Make sure to listen and add the 13 Rules: NBA Random Thoughts podcast the Shot Clock Pod to your list! This week Steve shares his thoughts after week 7 of the 2025-26 NBA season. Youth Movement Rising: Why Younger, Faster Teams Are Thriving in Today’s NBA
Faster Teams Are Thriving: The Pace of Play Is Increasing
Why the Game Is Faster
This year, teams are averaging more possessions per game, meaning it’s a faster game. This makes younger players with high energy who are defensive disruptors valuable. By defensive disruptors with high energy, I mean players who are flying around on the defensive end, causing problems, getting deflections and steals.
Young Defensive Standouts
Players like Davion Mitchell, Dyson Daniels, Cason Wallace, both Thompson brothers, Jalen Suggs, Stephon Castle, and Jordan Walsh. Their teams are doing better than expected.
Veteran Teams Are Struggling
Clippers and Warriors Show the Downside of Age
Look at the LA Clippers — before the season, they loaded up with veterans, and most people believed they would be contenders. Another example is the Golden State Warriors, who are old and struggling with injuries. If you look at older teams, their players are getting paid well, but in return, they are often injured, and their performance has decreased. Younger, less-paid players seem to be the way to go.
The Zion Williamson Dilemma
Incredible Talent, Ongoing Availability Issues
Zion Williamson has a grade 2 abductor strain and again will be out for a while. It is a shame Zion can’t stay on the court because he is a force offensively.
Why the Pelicans Need to Move On
As for his team, the New Orleans Pelicans, they are stuck with a player with enormous potential — but it is just that, potential. It’s time New Orleans dealt him. I know there is a fear that he’ll have a healthy season, but enough is enough — they can’t depend on him.
Utah’s Quiet Rebuild
Emerging Young Core
I know they aren’t very good — their record is 8-14 — but the Utah Jazz are slowly putting pieces together. For a long time, I wondered what they were trying to do. Keyonte George is their point guard, and he’s averaging 22.9 points and 6.9 assists a game.
Building Blocks for the Future
You pair him with Lauri Markkanen, a former All-Star who is averaging 27.6 points and 6.6 rebounds. You pair them with first-round pick Ace Bailey and Kyle Filipowski, and a probable lottery pick this year, and you see they have a future. Don’t forget Walker Kessler — their center — is out for the season, so his return will also help next year.
Chris Paul’s Situation in Los Angeles
Frustration Builds for the Clippers
Chris Paul was sent home by the Los Angeles Clippers this week — just one more problem for the 6-17 Clippers. The reasons given were that he is opinionated and his opinions have been grating on his team and coaches. This shouldn’t happen to one of the greatest point guards of this generation. He should be allowed to retire on his own terms.
The Price of Speaking Up
However, Paul has always been an opinionated player, and that’s tolerated when you are great. The lesson is that when you are just another player, you should keep your opinions to yourself.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors
Bucks Could Be Preparing for a Reset
Giannis Antetokounmpo may be nearing the end of his time with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks have not officially put him on the market, but it seems to be coming. During the summer, the Bucks spoke to the New York Knicks about dealing Giannis. The Knicks don’t seem to have the young players and draft picks a rebuilding team would want.
Possible Trade Destinations
The question becomes: will the Bucks honor Giannis’ request to go to the Knicks, and can the Knicks get the draft picks and players Milwaukee wants? If it doesn’t work out, the San Antonio Spurs and Atlanta Hawks seem like favorites to get him because both teams have the draft picks and players to make a deal.
Injury Concerns Cloud His Value
The one fly in the ointment is that Giannis has missed an average of fifteen games a season over the last four years. He has missed six games already this year and will be out at least another week or two. Though great, his availability could be a problem.
The Wizards’ Defensive Woes
Historic Struggles on Defense
If you watch one minute of a Washington Wizards game, I have two questions for you: Why are you watching, and do they ever play any defense? For what it’s worth, Washington allows 128.1 points per game. The only team finishing a season with a higher amount of points given up is the 1990–91 Denver Nuggets at 130.77.
The Celtics’ Early-Season Surprise
Jalen Brown’s Leadership Shines
The Boston Celtics are playing well. In a year when most people believed they would be at best a .500 team, they are an early-season surprise. Give the credit to Jalen Brown, who has stepped in as their leader and has played well.
Supporting Cast Stepping Up
Jordan Walsh has been their biggest surprise — an excellent defender and an improved offensive player. Nemias Queta gets better with each game he plays. They are also getting what was expected from Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.
Brad Stevens’ Smart Roster Moves
Brad Stevens did a good job putting together a team after having to trade four players in last year’s rotation. They have beaten the Pistons, Knicks, Cavaliers, Magic, and Lakers over the last couple of weeks.