the entire league in Defensive Box Plus/Minus</a>.</p> <p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1630166/head-to-head/?sort=SECONDS&amp;dir=1%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to NBA.com</a>, Deni’s top-three most-guarded players are OG Anunoby, Jimmy Butler, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. You might’ve heard of a couple of those guys. It shows the trust that Unseld has in him that he’s constantly matched up with the opponent’s best player.</p> <p>I know some Wizards fans have been frustrated by his inconsistent offensive play, and he’s still prone to overhelping at times, but Deni’s defensive development (and insatiable appetite for rebounds) have made him a significantly more valuable player in his second season.</p> <p>The Wizards have plenty of willing scorers on this team, so Avdija’s commitment to the other end of the floor makes him an essential piece in Unseld’s toolbox.</p> <p>He also delivers some truly top-notch quotes:</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Deni Avdija on Montrezl Harrell: “Rarely does a guy come every night to kill. He’s got a knife between his teeth, for sure.”</p> <p>— Chase Hughes (@ChaseHughesNBCS) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://twitter.com/ChaseHughesNBCS/status/1460444851934220289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>November 16, 2021</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Miami Heat </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438609" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438609 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2278,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1354423586.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="3200" height="2278" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354423586.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354423586-768x547.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 17: Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat controls the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at FTX Arena on November 17, 2021 in Miami, Florida.  NBA; Thanksgiving (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Miami Heat – Tyler Herro continues to shine</h2> <p>There were mixed expectations for Tyler Herro this year after a “meh” season, but only Tyler himself could have expected this – 22 points per game on 46/40/88% shooting splits, and he’s been handed the keys to the offense.</p> <p>Despite coming off the bench, Herro leads the team in shots per game and total minutes played. He provides the perfect mix of confidence and the off-the-dribble spark of a traditional microwave scorer, but he knows how to pick his spots within the flow of the offense.</p> <p>The rest of the team has empowered him to seek out his shot, which gave Herro the confidence to stretch his game and shoulder more offensive responsibility. A key to his success – he boasts elite footwork on the perimeter and is always, always balanced. He catches defenders off guard with some of his more audacious shots:</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">part 56385 <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://t.co/4dIEebzGsE">pic.twitter.com/4dIEebzGsE

<p>— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/1460440990129471493?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>November 16, 2021</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div> <p>Herro set the bar high this year when <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://heatnation.com/videos/tyler-herro-believes-hes-in-same-conversation-as-young-stars-like-luka-doncic-trae-young-and-ja-morant/">he compared himself to Ja, Luka, and Trae</a> (in an aspirational sense, he claimed afterward). However, he’s delivered, and Herro is now a leading candidate for Sixth Man of the Year AND Most Improved Player.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Charlotte Hornets </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438610" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438610 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1353920352.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1353920352.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1353920352-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 17: Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets pulls up for a jump shot during the second half of their game against the Washington Wizards at Spectrum Center on November 17, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina.  NBA; Thanksgiving (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Charlotte Hornets: Miles Bridges’ hot start is sustaining</h2> <p>We’re about a quarter into the season, and Miles Bridges is making a strong case as the Hornets’ best all-around player. Although the shooting has cooled off a little bit, he’s still averaging more than 20 points a game, but it’s the other areas where he’s really come alive.</p> <p>Bridges has increased his rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks per game to career-high levels, and is getting to the free-throw line more than twice as often as ever before. His 32% three-point shooting isn’t exactly Steph-like, but it is at much higher volume and on greater-difficulty shots.</p> <p>And don’t worry. He still brings the thunder:</p> <p>https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1458631250072190978</p> <p>Bridges is initiating more of the offense. He’s <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://www.nba.com/stats/players/drives/?CF=PLAYER_NAME*E*Bridges&amp;Season=2021-22&amp;SeasonType=Regular%20Season%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">driving almost nine times per game</a>, twice what he was doing last year, and touching the ball sixty times per game, half again as much as last year with just a modest increase in minutes. He moves more than you realize off the ball, as well, and is <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://www.nba.com/stats/players/speed-distance/?sort=DIST_MILES&amp;dir=1%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">second in the league in average distance run per game.</a></p> <p>The Hornets have a lot of mouths to feed, but LaMelo Ball and coach James Borrego need to continue to feature Bridges to unlock the best version of the Hornets offense. He’s proven he’s capable of carrying the load.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Atlanta Hawks </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438611" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438611 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1111,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1353913683.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="1600" height="1111" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1353913683.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1353913683-768x533.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 17: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks drives against Jayson Tatum #0 and Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics during the first half at State Farm Arena on November 17, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NBA; Thanksgiving (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Atlanta Hawks – The schedule gets much easier</h2> <p>Lost in all the teeth-gnashing and garment-rending over the Hawks’ early struggles (4-9 to start the year) was the fact that their early schedule has been absolutely brutal. They’ve had possibly the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"http://powerrankingsguru.com/nba/strength-of-schedule.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hardest schedule</a> in the league to open the year, and their six-game losing streak was to the Nets, Jazz, Suns, Warriors, Jazz again, and Nuggets.</p> <p>You’d hope a championship-contending team could pull some of those victories off, of course, but the good news is that the Hawks have since gone on a five-game win streak, and the schedule gets easier from here.</p> <p>The next few weeks, in particular, are filled with juicy matchups, including two against Orlando, one each against San Antonio, Houston, and Minny, and a couple against banged-up teams like the Sixers and Cavs.