One Thing on Every NBA Team's Christmas Wish List
It's Christmas time, which means we're in a giving mood.
With more than a quarter of the NBA season in the books, strengths and weaknesses of the league's 30 teams have been revealed to the point where we can diagnose clear needs for each franchise.
And while most presents in this case were framed in the context of tactical adjustments, some long-term situations were considered, such as draft-pick protections, All-Star berths and postseason awards.
So as you get set to take in a full slate of hoops on Christmas Day, here's a rundown of offerings that could boost the hopes of every Association squad this holiday season.
Atlanta Hawks
1 of 30
Desired Gift: An All-Star nod for Jeff Teague
With Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, John Wall and Kyle Lowry drawing praise far and wide, there hasn't been much time left to salivate over Jeff Teague's production.
Through 24 games, Teague is averaging 16.8 points and seven assists while boosting his shooting splits to 47.4 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from three. Subsequently, Teague's player-efficiency rating has ballooned to a career-best mark of 21.25, which has him in some relatively elite company.
According to ESPN.com, Teague's PER ranks sixth overall among point guards behind only Westbrook, Curry, Chris Paul, Lowry and Damian Lillard.
Although those numbers should easily qualify Teague for All-Star consideration, the midseason selection process remains a strange beast. Fan votes won't be kind to Teague, which means he'll be reliant upon coaches to recognize his statistical gains and push him over the top.
Boston Celtics
2 of 30
Desired Gift: Development from Marcus Smart
Now that Rajon Rondo has been shipped to the Dallas Mavericks, the Boston Celtics are ready to fully embrace their shiny new rebuild.
One of the big beneficiaries of that approach figures to be rookie Marcus Smart, who drew his first start of the season Sunday night against the Miami Heat.
In a small sample size, Smart has been as good as advertised as a tenacious on-ball defender. According to NBA.com, the Celtics are a grand 8.3 points better per 100 defensive possessions with Smart on the floor.
The story changes quite rapidly on offense, though.
On that end, Boston is 7.1 points better per 100 possessions with Smart off the floor. Shooting a measly 32.4 percent on catch-and-shoot jumpers and 20 percent on pull-ups, per NBA.com, Smart needs to find sources of stability so he can wean himself off constant rim runs.
Brooklyn Nets
3 of 30
Desired Gift: More cap space
According to Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher, Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov is interested in clearing cap space to make the franchise more attractive to potential bidders.
That, of course, was the next logical step after ESPN.com's Marc Stein and Ohm Youngmisuk reported Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez and Deron Williams were all being made available in trade talks.
As things stand, the Nets have $91.1 million on the books this season, according to BasketballInsiders.com. And while that figure will dip slightly next season thanks to the presumed retirement of Kevin Garnett, Brooklyn will still be strapped for flexibility.
Assuming Brook Lopez doesn't exercise his early termination option (he's due $16.7 million next season in the form of a player option) and the Nets seek to retain Mirza Teletovic in restricted free agency, Brooklyn could have as much as $85.7 million on its cap sheet entering the 2015-16 campaign.
Charlotte Hornets
4 of 30
Desired Gift: A Lance Stephenson trade
An unmitigated disaster since arriving in the Queen City via free agency, Lance Stephenson has reverted to an offensive liability whose stat-chasing has padded his numbers as a rebounder. Through 25 appearances, Stephenson is averaging 10.2 points on 38.6 percent shooting (15.1 percent from three) and 6.8 rebounds.
Consider those numbers, and it's no wonder the Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell reports the Hornets are "aggressively soliciting trade offers" for Stephenson but "aren't close to a deal."
Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski provided juicier details, reporting that Charlotte is targeting the Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets as possibilities for offloading Stephenson.
And as Wojnarowski explained, the Pacers would feel like the most logical fit, particularly after watching Stephenson prosper under Frank Vogel from 2011 to 2014:
"Charlotte reached out to Indiana on a potential Stephenson deal and has been pushing to generate an ongoing conversation, sources said. Indiana knows there's significant trepidation about Stephenson around the league, and knows him better than anyone. They've acted with little urgency on the matter, understanding they would own all the leverage in talks on Stephenson, league sources said.
"
To date, the Hornets are 7.5 points worse per 100 offensive possessions and fractional points worse on defense with Stephenson buzzing around the floor, per NBA.com.
