NBA Power Stinkings (December 2025)

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.

If I Could Send One Player to Any Team (Pacific Division)

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (48-34) - BOL BOL

As it currently stands, the Dubs don't have a C to speak of, and if they traded Kuminga for, say, Keegan Murray, that wouldn't solve their problem with size.  But at the same time, they've already won a few championship without a widely-recognizable C, tho that was back in the Splash Bros.' days.

I'm going to once again go with Bol Bol here.  He's arguably the best big big still on the market, if you average his stats by the minutes he's been granted.  I get the Al Horford argument and can totally see how he would fit in Golden State.  But first of all, you have to question the logic of going even older.  Second, it seems that the Warriors are going to eventually get Horford anyway, whether Kuminga sticks around or not.

Imagine a starting front of Green + Kuminga + Butler?  They could arguably be the best from a defensive standpoint.  And on one hand it's like 'damn, they can't shoot threes'.  But isn't Steph on the team also?

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (50-32) - AL HORFORD

They're saying the the 2025-26 Clippers are the oldest team in NBA history.  So, why stop now?  They have the deepest roster since the turn-of-the-century Blazers.  Wearing the opponent down with an endless supply of good players is a viable strategy, esp. in today's NBA.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS (50-32) - AL HORFORD

Now we're seeing more of the aftereffects of Lebron coming to the Lakers.  The best brainstrust in the NBA has become such that they're in the present and future at the same time.  And funny thing once again is that these problems would be solved if LBJ just stuck to the 4 and played harder defense (more consistently) - the latter which he probably can't due to age.

Outside of the point, the Lakers aren't deep at any position.  I'm once again thinking about Horford, if they actually want to win now and has had a winning history, even when not winning championships.  Also, he can play like three different positions.

Another option is Gary Payton II, a player who knows how to make an impact without having the ball in is hands.

PHOENIX SUNS (36-48) - AL HORFORD

Phoenix has an exceptional braintrust that's difficult to figure out.  They're like a poker player being dealt a winning hand but then saying 'hey, let's gamble anyway, since we have the chips'.  The Suns' long-term relationship with Booker is inspiring but, you know what I'm saying?  Dudes really need to think outside the box.

Meanwhile Horford, at the age of 39(!), is arguably the best unrestricted free agent on the market.  He wouldn't make the Suns into contenders, but it's like if they remain healthy, who knows?

It's difficult for me to envision Kuminga on Phoenix's roster, and he wouldn't likely make them into contenders either, though the Suns may once again prove exciting.  That Bradley Beal contract, oh my goodness.

SACRAMENTO KINGS (40-42) - BEN SIMMONS

It's been years since I watched the Kings play, so this following suggestion is made based upon a presumption.  Anytime you pass the ball to DeRozan, Lavine or Sabonis in a halfcourt set, you have to more or less take for granted he's going to shoot.  And why not?  All three are consistent 20ppg scorers, and this is besides other viable scoring option on Sacramento's roster.  So what you rather need is a complementary player who isn't going to shoot the ball but excels at other areas.

It amazes me how NBA teams with a lot of firepower can't see that.  There needs to be a team that reminds the world that a championship can be won with two-pointers(?).

The Thunder just more or less did.  So if the Kings are going to be stuck with this core, might as well let them go buckwild - complete shoot-at-will though inside the arc type shit.  What the team would then need though is exceptional rebounding and perimeter defense, both of which I think Ben provides.

I can also envision the ScapeGOAT on this squad.  But at the end of the day the Kings are likely going to have to reboot, with like Sabonis being the only man untouchable.

CONCLUSION

It's funny how, after the youngest team ever just won a championship, the hottest free agent heading into this August is almost 40 years old.  I guess NBA players are like action stars.  We like what we're familiar with, even if the younger guys are more athletic.  Al Horford is like the Bruce Willis of the NBA.

2023 NBA Playoffs Ruminations (1 May 2023)

CAN ANYONE DEFEND STEPH?

Throughout the last decade so many different teams, - from the Blazers to the Rockets to the Mavs and now to the Kings - have been trying to beat the Warriors at their own game, which is by outshooting them.  That likely isn't going to happen because of Steph who, even compared to the likes of Murray and Dame, is on another level.  Curry being hot for an entire game or even series isn't enough to beat a quality opponent these days.  But somewhere along the line, Klay or Poole is also going to get hot, and even if they do so for even a quarter during the second half of a game, along with Steph hitting his shots, that's enough to beat other squads.