</p> <p>The worst appears to be over for Atlanta. Although De’Andre Hunter’s injury is a huge bummer, it does provide some rotational clarity, as the Hawks have so many talented rotation players that juggling playing time and keeping everyone happy can be difficult.</p> <p>It’s entirely possible that Atlanta is 22-14 or so when the calendar flips, and then this drama will be a thing of the past. Hawks fans will be flying high once again.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Orlando Magic </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438428" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438428 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1354131299.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1354131299.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1354131299-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Cole Anthony #50 of the Orlando Magic dribbles against the Washington Wizards NBA; Thanksgiving (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Orlando Magic – Cole Anthony is real</h2> <p>Here’s a stat that beggars believe – in 1,090 possessions with Cole Anthony on the floor, the Magic are being outscored by about 1 point per 100 possessions, a respectable mark for a rebuilding team. In 597 possessions without Cole Anthony, the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/team/22/lineups?off=4759#tab-four_factors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Magic have been outscored by 32 points per 100</a> possessions, one of the biggest differences for a high-minutes player in the league.</p> <p>Anthony is averaging almost seven boards and six dimes a game while scoring 19.6 points and averaging fewer than three turnovers. His efficiency isn’t amazing, as he only has 42/37 shooting splits (FG%/3P%), but he’s improved his accuracy while shooting more often, which is always an encouraging sign for a second-year player.</p> <p>Despite their record, the Magic have had a very encouraging start to the season. Franz Wagner has been electric as a 3-and-D rookie with surprising athleticism, Mo Bamba and Wendell Carter are having their best seasons ever, and even their other rookie Jalen Suggs has shown some flashes on the defensive end of the floor.</p> <p>But Cole Anthony has quickly become this team’s best player, a development that few expected before the season. His feel in the pick-and-roll, a must-have for NBA point guards, has improved dramatically. His handle is tighter, and he’s shooting with far more confidence (and accuracy!). He also leads the league in hilarious post-game press conferences.</p> <p>If the Magic are able to bolster their ranks with another high draft selection this year while simultaneously developing their young core, the future for this team is bright… and it could be here sooner than anyone expected.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Cleveland Cavaliers </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438612" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438612 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2130,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1353148601.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="3200" height="2130" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1353148601.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1353148601-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">CLEVELAND, OHIO – NOVEMBER 13: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Robert Williams III #44 of the Boston Celtics during the second half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 13, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Celtics 91-89.  (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Cleveland Cavaliers – Evan Mobley is the truth</h2> <p>I wanted to be cute here.</p> <p>I wanted to talk about Rubio’s astonishing <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rubiori01.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">even-year three-point shooting</a>. I wanted to talk about Garland’s improvement, about how Kevin Love has looked better than he has in years, about how Jarrett Allen has somehow lived up to his giant contract and showed off more post moves than I ever thought he had.</p> <p>I did not want to talk about Collin Sexton’s injury. This is meant to be a happy post. But I DID want to talk about Tacko Fall.</p> <p>Cavs fans have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season, but the biggest, by far, is the incredible talent of Evan Mobley.</p> <p>Yes, he has a sprained elbow and will miss a few weeks, which combined with the Sexton injury will likely plummet the Cavs in the standings. However, this season was never about <em>this season. </em>Long-term, there is no ceiling to what this young man can become.</p> <p>Mobley’s a big man who can guard point guards and centers alike. He moves his feet like a ballerina but dunks like Thor swinging a hammer.</p> <p>The numbers are impressive (15 points, eight rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.6 combined steals and blocks), but the numbers don’t do him justice. Mobley disrupts passing lanes, protects the rim, screens aggressively, rolls hard, and has shown glimmers of a developing three-point shot. He’s even demonstrated some passing chops.</p> <p>If you’re a Cavs fan, congratulations. After the lean post-Lebron years, your time is coming again.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Milwaukee Bucks </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438613" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438613 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1354480607.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354480607.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354480607-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 19: Grayson Allen #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles past Josh Giddey #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder \during the game at Fiserv Forum on November 19, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Bucks defeated the Thunder 96-89.  (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Milwaukee Bucks – Grayson Allen is the perfect fit</h2> <p>For Bucks fans, the main thing to be happy about is that everyone’s getting back on the court. But that’s not fun to write about, so we’re going to talk about one of the under-the-radar pleasant surprises of the season – Grayson Allen.</p> <p>The Bucks struggled offensively for much of last year’s playoffs, and it was clear going into the off-season they needed to find some shooting on the perimeter. Only Pat Connaughton and Bryn Forbes shot over 35% from three during the playoffs, and Forbes’ defensive liabilities made him unplayable when it mattered.</p> <p>Enter Grayson Allen. The Grizzlies had a glut of solid perimeter players, so the Bucks pried him away for two second-rounders and a prospect in the hopes he could loosen the spacing on the floor and provide good-enough defense, and he’s delivered exactly that.</p> <p>With the Bucks ravaged by injuries, Allen has stepped up and is providing 15 points a game while shooting more than eight threes at a 42% clip – all career highs.</p> <p>He’s been a seamless offensive fit next to Giannis, who has <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"http://www.pbpstats.com/assist-networks/nba/team?Season=2021-22&amp;SeasonType=Regular%2BSeason&amp;TeamId=1610612749%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">23 assists to Allen</a>, six more than the next closest player (Pat Connaughton). Allen’s defense has been solid enough that he won’t be run off the court like Forbes.</p> <p>His numbers will likely take a dip as more Bucks return to the court, but if nothing else, he’s proven he deserves minutes and will be a reliable playoff option.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Toronto Raptors </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438614" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438614 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2319,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1182928316.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="3200" height="2319" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1182928316.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1182928316-768x557.