Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2014 22:59:08 GMT
At least recently it seems there's been very few teams purposely losing games in either conference. With this comes at least a few unhappy GMs who miss the playoffs, but aren't in the middle of a rebuild. It's an unsettling situation to be in, especially if you've dealt future firsts thinking you'd walk right into the playoffs. While we are only one eighth through the season, it's never too early to panic. Some teams just had an injury or a rough schedule, but others are just bad and need a change of direction. Today we'll look at ten teams who as of now at least seem to be stuck between rebuilding and competing with a .500 or below record.
Boston Celtics
Current Record: 5 5 .500 5-5 3-4 4.5
Key Players: Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons
After scraping by CY and a strong playoff performance, spirits were high for the first time in a while in Boston. The team had a solid young core and looked to be on the rise. Unfortunately, they did not do that great of a job of managing their finances and went past the HC thanks to new big deals to big men Joel Embiid and DeAndre Ayton. Luckily for them, they were able to get under while not really losing anybody of real significance. They followed that up by dealing John Wall and a pair of firsts to Orlando for Michael Carter-Williams and Kevin Looney. It was a strange trade at the time, and it looks pretty bad now. MCW and Looney are both decent players, but Looney in particular is not starting caliber. Now with a 5-5 start and seemingly no picks for almost half a decade, the future is looking a little bleaker in Boston.
When looking over the roster, the first thing that stands out is there's no depth. How do you get depth? Dealing assets. Does Boston have any assets they can deal outside of Embiid and Simmons? Not really. I don't think it times to panic yet in Boston by any means, but it's going to be hard to improve their holes and come next season it may be time. But for now, they just need some patience and to not deal any more firsts past 2026 if that is even allowed. They'll have to be clever to find upgrades at PG and SF and for their bench, but it is by no means impossible.
Atlanta Hawks
Current Record: 6 6 .500 6-4 3-3 4.5
Key Players: Nikola Mirotic, Nikola Mirotic, Nikola Mirotic
The Hawks are an interesting case. They have arguably the best player in the entire league, yet they haven't had a lot of success in the playoffs recently. Usually when you have a player of Mirotic's caliber it's easy to fill out a squad around him, but for whatever reason the Hawks haven't found the right group yet. Time is ticking as Mirotic has now turned 32, but as long as they have him they will be in the playoff fold come the end of the season. To argue for a panic in Atlanta you could say they have a below average PG and SG and they get nothing from their backups at SG or SF at all. The smart move if they can't find upgrades may be to just tear it down and gasp deal Mirotic, but they can just s easily ride out the end of his career and keep sneaking into the playoffs at the very least. With that in mind, they just need to continue to have patience as they wait to find better help for their star.
Washington Wizards
Current Record: 3 9 .250 2-8 3-3 7.5
Key Players: George Mikan, Kevin Love, Stephen Curry
The Wizards made an interesting trade this past season dealing Joel Embiid to Boston for Elgin Baylor and two firsts. As of right now, that is a deal that must really sting for them. They were unable to land a top of the lotto pick after dealing Embiid and then dealt two firsts for the aging Kevin Love. To say the least, Wizards fans are a bit confused. With a 3-9 start, an aging group around Mikan, and a looming CY if they don't win 42 this season, it's time to panic like you've never panicked before in downtown D.C. This team is a mess and if they do miss the playoffs this year or not win 42 games, it may be time to stick a fork in their renewing CY hopes.
Toronto Raptors
Current Record: 3 10 .231 3-7 3-3 8.0
Key Players: K.J. McDaniels, Cody Riley
Oh dear. While Washington at least has some decent players and can maybe turn it around, Toronto looks hopeless. I'm not sure anybody is really sure what they are doing or who they are building around. They have average players at best at every position and no real youth to look forward to. It will take a miracle for them to make the playoffs so they'll likely be giving a lotto pick this year that might even be top 3 for all we know. The recent trade with the Clippers of Bernard King, Chris Walker and their first this year for Dante Exum and Riley just boggles the mind. Didn't they deal Julius Erving for King or I am I missing something??? This team is just bad and with only two years left before their CY, it'll be a rough time making it. If they aren't already they need to panic, panic, panic, then panic some more. Then after that they need to panic.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Current Record: 5 5 .500 5-5 4-0 4.5
Key Players: Mychal Thompson, Noah Vonleh, Trey Burke
Just like many other teams in the West, it is extremely helpful for the Thunder. With no SG or SF usually that'd mean you'd be stuck in the lotto especially when you only have one player scoring 20 ppg. But in the West, that just means you're a .500 team it seems. I don't really understand what they are doing as with no wings they aren't going anywhere, but with two good bigs and a good PG they should not have much trouble holding on to a playoff spot. They would love to reset their CY this year then I'm guessing do a proper rebuild if they are unable to find wing help, and they look to be on track to do that for the time being. For that reason, it's no better time for patience in Oklahoma City.