We're still months away from Charlotte possibly pulling the trigger on a deal, but if early-season results have been any indication, the Hornets may be better off without the enigmatic wing hogging minutes.
Chicago Bulls
5 of 30
Desired Gift: Improved shot selection from Derrick Rose
Derrick Rose has been at his best this season when knifing into the paint, deploying floaters over defenders or finishing with a staggering contortion around the rim.
That's why it's so surprising that the Chicago Bulls point guard is attempting a career-high 5.6 threes per game. Thus far, those shots have accounted for 39 percent of his total field-goal attempts.
That distribution is particularly puzzling when you consider Rose is knocking down just 28.1 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc, his lowest mark since 2009-10.
However, Rose recently told reporters that the three is going to remain an integral component of his repertoire, according to Bleacher Report's Sean Highkin:
"I'm taking a lot [of three-pointers]. But I feel like that's an easy shot for me, a set shot. I'm going to have a game where I'll string in four or five of them, and it's just going to help my confidence. I can't stop taking those shots. They're shots I normally take in practice, so my teammates know they're great shots for me.
"
The numbers don't improve much when we delve deeper. According to NBA.com, Rose is shooting 30.2 and 27.3 percent on pull-up and catch-and-shoot threes, respectively.
Conversely, Rose is shooting 67.7 percent on driving layups and 55.6 percent on "floating jump shots," attempts that should comprise the bulk of Rose's repertoire as he seeks to bend defenses with his blinding agility, slick hesitation dribble and lethal crossover.
Cleveland Cavaliers
6 of 30
Desired Gift: Defensive consistency
The Cleveland Cavaliers already possess an embarrassment of riches, so they can't afford to get too greedy this holiday season.
That's why they simply need to develop a bit more continuity that will produce more consistent nightly efforts.
As ESPN.com's Ethan Sherwood Strauss tweeted on Dec. 15, "The Cavs are Mavs East."
While that may serve as an oversimplification of Cleveland's shortcomings, it's also a sentiment that rings very true. The Cavaliers have shown a propensity for obliterating lesser competition while failing to step up against more challenging adversaries at times.
A pair of wins against the Toronto Raptors and a victory over the depleted Memphis Grizzlies helped to ease those concerns a bit.
But statistically, Cleveland still has plenty of ground to make up.
On offense, things are dandy. The Cavaliers are still in the experimental phase of a prosperous new era, and David Blatt's club already ranks fourth in efficiency, generating 107.9 points per 100 possessions, according to NBA.com.
Defensively, the story changes. Cleveland has oscillated between average and disappointing, surrendering 105.4 points per 100 possessions. A key factor in this department is the team's lack of rim protection.
Outlined as a concern prior to the season, Cleveland hasn't been able to provide staunch defense in the paint and restricted area. According to NBA.com, the Cavaliers are allowing opponents to shoot 57 percent at the rim, which ranks 29th overall. Consequently, Anderson Varejao and Co. are ceding more than 45 paint points per game, according to TeamRankings.com.
Dallas Mavericks
7 of 30
Desired Gift: Defensive improvement
It's hard to find a more confounding team than the Dallas Mavericks. One night they look like absolute world-beaters thanks to an offense that's on pace to rank, by advanced measures, as one of the best in league history.
And then there are the nights filled with defensive lapses that expose Rick Carlisle's club as a title pretender. Entering the final week-and-a-half of 2014, the Mavericks own a defensive rating of 104.8, which puts them in the same company as the Sacramento Kings, Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers.
While the offense has been so good that it's kept the club's net rating (plus-8.5) grouped among the league's best, Dallas won't be able to sustain this sort of production and hang with the Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs over the course of a seven-game playoff series.
Denver Nuggets
8 of 30
Desired Gift: A rejuvenated Kenneth Faried
The Denver Nuggets made arguably the most controversial signing of the NBA's extension period, tacking four years and $50 million onto Kenneth Faried's existing deal.
Following a rousing showing in the FIBA World Cup that saw Faried average 12.2 points, grab 7.7 rebounds and shoot 63.3 percent from the field while posting an average plus/minus rating of 19.9, he appeared to be turning over a new leaf.
A bundle of energy, he figured to display some more offensive versatility in conjunction with the hefty raise.
Instead, Faried's offensive game outside of three feet has remained virtually nonexistent. According to Basketball-Reference.com, Faried is shooting 35.2 percent between 3-10 feet and 33.3 percent between 10-16 feet as jump-shooting consistency continues to elude him.