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 22: Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri receives his ring during the Toronto Raptors Ring Ceremony at Scotiabank Arena on October 22, 2019 in Toronto, Canada.  (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Toronto Raptors – Masai Ujiri knows the way</h2> <p>Arguably the best general manager in the league almost didn’t come back. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://www.thestar.com/business/2021/10/25/edward-rogers-fought-plans-to-keep-raptors-masai-ujiri-but-was-thwarted-by-mlse-head-sources-say.html?utm_source=Twitter&amp;utm_medium=SocialMedia&amp;utm_campaign=Business&amp;utm_content=edwardrogersmasaiujiri%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">A report from the <em>Toronto Star</em></a> detailed the intense contract negotiations from this offseason, including the bizarre detail that one of the Raptors’ owners called Masai personally to tell him that he wasn’t worth the money being offered to him.</p> <p>In retrospect, that might have been the best thing that could’ve happened to Raptors fans. Ujiri has long made known his distaste for rebuilds, and it’s possible he would’ve looked for a different team.</p> <p>But with his fiery competitive nature, I like to speculate that Ujiri took the insult as a challenge and decided to stay with Toronto just to spite the owner. I’m sure the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://raptorsrapture.com/2021/08/19/toronto-raptors-reported-masai-ujiri-contract-details-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$15 million a year contract he signed didn’t hurt</a>, either.</p> <p>Although painful at the time, Ujiri’s decision to ship out local favorite DeMar DeRozan for Kawhil obviously paid off with a championship. Masai’s drafting of Scottie Barnes this year, widely panned since heralded guard Jalen Suggs was still available, looks like a genius move now. Barnes is a top candidate for Rookie of the Year.</p> <p>The Raptors are at an inflection point, and it feels like a big move is going to happen by the trade deadline this season. With Ujiri at the helm, fans can rest easy knowing that he will steer the ship in the right direction.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Detroit Pistons </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438615" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438615 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1354869657.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354869657.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354869657-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 21: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball against Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter of the game at Little Caesars Arena on November 21, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Thanksgiving (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Detroit Pistons – Cade Cunningham is not afraid</h2> <p>It was always going to be tough coming into the league with sky-high expectations. An injury that caused Cade to miss all of the preseason and the first few games of the regular season ruined prime developmental time and kept the world from seeing what Cade was capable of.</p> <p>Then, he came out firing blanks – 1-21 from distance in his first two NBA games. Yikes. And it looked even worse compared to the other rookies from his class, many of whom exploded out of the gates.</p> <p>The situation would’ve shaken many rookies and made them more hesitant with their shot selection. However, Cade kept his head up and kept firing, and the results are looking a lot more promising.</p> <p>He had been absolutely fire in clutch time until the game against the Lakers on Sunday night until Anthony Davis gave him a rude welcoming to the NBA.</p> <p>This is not the kind of highlight you want to make, but I love the attitude I see here. Cade gets blocked on the three attempt, but instead of passing away, he decides to try and even the score by challenging one of the world’s best shot blockers at the rim. Yes, that looks bad written out, but I believe it’s a great sign for his long-term mindset.</p> <p>And yeah, Cade did drop a triple-double in this game. By the end of the season, he’s going to be a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year, and his fearlessness and resiliency are a big reason why.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Indiana Pacers </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438616" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438616 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2135,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1354539894.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="3200" height="2135" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354539894.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354539894-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 20: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers dunks the ball over Josh Hart #3 and Herbert Jones #5 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the third quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 20, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Thanksgiving (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Indiana Pacers – Only 2.5 games back of the six-seed</h2> <p>The Pacers have had a weird year. Injuries have hammered them, as always, and the offseason signing of coach Rick Carlisle hasn’t resulted in the immediate on-court wins that were hoped for.</p> <p>But things have gone about as poorly as they can, and the Pacers are still within easy striking distance of the six-seed. The general strength of the East means there is a glut of teams in the middle, but that also means it is unlikely that anyone can truly pull away from the pack.</p> <p>The Pacers were expected to be in the play-in game mix coming into the season, and there’s still plenty of reason to believe that’s doable. Despite their record, the Pacers actually have <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/league/summary" target="_blank" rel="noopener">outscored opponents by 3.1 points per 100 possession</a>s, per Cleaning The Glass, meaning their overall play has likely been better than their record suggests.</p> <p>Indiana has some encouraging underlying signs. They have done very poorly in crunch time, something that often evens out as a season progresses. Their health is improving, and TJ Warren’s arrival in December or January will provide a huge boost. Caris LeVert will shoot better, Myles Turner has been incredible defensively, and rookie Chris Duarte is a flamethrower.</p> <p>Pacers fans should be encouraged that they’re still in the fight for a playoff spot after dealing with seemingly endless problems, and I expect them to play better going forward.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Philadelphia 76ers </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438617" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438617 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1354556008.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354556008.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354556008-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">PORTLAND, OREGON – NOVEMBER 20: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers works towards the basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at Moda Center on November 20, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Thanksgiving (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Philadelphia 76ers – Tyrese Maxey is a bucket</h2> <p>After a tough start to begin the year, second-year guard Tyrese Maxey has come into his own as an offensive playmaker. Maxey can’t fill Ben Simmons’ giant shoes as a defender or as a passer, but by playing to his own strengths, he’s helped turn Philly’s offense into one of the best in the league.</p> <p>Maxey is a score-first combo guard who excels at getting into the paint, but after shooting 30% from three his first year and starting this season just 3-15, there were concerns about how he could stretch the floor playing next to Joel Embiid.</p> <p>Since then, he’s been on a tear, and he’s now up to 39% from distance on the season (51% from the field, which is excellent for an undersized point guard reliant upon rim attacks).