As it currently stands, picking which teams qualify as the worst in the East is difficult, because there are a number of squads you would expect to be doing better yet are playing below their talent level.
1. ORLANDO MAGIC (2-6)
I have to put the Magic at the top, even though they don't have the worst record, because they're expected to at least have a mediocre one. It isn't their fault, I guess, with their best player being injured, you know, again. In fact Banchero is injured so regularly that, you'd think they'd come up with some type of viable contingency plan by now. If said contingency plan revolves around putting the onus on Bane or Wagner, well yeah, there you go, 2 and 6.
Remember back in the old days, when your star player went down, and the team was expected to suck? Now injuries are so common, someone or even someones being hurt is no longer a viable excuse.
As a coaching staff or braintrust or whatever, you have to find a way to win regardless. Just look at the Thunder for instance - two of their big three down, but they're still winning.
2. CHARLOTTE HORNETS (3-7)
For now, let's stick with teams that were expected to be better than their current showing. Are we supposed to believe Knueppel is so good that this deep roster just deadass sucks without him?
I still say this squad could benefit from a traditional PG, a theory that double sucks because there's a shortage of them to begin with, and even if a quality one were available, it'd be hard to believe he'd actually want to play for Charlotte. Maybe call CP3 out of retirement? But yeah, they could also benefit from someone like, say, the Beard, who can pass but also score a lot.
The way they got their asses bust by the Celtics last night wasn't encouraging at all. In fact, it was discouraging, making me lose the high faith I had in this squad.
NAZ REID
Wasted talent on a non-contender
3. NEW JERSEY NETS (2-6)
Since the start of the season, I haven't heard anything about the Nets. That's the kind of obscurity that occurs when you suck and also like don't even have a popular draft pick on the roster. And on that note, you have to give them credit for at least having won a couple of games thus far. Record-wise, they're almost as good as Heat.
4. MIAMI HEAT (3-6)
Even though the Heat have arguably been more disappointing than any other team in the conference, I didn't want to put them at the top because, when you really think about it, an adjustment period was to be expected. I'm sure I even intimated that in the past, that Bam was going to have to adjust from being an alpha to a sidekick more or less.
Another thing about Adebayo, which I've been saying or implying for years, is that out of all like 7-footers and shit, he perhaps has the best control when it comes to running the point. So now that they have Giannis in the middle, idk why they're still afraid to run that experiment.
And speaking of Giannis, Doc Rivers more or less dissed him the other day, basically saying that he's not a team player. And I mean when you really think about it, like yeah, all of his (offensive) highlights are like bumrushing the basket, just dunking on dudes.
But as Rivers also sorta implied, when you have that ability, which no other player (besides maybe Wemby) currently does, like why not use it? Giannis is arguably a top 3 player. So the team has to adjust to his style, not vice versa.
DAVION MITCHELL
Most underrated player in the league?
5. MILWAUKEE BUCKS (1-8)
Now, we're at a couple of teams that were expected to suck and thus far, are not exceeding those expectations. But one thing you have to say about the Bucks is that at least they play hard.
JAIME JAQUEZ
The Heat really shoulda figured out a way to retain him
MYLES TURNER
Not quite sure why he's still on this squad
KEL'EL WARE
Physically unable to play long minutes?
6. CHICAGO BULLS (1-7)
I haven't really been following the Bulls hard, like why even be compelled to do so? The stars of this rookie class are less fortunate than last year's, as they all more or less ended up on garbage squads. But nonetheless, you would think Chicago would be able to play better than this. I feel sorry for fans in this city, like how long they've been having to endure the bullsh*t.
7. WASHINGTON WIZARDS (4-5)
Dudes are breaking my heart. And I think the lesson learned is that, despite the plethora of young talent, they really do need the vets, such as Trae Young, to represent. As for AD, he's among the best of best but of course is super unreliable.
AJ DYBANTSA
Hasn't been impressing and may be incompatible alongside Young
8. INDIANA PACERS (3-6)
Surprise-surprise, Haliburton is once again in a hospice or some shit. I would rank this braintrust perhaps amongst the worst three in the league, first for appearing as if they intentionally embraced a losing culture last season (after having a cinderella showing in 2024-25) and second for retaining so much faith in Tyrese, who by the looks of things is not fit enough to have a long career as a superstar. He may need to be load managed to like Kawhi proportions, but the rest of the roster isn't inspiring enough to make one believe that's a viable option to win it all.
9. NEW YORK KNICKS (4-4)
Since the Knicks are reigning champs, we have to give them the benefit of the doubt, even after a slow start. But the way Brunson is always in the media on some other shit is starting to piss me off.
Unlike you're the rare type that actually flourishes with that tabloid-like attention, like say Dennis Rodman, it's a distraction to get caught up in all that shit. Just look at Travis Kelce for instance. Also, once you get to this team's bench, they're like too smallish.
MIKALBRIDGES
Should be traded, if possible and please, not for another small G
KAT
Potential MVP, if not for Wemby and Luka(?)
JAMES WISEMAN
Getting no burn, damn
10. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (5-4)
Mediocrity isn't acceptable for a starting lineup of this caliber. But one thing you have to appreciate about their makeup is, even if, say, Allen is down (which he tends to be a lot), they still have enough size and versatility to win. But the one time I did see Jarrett play, he looked like a stud. Also, the Beard seems to be slowing down a bit which, all things considered, may be a good thing, especially if he can learn to be more of a defensive presence.
JAMES HARDEN
Pink sneakers... and a fat ass?
11. TORONTO RAPTORS (5-4)
The Raptors won yesterday without Barnes or Leonard (or Quickley). It was against the Bucks, but still. You have to appreciate a team that can show out even without its two biggest stars. Last season, despite getting bounced in the First Round, Toronto showed the makings of a winning culture. And as also illustrated with the Blazers, that's at least something that can be built upon, even if you don't have the most impressive roster.
12. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (8-2)
I don't want to use the word overtalented in reference to this squad, because they complement each other pretty well. But the Sixer who has arguably made the biggest sacrifice, all things considered, is Jaylen Brown. Also, all of the depth and youth is concentrated at the 1-3, and it's only a matter of time before that becomes more of a blaring issue. Eventually, dudes are gonna have to find someone else who can viably play the 5, whether Embiid is healthy or not.
VJ EDGECOMBE
A potential allstar, if he had more name recognition
JOEL EMBIID
Only 32, but moves like he's the oldest person in the league
13. DETROIT PISTONS (6-2)
The Pistons do what the Pistons do - win during the regular season. But you have to give them extra credit for having this type of record, despite Jalen Duren only playing a couple of games. It sucks that, relatively speaking, he's being underpaid. But all pieces considered, maybe he is more or less expendable, as implied by the braintrust.
14. ATLANTA HAWKS (6-4)
I still don't see the Hawks as contenders, and there are conference rivals with better records, but you have to give credit where credit is due. Out of all the younger teams in the East, virtually all of which have more popular players, they are the overachievers and have also maintained their impressive momentum from last season. I would argue that they have a greater size issue than even Philly. But dudes are like all over the place, arguably the most energetic team in the NBA. They even beat the Wizards last night without Jalen Johnson.
15. BOSTON CELTICS (7-2)
I have to be honest and say that, whereas it eventually dawned on me that Boston had a formidable roster even devoid of Brown, I wasn't expecting them to overachieve like this. It's an early season, but still, when you talk about a winning culture, few organizations trump the Celtics. They're definitely, as it currently stands, contenders, and Mitchell Robinson isn't even playign that well.
I would still argue they don't necessarily have the star power to win it all. But again, they definitelly have the culture, i.e. confidence.
No comments:
Post a Comment