Denver Nuggets
Current Record: 6 6 .500 5-5 2-2 4.5
Key Players: Larry Bird, Seventh Woods
You just gotta feel for Larry Bird. For some reason Denver decided to just leave him on his own this year as besides Seventh Woods they have nobody really worthy of starting. As long as they have those two they'll be unable to tank, so it's a weird situation to be in. Luckily they do have all their picks and after maxing Larry they'll have a nice chunk of cap room still left to play with. Until then, they are likely good enough to sneak into a low playoff seed but it's unlikely they can do anything beyond that. This is far from a panic situation, but it is a little strange to just waste one of Larry's prime years. But to each their own, and hopefully the fans can show patience this season while they hope they can steal a big name FA from elsewhere in the off-season.
Golden State Warriors
Current Record: 3 4 .429 3-4 2-3 5.0
Key Players: Paul George, Andrew Harrison
The Warriors are the first of a few teams looking from the outside in on the playoffs while not owning their first in the West. This has been a common situation in the West for the past few years it seems. For the Warriors in particular, they are in dire need of a rebuild. Paul George is still a good player, but at age 34 his expiration date is becoming closer and closer. Harrison is a solid PG and they have a decent big in Harry Giles, but this team overall is far from being a contender. It seems likely they just ride out the year then start their rebuild next season, and as long as they do that there's not too much to worry about in the Golden State. They may be able to sneak into the playoffs but it is no guarantee, but dealing away picks to try to spite the GM with their pick this year would do nothing for them unless it is a big upgrade at SG, PF or C. For now, they can just show patience in riding this season out and tearing it down next year if that missing piece doesn't fall into their laps sometime this season. They'll only have two years to tank if they don't reset their CY, but that's plenty of time in the West.
Los Angeles Clippers
Current Record: 2 5 .286 2-5 2-2 6.0
Key Players: Montrezl Harrell, Bernard King
I must admit, the Clippers pulled off a great trade with the Raptors after making a god awful one with the Bucks last season when they dealt Ben McLemore for Isaiah Thomas. That Raptors pick looks very nice and can even replace the void of their own pick this year. They could just take the loss this year and start a rebuild next year and be on their way...oh. They only have two years left before their CY so if they go that route they'll have to tank one year then turn it around immediately. Oh. Well. To say the least, it is time to panic if you are in any way involved with the Clippers. With how unpredictable their moves can be tearing down what little they have and tanking for a year could end up going terribly. Luckily they do have a piece or two to help them reset CY or make CY, but they need some lotto luck with that Raptors pick, or some FA luck after presumably amnestying Isaiah. Putting everything in the luck basket rarely pays off, but thanks to that golden trade with Toronto they at least have a chance.
Utah Jazz
Current Record: 3 8 .273 2-8 3-2 7.0
Key Players: Shabazz Muhammad, World B. Free, Udoka Azubuike
The Jazz are another team that reset CY this past season and is off to a slow start this season. Luckily for them, they do own all their picks and they do have some decent young players. The problem is while all that is nice, they don't seem to be gelling much as a group this year. The big hole is at SF and if they can fill that they likely make the playoffs. While it isn't a hole yet, the play of Bill Russell at PF is very concerning as he doesn't score much, doesn't block much, and turns it over nearly three times a game. That is a not a good trio of problems to have. He was mediocre his rookie year as well so while it may be a little early to throw the label on him, he is coming very close to being labeled a bust. Still, the Jazz are by no means in a bad situation and can really go any direction here. They can tank this season and use that to add a SF, they can deal a couple picks and/or Russell for one, they can just tear it down and rebuild again. There's no need for anything but patience.
Houston Rockets
Current Record: 3 9 .250 3-7 2-4 7.5
Key Players: Dennis Smith Jr., Derrick Favors
The only saving grace the Rockets have is they did indeed make the playoffs last season. That's really the only positive I can find. They are a very bad team even be the West's standards and have no pick for the next two years. The worst part of it all may be they don't have one player worthy of amnesty, but likely two so they're stuck with one of Favors or Caldwell-Pope's less than stellar deals. Favors is still productive at least, but with nobody even close to being worthy of starting at C (he's better at PF thanks to his C+ rebounding) he's being forced into action as the man in the middle. To nobody's surprise, the Rockets are getting outrebounded by over six a game. Dennis Smith is a year or two more of showing no improvement from being yet another less than stellar contract. The team looks hopeless and as bad as it may be, they may just need to accept the loss and give away two lottos then try to do a two year rebuild. If not and they deal any more future firsts, their fans need to fill the streets with panic, panic, and some more panic. At least they are in the West though so the two year rebuild would likely be enough as long as it goes smoothly.
