NBA Rankings: The 10 Biggest Surprises Through The First Week Of The Season

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With the first week of the NBA campaign now complete, it is time to take a look at the ten biggest surprises thus far in the young season.  

There has been some entertaining results and tantalizing storylines in the NBA's first seven days, as this season proves to be as unpredictable as ever.

These teams and players have surpassed preseason expectations, and have shined throughout week one in the NBA.

Honorable Mention: Paul Millsap – I can't exactly say that his statistics are overwhelmingly surprising, but I don't think many people predicted his play to be this phenomenal.

An injury to Mehmet Okur has opened a starting role for Millsap, one in which he has flourished.  He is averaging 21.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, and three assists per game, all of which are career highs.

Millsap is also shooting an astounding 63.4% from the field in 33 minutes per contest, numbers that put him near the top of the league.

10. New Jersey Nets

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After a dreadful 0-18 start to the 2009-2010 season, the Nets have two wins through their first three contests under the lead of new coach, Avery Johnson.

Even though their victories weren't over the greatest teams, Detroit and Sacramento, strong play from Devin Harris, Brook Lopez, and Derrick Favors have led New Jersey to a promising, and fairly surprising, start.

9. Arron Afflalo

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An early Most Improved Player Award candidate, Arron Afflalo has continued on his stellar preseason when he averaged 20.4 points per contest.

He's started the season strong with career high numbers in points with 14 and over three dimes through the first week. He is also shooting an extraordinarily high 63.6% from the field in addition to 55.6% from deep.

If his play continues, the Nuggets may have gained another legitimate scoring threat beside Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony in Denver.

8. Luis Scola

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Luis Scola has been putting up solid numbers for the past couple years, but no one expected the kind of stats he has put up thus far this season.  

Scola is averaging career highs in points, 27.3, rebounds, 14, and field goal percentage at 57%. 

These are all-NBA type numbers and they will need to continue if the Houston Rockets hope to make a deep playoff run this year.

7. Daniel Gibson

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After losing LeBron James to the Miami Heat, analysts expected Gibson's production to increase, but coming off the bench, not many predicted 'Boobie' to be the Cleveland Cavaliers leading scorer.

In addition to his 15 points each night, the most surprising and unexpected aspect of Gibson's game has been dishing six assists per contest.  Thought of primarily as a shooting guard, this dimension of Gibson's game was non-existent until this season.

6. Carlos Delfino

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Carlos Delfino's contributions this season have been significant for the Milwaukee Bucks, to say the least.  Delfino is putting up staggering, career-high numbers in almost every offensive category.

He is averaging 16.7 points, 48.7% shooting from the field, 46.2% from beyond the arc, and an NBA-best four three-pointers.

5. Wilson Chandler

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Wilson Chandler has had a blazing start to the 2010-2011 campaign.  Not only has he averaged exceptional offensive numbers, but Chandler's defense and rebounding has been a surprise as well.

Coming off the bench, Chandler has put up an outstanding 21 points and 10 rebounds per game, along with 1.3 steals and three blocks on the defensive end.

4. Mike Conley

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Experiencing a career season after three games, Conley is averaging career highs in most offensive categories. 

He has finally solidified his role as the team's point guard accumulating 15 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.3 rebounds per contest.

Conley has already earned himself a new contract extension because of his play, worth $40 million over five years. 

Conley has even improved drastically on the defensive end, with an astounding and league-best 3.7 steals per game.

3. Darrell Arthur

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Due to injuries to Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph in the Grizzlies frontcourt, Arthur has started in all three of Memphis' games.  

Arthur has been a huge contributor for the Grizzlies, averaging 17 points on 66.7 percent shooting and almost 5 rebounds. 

Darrell has shot a perfect 100% from the charity stripe, and will be difficult to remove from the starting lineup when both Randolph and Gasol return to full strength.

2. Dorell Wright

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Prior to this season, Dorell Wright's career high in points per game came in 2007-2008 when he averaged just under eight.

Even after being signed by the high-powered Warriors, I don't think any people expected Wright to average a whopping 19 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest. 

Also, a career 36% shooter from three, Dorell is converting a sensational 55% from downtown, near tops in the league.

1. New Orleans Hornets

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After much Chris Paul trade talk in the offseason and losing breakout rookie Darren Collison to the Pacers, the New Orleans Hornets have started the 2010-2011 campaign extremely impressively.

The Hornets are undefeated and are the only team in the league with three wins over playoff teams from a year ago. 

Chris Paul's play has been exceptional, averaging 20 points, six rebounds, and 9.3 assists through the opening week.

Most expected this Hornets squad to fall out of the playoff picture this season, but after an impressive road victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night, New Orleans may be a force to be reckoned with throughout the season.