The 4 biggest NBA surprises in 2022
NBA’s 2022-2023 season was definitely full of surprises – and we’re not just talking about the Denver Nuggets taking the trophy for the first time. Sure, it’s surprising not to see typical powerhouses such as the Golden State Warriors or Boston Celtics win the title, but that’s not what we’re here for.
In this article, we’ll look at the four biggest NBA surprises in 2022. These surprises are so significant that they bucked the typical NBA betting trends. Sports bettors have been making adjustments, and those who did so correctly are reaping the rewards.
Brooklyn Nets’ survival despite the odds
It’s easy to dismiss Kevin Durant’s or the Nets’ downfall as another “expected” phenomenon. After all, Durant had to recover from a previous Achilles surgery, while Irving had to endure suspensions. The Nets had a rocky season, to say the least.
And yet, the Nets made it to the playoffs. Sure, the Celtics swept them and ended their run, but Durant’s team put up a good fight on the way there. They were 44-38 during the season, with Durant averaging 28 points per game with a shooting percentage of over 68 percent. His teammates also pulled their weight, helping the team propel itself forward.
Here’s hoping they can play a better basketball game next season.
The transformation of Lauri Markkanen
Sometimes, a change of scenery is all a player needs to blossom, and that was definitely the case for Lauri “The Finnisher” Markkanen. After a lackluster first four seasons, Utah Jazz somehow managed to bring more out of Markkanen than his previous coaches could.
Just how well has he improved? For one, the 25-year-old power forward is one of the five players ever to average 20 points per game with a 60 percent accuracy for two-pointers and 40 percent for three-pointers. Lebron James is the only other player to get that kind of stat this season.
Even better is how he has been playing for the Jazz recently. Despite being seven feet tall, he is relatively accurate with his shots and is peerless defensively. With his skill, he’s flexible enough to play in other positions if needed.
It’ll be exciting to see how well The Finnisher will perform in the next season.
The power of the Sacramento Kings’ beam
You cannot talk about the Sacramento Kings without their post-win celebratory beam, and you can’t talk about the team in general without discussing their performance. Sure, they didn’t have the best defense, but you can’t deny the synergy between the players.
And for a team with no household superstar names, the Kings’ effective teamwork and unselfishness propelled the team toward the playoffs, defeating powerhouse teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors along the way. Their secret: none of the Kings players are averse to letting someone else take the spotlight for the evening, as long as they get the win. Getting to light the post-win celebratory beam is a good motivator, too.
Of course, they still have a lot of room for improvement, but that’s what next season is for. And with such a young team, the sky is the limit for their beam and this fantastic Kings team in general.
Bol Bol’s stunning return to form
It seems that Lauri Markkanen is not the only one who needed a change of scenery. Bol Bol needed it as well, and quite severely, from the look of things.
Here’s why: Bol Bol spent three seasons with the Denver Nuggets, sitting on the bench, barely getting any time on the floor. And when they did let him play, he languished. He couldn’t achieve a double-digit score. He was being dismissed as useless.
But look at him now, with Orlando Magic. His 7’2” frame allows him to play as a power forward or center, which is great because he is agile and formidable as a blocker. He averages 14 points per game – already an improved statistic from his past three years, with a 58 percent accuracy for twos and 38 percent for threes. He’s the very definition of a versatile player.
It’s clear that Bol Bol is only just getting started, so it’ll be exciting to see how much further the Orlando Magic will be able to develop his talents. At the tender age of 23, he has a bright future.
