All-Star Break Grades for Every NBA Team

There is a huge gap between the best and worst teams in the NBA. The talent gap is the largest it has ever been.

As the All-Star break arrives, it's time to measure the efforts of each team in the league. Some, like Miami, Chicago and Oklahoma City, are clearly at the head of the class. Others, like Boston, New York and Los Angeles, are underachievers striving for past glory. Still others, like Charlotte and Detroit, are just plain terrible.

With that having been said, let's get this party started. Here are grades for each NBA team based on their performance in the first half of the season.

Philadelphia 76ers

A

Did anyone expect the Philadelphia 76ers to get off to this kind of start? Anyone who says they did is a liar.

If the playoffs started today, the 76ers would be the No. 4 seed in the East. They'll need to continue playing well if they're going to keep that position, but they've shown the firepower to do just that.

Andre Iguodala, Jrue Holliday, Elton Brand and Thaddeus Young have formed a team that is No. 1 in the NBA in points allowed. That type of defense will give them a good chance against anyone in the playoffs.

New York Knicks

C-

The recent Jeremy Lin phenomenon brings this grade up a bit, but no one can deny that New York's entire season thus far hasn't been impressive. The Knicks rank 12th in both points scored and allowed, which is decent, but not great. 

Tyson Chandler has helped introduce a measure of defensive intensity that hasn't been seen on that team in a very long team. Jeremy Lin now appears to be introducing a measure of offensive efficiency that has been lacking. Oh, by the way, they also have two guys named Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony.

This team is middle of the road right now, but their grade could significantly improve by season's end.

Boston Celtics

D

This has been one of the most disappointing teams this season. Granted, they are extremely old, with each of the Big Three being at least 34 years old. But recent drafts have given them an infusion of young talent, and they still have one of the NBA's best point guards in Rajon Rondo.

Right now, the Celtics are the worst rebounding team in the NBA and nearly the worst offensively (27th in points per game). Their defense is still stellar, at just 87.5 points allowed per game, but that doesn't matter if you can't score.

It is a disgrace that this Celtics squad could be in danger of missing the playoffs.

New Jersey Nets

C

I can't give the Nets too bad of a grade. They just aren't very good.

They have Deron Williams, who is a very good point guard. They definitely won't have him for long, especially if the team around him doesn't drastically change shape by the offseason. Williams needs help. He can't win on his own.

When one of your best players is known for his sham marriage to a reality TV celebrity, and not for what he does on the court, you know your team is a joke.

Toronto Raptors

D

The Raptors have more talent than most realize. Jose Calderon is one of the best pure point guards in the NBA. Leandro Barbosa is a former Sixth Man of the Year. Andrea Bargnani averages 23.5 points per game.

It's a mystery why they are one of the worst offensive teams in the league and have won just nine games. They should be better. I'd advocate significant coaching and management changes.

Chicago Bulls

A+

All the time, I hear people describing the Chicago Bulls as "Derrick Rose or bust." However, the numbers don't support that assertion.

This is a truly elite team in every sense of the game. The Bulls rank in the Top 5 in the league in assists, rebounds and points allowed per game. They also rank ninth in points scored per game.

Rose is the leader of this team, but it is a team. That was especially clear when the Bulls were still blowing teams out without their star point guard. 

Indiana Pacers

A-

The Indiana Pacers are 20-12 right now and fighting for the No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. They are one of the best young up-and-coming teams in the NBA.

They have a quality point guard in Darren Collison, a great young center in Roy Hibbert and a flat-out star in Danny Granger. As a team, they rank in the Top 10 in the NBA in points allowed (ninth) and rebounds per game (fourth).

The Pacers aren't on the elite tier of teams in the league, but they look like they'll be there in a few seasons.

Cleveland Cavaliers

B

One year removed from being the worst team in the NBA, the Cleveland Cavaliers are nearly mediocre. That transformation deserves high marks in my book.

Kyrie Irving appears to be a franchise point guard. Meanwhile, Antawn Jamison and Anderson Varejao have formed a fairly impressive duo in the front court.

Three years from now, with more solid draft picks and a few free-agent acquisitions, Cleveland could be a contender. 

Milwaukee Bucks

D

The Milwaukee Bucks are underachieving. That's what they do, though.

Brandon Jennings averages 18 points and five assists per game from the point guard position, but that's about all they have going for them. They are mediocre in every team statistical category, ranking between 13th and 21st in points scored, points allowed, rebounds and assists.

This team may have a better record than some other teams, but they may be one of the furthest away from serious contention.

Detroit Pistons

D

The Detroit Pistons are just plain bad, which is sad considering they were one of the deepest, most talented teams in NBA history just five short years ago. 

