We’re barely a full week into a new NBA season, and so much has already happened.

There has already been a shocking number of overtime thrillers. Three separate players have already scored at least 50 points in a single game. And teams like the (brace yourselves) Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets sit at or near the top of the league standings. Uh, we’ll see how long that lasts.

With one week in the books, it’s time to dispense some irresponsible takes. That’s right, folks. Here are eight of my biggest overreactions from the first week of this NBA season. While some of these thoughts may eventually hold true in the long run, I cannot stress enough that these are EXAGGERATED opinions based on an extremely small sample size. Like, less than three percent of the season.

Take them for what they are worth: Early ideas being planted as seeds.

Victor Wembanyama is already the NBA’s best player: Dearest readers, this young man is averaging 33 points, 13 rebounds, and six blocks while shooting 36 percent from 3-point land. He spent the Spurs’ first three games humiliating Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson, respectively, before taking the woeful Brooklyn Nets behind the woodshed. He has been a menace on both ends of the court in a way we’ve never seen from a professional basketball player. It’s terrifying to think that this is probably not even the 21-year-old’s final form.We overhyped the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks: I’ll be candid. I believed the Magic, with Desmond Bane, and the Hawks, with Kristaps Porziņģis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, would both get off the ground running in a weak (on paper) East. Instead, Orlando might still have the same perimeter shooting issues that have plagued it in recent years. And the Hawks, even with their terrific wing depth, can’t stop a nosebleed. It’s early, but both teams might be bigger works in progress than we thought.Nikola Jokić won’t finish as an MVP finalist, and the Denver Nuggets will still be great: Through two games at the time of this writing, Jokić is shooting 41.9 percent from the field. He spent the Nuggets’ first game in Golden State aimlessly gunning 3-pointers. He barely looked at the rim in their home opener against Phoenix. The Nuggets are tied for first in offensive rating anyway. I doubt Jokić will be this inefficient as a scorer all year. He’s too good. But he also might not have to score like an MVP every night for a deeper Denver team to thrive. When was the last time we could say that?Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks can actually win a flawed East: This is less a statement on the Bucks and Giannis and more about the Eastern Conference landscape. I remain skeptical about the Bucks’ long-term viability with a roster composed entirely of role players behind a top-15 all-time player. But I also think it would be naive to say Milwaukee has no NBA Finals chance when its talisman is already averaging a sterling 36-16-7 and its biggest competition is a Cleveland team that hasn’t proven itself in the playoffs and a defensively challenged Knicks squad. Doubt the Bucks at your own risk.The Oklahoma City Thunder will break the NBA regular-season win record: Through three games, the reigning champion Thunder have been without All-NBA forward Jalen Williams. They’re 3-0 anyway with impressive wins over Houston, Indiana, and Atlanta. Part of it is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s continued greatness as a bucket-getter. Part of it is Chet Holmgren’s ascendance into a difference-making offensive option. Part of it is the Thunder’s trademark defensive intensity. This team looks better than the one that won 68 games last year. Suffice it to say, winning 74 games to break the NBA’s regular-season wins mark feels attainable.The Philadelphia 76ers‘ youth movement will save the Joel Embiid era: Joel Embiid is still trying to work himself back into top form, but he doesn’t have to rush. Why? The 76ers’ young guard trio of Tyrese Maxey, bright rookie V.J. Edgecombe, and Quentin Grimes has been scorching-hot so far. Maxey has leveled up to an All-NBA-caliber player. Edgecombe is the way-too-early frontrunner for Rookie of the Year. And Grimes might be the Association’s best reserve perimeter player. Now, imagine what could happen if Embiid starts consistently playing like an MVP again. The 76ers are more dangerous than we think.LeBron James won’t be missed by the Los Angeles Lakers in his absence: This was a rough take to have after watching the Lakers take an opening home beating at the hands of Golden State. But then I watched Luka Dončić average a near 46-point triple-double through three games and Austin Reaves drop 51 points on the Sacramento Kings. The Lakers remain flawed, especially on defense. But it’s not as if a 40-year-old James was going to help much in that regard. As it stands, the Lakers look much more balanced and healthy on offense so far without “The King” as he recovers from sciatica. We are #noticing.Without real point guards, the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks are cooked: These two winless teams might have the NBA’s deepest wing and forward groups. These two teams thought they could get by with the ghost of D’Angelo Russell (as Kyrie Irving recovers from an ACL tear) and a green Amen Thompson as an initiator. They were wrong. To the surprise of no one, having real point guards who know how to initiate offense and create for their teammates still matters! What’s all that terrific depth in the frontcourt gonna give you if no one can reliably make an entry pass or run a basic pick-and-roll off a screen? Nothing! Nada! Zilch!Shootaround

This was Layup Lines, For the Win’s basketball newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.