Top 5 Most Disappointing NBA Teams this Season.
By: Eric Watson
With the NBA season officially at its halfway point let’s take a look at the top 5 teams that have been slightly inadequate. The criteria for teams that make this list are those that aren’t where we thought they would be in terms of conference standings, they haven’t been performing at a level expected or have just been so bad it may be time for trades.
These teams will be ranked 5-1, five being the team who still has a chance of changing their season and one being the team who should clear house asap. If you disagree I would like to stay any of your opinions feel free to subscribe and leave a comment under this article.
Without further ado Millennial Muse sports top five most disappointing teams in the 2018-2019 NBA season are as follows:
5.Boston Celtics (27-18)-
The Boston Celtics made this list for a number of reasons. One reason is because of our expectations for the team at the start of the season. Just a year ago the Boston Celtics were one game away from beating LeBron and the Cavaliers to go to the NBA finals. So without a doubt, everyone expected them to thrive and run away with the east since they would be adding a healthy Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving. However, it has been a lot harder for the team to cooperate with each other and coach Brad Stevens to find the proper formula for the most success. The Boston Celtics are currently ranked fifth in the east behind the Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Milwaukee Bucks. Although it has been a rough start for the Celtics I still believe they have the best opportunity to turn things around. Doing this either through a trade for Anthony Davis since they have the best assets or respected coach Brad Stevens finding a way for the veterans to get along with the newbies.
- Golden State Warriors (32-14)-
Now I know some people are looking at this list saying “how could Golden State be disappointing if they are currently number one in the West.” The truth is they make the list because it has been everything but smooth sailing for a team with at least five all-stars. Whether it is because Stephen Curry and DeMarcus Cousins are injured, Draymond Green and Kevin Durant are fighting or Klay Thompson is going through shooting inconsistencies the warriors just haven’t looked like the warriors of old. I do expect them to turn it around however in the west coast is no joke so if they keep up the inconsistencies they could be looking at an early exit for what many believe could be their fourth title in five years.
- Houston Rockets (25- 19)-
Although the rough start from the Rockets was predictable due to losing their defensive juggernauts PJ Tucker and Trevor Ariza no one thought it would take them this long to get rolling. In the West, a rough start is a difference between finishing with home court advantage and getting knocked out first round. During the Rockets come back into playoff relevancy James Harden has averaged 35.4 points 6.3 rebounds and 8.5 assists. However, we all know James Harden’s’ struggles during playoff time due to his heavy workload during the regular season. The Rockets finished last season as the number one seed and was one game away from knocking off the warriors however this year it seems like they would be lucky to make it out of the first round. If it doesn’t work this year I think it would be time for a rebuild around James Harden.
- Minnesota Timberwolves(21-24)-
Almost everything about the Minnesota Timberwolves has been disappointing. From the controversy earlier in the season with Jimmy Butler disagreeing with some of the other starters that led to his trade to the Philadelphia 76ers, to the firing of coach and president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau the Timberwolves have been a mess. The Timberwolves finished eighth last season in a close race with the Denver Nuggets. So expectations coming into this season were that they would grow off of the success they had from the previous year. There is still a lot that isn’t understood about the relationship between Tom Thibodeau and the front office as to why they let him go midseason but many in the basketball world weren’t surprised. Karl Anthony towns has reportedly been offered the Supermax extension with the Timberwolves so I would imagine they aren’t in the market of trading him but they do have other assets they could put on the table in order to provide Karl Anthony towns with a better supporting cast.
- Washington Wizards (19-26)-
If I was the Wizards executives everyone on the team would be on the trading table. This is a team that has made the playoffs four times in the past 5 seasons and made it to the second round three times. Although this isn’t the worst playoff success they remind me of the Blake Griffin, Chris Paul era Clippers meaning that you get the feeling that this team as constructed has hit their ceiling. The wizards Star player John Wall came into this season noticeably heavier after recovering from left knee surgery and is currently out the rest of the season in order to undergo surgery on his left heel. John Wall’s game is explosive and depends on his speed so if he loses his athleticism and is overweight he doesn’t help the wizards in their championship aspirations. Even though Bradley Beal is a great player and seems to do better when John Wall is out I believe he is the wizards most valuable trade asset so sending him out west for some young talent may result in a win-win for the player and organization. In the east i expected this to be the Wizards best year especially since LeBron headed out west but it seems as the moment the wizards won’t even make the playoffs making them the most disappointing team this season so far.