Eventually the Warriors may meet the Nuggets or Suns, who are also probably going to try to outgun them.  I guess with the Suns especially, that may be possible.  But why is it that in all these years, no player or coach or braintrust has ever figured out a way to effectively defend Curry?  Have they even really tried?  And I don't mean shutting him down type shit, but, you know, limiting him to like less than 30 points in a series-defining game.

The main reason the Kings lost, imo, is due to lack of size.  All of those writers who for the last few years have been saying dumb shit like traditional centers no longer matter, try entering these playoffs without not only a quality bigman but also a quality backup or two and see what happens.  Awhile back I argued that Sabonis may be the best PF in the league, and I mean exactly that, like he shouldn't be forced to play center when he's outmatched, like he was trying to fend off Looney + Draymond + Wiggins.  Like WTF was that?!  It's like the Kings deserted him down in the trenches.  Where's Richaun Holmes and the rest of the big dudes on Sacramento's roster?  It reached a point in Game 7 when it was obvious that one of them should have been downlow alongside Domantas, a lesson that was already supposed to have been learnt since the Warriors basically did the same thing, i.e. team up and overpower Sabonis in the post, in Game 5.

To me, the AD + Lebron Lakers were built for this moment, to finally take down the Warriors.  If you can't outshoot the Dubs and you can't defend Steph, then the next logical thing to do is try to outsize them.  I remember that the Warriors beat LAL a couple of seasons ago in the play-ins, when AD was hobbled or whatever.  The biggest mistake the Lakers can make is having Lebron hovering around the perimeter instead of punishing the Dubs down low.  Three pointers win big series when you're the Warriors.  But no other has been able to consistently practice that standard.

Trade Talk: Sabonis vs. Haliburton, Hield and Thompson

PACERS GET	KINGS GET
Tyrese Haliburton	Justin Holiday
Buddy Hield	Jeremy Lamb
Tristan Thompson	Domantas Sabonis
	2027 2nd rounder

I wrote about the Kings earlier this season, before even watching them play.  Well I did finally get a chance to watch them recently when they squared off against Golden State in Cali.  And Sacramento looked more like a really good college team than an NBA squad.  That's when I realized that having said earlier that their roster was rife was talent may have been a bit hasty of a conclusion.  But there is a lot of potential talent - players who, if they find themselves in a different environment, may prosper, blazi fukin blah.  Like it may be any basketball player's dream to make it to the NBA, but no one in their right mind would actually want to be drafted by the Kings.

The one player on Sacramento who really represented, outside of established vet and former-Warrior Harrison Barnes, was rookie Davion Mitchell.  And going back to being drafted by the Kings, he's someone I foresee like getting seriously injured before finding himself on a championship squad.  And no, I'm not trying to jinx dude or wish him bad luck or anything like that.  It's just that his style of play reminds me a lot of other ferocious little dudes like Allen Iverson and Derrick Rose, who went about expeditiously fucking their bodies up in the NBA.  But one thing I will say about Davion is that he does look quite diesel for a smaller NBA player, so who knows.

The one player who really underwhelmed me was Tyrese Hailburton.  And believe me, I'm not trying to diss dude.  It's just that I've been reading so much about him being the next big thing, and like he didn't really do shit against the Warriors.  It kinda reminded me of when the Cavs recently played the Warriors also in Cali, that night when Klay returned.  Darius Garland is a young All-Star, one of my personal favorites tbh.  But it's like Steph could have posterized him with him 3s if he really wanted to.  And the point is that no matter how 'promising' a player may be, like unless he comes into the NBA a straight-up star from the jump, then there's likely to always be a tier of players, albeit a small group, who is simply better.

So, it may be cool to watch Haliburton play alongside Malcolm Brogdon.  But who knows if the Pacers really intend on keep any of these new guys.  Buddy Hield is someone who, to my remembrance, has disappointed since coming into the NBA.  When I was watching him flunk against the Warriors I was saying to myself, 'yes, this looks exactly like the type of player GM Lebron would want to bring to LA, someone who will end up getting fans even more frustrated'.  And again, I'm not trying to diss dude.  But it's hard to imagine Indiana being intent on keeping him.

