Miami Heat and the Worst Slumps of the NBA Season

Every team has their ups and downs throughout the year, especially with this year's condensed NBA season. However, as we near playoff time, each team is looking to play their basketball and peak at the right time. 

Some team's slumps have been bad enough to single-handedly keep them out of the playoffs, but the bottom line is that no team wants to be slumping at this point in the season, not even the best of the best. 

We have seen some of the worst slumps we've seen in awhile this year, teams getting worn out by the tiresome and grueling season. But at the end of the day, it's not how you start, but how you finish. 

Charlotte Bobcats

Not even sure if Charlotte's season qualifies as a slump, but it would be a joke if they weren't on this list. The Bobcats still need one more win in the next 18 days to avoid having the worst win percentage in NBA history. I think that about says it all right there.

Lack of talent isn't really the problem for the Bobcats, but the thing is, nobody really knows what the problem is. Is it Michael Jordan? Is it the lack of chemistry on the court?

I couldn't tell you, but I can tell you this: If the Bobcats can't get just one more win against the Wizards (who they play twice), the currently Kyrie Irving-less Cavs, the Hornets or the Kings, they deserve the first 10 picks in the draft. Then again, Jordan might find a way to mess that one up too.

Golden State Warriors

The Warriors are 4-12 since they traded away Monta Ellis, much to Warrior fans' dismay. They do have a few legitimate excuses being that Stephen Curry has been out for the majority of the season, as well as Bogut, who they traded Ellis for. Golden State actually has the makings of a pretty good team next year. They've got some young talent, a solid pg and big man, and I see some very good draft picks in their future.

However, as of now, the Warriors are not too good, and to say the least, the fans are not happy after seeing one of their favorite players go. If Golden State plays anywhere as bad as they have this season next year, look for Mark Jackson to be on the hot faster than you can say "What did they ever see in Dorrell Wright?"

Washington Wizards

If only the Wizards could use magic to transform their colossal season. Coming into this year, many people had John Wall slated to be an All-Star and Washington to be in playoff contention. Now, those people are getting laughed at.

The Wizards are 1-10 in their last 11 games, and as if that doesn't sound bad enough, they are currently riding their second five-game losing streak during the 11-game stretch. You do the math. 

They tried to make some changes, including trading away the most distracting players on the team, Nick Young and JaVale McGee. But Nene, the big man they traded for, has been a disappointment thus far. Maybe the Wizards will have better luck next year with a few more changes and a healthy Nene, but for now, they are one of the worst teams in the league.

Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers had their fair share of believers at the beginning of this season, which makes sense; they were playing some good basketball.

However, oh, how times have changed. Now fans are just waiting for the Bucks to surpass Philly for that last spot in the East, and with good reason.

I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and say maybe they had a change of heart and decided that they wanted to play for a lottery pick instead of to get into the playoffs, but that's extremely doubtful to say the least. But the way they have collapsed the last few weeks is really just unbelievable. 

Hopefully, this serves as a wake-up call for the 76ers. It's really hard to win consistently when you don't have a guy to go to when the game is on the line. Might be about time to blow the team up before they become the Hawks—always making the playoffs, but never really contending for a championship.

Miami Heat

Now I know the Heat are a much different caliber type team than the other squads on this list, but by the standards of the NBA, they have been slumping nonetheless. Going into the game against Boston, which they also lost, the Heat were 13-8 since the All-Star break. They have dropped games to the likes of Utah, Indiana and Memphis, which is unacceptable for the Heat.

The Heat have averaged 8.2 fast break points in their last five games; it's no wonder they have been stranded in slumpville for a while now. They were running much more at the beginning of the season, and their record was indicative of such. Teams like to enter the playoffs playing at the top of their game.

Well, the Heat are running out of time to peak. They've got some tough matchups in the next few weeks in which they will look to get the ball rolling. They didn't start off on a good note against the Celtics. As good as Miami is, momentum and confidence are very powerful things to have on your side come playoff time. Just ask the Dallas Mavericks.