NBA: 10 Early-Season Storylines To Keep An Eye On

May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after being called for an offensive foul against the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 26, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) center Robin Lopez (8) guard Rajon Rondo (9) and guard Dwayne Wade (3) pose for a photo during Bulls media day at The Advocate Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

3. The Bulls are a top Eastern Conference team!

The ultimate example of a small sample size clouding what a team actually is. I’m still skeptical, but maybe the Bulls will have a successful season. Dwyane Wade comes from a very successful pedigree and the combined talents of him and Jimmy Butler will just flat-out overwhelm some teams when they’re both on.

I have my doubts, but it’s not outside the realm of possibility. The confusion does not arise from the team’s success in general, but rather how they’ve been able to manufacture wins.

The prospect of a Wade-Rajon Rondo backcourt raised eyebrows around the league this offseason. Two ball-dominant guards with broken three point shots now had to share the ball with each other. Somehow, this team has been one of the best offenses in the league and is shooting the cover off the ball. Wade, a career 29 percent (!!) three-point marksman, is shooting a blistering 48 percent from the arc thus far.

Almost as crazy, Butler has shot 48 percent from long range thus far. If the Bulls finish near the top of the Eastern Conference this season, it won’t be because Dwyane Wade suddenly became Steve Kerr in season 13. The body of work of these players is just too strong. Expect the law of averages to correct this one.

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