1. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (6-16)
The Clippers are the most intriguing team in the league, like if someone were to write a book. First, they came into the season more or less being accused of cooking the books. The idea of overpaying Kawhi Leonard may seem laughable now, but a few seasons back there were apparently people who believed that his health wouldn't be as inconsistent as it has become.
LAC also entered the league with arguably the most stacked, albeit aged, roster in the league, replete with at least three future HOFers. And that's why, even though they don't have the very worst record, the Clips still managed to top this month's Power Stinkings.
And now, just a couple of days ago, they unceremoniously and unexpectedly cut Chris Paul. This is despite the fact that "the Neck", after a long and illustrious career, already asserting he'd be retiring at the end of the season. Beyond that, it's safe to say that he's the greatest player in LAC's history.
Dude must've been a real pain in the ass for them to just sack him lack that, while generating national headlines in the process. The good news is that now, he may end up on an actual contender. The bad news is that he'll probably do some dumb shit and pick the Knicks.
As for the Beard, I'm sure I already stated at the beginning of this season that it's time for the Clips to move on already. Being able to occassionally drop 40+ pts isn't as big as news as it used to be, and it's more or less expected when you're a former MVP.
I'd like to think that if I were a team exec, I wouldn't overpay an aged star regardless of how much name recognition he has. Or at least, move James to the 2 and start breaking in a younger point, though in the 'positionless' NBA it's like everyone now has the license to chuck.
2. SACREMENTO KINGS (5-17)
While we're on the subject of teams whose record should be a lot better based on their rosters, there's at least one future HOFer on the Kings and maybe, by the time all is said and done, three or four more(!). Yet this team sucks ass, and you have to wonder if this were another organization (with a winning cultgure) with the same roster yet, if things would be different.
I recently came across a headline stating that Keegan Murray is now the man in Sacramento. This may be the first time I ever actually mentioned his name in this blog. I don't know much about him except he's supposed to be a really good shooter and defender. He's also younger than the rest of the core. If someone like that, with C-list name recognition, is able to overshadow Westbrook, DeRozan and LaVine, yeah, that says a lot.
But I think it's safe to say that Sabonis remains the best all-around player on this squad, and finally the Kings are ready to shop him, maybe, according to reports. It'll be really interesting to see where he ends up. While everyone is panting over Giannis, Domantas' style, which to my understanding doesn't demand him controlling the ball, may be preferable based on a roster's makeup.
3. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (3-19)
Back when Zion was being drafted, I was the only pundit who was like 'wait a minute' - and it wasn't even so much about his injury history. No one really knew back then that he would miss more games in the NBA than he would play(!). But I was like yeah, the guy is really popular and athletic, but it isn't like he actually dominated in college. And now we see, even when he is healthy, it ain't like the Pelicans are unstoppable. With Williamson on the court, thorughout his entire year, they've been more like an average or even below-average team.
Ultimately, the issue with the likes of Harden or Zion, these superstars whose skillsets may be better served with another roster than the one they're currently one, is that oh dip, they're making a shit ton of money which, when it comes to on-court success, they're not actually worth. So all things considered, it may be more probable that Zion, if he is finally traded, ends up on a team that won't suddenly become contenders with his addition. No braintrust in their right mind would actually belive they could win a championship with a player this inconsistent (healthwise) as a center piece.
4. INDIANA PACERS (4-18)
I don't think I've watched the Pacers yet this season, and there really isn't anything compelling me to do so now. It really sucks, you know, considering where these guys were at just a few months ago. They went from having the most-clutch star in the NBA - if not professional sports altogether - to now being must-not watch type shit. But to my understanding, they still have enough pride to at least put up a fight.
5. CHARLOTTE HORNETS (6-16)
I was recently watching this video which indirectly made a convincing argument for the Hornets to part ways with LaMelo Ball. The one fact I remember the most is that in six seasons as the team's alpha, they still have yet to make the playoffs and by the looks of things are headed home early this season also.
The idea of Ball landing on a different squad is an interesting prospect, depending on where he lands. But you have to ask - how many teams actually need one of these ball-chucking PGs? It ain't like he's Jamal Murray type shit.
6. WASHINGTON WIZARDS (3-17)
I feel good about the Wizards. McCollum + Middleton, if healthy, is one of the best (scoring) 2-3 combinations in the league. That said, I don't know any of the young guys besides Alex Sarr, and even him, like I don't know how he looks or what position he plays.
The good thing about hitting rock bottom is there's no way to go but up. If Washington can figure things out, this iteration may never be contenders, but ideally they won't be pushovers either.
7. DALLAS MAVERICKS (8-15)
If not for the Clippers, I think it's safe to say that the Mavs would hold the distinction as most disappointing squad. No one was expecting them to lie at the top of the standings after losing Luka and subsequently Kyrie. Speaking of which, the braintrust should have definitely had a better contigency plan in place, after letting Doncic go, than depending on Irving's health. Anyhow, this is a team with a deep frontline, replete with a no.1 pick and somewhat of a winning culture, so no one was expecting them to be this bad.