Joel is rightly confused about just what some of these teams are doing.
Boston Celtics
Current Record: 5 5 .500 5-5 3-4 4.5
Key Players: Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons
After scraping by CY and a strong playoff performance, spirits were high for the first time in a while in Boston. The team had a solid young core and looked to be on the rise. Unfortunately, they did not do that great of a job of managing their finances and went past the HC thanks to new big deals to big men Joel Embiid and DeAndre Ayton. Luckily for them, they were able to get under while not really losing anybody of real significance. They followed that up by dealing John Wall and a pair of firsts to Orlando for Michael Carter-Williams and Kevin Looney. It was a strange trade at the time, and it looks pretty bad now. MCW and Looney are both decent players, but Looney in particular is not starting caliber. Now with a 5-5 start and seemingly no picks for almost half a decade, the future is looking a little bleaker in Boston.
When looking over the roster, the first thing that stands out is there's no depth. How do you get depth? Dealing assets. Does Boston have any assets they can deal outside of Embiid and Simmons? Not really. I don't think it times to panic yet in Boston by any means, but it's going to be hard to improve their holes and come next season it may be time. But for now, they just need some patience and to not deal any more firsts past 2026 if that is even allowed. They'll have to be clever to find upgrades at PG and SF and for their bench, but it is by no means impossible.
Atlanta Hawks
Current Record: 6 6 .500 6-4 3-3 4.5
Key Players: Nikola Mirotic, Nikola Mirotic, Nikola Mirotic
The Hawks are an interesting case. They have arguably the best player in the entire league, yet they haven't had a lot of success in the playoffs recently. Usually when you have a player of Mirotic's caliber it's easy to fill out a squad around him, but for whatever reason the Hawks haven't found the right group yet. Time is ticking as Mirotic has now turned 32, but as long as they have him they will be in the playoff fold come the end of the season. To argue for a panic in Atlanta you could say they have a below average PG and SG and they get nothing from their backups at SG or SF at all. The smart move if they can't find upgrades may be to just tear it down and gasp deal Mirotic, but they can just s easily ride out the end of his career and keep sneaking into the playoffs at the very least. With that in mind, they just need to continue to have patience as they wait to find better help for their star.
Washington Wizards
Current Record: 3 9 .250 2-8 3-3 7.5
Key Players: George Mikan, Kevin Love, Stephen Curry
The Wizards made an interesting trade this past season dealing Joel Embiid to Boston for Elgin Baylor and two firsts. As of right now, that is a deal that must really sting for them. They were unable to land a top of the lotto pick after dealing Embiid and then dealt two firsts for the aging Kevin Love. To say the least, Wizards fans are a bit confused. With a 3-9 start, an aging group around Mikan, and a looming CY if they don't win 42 this season, it's time to panic like you've never panicked before in downtown D.C. This team is a mess and if they do miss the playoffs this year or not win 42 games, it may be time to stick a fork in their renewing CY hopes.
At least we have Drake? Right? Anybody?
Toronto Raptors
Current Record: 3 10 .231 3-7 3-3 8.0
Key Players: K.J. McDaniels, Cody Riley
Oh dear. While Washington at least has some decent players and can maybe turn it around, Toronto looks hopeless. I'm not sure anybody is really sure what they are doing or who they are building around. They have average players at best at every position and no real youth to look forward to. It will take a miracle for them to make the playoffs so they'll likely be giving a lotto pick this year that might even be top 3 for all we know. The recent trade with the Clippers of Bernard King, Chris Walker and their first this year for Dante Exum and Riley just boggles the mind. Didn't they deal Julius Erving for King or I am I missing something??? This team is just bad and with only two years left before their CY, it'll be a rough time making it. If they aren't already they need to panic, panic, panic, then panic some more. Then after that they need to panic.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Current Record: 5 5 .500 5-5 4-0 4.5
Key Players: Mychal Thompson, Noah Vonleh, Trey Burke
Just like many other teams in the West, it is extremely helpful for the Thunder. With no SG or SF usually that'd mean you'd be stuck in the lotto especially when you only have one player scoring 20 ppg. But in the West, that just means you're a .500 team it seems. I don't really understand what they are doing as with no wings they aren't going anywhere, but with two good bigs and a good PG they should not have much trouble holding on to a playoff spot. They would love to reset their CY this year then I'm guessing do a proper rebuild if they are unable to find wing help, and they look to be on track to do that for the time being. For that reason, it's no better time for patience in Oklahoma City.
