Welcome to the first edition of the NBAsdaq Index, the official stock report of the NBA. This highly analytical and deeply researched column will outline the strongest trends in the NBA and help you get greater returns on your League Pass investment.
As we are now 15.609756097561 per cent of the way through the regular season (as at 21 Nov), there is now sufficient data to make purchase recommendations on a range of NBA stocks.
Joel ‘The Process’ Embiid – BUY
No player achieved more without playing than Jo Jo. He recruited LeBron, courted Rihanna and generated drool-worthy vine highlights during warm-ups, all while being out injured for his first two years in the league.
The question was never “Is he the best follow on NBA Twitter?” (he is), it was “Is he capable of playing NBA basketball?”.
The answer has been a resounding YES. As a rookie who hadn’t played in more than two years, his per 36 min averages are 29.5 points, 12.4 rebounds, 3.6 blocks, and 2 assists while making 1.8 threes on 50 per cent shooting. He has also maintained his strong Instagram presence.
A high risk investment due to injury but the return could be record breaking. We will track Embiid with regularity over the season.
Orlando Magic – Down
The Magic had analysts scratching their heads over the offseason, signing Serge Ibaka, Bismack Biyombo and Jeff Green to big money deals, relegating their best talents (Aaron Gordon and Nicola Vucevic) to bit-part roles.
Frank Vogel had an excellent defensive reputation and yet they have only been OK on that end (14th in defensive rating), and abysmal on offence (28th in Offensive rating). Elfrid Payton has yet to get a haircut or a jump shot. A record below .500 after a very soft schedule is a real concern.
Investors should avoid for the time being, however a buy low opportunity may present itself if the front office can turn one of their front court assets into a shooter.
Austin Rivers – Hold
After a strong finish in the playoffs (with a broken face, no less) last season, it appeared that Rivers was finally ready to make the jump to become an average NBA player. Not quite. In-fact, his stats this season are remarkably similar to the rest of his maligned career, with the same points and assists per game, at the same field goal per cent.
Fortunately for investors, there is reason for hope. His Daddy is both the coach and GM of the team. It’s a given that Rivers will keep getting minutes on the best team in the league. More on that below…
LA Clippers – Buy
The Clippers are the best team in the NBA, with a record of 12 wins and two losses. While early in the season, this is remarkable given the new look Warriors had experts predicting roughly 30 wins in their first 13 games. CP3 is still the Point God, Blake Griffin is healthy, DeAndre Jordan has had three hairstyles and JJ Redick is still excellent despite his blossoming podcast career.
They look like a lock for a top three place in the Western Conference, as long as Blake can avoid bashing any more staff members. A blue chip asset in any portfolio, at least until the playoffs start.
Quickly, Russell Westbrook and James Harden are putting up ridiculous numbers on average teams, strong assets for any portfolio. Statistically they will be leading MVP chances, but their team records may put off voters.
Harden has shed himself of the ‘Kardashian Kurse’, and now Tristan Thompson will be looking to ensure his career doesn’t go the way of Kris Humphries’. It may be best to go short on Thompson’s stock with Kevin Love also in his best form since he was traded to the Cavs.
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