This week on Off the Pine, we dive into a surprising mix of early-season performances from teams exceeding, meeting, or falling short of expectations:
🏀 LA Clippers: Built on grit and defense, this team has been surprisingly successful even without Kawhi. With his return, they’re only set to improve.
🏀 Orlando Magic: Thriving without Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner has been incredible, and the rest of the squad is locking teams down on defense.
🏀 Toronto Raptors: A confusing team—Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett are thriving, but the Quickley contract is a mess. Is it time to sell at the deadline?
🏀 Memphis Grizzlies: Rolling with Ja Morant’s minutes limited and major injuries to Zach Edey, it’s been the youth movement of Jaylen Wells, Scottie Pippen Jr., and soon GG Jackson and Vince Williams leading the charge.
From unexpected successes to looming trade deadlines, this episode breaks it all down.