This team does have some nice young pieces. Greg Monroe is developing into one of the league's best centers, averaging 16 points and nine rebounds per game. Despite early struggles, rookie Brandon Knight also appears to be a top talent.

It's probably time to keep the good young pieces and get rid of the rest. Detroit should start the rebuilding process for real this time.

Miami Heat

A

I can't give the Heat an A+ just yet, mainly because everything they are doing right now is exactly what we expected of them.

The trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh now has the surrounding cast that it deserves, making the Heat one of the deepest teams in the NBA.

This team's grade will feel incomplete until it hoists at least one championship trophy.

Orlando Magic

C

I don't think anyone is really sure how Orlando has the No. 3 seed in the East right now. The only explanation is the continued dominance of Dwight Howard. He's averaging 20 points and 15 rebounds per game this season.

However, who else do they really have? Any team that can make Howard work for his points and rebounds while simultaneously defending the three-point line can beat this team fairly easily. The Miami Heat have proven that consistently.

The poor grade is given because of the team's dependence on a single player. That simply won't work, especially after Dwight forces his way out of Orlando. 

Atlanta Hawks

C+

The Atlanta Hawks are one of the few teams in the Eastern Conference that really hasn't changed much in the past few years.

Right now, they are at the No. 6 seed in the East, but that is largely due to the improvement of teams like Indiana and Philadelphia, who they are only trailing slightly. 

This team has played decently, but the fact that they have appeared stagnant over the past few years probably isn't a good sign moving forward.

Washington Wizards

F

The first F of this slideshow goes to the Washington Wizards. Hold the applause.

This team has talent. John Wall, Andray Blatche, Nick Young and Javale McGee are all young up-and-comers that look great individually. They do not have the maturity to form a cohesive unit, also known as a team.

They should be better. That's the long and short of it. This team has too much going for it to be 7-25.

Charlotte Bobcats

F

Let me be clear. I can't blame the actual team for much of this. The current Charlotte Bobcats roster might be the most devoid of talent that anyone has ever seen.

Gerald Henderson is a decent shooting guard, averaging 15 points per game. Kemba Walker is a talent, and D.J. Augustin is a capable point guard. But there isn't really anything on the team to get too excited about.

This F is really for Michael Jordan, who is proving to be the worst GM in NBA history. Air Jordan is always No. 1 in everything he does, I guess.

Los Angeles Clippers

A-

Right now, the main show in Los Angeles is that of the Clippers. The Chris Paul trade made them contenders immediately, and their Pacific Division-leading record of 19-11 illustrates that.

The addition of Kenyon Martin gives them more beef up front, and the Paul to Blake Griffin/DeAndre Jordan connection has looked potent so far.

If the playoffs began today, the Clippers would have the No. 4 seed and be playing the Lakers in a seven-game series. How awesome would that be?

Los Angeles Lakers

C+

The Los Angeles Lakers are getting older, and it shows. Kobe Bryant has played well, better than his age, but it may be holding back the rest of the team.

It would benefit the team as a whole to spread the ball around more. That would help Bryant avoid double-teams and stay fresher down the stretch.

With all of the trade rumors surrounding Pau Gasol and the fact that they appear to be affecting the team, that seems unlikely. Right now, the Lakers are a first-round out in the playoffs.

Phoenix Suns

C-

The Phoenix Suns may be just 14-19, but that's pretty solid given what they've got to work with.

This team is mediocre in nearly every sense of the word, the lone exception being Steve Nash. At age 38, Nash is averaging 14 points and 11 assists per game—incredible numbers given the team around him. Marcin Gortat is also playing well, but that is almost a direct result of Nash.

This team isn't going anywhere with its current make up. Nash can only do so much with the likes of Jared Dudley, Channing Frye and Josh Childress.

Golden State Warriors

C-

The Golden State Warriors have a ton of talent, enough that they are underachieving with a 12-17 record.

Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry and David Lee are all extremely gifted offensively. I thought that with the addition of Mark Jackson as coach, the Warriors would also be adding a measure of defense. Not so. This team is near dead last in points given up per game and rebounding.

It's always exciting watching Golden State. Maybe one day that brand of basketball will also consist of winning.

Sacramento Kings

D

At 10-22, the Sacramento Kings are dead last in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. They rank dead last in the league in assists and points allowed per game and are in the bottom third in points scored. The only positive I can find is that they rank fifth in the league in rebounding. 

The Kings are another group that should not be this bad. DeMarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans are both big-time talents. Marcus Thornton is a talented scorer at the shooting guard position.