</p> <p>Maxey leads the team with 10.6 drives per game, and although he’s not looking to pass (just <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://www.nba.com/stats/players/drives/?sort=DRIVES&amp;dir=1%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">0.5 assists per game off those drives</a>), he’s finishing excellently and never turns the ball over. His <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/player/4765#tab-offensive_overview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lower-than-expected usage rate</a> (22.4%, just 34th percentile for point guards) also shows that he’s picking his spot on offense more carefully.</p> <p>Like many of his teammates, Maxey’s individual defense remains a work in progress, but when Joel Embiid is on the floor with him, the 76ers still defend well.</p> <p>Add it all up, and Maxey’s emergence has made Simmons’ absence a good deal easier to swallow, and turned the 76ers into a formidable foe on any given night.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Boston Celtics </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438618" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438618 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1236684471.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1236684471.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1236684471-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 19: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics reacts during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at TD Garden on November 19, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Boston Celtics – Al Horford is a man reborn</h2> <p>After a year spent vacationing in OKC, shut down because the Thunder were winning too many games, Al Horford has come back to Boston with a vengeance. You don’t expect to see a 35-year-old come out and average 30 minutes a game and put up some of the best numbers of his career.</p> <p>His per-36 minute average of 10.6 rebounds would be the best since his rookie year, and his 2.3 blocks would be the best of his career by almost 50%. He’s also tied with Jayson Tatum for third on the team in assists, with 3.5 per game. And all of this has come while he’s actually shooting quite poorly from distance (31%), which is something that should correct itself over time.</p> <p>Boston’s top two lineups by point differential both feature Horford, and Boston’s starting lineup of  Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Horford, and Robert Williams has <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/team/2/lineups#tab-four_factors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">blitzed opponents by 19.5 points per 100 possessions</a>.</p> <p>Horford’s ability to do a little bit of everything on offense, clean the glass, and ably man the four- or five-spot on defense allow him to cover up for his teammate’s deficiencies. Overall, his surprisingly youthful look in his fifteenth season is a reason for Boston fans to be thankful.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Golden State Warriors </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438619" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438619 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1354321544.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354321544.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354321544-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 19: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket against Trey Lyles #8 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on November 19, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Golden State Warriors – Jonathan Kuminga’s defense</h2> <p>It looks like Kuminga might be ready to contribute this year after all. In fact, he… hahahaha sorry I can’t keep going. It’s Steph Curry. Warriors fans are thankful for Steph Curry. The man’s having the best all-around season of his career at the age of 33, which is tough to do for a two-time MVP.</p> <p>ESPN’s Kirk Goldsberry gave us some golden graphics illustrating these points recently:</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">This dude really made me update this chart already!</p> <p>Curry has more games with 9 3-pointers since April (with 10) than any other player has in his career in NBA history <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://t.co/34m5SQEDL8">pic.twitter.com/34m5SQEDL8

<p>— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://twitter.com/kirkgoldsberry/status/1461528097174573062?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>November 19, 2021</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div> <p>At this point, there isn’t much to say. Watching Steph Curry play basketball is probably the most joyous experience that a basketball fan can have.</p> <p>But it’s not just on offense. Defensively, Curry is averaging the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/player/787#tab-defense_rebounding" target="_blank" rel="noopener">highest block rate and lowest foul rate</a> of his career. He knows exactly where to be at all times and smartly forces his mark towards help when needed. Steph is rebounding at a career-high level, too.</p> <p>The Warriors have had a lot to be thankful for over the last decade, and Golden State looks like a championship contender this year even without Klay Thompson. With him back in the fold and Steph playing at an all-time level, the Warriors may very well be the favorite to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy at year’s end yet again.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Phoenix Suns </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438620" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438620 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2573,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1236742804.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="3200" height="2573" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1236742804.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1236742804-768x618.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">SAN ANTONIO, TX – NOVEMBER 22: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns and Chris Paul #3 wait as a call against the San Antonio Spurs was being reviewed in the first half at AT&amp;T Center on November 22, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Phoenix Suns – Continuity</h2> <p>The Suns are the best team in the league that nobody is talking about. You’d think a 13-game win streak would get a little more notice, but maybe it’s better this way.</p> <p>The Suns brought back their top eight players by minutes played from last season, and the continuity has had clear advantages. Remember last year, when Chris Paul and Devin Booker took months to figure out how to co-exist happily? Yeah, this year it took about four games.</p> <p>Boasting a top-5 defense and a top-10 offense is a recipe for success, and the Suns’ lack of appreciable weaknesses means they have the flexibility to beat you in any sort of way.</p> <p>I guess they could, like, hit the offensive glass harder? Get to the rim a little more? It’s tough to argue with the results of their approach so far.</p> <p>The most amazing part about it is that they’ve done this through lots of off-court drama. The Deandre Ayton extension (or lack thereof) could have cast a pall on this team. The Robert Sarver report and ongoing investigation might’ve sunk lesser squads.</p> <p>But the comfort they have with each other, the confidence that they can overcome all obstacles, has rendered those concerns meritless. This team was two games away from a championship last season and seems to have improved internally since then.</p> <p>The best part is that nothing seems unsustainable, and if anything, the offense especially might improve once Chris Paul, Jae Crowder, and Cameron Payne remember how to shoot three-pointers.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Los Angeles Clippers </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438621" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438621 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1351999333.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1351999333.