![Sophomore Mason Lee encompasses the persona of his character, Enjolras, during a rehearsal of Act One. I think [rehearsals are] going well and were very on track [with the squedule]... which is good, Student Assistant Director senior Neena Tavik, who is also playing Eponine, said. (Courtesy Sasha Rotton)](https://www.wjpitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/24466917-801C-45FE-A882-D818DABBDCB8-600x451.jpg)
![Since the collapse of the Baltimore Bridge in late March, federal law enforcement has began investigating what preceded the event. In a statement to CBS News, a spokesperson for the FBI said, [The] FBI is present aboard the cargo ship Dali conducting court authorized law enforcement activity. There is no other public information available and we will have no further comment. (Courtesy Isaac Smay via Flickr)](https://www.wjpitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/53619368036_399400003a_b-600x400.jpg)
It’s the beginning of November, which marks the transition from Major League Baseball to the National Basketball Association (NBA). In the first week of 2014, players have shone, teams have shocked and devastating injuries have already occurred.
For starters, there are still three teams that remain undefeated: the Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, and Memphis Grizzlies. With so many other star-studded squads, it’s surprising to have teams that were the fourth, sixth and seventh seeds, respectively from last year’s Western Conference playoffs, leading the league in wins. The Rockets, who perhaps are the most surprising team to start the season undefeated, are tremendously aided by the addition of small forward Trevor Ariza, who they acquired in free agency during the off-season.
Thus far, Ariza averages just under 16 points a game, shooting a tremendous 51 percent from the field. In addition, the Rockets also benefit from the explosive duo of all-stars Dwight Howard and James Harden, who average 26 and 19 points per game respectively.
In addition to Harden, Ariza and Howard, there are several other players who are making quite a name for themselves in the early portion of the season.
Kobe Bryant, aka “The Black Mamba”, who missed a lot of the 2013-14 season due to a knee injury, is shocking the entire league with his average of 27 points per game thus far.
John Wall, the clear leader of a young and talented Washington Wizards squad, averages 21 points and 10 assists per game.
Wall is also joined by Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson, who has averaged an almost unthinkable 27 points a game through 5 games.
While many players have shocked the world thus far, some of the key stars this season have already suffered catastrophic injuries. The Oklahoma City Thunder, always a leader in the Western Conference, have lost their two best players for a long period of time, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Durant suffered a fracture to his foot, and is likely to miss six to eight weeks at least. Westbrook suffered a fracture in his hand and could miss a few months. With the Thunder strongly weakened by injuries, other teams, such as the Rockets and Warriors, have a chance at claiming the Western Conference crown. Despite these shakeups,the start to the NBA has been nothing short of spectacular, and will hopefully go down in history as an incredible year of basketball.
