The NBA season is always captivating, and the current one is not an exception by any means. We, as fans, are delighted to see both teams and players exceed expectations and thrive in the league. However, we also witness the ones who perform worse than anticipated. Unfortunately, three first-rate teams are failing to meet expectations this year. Who might they be?
Denver Nuggets
As the Nuggets have the current league MVP, Nikola Jokić, and were the 7th best seed last season with a decent performance in the playoffs, both fans and experts expected no less from them when it came to the start of the new season. Unfortunately, the team has not quite been able to fulfill its goals. They are in a somewhat unstable position, struggling with percentages of both 3-pointers (32.6%) and free throws made (75.4%). In addition to that, the number of points scored per game, currently being 103.7, is the seventh-worst in the league. Luckily, with the return of Jokić (who missed four games due to a wrist injury), they finally put an end to their six-loss streak, recently defeating the Miami Heat.
Philadelphia 76ers
Shockingly, the 76ers are also facing plenty of problems this season. Among the most significant issues are the number of offensive rebounds allowed (10.8 per game), as well as their opponents’ rise in the 3-point percentage (36% per game). Not to mention the internal difficulties with Ben Simmons. Nevertheless, their offensive performance has not been affected at all, as their field goal percentage has remained unchanged. In fact, the number of turnovers per game has decreased by approximately 17% in comparison to last season’s statistics. However, since defense is just as important as offense, they have failed to maintain a winning record. Do the 76ers need Ben Simmons to tackle these defensive issues, or are they better off without him?
Los Angeles Lakers
Similarly, the Lakers are finding themselves in a delicate situation. Even though the majority of their players are well-known for being resourceful individually, it seems they are struggling with team chemistry. Therefore, every aspect of their game gets affected to some extent. Among the most noticeable issues are the number of turnovers per game (15.5), the decrease in second-chance baskets, and the subpar performance as far defensive techniques are concerned. Sadly, they make serious errors when it comes to defending the opposing team, as they tend to allow plenty of offensive rebounds (11.5), assists (25.9), and both field goals (41.9) and 3-pointers (13.1). Can they be able to resolve these issues and make a run for the playoffs this year?
Taking everything into account, none of these teams are unable to recover from these momentary setbacks, nor are they out of the title contention conversation. They all have excellent rosters, unmatched talent, and unique resources to have a productive season. Hopefully, we can see their recovery. Being back on track for the remainder of the season is essential in terms of qualifying for the post-season.
Sources: NBA.com, Basketball-reference.com, Lineups.com