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1351999333-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Tyronn Lue of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts to a play during the first quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Staples Center on November 07, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Los Angeles Clippers – Ty Lue is a top-tier coach</h2> <p>Ty Lue has never gotten his due.</p> <p>After flaming out in the bubble playoffs in spectacular fashion, the Clippers changed coaches from Doc Rivers to Ty Lue before the 2020 season. He proceeded to erase the Clippers’ reputation as a crunch-time laughingstock by coming back from 0-2 deficits in two straight playoff series, even after Kawhi Leonard was hurt.</p> <p>Ty Lue’s career-winning percentage is <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/NBA_stats.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">eighth-best all-time</a>, right behind Pat Riley (min. 300 games coached).  And you might remember him authoring a certain championship comeback.</p> <p>NBA general managers know Lue’s value. They voted Lue the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://www.si.com/nba/clippers/news/ty-lue-voted-nba-coach-with-best-in-game-adjustments#:~:text=Farbod%20Esnaashari-,Ty%20Lue%20is%20one%20of%20the%20best%20at%20making%20adjustments,the%20best%20in%2Dgame%20adjustments." target="_blank" rel="noopener">best at in-game adjustments and second-best at motivating people</a> among all NBA coaches. He’s long been a master of after-timeout plays (ATO’s), and he’s willing to mix-and-match lineups to find what’s working best now.</p> <p>But this season might be his greatest coaching triumph yet. The Clippers are currently 10-7, fourth in the West, and boast the second-best defense in the league despite missing their alpha superstar, Kawhi Leonard.</p> <p>Ty Lue entered the season with the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://clipperholics.com/2021/10/13/wont-believe-names-ahead-ty-lue-coach-of-year/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">13th-best chances </a>of winning Coach of the Year, and he almost certainly won’t win this year. But if the Clippers stay a top-six seed in the West and have Kawhi return to the team before the playoffs, Lue will be ready to show the world once again that he’s a championship-caliber coach.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Dallas Mavericks </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438622" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438622 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2562,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1353717778.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="3200" height="2562" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1353717778.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1353717778-768x615.jpeg 768w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1353717778-600x480.jpeg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 10: Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks drives the lane past Lonzo Ball #2 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on November 10, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Dallas Mavericks – Jalen Brunson’s been a beast</h2> <p>Quick – who’s the most valuable player on the Mavs? Sure, you might THINK it’s Luka Doncic… but there’s a pretty compelling statistical case to be made that it’s actually Jalen Brunson.</p> <p>I’m being facetious, of course, but it’s undeniable that the Mavs look best when Brunson is on the floor. He leads the team in <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DAL/2022.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Basketball-Reference’s Win Shares</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/nba-player-ratings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">538’s Wins Above Replacement and RAPTOR</a>. He also leads the team in on/off differential by a huge margin.</p> <p>His traditional box score numbers have improved every year, but don’t jump off the page – 15.8 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game on decent 49/34/80 shooting splits (FG%/3P%/FT%). However, it’s clear that his underlying value is much more than that.</p> <p>With Luka drawing so much defensive attention, the Mavs were starved coming into the season for a secondary playmaker to take some of the creative burden off of him. This season, Brunson is proving he can be that guy. He is aggressive attacking as a secondary creator and is adept at using ball screens from his bigs.</p> <p>He’s developed a particularly nice chemistry with Kristaps Porzingis, who has received 27 assists from Brunson this season – <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"http://www.pbpstats.com/assist-networks/nba/team?Season=2021-22&amp;SeasonType=Regular%2BSeason&amp;TeamId=1610612742%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">11 more than from Luka!</a></p> <p>The Mavericks have been winning seemingly in spite of themselves, but Brunson’s continued improvement (and the potential for higher efficiency with a return of his three-point shot) give Mavs fans something to be thankful for this holiday season.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Denver Nuggets </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438623" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438623 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1354350631.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354350631.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354350631-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">DENVER, COLORADO – NOVEMBER 19: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a foul in the final seconds against the Chicago Bulls in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena on November 19, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Denver Nuggets – Will the Thrill has been electric</h2> <p>Nikola Jokic is the sun that the rest of the Nuggets orbit around. But with no Jamal Murray and the diminishment of Michael Porter Jr. due to back injuries, he needed someone to step up and help him create some kind of offense.</p> <p>Thankfully, Will Barton has been up to the task. He’s been shooting the ball the best he ever has from virtually every spot on the court and has played superbly both with and without Jokic on the floor. Lineups with them both have annihilated the league, and when Jokic rests, Barton is given free rein on offense (and has managed to keep the team afloat).</p> <p>His defense has been better than ever, too. He’s been much more alert off-ball, and he’s done a better job of tracking his man around screens. Will even had a game-saving block:</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Will Barton comes up with the HUGE game-saving block for the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://twitter.com/nuggets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@nuggets 🚫 <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://t.co/wOnOMdz1Eo">pic.twitter.com/wOnOMdz1Eo

<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1454649658605703168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 31, 2021</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div> <p>Barton also hustles like a madman, running the floor in transition and crashing passing lanes on offense. He’s fouling at a low rate and takes decent care of the ball.</p> <p>Without Jamal Murray, he’s been the team’s sole source of non-Joker on-ball creation, and he has responded by averaging more than four assists per game with the highest assist to turnover ratio in his career.</p> <p>The Nuggets are hanging in the thick of the playoff race. If Jamal Murray returns, even without MPJ, and Barton keeps playing at this level, this is a team that will make some noise come winnin’ time.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Utah Jazz </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438624" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438624 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2143,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1236742315.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="3200" height="2143" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1236742315.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1236742315-768x514.