Denver Nuggets
Current Record: 6 6 .500 5-5 2-2 4.5
Key Players: Larry Bird, Seventh Woods
You just gotta feel for Larry Bird. For some reason Denver decided to just leave him on his own this year as besides Seventh Woods they have nobody really worthy of starting. As long as they have those two they'll be unable to tank, so it's a weird situation to be in. Luckily they do have all their picks and after maxing Larry they'll have a nice chunk of cap room still left to play with. Until then, they are likely good enough to sneak into a low playoff seed but it's unlikely they can do anything beyond that. This is far from a panic situation, but it is a little strange to just waste one of Larry's prime years. But to each their own, and hopefully the fans can show patience this season while they hope they can steal a big name FA from elsewhere in the off-season.
Free Paul George from these chains.
Golden State Warriors
Current Record: 3 4 .429 3-4 2-3 5.0
Key Players: Paul George, Andrew Harrison
The Warriors are the first of a few teams looking from the outside in on the playoffs while not owning their first in the West. This has been a common situation in the West for the past few years it seems. For the Warriors in particular, they are in dire need of a rebuild. Paul George is still a good player, but at age 34 his expiration date is becoming closer and closer. Harrison is a solid PG and they have a decent big in Harry Giles, but this team overall is far from being a contender. It seems likely they just ride out the year then start their rebuild next season, and as long as they do that there's not too much to worry about in the Golden State. They may be able to sneak into the playoffs but it is no guarantee, but dealing away picks to try to spite the GM with their pick this year would do nothing for them unless it is a big upgrade at SG, PF or C. For now, they can just show patience in riding this season out and tearing it down next year if that missing piece doesn't fall into their laps sometime this season. They'll only have two years to tank if they don't reset their CY, but that's plenty of time in the West.
Los Angeles Clippers
Current Record: 2 5 .286 2-5 2-2 6.0
Key Players: Montrezl Harrell, Bernard King
I must admit, the Clippers pulled off a great trade with the Raptors after making a god awful one with the Bucks last season when they dealt Ben McLemore for Isaiah Thomas. That Raptors pick looks very nice and can even replace the void of their own pick this year. They could just take the loss this year and start a rebuild next year and be on their way...oh. They only have two years left before their CY so if they go that route they'll have to tank one year then turn it around immediately. Oh. Well. To say the least, it is time to panic if you are in any way involved with the Clippers. With how unpredictable their moves can be tearing down what little they have and tanking for a year could end up going terribly. Luckily they do have a piece or two to help them reset CY or make CY, but they need some lotto luck with that Raptors pick, or some FA luck after presumably amnestying Isaiah. Putting everything in the luck basket rarely pays off, but thanks to that golden trade with Toronto they at least have a chance.
Utah Jazz
Current Record: 3 8 .273 2-8 3-2 7.0
Key Players: Shabazz Muhammad, World B. Free, Udoka Azubuike
The Jazz are another team that reset CY this past season and is off to a slow start this season. Luckily for them, they do own all their picks and they do have some decent young players. The problem is while all that is nice, they don't seem to be gelling much as a group this year. The big hole is at SF and if they can fill that they likely make the playoffs. While it isn't a hole yet, the play of Bill Russell at PF is very concerning as he doesn't score much, doesn't block much, and turns it over nearly three times a game. That is a not a good trio of problems to have. He was mediocre his rookie year as well so while it may be a little early to throw the label on him, he is coming very close to being labeled a bust. Still, the Jazz are by no means in a bad situation and can really go any direction here. They can tank this season and use that to add a SF, they can deal a couple picks and/or Russell for one, they can just tear it down and rebuild again. There's no need for anything but patience.
Houston Rockets
Current Record: 3 9 .250 3-7 2-4 7.5
Key Players: Dennis Smith Jr., Derrick Favors
The only saving grace the Rockets have is they did indeed make the playoffs last season. That's really the only positive I can find. They are a very bad team even be the West's standards and have no pick for the next two years. The worst part of it all may be they don't have one player worthy of amnesty, but likely two so they're stuck with one of Favors or Caldwell-Pope's less than stellar deals. Favors is still productive at least, but with nobody even close to being worthy of starting at C (he's better at PF thanks to his C+ rebounding) he's being forced into action as the man in the middle. To nobody's surprise, the Rockets are getting outrebounded by over six a game. Dennis Smith is a year or two more of showing no improvement from being yet another less than stellar contract. The team looks hopeless and as bad as it may be, they may just need to accept the loss and give away two lottos then try to do a two year rebuild. If not and they deal any more future firsts, their fans need to fill the streets with panic, panic, and some more panic. At least they are in the West though so the two year rebuild would likely be enough as long as it goes smoothly.
