6 NBA Teams Due for a Major Regression in 2013-2014
Not every NBA team can enjoy a wonderful 2013-14 season.
Several clubs that enjoyed moderate to significant success in 2012-13 are in for a downward slide this season.
For some, the upcoming tumble is a product of the rebuilding phase, and for others, it's a failure to keep up with the rest of the clubs making improvements.
Which squads are set to regress substantially? Find out as we explain how a half-dozen teams will take a big step backward this year.
Philadelphia 76ers
1 of 6
2012-13 Record: 34-48
2013-14 Regression: 10-20 fewer wins, slide from ninth to 15th in East
An opening-night win over the Miami Heat shows that the Philadelphia 76ers might have more spunk than we thought, but this team still has a low ceiling in 2013-14.
The loss of Jrue Holiday and several key role players, along with a coaching change, will make it difficult for this group to finish anywhere but 14th or 15th in the East.
And that's just what general manager Sam Hinkie wants.
In fact, many Sixers fans would probably be upset if their team overachieved and missed out on a top-five 2014 draft pick. They certainly don't want to get mired in a vicious cycle of starless mediocrity.
Even if Michael Carter-Williams and Evan Turner help them exceed expectations, they'll still finish around 10 games shy of last year's 34-48 record. On the wings and at center, the squad lacks the depth necessary for sustained success.
Denver Nuggets
2 of 6
2012-13 Record: 57-25
2013-14 Regression: 10-15 fewer wins, slide from third to sixth/seventh in West
Initially, the Denver Nuggets' decline will look worse than it actually is.
Danilo Gallinari is still rehabbing his ACL, Brian Shaw is implementing his new system and the team is adjusting to the departure of Andre Iguodala and Kosta Koufos. Without Iggy, Denver isn't as flexible on either end of the floor, as he averaged 5.4 assists and served as the team's most versatile defender.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors all improved, making the upper tier of the West more treacherous than it was last year.
The Nuggets decided to make changes in their front office and coaching staff, so they will pay the price in the short-term by stepping down a rung or two in the NBA hierarchy. During their transition from the George Karl era, they will have to sacrifice a championship run in 2013-14 in order to build a new identity.
Milwaukee Bucks
3 of 6
2012-13 Record: 38-44
2013-14 Regression: 5-10 fewer wins, slide from eighth to 11th in East
It might not take long before Milwaukee Bucks fans start longing for the days of Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis.
The star guards were often puzzling and frustrating, but they supplied the firepower that Milwaukee will sorely miss in 2013-14.
None of the current guards can score 18-20 and simultaneously dish six-plus assists. O.J. Mayo and Brandon Knight are good, but they're not playoff-caliber starters, and Luke Ridnour and Gary Neal aren't dynamic playmakers.
In the frontcourt, the Bucks boast several future stars. Larry Sanders and John Henson are about to break out, and Giannis Antetokounmpo will eventually be a standout. However, they lack the next-level scoring skills necessary to reach the upper half of the East.
Even though Milwaukee won't suffer a colossal drop in the win column, they will end up more than an arm's length short of the postseason.
Utah Jazz
4 of 6
2012-13 Record: 43-39
2013-14 Regression: 10-15 fewer wins, slide from ninth to 12th in West
Despite some terrific foundational pieces, Utah Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin doesn't have enough resources to overcome a turbulent point guard situation and the loss of Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson.
Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter and Gordon Hayward will be anchoring deep playoff runs in the not-too-distant future.
But first, they need some help.
Trey Burke is sidelined with a broken finger, and when he returns, he won't be quite ready to perform as an efficient, star floor general.
Furthermore, and most importantly, the Jazz are in desperate need of quality depth, so it's highly unlikely they'll land in the vicinity of 40 wins.
And that wouldn't be much of a disappointment, as long as they earn a high lottery selection in 2014.
Boston Celtics
5 of 6
2012-13 Record: 41-40
2013-14 Regression: 10-15 fewer wins, slide from seventh to 12th in East
To say the Boston Celtics will regress is an understatement.
Scrappy as they may be, Brad Stevens' crew won't deliver enough to compensate for the loss of Doc Rivers, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo (temporarily).
Boston hopes that Avery Bradley and Jeff Green continue to develop and emerge into superb leaders, and it would also love to see Kelly Olynyk soon become a factor. But this group needs time in order to collectively excel in the Atlantic Division.
Stevens must find a way to maximize the efforts of his only true center, Vitor Faverani, and he must find an optimal rotation for this new-look squad. He's not panicking, however, because he realizes rebuilding is a gradual process.
Beantown doesn't like losing, so 2013-14 will be painful. It's a necessary step in the journey back to prominence.
Los Angeles Lakers
6 of 6
2012-13 Record: 45-37
2013-14 Regression: 5-15 fewer wins, slide from seventh to 12th in West
"Too much has to go right for the Los Angeles Lakers to find themselves in true postseason contention."
That's how Bleacher Report National NBA Featured Columnist Adam Fromal summed up L.A.'s odds for a playoff berth.
There's a chance that the Lakers could surprise us and make an outside run at a spot. Unfortunately, there are a slew of variables that need to bounce in their favor in order to post a winning record.
Not only do Pau Gasol and Steve Nash have to remain healthy and effective for at least 65-70 games, but Kobe Bryant must return as soon as possible and perform at an All-NBA level. And the bench would need to produce more than a couple Nick Young hot streaks and Chris Kaman buckets.
Finally, they would need to play consistent, cohesive defense.
Don't bank on all of that happening in the same season.
For more NBA chatter, follow DanielO_BR on Twitter