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 23: John Konchar #46 of the Memphis Grizzlies passes off under pressure from Rudy Gay #8 of the Utah Jazz during the second half of their game November 23, 2021 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Utah Jazz – All signs say this team will only get better</h2> <p>The Jazz are 11-6 and have the second-best point differential in the league. And yet, it feels like there is a ton of room for them to improve.</p> <p>They haven’t hit their stride from range yet, with trigger-happy guards Jordan Clarkson and Donovan Mitchell bricking away. That will change.</p> <p>Utah projects to have <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"http://powerrankingsguru.com/nba/strength-of-schedule.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one of the easiest schedules</a> in the league for the rest of the way. Rudy Gay is integrating himself into the team and figures to add a layer of flexibility to the Jazz that they’ve never had before. Even maligned offseason signing Hassan Whiteside has looked good filling in for the minutes Gobert rests.</p> <p>Frankly, their most glaring issue is transition defense, and that’s usually something that can be fixed up with coaching emphasis and increased effort from the players on the floor.</p> <p>There just isn’t much about this team that looks unsustainable, and there are a lot of factors that point towards even better things on the horizon for the Jazz. Given the team’s success, a minor trade at the deadline for a situational perimeter stopper is a definite possibility.</p> <p>At this point, Utah fans are understandably bored of regular-season success. But the Jazz look to be fixing up their weaknesses from previous seasons, and the Western Conference has never been more wide open.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Portland Trail Blazers </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438625" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438625 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1353549316.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1353549316.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1353549316-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">PORTLAND, OREGON – NOVEMBER 15: Norman Powell #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts against the Toronto Raptors during the third quarter at Moda Center on November 15, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Portland Trail Blazers – The offense is still elite</h2> <p>Between the Neil Olshey investigation, the controversial Chauncey Billups hiring, and the struggles of Lillard and CJ shooting the new ball, the Trail Blazers have had a rocky start.</p> <p>Despite all of that, however, they still sit seventh in the West at 9-8. The defense isn’t fixed yet, but even with their stars’ struggles, this Trail Blazers team is still the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/league/fourfactors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fourth-best offense in the league</a>, per Cleaning The Glass.</p> <p>Their shot profile is a Darryl Morey dream, as they’re shooting the vast majority of their shots from deep or at the rim. The rim attacks are new; this is a team that usually thrives off jumpers, but Billups has the Blazers <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/drives/?sort=DRIVES&amp;dir=1&amp;Season=2019-20&amp;SeasonType=Regular%20Season%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">driving to the hoop more than they have</a> in previous seasons.</p> <p>A big part of that is Norman Powell, who has put his head down and bulldozed to the rim with great success this season. He’s shooting 50% from the field, and his playstyle is a marked contrast to that of Lillard and McCollum. Interestingly, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://dunksandthrees.com/player?player_id=1626181%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">he’s the team leader in Estimated Plus/Minus</a>, widely regarded as one of the best publicly available all-in-one stats.</p> <p>Hulking center Jusuf Nurkic has improved from last year, finishing at the best rate of his career and gobbling up every rebound. Anfernee Simons is finally worthy of the playing time Portland is giving him, and Larry Nance has had some high-energy moments every game to revitalize the crowd.</p> <p>The Blazers are 4-1 in their last 5 games, and Lillard has been shooting the ball better, leading to some renewed optimism in Rip City. Although things change, the one constant is that the Blazers will always have an elite offense.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Memphis Grizzlies </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438626" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438626 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1979,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1236742071.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="3200" height="1979" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1236742071.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1236742071-420x260.jpeg 420w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1236742071-768x475.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 23: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz drives through Jaren Jackson Jr., #13, John Konchar #46, and Kyle Anderson #1 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half of their game November 23, 2021 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Memphis Grizzlies – The defense will get better</h2> <p>Memphis is led by an exciting young star in Ja Morant, who has improved his three-point shot and at-rim finishing. They returned most of their key rotation pieces from last year. But they’ve had one teensy issue – they are getting annihilated on defense.</p> <p>A quick look at the numbers suggests that yes, this defense is bad, but they’re not THIS bad. The key culprit – opponents are shooting an insane 41.6% from three against the Grizzlies this year, the worst in the league. The second-worst mark, Detroit, is allowing 39.1%. Last year, the Grizz allowed 37.4%, 19th in the league.</p> <p>I did some digging. Per Cleaning The Glass, no team for a full season has ever allowed even 40% since 2010-2011, when the dismal post-Decision <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/league/shots?season=2010&amp;seasontype=regseason&amp;start=10/1/2010&amp;end=10/15/2011#tab-defense_shooting_accuracy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cavaliers allowed 42.3% from three</a>.</p> <p>This is a long-winded way of saying that, eventually, teams will miss against the Grizzlies. Opponent three-point shooting can only be controlled to a degree by a team’s defense, and a lot of it is attributed to luck.</p> <p>They have plenty of other defensive problems (last in the league in transition defense, too), but it’s almost impossible for every player on every opposing team to turn into Seth Curry against the Grizzlies for the rest of the season.</p> <p>Dillon Brooks’ strong start is an encouraging sign for the offense, and his traditional pesky perimeter defense will undoubtedly help, as well. Memphis is in the six-seed right now, and just plain luck should improve their defense tremendously.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Los Angeles Lakers </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438628" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438628 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1353915353.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1353915353.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1353915353-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 17: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to an officials call during the first half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on November 17, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Los Angeles Lakers – Carmelo Anthony</h2> <p>After many, many years, Carmelo Anthony has finally embraced his destiny – stone-cold bench gunner. Although most people think of Sixth Men Of The Year as jitterbug guards, like Jamal Crawford or Lou Williams, nearly 38-year-old Carmelo Anthony is firmly in the running.</p> <p>He has the lowest usage rate but highest efficiency of his career, thanks to incredible shooting from distance – 46% on 6.4 attempts per game, the most accurate he’s ever been by far and tied for the most volume he’s ever had.