Producing his lowest scoring (10.8 points per game) since his rookie season average and worst rebounding average (6.8 per game) over the course of his four-year career, Faried simply hasn't lived up to his pricey billing.
Detroit Pistons
9 of 30
Desired Gift: Further prosperity from Andre Drummond
Now that the Detroit Pistons have waived Josh Smith, according to the team's official website, head coach and president Stan Van Gundy appears completely focused on honing the skills of his younger bigs.
"We are shifting priorities to aggressively develop our younger players while also expanding the roles of other players in the current rotation to improve performance and build for our future," Van Gundy said in a statement.
With Smith out of the picture, look for center Andre Drummond to rack up a few more touches as Detroit seeks to redistribute Smith's 14 shots per game.
After averaging just 10.6 points and 12 rebounds in November while shooting 45.3 percent from the field, Drummond has come on strong over the past three weeks.
In December, the 21-year-old physical specimen is averaging 15 points and 13.7 rebounds while posting a net rating of plus-12 points per 100 possessions, according to Basketball-Reference.com. Also shooting 52.3 percent inside of eight feet this month after knocking down just 47.2 percent of his attempts within that same distance through November, Drummond is starting to resemble the budding big man fans have been salivating over.
Golden State Warriors
10 of 30
Desired Gift: An MVP for Stephen Curry
It's easy to make a case for Anthony Davis, James Harden or Marc Gasol, but as the best player on the league's premier team, Stephen Curry has emerged as the NBA's MVP front-runner.
Averaging 23.9 points and 7.6 assists while shooting 39.1 percent from three, Curry is on pace to record just the fourth season in league history with those final marks etched into his stat sheet, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
Curry also accomplished the feat last season, while LeBron James (2012-13) and Larry Bird (1986-87) are the two other members of the esteemed club.
Another fascinating item worth considering in the context of the MVP race: According to Basketball-Reference, Curry owns the league's highest VORP (value over replacement player), with Harden, Damian Lillard, Anthony Davis, LeBron James and Chris Paul rounding out the top six.
With Steve Kerr angling for Coach of the Year honors, the Warriors and their league-leading record could make some serious noise come award season.
Houston Rockets
11 of 30
Desired Gift: Improved offensive efficiency
The Houston Rockets were always a fascinating case study in efficient practices, but this year has flipped the narrative on its side.
While their mode of operation hasn't shifted one iota, Houston has dropped to 21st overall in offensive efficiency.
For instance, the Rockets have attempted 954 shots inside of eight feet and another 881 outside of 24 feet with a meager 288 coming between eight and 24 feet, per NBA.com. Although that distribution is supposed to ooze efficiency, Houston ranks 27th in field-goal percentage and 17th in conversion rate from beyond the arc.
Per usual, James Harden has carried the torch behind a player-efficiency rating of 25.0, but only three Houston players possess PERs better than the league average, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
Progression to the mean may be on the way with Dwight Howard back at full strength, but it's a strange sight to see Houston's defense performing at a much higher rate than its celebrated offense.
Indiana Pacers
12 of 30
Desired Gift: Paul George's return
It's the holiday season, so we're armed with plenty of optimism these days.
So it's fun to dream about a world in which Paul George could make a miraculous return to the Indiana Pacers lineup before the conclusion of the 2014-15 regular season. For the record, George has stated it's his goal to return at some point this season, according to Vigilant Sports' Scott Agness.
Sure, it can be classified as a pipe dream, but if George is bold enough to fantasize, so are we. And with the bottom of the Eastern Conference playoff picture wide open, there could be an opening for the Pacers to find a late-season spark and slip into the postseason.
As things stand, the Pacers are three games back of the eighth and final playoff spot, making that accomplishment perfectly feasible in the long run.
Los Angeles Clippers
13 of 30
Desired Gift: Rim protection
The Los Angeles Clippers' signing of Spencer Hawes for the full mid-level exception was largely praised given the team's need for frontcourt depth. However, there was just one problem: Hawes isn't a conventional low-post-banging 5. And while that was already well established, there was a willingness to overlook that fact when the Clippers signed one of the league's few seven-foot floor-stretchers.
But as early-season looks indicate, the Clippers have a staunch need for a rough-and-tumble reserve center who can pack a punch behind DeAndre Jordan.
