NBA Playoffs 2012: Biggest Disappointments of Round 1
Round 1 of the NBA playoffs has provided plenty of heroes that are riding high, but it has also provided some serious underachievers as well.
By no coincidence, these players are staring summer vacation right in the face.
Whether it’s their first taste of the NBA’s second season, age setting in or simply nerves, the following guys are playing their worst ball of the season, at the most inopportune time.
Vince Carter, Dallas Mavericks
The defending champs were swept away by a team they knocked out last year, and a large portion of the blame can be placed on Carter.
While we all know his vertical leap is long gone, his promising regular season led some to believe he was going to be a key cog for a championship contender.
Instead, he shot a putrid 29 percent from the floor in route to averaging only 8.3 PPG in the sweep. He was a defensive liability and stood around far too often on offense.
This guy is never going to be an impact player in this league again and the past 10 days may have been the nail in the coffin.
Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz
After riding some serious momentum heading into the playoffs, the Spurs' defense has made Hayward’s life absolutely miserable. Right now he is shooting 23 percent from the field.
Despite averaging 32 minutes a night in his first ever postseason appearance, he has registered just six field goals in three games. That’s six shots made over the course of 96 minutes on the floor.
Unacceptable.
His bricks are one of the many reasons why Utah looks like the worst team in the postseason.
Jameer Nelson, Orlando Magic
We all know Nelson isn’t the greatest point guard, but his pitiful performance against a weak group of Pacer point guards is killing his Dwight Howard-less team.
Nelson may be averaging 12.8 points, but is doing so on a 34 percent shooting clip. He is forcing the issue and it has led to 2.5 turnovers per game.
Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzles
The Grizz may be far from finished in the postseason, but it’s not because of Allen. The defensive guru has seemed a step slow in the playoffs, and is experiencing a drop in numbers across the board (6.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.0 SPG).
He was a big reason the Clippers shot the lights out of the fourth quarter of Game 1 and hasn’t seemed to regain his mojo ever since.
Allen still has time to make up for his poor play, but he needs to do so in a hurry.
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