</p> <p>On a Lakers team starring three average-to-horrendous three-point shooters, Carmelo’s complete disregard for passing and ability to nail contested threes has been a surprising lifeline to a struggling Lakers offense.</p> <p>He’s second on the team in accuracy behind noted long-range aficionado Dwight Howard, and the spacing he provides gives juuuuust enough space for Westbrook, Davis, and James to do their thing.</p> <p>To wit – when he’s on the court, the offense scores almost 14 more points per 100 possessions, by far the highest improvement on the Lakers.</p> <p>When he shares the court with newly-returned Talen Horton Tucker, who has been a desperately-needed infusion of energy and shot creation for the Lakers, they actually <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/team/14/lineups?on=4617&amp;on=98#tab-four_factors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">outscore opponents by 4.6 points per 100 possessions.</a></p> <p>It’s almost 2022, and somehow Carmelo Anthony is still an essential (and high-value!) cog to one of the league’s title contenders. If that’s not something to be thankful for, I don’t know what is.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Minnesota Timberwolves </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438629" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438629 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1354487647.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354487647.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354487647-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 5: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket while Eric Bledsoe #12 of the LA Clippers defends in the first quarter of the game at Target Center on November 5, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Clippers defeated the Timberwolves 104-84. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Minnesota Timberwolves – We’re going streaking!</h2> <p>This article would’ve been much harder to write two weeks ago, but the Wolves have seemingly turned it on for the last few games while taking advantage of a soft schedule.</p> <p>Sometimes, all you need is to beat up a few inferior opponents to remind yourself that hey, you’re pretty good! (Or at least, you’re definitely better than those guys.) Win streaks are always fun, and no matter how bad the schedule, it’s hard to win four in a row.</p> <p>The Wolves would be in the play-in tournament if the season ended today. Wins against the Kings and the Grizzlies (a 43-point blowout) are especially gratifying, as those are likely to be teams competing with the Wolves for the last few spots.</p> <p>As of now, the Timberwolves <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/league/fourfactors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">boast the seventh-best defense in the league</a>. They struggle on the defensive glass and foul at crazy rates, but they also lead the league in forced turnovers and have done a good job of keeping teams away from the rim.</p> <p>The offense should get better once Malik Beasley and D’Angelo Russell remember how to shoot the ball (or, better yet, pass to Karl Anthony-Towns!).</p> <p>The schedule gets harder from here, but hopefully, KAT, Anthony Edwards, and Co. have figured out a winning formula. They have enough high-end shotmaking talent that they could be a problem in a single-elimination series like the play-in tournament.</p> <p>They just need to keep beating the bad teams and sneak out a few wins against good ones to get there.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Sacramento Kings </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438630" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438630 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2160,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1351600150.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="3200" height="2160" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1351600150.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1351600150-768x518.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 05: Richaun Holmes #22 of the Sacramento Kings celebrates after a teammate scored a basket against the Charlotte Hornets during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center on November 05, 2021 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Sacramento Kings – Richaun Holmes and Chimezie Metu</h2> <p>One of the most underrated players in the league, center Richaun Holmes, has just kept on being awesome while the rest of the Kings have been in turmoil. Long a favorite of analytics folks, Holmes has no appreciable weaknesses on the court (outside of a lack of a three-ball), and he’s having the best season of his career so far.</p> <p>He can defend big guys or switch out onto the perimeter. He can finish at the rim or in the mid-range with his fabled push shots. Holmes’ passing skills are decent, and he’s a low-maintenance player who won’t complain about his opportunities. He’s shooting almost 70% from the floor and averages a quiet 14 points and 10 boards.</p> <p>Metu and Holmes share a similar background, as both are G-League success stories. Metu’s numbers don’t excite on the surface (just under nine points and six boards, on ugly shooting splits), but his defensive presence and offensive energy have ignited a Kings team that can be surprisingly turgid at times:</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://twitter.com/Chimezie_Metu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@Chimezie_Metu rises up for the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://twitter.com/Acronis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@Acronis &amp; <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://twitter.com/Executech?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@Executech Cyber Protection Block of the Game. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://t.co/w7bZomsfCQ">pic.twitter.com/w7bZomsfCQ

<p>— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings/status/1462088399419064325?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>November 20, 2021</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div> <p>The Kings <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/team/26/lineups?on=4481#tab-four_factors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">actually outscore opponents by a small margin</a> when he’s on the floor, which is tough to do on a team that is 6-12, and he leads the team in on/off point differential. Most importantly, perhaps, he’s just fun to watch.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> San Antonio Spurs </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438631" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438631 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1353879008.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1353879008.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1353879008-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 16: Dejounte Murray #5 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball during the second half of a game against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on November 16, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. NBA; Thanksgiving (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2><strong>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: San Antonio Spurs – Dejounte Murray is a stud</strong></h2> <p>The Spurs have an odd collection of players, and the team is still getting used to how difficult life is without a generational superstar. The biggest drama with the Spurs is whether they’ll be good enough to get Coach Pop the all-time wins record this season (22 to go!).</p> <p>But Dejounte Murray has quietly taken a huge leap forward this season. Now three years removed from his torn ACL, Murray looks like the one Spurs player with a good shot at being a future All-Star in this league.</p> <p>Averages of 18-8-8 with more than two steals per game would get a lot more attention on a better team, but it’s Murray’s offensive development that is most encouraging. He’s taking more difficult shots and orchestrating the offense to a higher degree than he has in the past, and his efficiency hasn’t suffered much. His defense remains elite.