Speaking of which, I have finally come across the word "bust" in the mainstream media in relation to Cooper, as in 'is Flagg a bust?' I wouldn't go that far, but readers of this blog know that I did state Dallas was gambling, so to speak, in selecting him number one. Like who takes an American whiteboy with the top pick?
Having the top pick in a draft with a player who's unaminously considered as the best in the class can't be easy, not now, in the 21st century when players and indeed the system itself is less reliable. On one hand, you may be thinking, 'I'm going to do what my heart tells me, not go with the flow'. But on the other, you know what I'm saying? How could they not have chosen Flagg?
That said, maybe he'll end up being a later bloomer, like Cunningham.
8. BROOKLYN NETS (5-16)
If you dig through this blog, you'll see that a few years back I stated that Micheal Porter Jr., if finally healthy, may one day be MVP. Yes, I seriously said that.
Since then, we've both come to our senses. Michael is like 'wait a minute, not only am I talented, but I'm also like the tallest dude on the court'. And as for me, my expectations of his potential have been tempered a bit, but still, you know what I'm saying? If only he was able to go wild like this on a team that actually wins. Maybe they should think about shipping his biege ass out to the Jazz(?).
9. UTAH JAZZ (7-13)
I haven't heard much abotu the Jazz except that maybe they'll shop Markkannen, or they'll try to retool around him come trade deadline. In the grand scheme of things, neither of those courses are likely to turn this season around.
When Ainge went ot Utah, I was giddy (pun intended?). I was looking forward to Danny working his guru magic and turning this ass-backwards franchise around. Instead, after like two or three seasons, there hasn't been any progress whatsoever.
Having a bunch of tall whiteboys is cool. It's novel, in a way. But it'd help to have at least one electric Black player beside them. And also, win games type shit.
10. PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS (9-13)
I sorta forgot about the Blazers for a second there. That's a result of the cursed combination of being a less-popular franchise that isn't even like .500 type shit.
When these guys had a winning record, they were the talk of the town. But now it's back to like, if you asked someone to name all 30 NBA teams, Portland would be one of the last ones they remember.
Imagine if Dame were actually healthy? Yeah, I know that's a big wish, but he may exactly what a young squad like this needs.
Also, shoutout to Jrue Holiday. When I did peep the Blazers a couple of weeks ago, he was doing his thing, as usual. Speaking of trade deadline, he should one of the most sought after players, not some big star that you have to go out of your way to accomodate. Jrue knows how to make an impact without disrupting a team's chemistry.
11. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (9-13)
So I was wathcing this YouTube video the other day that was saying something like both Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson have fallen off, and the Grizzlies may actually be a better team without them (or at least without Ja). Meanwhile, besides for Zach Edey and Pippen Jr. (is he still around?), oh yeah, and that dude Aldama, I can't even name anyone else on this roster off the top of my head. In any event, that has to be a hard pill to swallow, i.e. a team performing better without their star than with him.
Ja may also be stuck in the unenviable position of no longer possessing the energy to be a superstar yet being paid so much that he has to be one. It's obviously time for him to be traded. But if so, due to his salary he isn't likely to find himself, if his skills have actually declined, in a situation where he'll like vault a roster to the championship level. But at this point, I am hoping for a quick change of scenery.
12. MILWAUKEE BUCKS
So finally, moreso than any other time in history, it feels like Giannis may be on the cusp of getting traded. The game after that news broke, he suffers a (fake?) injury in the 1st Quarter, yet the medicore Bucks go on to defeat the best team in the East.
Man, if he does forces himself out, I feel sorry for these dudes, as they obviously want to keep him. Or maybe they're preparing for the inevitable by playing hard, so that the star player who will come in his stead will at least be entering the right type of culture.
13. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (11-11)
The Wariors have been here before, being led by Steph Curry yet struggling to even maintain a .500 record. But I still contend, out of every player in the NBA, that Steph is the last dude you want to face in the playoffs. However, his era is clearly coming to an end, as it has been more or less for seasons now. But now it's becomign more like one of those, do we really want to see dude eventually bow out limping type shit?
14. PHILADELPHIA SIXERS (11-9)
The Sixers' record isn't really that good, but they're the only team in the NBA to have established and maintain a winning record with their two most popular players being more or less nonfactors. But generally speaking, this organization is not known to overachieve like, say, the Heat. So it'll be interesting if all of the load management or whatever does lead to a healthy Embiid and/or George come playoff time, because dudes will likely need them. Like when's the last time Joel has been at full strength during the postseason?
15. CHICAGO BULLS (9-12)
TF happened? Just a couple weeks ago, dudes were like the feel-good story of the league. If not for the Jordan Era, the Bulls would be like one of the worst organizations in NBA history. But the reason I put them on the mid-stink level, rather than casting them into the sewer is because maybe, just maybe they can reclaim some of that magic from a month ago.
No comments:
Post a Comment