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@HardwoodKnocks | @AndrewDBailey | @DanFavale

If only every absurdly hot start to the 2017-18 NBA season could last forever.

Sadly, though, life on the hardwood doesn’t work like that. Some blistering beginnings are for real. Others? Not so much. They’re protracted smokescreens—players and teams capitalizing on fiery streaks and relative early-season laxity and unpreparedness from opponents.

Where do some of this year’s most notable starts fall on the “Is this real life?” scale?

Andy and Dan tackle the biggest, baddest, bestest standouts, ultimately deciding whether they’re flashes in the pan or signs of a new normal.

Yes, this means lots and lots and lots of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Ben Simmons talk. It also means we’ll be cannonballing into the suddenly awesome Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic. The Boston Celtics’ defense and the Memphis Grizzlies’ bench will be making cameos as well.

So, too, will Ricky Rubio, DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis’ three-point shooting.

And Stephen Curry’s return to MVP form.

And greatest-of-all-time-candidate Mike James. And Unicorn O.G. Kristaps Porzingis.

And, well, you get the gist—we’re burning through a bunch of topics.

There may or may not even be a Donovan Mitchell tangent along the way.

Don’t forget to check out the first part of this early-season series, wherein we deliver “Panic or Nah?” verdicts for the NBA’s coldest starts. You can listen to that here.