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The Washington Wizards finally got back on the court yesterday after missing over a week due to a coronavirus outbreak where seven players tested positive for COVID-19. While we wish the affected players to get well soon, we also know the NBA won’t show any sympathy. Fans also aren’t sympathetic with the team’s direction as only one-in-five fans said they were confident in the team’s direction according to last week’s survey results.
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We had another survey earlier this week after we learned that Washington had six players test positive for COVID-19. It remains to be seen if fan confidence dropped because of the team outbreak or if confidence goes up because the Wizards’ roster could be close to “herd immunity.” In general, most healthy people who get the coronavirus will not suffer from it again for quite some time.
National Results: There are no clear winners about which team is the biggest surprise of the NBA season so far
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With these graphics, the teams with the biggest words are bigger surprises. There are no clear winners here. However, the Charlotte Hornets and Phoenix Suns are bigger on this graphic because they are performing at a higher level than expected. And as for the Toronto Raptors, they are currently 5-8, 13th in the Eastern Conference, far off from where preseason expectations had them.
Tyrese Haliburton and Julius Randle are the two players who are the biggest surprises so far
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Sacramento Kings rookie guard Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 11.1 points and 5.3 assists this season. The Kings started out 5-5 in their first ten games, right before this survey was released. However, since then, Sacramento lost three in a row so perhaps he is not as big of a “surprise” now.
As for New York Knicks forward Randle, he is averaging 22.8 points and 11 rebounds per game this season, helping them stay in the Eastern Conference playoff pack with a 7-8 record. He has been averaging career-highs this season, but Randle has averaged close to a 20 point and 10 rebound per game season as well for each of his last three NBA seasons. Perhaps his performance and the Knicks’ improved record this season is helping him remain a positive surprise so far.
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