</p> <p>Murray doesn’t project to be The Guy on a championship team. But he does remind me a little of Jrue Holiday – a dogged defender with plenty of offensive juice to complement an alpha wing scorer one day.</p> <p>He’s gotten significantly better every year, so it’s exciting to think about what he can become as enters his prime.</p> <h2></h2> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> New Orleans Pelicans </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438632" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438632 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1354341757.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354341757.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354341757-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 19: Herbert Jones #5 of the New Orleans Pelicans strips the ball from Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers during the third quarter of a NBA game at Smoothie King Center on November 19, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. NBA; Thanksgiving (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2 style="color: #333333">One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: New Orleans Pelicans – Herb Jones is a keeper</h2> <p>This has been a tough season for the Pelicans, and I don’t want to rehash the events that have happened up to this point. But kernels of hope can be found in even the darkest of seasons, and one kernel that has become tasty popcorn is Herb Jones.</p> <p>Rookies who average six points and three rebounds in 25 minutes a game aren’t usually impactful players. Herb is different. He has an innate feel for the game, knowing exactly when to cut, when to screen, and when to switch defensive assignments.</p> <p>He usually guards the opposing team’s best perimeter players, like the Wolves’ Anthony Edwards, whom Jones has held to <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1630529/head-to-head/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2-12 shooting and 3 turnovers in 91 possessions</a>. On a team that is typically outscored by a ghastly <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/team/19/lineups#tab-four_factors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">11 points per 100 possessions</a>, the Pelicans somehow win the minutes Herb plays.</p> <p>The lineup of Devonte’ Graham, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Brandon Ingram, Herb, and Jonas Valanciunas <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/team/19/lineups#tab-four_factors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has absolutely mashed opponents in limited time</a> together, which is something to monitor moving forward.</p> <p>Herb will likely never be a superstar, but he’s the exact kind of dirty work player that every team needs to succeed, and in Zion’s absence, he’s been the most pleasantly surprising thing about the Pelicans this season.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Houston Rockets </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438633" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438633 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1065,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1353519339.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="1600" height="1065" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1353519339.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1353519339-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 15: Jalen Green #0 of the Houston Rockets goes to the basket against Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half at FedExForum on November 15, 2021 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. NBA; Thanksgiving (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Houston Rockets – Uh, well, this draft class is loaded</h2> <p>Let’s be real here. The Rockets knew, going into the season, that they had the potential to be a historically bad team. Having no true point guards and entrusting the team to low-efficiency, high volume gunners who can’t or can barely order a drink yet tends to do that.</p> <p>But that’s ok! This season is important from a player development standpoint, but it was never supposed to be a competitive year. Instead, it’s about improving the chance for future success, and in that regard, things are looking bright!</p> <p>Assuming Houston has the worst record in the league at year’s end, the Rockets have a 27.4% chance of getting a top-2 pick and can fall to no worse than fifth.</p> <p>Conveniently, early projections see the 2022 class as a talented draft loaded with bigs, with an especially interesting top two players. Paolo Banchero and Chet Holmgren are both highly skilled centers with shooting touch, handles, and solid defensive instincts. They seem like they could be perfect fits next to Jalen Green and/or Kevin Porter next year.</p> <p>Pretty much every team has to go through some rough patches to get back to competitive status. For the Rockets, at least, they are maximizing their chances of getting a generational talent at just the right time.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Oklahoma City Thunder </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438634" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438634 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1354481792.jpeg" alt="One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354481792.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354481792-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 19: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder attempts to save the ball during the second half of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on November 19, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Bucks defeated the Thunder 96-89. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>One thing every NBA team has to be thankful for on Thanksgiving: Oklahoma City Thunder – This team is fun to watch</h2> <p>Going into the season, the expectation was that the Thunder were going to be fighting with the Rockets for the worst record in the league. Nobody understands the importance of lottery luck and good drafting better than OKC, after all.</p> <p>But despite this, the Thunder have surprised the world and are currently sitting at a very respectable 6-11. Maybe this isn’t what general manager Sam Presti truly desires, but it’s made for a far more tolerable on-court product that is – dare I say it? – legitimately enjoyable to watch play basketball.</p> <p>It all starts with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is the All-Star-caliber centerpiece of the offense. Look at him putting an absolute stiletto into the hearts of Laker fans everywhere earlier this year:</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">"FROM THE LOGO!"</p> <p>HUGE bucket from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in clutch time.</p> <p>🎥 <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://twitter.com/NBATV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@NBATV <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://t.co/o4bX2CiFux">pic.twitter.com/o4bX2CiFux

<p>— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://twitter.com/TheAthletic/status/1456483837303681033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>November 5, 2021</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/24/nba-team-thankful-thanksgiving/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div> <p>What even is this? There were sixteen seconds left on the shot clock of a one-possession game with less than two minutes to go! In Staples Center! These are the kinds of plays that will stick with a fan base for years to come.</p> <p>The offensive can get muddled, but the energy and effort is always there defensively. Rookie point-forward Josh Giddey has been a revelation and is already the best passer on the team.</p> <p>Lu Dort has been coming into his own as an offensive force to pair with his already-solid defense. Aleksej Pokusevski hasn’t been good, exactly, but it is amazing to watch a seven-foot-tall toothpick fling passes around and block jumpers right back into the faces of surprised shooters.</p> <p>When a team is in the middle of a rebuild, all you can do is hope for a watchable product. Fortunately, the Thunder have been the most surprisingly enjoyable viewing experience in the leag</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">