And then finally, there's Tristan Thompson who, for whatever reason, was benched against the Warriors, even though he wasn't listed as injured.  My general belief when it comes to professional athletes, especially the active ones, is that it's never a good thing when your name is in the news, or even worst gossip circles due to your off-court activities more than what you do on the court.  Bigmen age slower in the NBA, and Tristan Thompson is still supposed to be a contributor.  But now it's like he's someone you would want on your roster probably because, being affiliated with the Kardashians, he can sell some tickets.  And even then, it ain't really like that.  You know what I mean?  It ain't like having Kanye on your roster.

Then, there's Domantas Sabonis.  A few weeks ago, I salivated at the prospect of him potentially ending up on the Sixers.  But instead, damn.  But then again, who knows - maybe he'll be exactly what the doctor ordered alongside the likes of Harkless and Holmes and the rest of the gang.  And it's like now I'm looking the Kings' roster from that Warriors' game, and Marvin Bagley isn't even listed at all.  So it's like dang, dude is getting paid $10mil+ to sit somewhere and chill - my personal dream if I were to ever make it to the NBA.

CONCLUSION

When I first heard of this trade I felt sorry for Domantas.  But now it's like if he's not personally in a rush to win a championship, this isn't that bad of a move for him.  After all, even after parting ways with a trio of expendables, the Kings still have enticing trade chips in Bagley III and even D'Aaron Fox, if they decide to go there (which they probably won't now that they've traded Haliburton, unless they're thinking of maybe making Justin Holiday a permanent starter).

The Pacers look like they're tanking or resetting, except for the fact that they appear extremely loyal to Brogdon.  He's a player that, if not for injuries, would probably be a perennial all-star in today's NBA.  But tender he is, which then makes you question why Indiana seems so intent on keeping him as opposed to letting Malcolm explore greener pastures.

Reflections on Simmons

I feel that the NBA is a lesser league as this entire season it has been devoid of four of its biggest stars - Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Zion Williamson and Ben Simmons - not to mention Klay Thompson also.  Earlier, I felt that Simmons should either get over his emotions, be a professional and suit up or, somewhat akin to Kyrie, quit the NBA altogether.  But unlike the other players mentioned above, as time progresses Simmons' absence is actually becoming more intriguing.

The greatest factor in this equation is the fact that the 76ers have thus far proven respectfully-competitive even without him.  Back when Simmons was actually playing, I personally considered both Tyrese Maxey and Shake Milton as PGs reminiscent of Terry Rozier when he was in Boston, i.e. clearly deserving more playing/starting time but being limited due to an established All-Star preceding them on the roster.  And this current season that belief has proven correct, especially as far as Maxey is concerned.  No, the Sixers are not better without Ben.  But the fact that they have remained competitive regardless means that any trade they make is going to upgrade their current roster, hopefully even putting them into contention status.

And that's where the current Simmons' debacle really becomes interesting.  The earlier trade scenarios that were being reported were not overly inspiring.  Recently other sites have come to realize, as I did months ago, that Ben Simmons for CJ McCollum would be a fair trade.  But again, that was months ago.  Since then Dame, the ultimate NBA chuckwagon, seems to have geared down a level or two.  Also, let's just say that CJ himself hasn't responded particularly well when his name finally did come up in Simmons' trade rumors.  But now Indiana has also entered the mix, and it's like oh my goodness.

According to reports, the Pacers have put three quality players on the trade block.  Honestly I don't know much about Caris LaVert besides the fact that, when healthy, he has more or less overachieved  in the NBA.  And as for Myles Turner, I'm currently envisioning him, by some miracle of basketball fate, ending up in Charlotte and instantly thrusting the team into contention status.  But Domantas Sabonis on the Sixers?

Despite being overachievers themselves, without Simmons in the picture, Philadelphia's guard rotation does leave something to be desired.  So ideally, any trade involving Ben would return a high-level guard(s).  But imagine a frontcourt of Tobias Harris (SF), Joel Embiid (C) and Domantas Sabonis (PF).  With a lineup like that, even if little guys like Maxey, Curry and Milton are holding down the backcourt, it doesn't even matter.  That frontline, under my estimation, would even be more formidable than the current iteration of Lebron-AD.

CONCLUSION

So basically things breakdown like this.  Since Ben Simmons hasn't actually played this season and the Sixers are good without him, then it's like anything they get in return from a trade is basically a free upgrade.  So if they are actually able to land even one player that places them back into championship contention, then it's pull the trigger. 

Up until now, no such player was actually made available.  But if Indiana would actually be down for trading Sabonis for Simmons, I don't see, based on my limited knowledge, why Philly wouldn't agree to do so.