Early November returns

J.A. Adande in the Daily Dime on ESPN.com today made an interesting point about the first month of the season. The cream rises to the top quickly. The best teams for most of the season start strong and rarely fade out of the playoff picture.

Maybe Magic fans should worry because one of the teams he focuses on are the 6-0 Atlanta Hawks. But it is an interesting point to consider. Orlando has always done decently in November -- December is usually the team's bad month because of the West Coast road trip thrown in there.

But being curious, here is Orlando's records from November (and October) the past 19 years by win percentage and that team's final record.

1995-96: 13-2 (60-22, conference finals No. 2)
1994-95: 10-2 (57-25, Finals No. 1)
2007-08: 14-4 (52-30, conf. semis No. 3)
2006-07: 12-4 (40-42, first round No. 8)
1992-93: 8-3 (41-41, missed playoffs)
1998-99*: 10-4 (33-17, first round No. 3)
1996-97: 8-4 (45-37, first round No. 7)
1997-98: 10-6 (41-41, missed playoffs)
2004-05: 8-5 (36-46, missed playoffs)
2002-03: 10-7 (42-40, first round No. 8)
1993-94: 6-5 (50-32, first round No. 4)
1989-90: 7-7 (18-64, missed playoffs)
2005-06: 7-7 (36-46, missed playoffs)
1999-2000: 7-8 (41-41, missed playoffs)
2001-02: 7-9 (44-38, first round No. 5)
1991-92: 6-8 (21-61, missed playoffs)
2000-01: 5-11 (43-39, first round No. 5)
1990-91: 3-12 (31-51, missed playoffs)
2003-04: 1-16 (21-61, missed playoffs)
*1998-99 season began in February because of lockout.

Notice a little pattern there?

The team's three best seasons (1996, 1995 and 2008) had the best starts. Every where else is sort of hit or miss. But if Orlando wants to be an elite team, it takes a great start to get there.

The Magic's current record is 4-3. Not impressing anyone. You certainly can make the playoffs with a bad start as the data shows. It just becomes a lot tougher to earn a higher seeding in the playoffs and advance to the finals.

Here is a look at the start for the past five NBA Champions. Interesting stuff to note.

2008 Boston Celtics - 13-2 (finished 66-16)
2007 San Antonio Spurs - 11-5 (finished 58-24)
2006 Miami Heat - 9-6 (finished 52-30)
2005 San Antonio Spurs - 12-3 (finished 59-23)
2004 Detroit Pistons - 12-6 (finished 54-28)

Anything is possible but it is clear getting off to a good start is key to winning a title.