Overreactions from the NBA’s first week

It’s been an action-packed week since the 2025-26 NBA season tipped off last Tuesday. In the eight days of play, fans have been treated to thrilling games, outstanding individual performances and plenty of drama.

After the league’s opening barrage of games, here are four early, and perhaps controversial, takes.

Wemby for DPOY, MVP?

We already knew that Victor Wembanyama was generational–his nickname is quite literally “The Alien,” after all–but I don’t think many people expected him to be quite this dominant to begin the year.

The Frenchman set the tone for this year’s campaign when he dropped 40 points on the in-state rival Dallas Mavericks in the Spurs’ season opener, doing so while shooting 71.4% from the field. Wembanyama is averaging 31.0 points per game to start the year, which ranks eighth in the league.

As impressive as Wemby has been offensively, his defense has really catapulted the 7-foot-4 center into the spotlight, and perhaps contention for multiple awards.

He’s recorded 4.8 blocks per game, the most in the league, and over two more per game than Walker Kessler, who sits second with 2.7. Wembanyama has also been stellar on the boards, grabbing 13.8 rebounds per game, which is good for fourth in the league.

Against New Orleans on Friday night, Wembanyama denied nine Pelicans shots, barely missing out on a triple-double of points, rebounds and blocks.

In his rookie campaign in 2023, Wemby finished second in defensive player of the year voting. With his defensive averages already higher than they were in his runner-up year, this could be the season where he breaks through to win it.

Add in his improvements offensively, and he could take home the MVP as well.

Wembanyama’s performances this year have helped his San Antonio Spurs to a 4-0 start, which currently has them second in the Western Conference. With guard De’Aaron Fox still due to return, the team could be deadly if their core, particularly Wembanyama, stays healthy.

Edgecombe is the early ROTY favorite

It’s been a strong first week for the 2025 rookie class, but one in particular has outshone the rest.

76ers guard V.J. Edgecombe immediately made a name for himself in Philadelphia’s opening matchup against the Boston Celtics. The former Baylor Bear scored 34 points in the opening-night win for Philadelphia, and is averaging 22.3 points per game through the Sixers’ first four matchups to lead all rookies.

The third overall pick in June’s draft is also averaging 5.8 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game.

While No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg is still the -105 favorite, per FanDuel, to win Rookie of the Year, he’s been underwhelming to begin his pro career.

Flagg has been hit-or-miss so far. There are flashes, like his thunderous dunk against the Raptors, but also worrying moments, like his performance against the Thunder, where he shot 11.1% from the field, scoring just two points through 31 minutes of game time.

As it stands, V.J. clearly has the edge.

The Lakers should move on from LeBron

Hey LeBron, we’re good. Austin Reaves is here.

I say that only half-seriously, as those two sentences have the potential to age as poorly as when Colin Cowherd said the same regarding Ben Simmons in 2018.

Reaves has, however, been on fire to begin the year. In two games as the Lakers’ primary scoring option, he put up 51 and 41 points against the Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers, respectively.

Those performances came in the absence of Luka Dončić, who should be returning in about a week from finger and leg injuries, so his numbers will likely sink in the near future. For now, his 35.8 points and 8.5 assists per game rank third and fifth in the league.

James has been the Lakers’ primary option since he signed with the team in 2018, but after the team traded for Dončić in February, it has become increasingly clear that the future of the team is in the Slovenian’s hands.

In Dončić’s two games played this season, he scored 49 and 41 points. The addition of Reaves’ scoring outbreaks only continued to prove that it might be time to pass the torch.

With rumors swirling around both LeBron’s unhappiness in L.A. and potential retirement in the near future, it could benefit both parties to move on. Getting James out of the facility would allow Luka to fully take the reins and give LeBron a chance to chase a final ring to cap his illustrious career.

The Thunder will strike again

At the time of writing, the Thunder stand alone atop the NBA at 5-0. While the Spurs and Sixers trail close behind, it seems imminent that Oklahoma City will break away as the season progresses and push for back-to-back titles.

The Thunder return almost the exact same core that won them the championship last season. Reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is finding the same form as he did in last year’s run to the title, averaging 34.8 points per game, including a 55-point night in the Thunder’s double-overtime win over the Indiana Pacers.

Center Chet Holmgren has been strong as well, averaging a double-double of 23.0 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.

Oklahoma City’s undefeated start comes even as the Thunder are without guard Jalen Williams, who is sidelined after undergoing wrist surgery in the offseason. Williams was instrumental in last season’s success, and will only make the Thunder even deadlier when he returns.

While the Thunder have had to grind out a few of their wins in overtime, the team is too skilled not to make another strong attempt at a title, at the very least.

There's a lot of basketball still left to play, but early returns suggest that the new NBA season is going to be a good one.

Elliott Inscho is a first-year studying digital and print journalism. To contact him, email eli5026@psu.edu