Unfortunately, this team has too many gunners and is too young for its own good.

San Antonio Spurs

A

At 23-10, the San Antonio Spurs have the second-best record in the Western Conference and lead the Southwest Division by two games. Pretty amazing given how old the core of this team is.

Memo to the Lakers and Celtics: this is the way to age gracefully. The Spurs have used smart drafting techniques to keep their team young. Guys like Tiago Splitter, DeJuan Blair, Daniel Green, Gary Neal and Kawhi Leonard are making significant contributions early in their careers.

Tony Parker is playing the best ball of his career and is a dark-horse MVP candidate. When Manu Ginobili gets back to 100 percent, look out for San Antonio. 

Dallas Mavericks

B-

The Dallas Mavericks are in good position right now, coming in at third overall in the Western Conference. They had a slow start, probably a championship hangover combined with a long lockout layoff, but they've rebounded nicely.

As a team, the Mavericks are in the Top 10 in the NBA in rebounds, assists and points allowed per game. They are another aging team that is hoping for a big talent infusion in the next offseason. 

This team has the potential to make a run similar to last season.

Houston Rockets

B

The Houston Rockets are an average team right now. One of the few teams that lack a true star, Houston lacks any kind of show or flash.

Kevin Martin is a solid scorer at the shooting guard position. Kyle Lowry is becoming a near All-Star at the point, dishing out 7.7 assists per game to highlight a great overall skill set. Luis Scola is still an extremely efficient big man.

This team could use a star, but their team dynamic is working fairly well right now.

Memphis Grizzlies

B-

The loss of Zach Randolph for most of the season really hurt the Grizzlies, a team that really had a chance to make some noise in the Western Conference this season.

They would be the No. 7 seed in the playoffs if they started today, pairing them in a rematch of last year with San Antonio. This team could very easily do what they did last year—upset a big favorite and then push a contender to the brink.

Getting Randolph back will be big for them.

New Orleans Hornets

C-

Despite their 7-25 record, the New Orleans Hornets are playing as well as they can with what they've got. Eric Gordon, the biggest commodity they received in exchange for Chris Paul, has played in just two games due to nagging injuries.

Chris Kaman is a talented big man, as are Emeka Okafor and Carl Landry. After that, the talent pool is pretty thin. It doesn't help that the seats are not getting filled in New Orleans Arena. 

This team is doing its best right now, but basketball won't get better in the Big Easy for a while.

Oklahoma City Thunder

A

Led by their fantastic duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Oklahoma City Thunder are leading the Western Conference by 2.5 games with a 25-7 record. Right now, they look like the most complete team in the West.

Durant and Westbrook lead a first unit that is balanced out by defensive stoppers Thabo Sefolosha, Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins. The second unit is anchored by do-it-all sixth man James Harden and post man Nick Collison.

The Thunder have had some worrying injuries (Sefolosha in particular), but none have looked too serious. The biggest factor for this team is staying healthy.

Denver Nuggets

C+

The Denver Nuggets are a model of offensive efficiency. Right now, as a team, they rank first in points per game and second in assists per game. That's impressive when your leading scorer, Danilo Gallinari, averages just 17 points per game and you have six guys averaging double digit points.

The defense hasn't been great though. The team ranks 29th in points given up and hasn't been great at getting the stops necessary to close out games.

Denver plays like a true team, but they need help defensively to win that way.

Portland Trailblazers

D

The Portland Trailblazers got off to a great start to the season, only to see it slip away as they started losing and just couldn't stop.

This team excels in scoring, rebounding, assists and defense. Yet for some reason, they can't put it all together and win games. They have plenty of talent. LaMarcus Aldridge has played ridiculously well this year, and we all know how good Gerald Wallace can be.

The Blazers will probably rebound in the later part of the season. Expect major changes if they can't. 

Minnesota Timberwolves

B

The Minnesota Timberwolves are fighting for a playoff berth. Relevance never felt so good.

This team has a ton of young talent. Kevin Love has been the best power forward in the league this season, Ricky Rubio has been as good as advertised and Rick Adelman has this squad playing better than ever.

The T-Wolves are still a few years away from serious contention, but they have the pieces to make it there.

Utah Jazz

C

I had no idea what grade to give this team. I mean, they've hovered around .500 for most of the season, which is decent, but I'm not really sure what the expectations for them should be.

They have Devin Harris, a point guard that has done very well elsewhere, and Al Jefferson, who is clearly one of the best offensive big men in the game. But to be honest, I didn't expect anything from them.

They may be another team that is a few years away from contention. Or they could be a team mired in annual mediocrity. I can't tell, and that isn't a good sign.