Not who we thought they were: Five nice surprises and three early-season letdowns

The article discusses eight players who have surprised the sports world, both positively and negatively, in the early stages of the season. On the positive side, the article highlights five "nice surprises": Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks, Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Bol Bol of the Orlando Magic, and Kevon Looney of the Golden State Warriors. These players have exceeded expectations and demonstrated remarkable performances. Conversely, the article identifies three "early-season letdowns": Russell Westbrook of the Los Angeles Lakers, Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans, and Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets. These players have struggled to meet the high standards set for them, and the article delves into the factors contributing to their underwhelming starts. The article provides a balanced perspective, highlighting both the positive and negative surprises in the early stages of the season, and sets the stage for what fans and analysts can expect from these players going forward.