I guess it goes without saying that when writing this article, appreciation must be had for one team that definitely does not fit the mould for a surprise of a flop after their 66 win, 16 loss 2019/2020 season culminating in a championship. The Portland Trailblazers are once again the cream of the crop starting the year out on a 19 win, 1 loss domination, however let's take a closer look at some exciting surprises and some head shaking flops.

Let's start with the flops, because they seem mind boggling to some and because they are just flat out… entertaining? 

Here is the, ‘You’ve made the top 3 flops of the season so far’ nominations. 

Biggest flop belongs to the Phoenix Suns. Coming off a stellar 2019/20 season with 55 wins and 27 losses, the Suns seem to have lost their mojo. Their current record of 3 wins and 22 losses looks like awful trouble considering they held the 3rd best record in the league last season. Maybe it was the dreaded ‘one trade to many’ for the Suns veteran GM. From Kawhi Leonard, to Jimmy Buckets, to the controversial trade of Tobias Harris for Nassir Little and Malik Monk… wtf. All hope now rests on DeMar DeRozan’s head. Letting talent like this walk and not owning any of your own picks, a recipe for disaster has struck out West. 

Coming in a red hot second is the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 2019/20 season ended with the Cavs sitting 5th in the East with 49 wins and 33 losses. Fast forward to now, where they have started the season out an abysmal 4 wins and 18 losses. A place where the Joker once resided, Paul George called home for a while, and even Dollar Dame thought he might find success, but all left empty handed. The Cavs are in trouble, real trouble.

Rounding out the top three is the Los Angeles Lakers. A 48 win 34 loss 2019/20 season has turned into a 3 win 20 loss start a year on. There seems to be something in the water out West. It may have started when they sent Tobias to the Suns in that head scratching trade, or it could have been when they offloaded Westbrick for Dejounte Murray and 3 first rounders, one which (again head scratching) ended up being spent on Joe ‘Dirt’ Harris. Someone help the lakers, they need it. Apparently the Suns are in a position to help, who would have thought.  

Noteworthy mentions are handed out to Chicago who are sluggish out of the gates, Atlanta are also looking like they might be heading backwards, Sacramento are not too far behind them, Miami need to skip the beach and get back in the gym and Toronto are showing all the signs of homesickness, get well soon Raps, get well soon. 

Now to the exciting surprises that have taken this year by storm.    

Without further ado, I give you the top three surprises to date. 

Well done to the New Orleans Pelicans who take out top spot on the biggest surprise of the year. After a 31 win 51 loss 2019/20 season, the Pelicans have stormed out of the gates with an 18 win 3 loss affair. Building around the versatile star that Donovan Mitchell is with John Collins, Terry Rozier III and young guns Ja Morant and Keldon Johnson. It was only a matter of time before the Pelicans started to fly. We will wait and see if the Pelicans have what it takes to come up against the other heavyweight out west with the 3 headed dragon. 

Next we have the New York Knicks who have done a phenomenal job turning a 23 win 59 loss season into a 17 win 7 loss start to 2020. Kudos to the Knickerbottoms. DeAaron Fox and Brandon Ingram look like a duo that will be flourishing for years to come. And dare I say it, it is kind of nice to see the Knicks up and flying once again, something for Spike to cheer about at least in the Garden. 

Finally our last pleasant surprise to start the 2020 season is the Charlotte Hornets who have turned a 35 win 47 loss 2019/20 season into a 17 win 8 loss start. Go Hornets. I think it is fair to say that we are witnessing the rise of Luka and the craftsmanship of the Point God Chris Paul. We will wait and see if the Hornets will be able to keep up with the pace, however it is great to see another team from the East rise up and challenge for the title. 

Lastly, I think it is only fair that consistency be acknowledged. 

The San Antonio Spurs are once again on a mission, coming out firing with 19 wins and 3 losses, building on their strong foundation from last season. Pop would be proud. Golden State look to be coasting, although I feel obliged to mention Zach LaVine in some way, shape or form.. (someone give him MVP already and put us out of our misery.) Trae Young is leading the Magic on their quest to something greater and the Wizards with their two prong assault of Dame and Booker seem to be following on the heels of the big dogs. 

Consistency is also seen in the lower ranks with the Boston Celtics, who are known as being one of the greatest sporting franchises in the world, are still allergic to winning and remain erect after every L that crosses their screen. 

Thanks for reading everyone, and of course no hard feelings! Utah is a mess, we all know it, I know it.