With the 2021 NBA season well underway, it is clear who the best teams in the NBA are. The Lakers are the reigning champions while the Clippers and Jazz compete with them in the West. In the East, the Nets have the most talented starting lineup in recent memory and the Buck and 76ers are title contenders as well.
While these teams have performed to their expectations, others have been putrid and downright disappointing. Despite having talented rosters and excellent coaches, they have not managed to get the job done.
Here are the 5 most disappointing teams in the NBA season so far.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Team Record: 5-16
The Minnesota Timberwolves should be doing much better. They have superstar talent in Karl Anthony-Towns and an All-Star caliber guard in D’Angelo Russell. Most importantly, the two stars get along with each other like a house on fire. But for some reason, it has not worked out at all.
The Wolves are ranked 27th in PPG and 25th in opponent PPG. They simply can’t find a consistent performer other than Towns, and the young man has experienced a very tough year to say the very least. While (very legitimate) personal issues and chemistry-building could be holding Minnesota back, the question comes up again on why Jimmy Butler forced his way out of Minnesota.
4. New Orleans Pelicans
Team Record: 8-12
The Pelicans were expected to be a heck of a team this season. Brandon Ingram is fresh off his first All-Star season last year and has looked great this year as well. Lonzo Ball is still not a great player, but he’s a good all-around point guard and is very unselfish. The Pelicans made big moves to acquire Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams to form a great starting lineup with franchise star Zion Williamson.
But the Pelicans still look young, inconsistent, and not a threat to the better teams in the league. New Orleans is ranked 21st in team defense and only 18th in assists, which means Stan Van Gundy and the Pelicans have a lot of work to do to make this team competitive. They certainly have the star power to do it but time will tell.
3. Dallas Mavericks
Team Record: 9-13
The Dallas Mavericks are on this list rather harshly, because Kristaps Porzingis has been out with injury. But for some reason, even with the big man’s injury, the Mavericks look worse than last year. Teams prepare for Luka better now and are forcing him into contested shots as much as possible. Doncic came in last season and blew everyone away, but that surprise tactic doesn’t work anymore.
The Mavericks are ranked 23rd in PPG, meaning Luka is the only source of the offense right now. Dallas needs Porzingis back to full health as soon as possible because the way they are playing right now, the Playoffs could be out of the question.
2. Miami Heat
Team Record: 7-14
The biggest drop off of the season has been the former NBA Finalist Miami Heat. The Heat outplayed and outworked every team in last season’s postseason to make it to the Finals, but they haven’t done that this year. In all fairness, their leader and best player Jimmy Butler has been out and that has left a huge gap in the team.
Only Duncan Robinson and Bam Adebayo have played well for the team as Tyler Herro starts to find his rhythm again. The Heat look to be in shambles right now and all eyes on Pat Riley and the organization to make the move to acquire offensive star Bradley Beal to make another push in the playoffs.
1. Washington Wizards
Team Record: 5-13
By far the most disappointing team has been the Washington Wizards. The Wizards seemingly won the John Wall for Russell Westbrook deal this off-season, and many thought the duo of Westbrook and Bradley Beal would cause havoc in the East. Especially with the signing of Davis and the development of Rui Hachimura, the Wizards were a guaranteed playoff team to start this season in many people’s minds.
But that is far from the truth. Washington is currently 14th in the East and have an absolutely atrocious defense. In fact, they are ranked dead last in opponent PPG. Their entire offense involves Bradley Beal taking all the shots, with the occasional Westbrook drive to the rim. Westbrook looks older and less efficient than ever, and the team is, unfortunately, a very poor one-man show.
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