Right now, the Clippers rank 23rd in opponents' field-goal percentage at the rim, while Hawes is allowing opponents to shoot 5.9 percent better than the league average within six feet of the basket, per NBA.com.
And here's the kicker: Since L.A. signed Hawes to the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, they're not allowed to exceed the tax apron of $80.829 million.
Thus, it's going to be awfully difficult for the Clippers to make a move of significance prior to the postseason or at the trade deadline.
Los Angeles Lakers
14 of 30
Desired Gift: Defensive competency
It's hard to overstate just how horrendous the Los Angeles Lakers defense has been. I mean, we knew it would be bad. With Carlos Boozer, Jeremy Lin and Kobe Bryant, it had to be. But this bad?
The Lakers have become accustomed to celebrating historic achievements this season as Bryant has vaulted up the league's all-time scoring list, but the team's next milestone may not be worth popping champagne over.
Through Saturday night, the Lakers had accumulated a defensive rating of 113.6, according to Basketball-Reference.com. In league history, only 12 teams have finished with a defensive rating higher than 113, with the last occurrence coming courtesy of the Toronto Raptors five years ago.
In order to record the most futile mark the NBA has ever seen, the Lakers will need to cross the 114.7-point-per-100-possession threshold, established by the 2008-09 Sacramento Kings, 1992-93 Dallas Mavericks and 1990-91 Denver Nuggets.
Memphis Grizzlies
15 of 30
Desired Gift: Perimeter defense
Over the past three seasons, the Memphis Grizzlies have ranked 11th, second and 12th in opponents' three-point field-goal percentage as one of the league's most efficient defenses.
While Memphis continues to grade out as one of the league's top-10 defenses, Dave Joerger's club needs an injection of dependability above the three-point line.
Over their last three games, the Grizzlies have allowed opponents to shot better than 39 percent from three, bumping their overall mark to higher than 36 percent, per TeamRankings.com.
Tony Allen is still feisty as ever when hounding opposing ball-handlers, but starting shooting guard Courtney Lee hasn't defended the three as well as he's shot it. Per NBA.com, Memphis' defense is 5.2 points worse per 100 possessions with Lee on the floor. By comparison, the Grizzlies are plus-4.2 points per 100 defensive possessions with Allen on the floor.
Miami Heat
16 of 30
Desired Gift: Improved health
The Miami Heat have been ravaged by injuries, relegating continuity to the realm of a fleeting ideal.
It was bad enough when Dwyane Wade was missing action with all-too-familiar knee injuries. To date, he's appeared in 20 of a possible 28 games.
But then came ailments that have sidelined Josh McRoberts and Chris Bosh.
As things stand, McRoberts is out indefinitely with a torn right lateral meniscus, which has forced Miami to apply for the league's injury exception worth $2.65 million, according to the Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman.
Then there's Bosh, who is without a timetable for return after suffering a strained left calf, according to the Palm Beach Post's Jason Lieser.
"It really sucks that it's hitting me right now," Bosh said, according to Bleacher Report's Ethan Skolnick. "There just seems to be a dark cloud over everything right now. Everything seems to be tough. We're having a tough time building the chemistry."
While the playoffs certainly aren't unreachable for Bosh and the Heat, untimely injuries have derailed their plans of thriving in unforeseen ways sans LeBron James.
Milwaukee Bucks
17 of 30
Desired Gift: A Larry Sanders resurgence
Oh, what the Milwaukee Bucks wouldn't give for a glimpse of 2012-13 Larry Sanders.
Two years removed from blocking 2.8 shots per game as a rim-protecting tour de force who approached double-double averages, Sanders has regressed into a pedestrian NBA big.
Averaging 7.3 points and 6.1 rebounds while blocking his fewest shots (1.4) per game since 2010-11, Sanders is attempting to morph back into the explosive presence who earned a four-year, $44 million contract extension.
He's making incremental strides—as opponents' field-goal percentages inside of six feet indicate, per NBA.com—but Sanders doesn't yet resemble the player who once appeared primed to ascend into an elite realm.
Minnesota Timberwolves
18 of 30
Desired Gift: Rookie of the Year hardware
The 2014 draft class has been simply decimated by injuries, which means the field of candidates for Rookie of the Year has been whittled down considerably.
Here's a look at notable ailments, all of which have affected lottery picks:
- Jabari Parker, No. 2 overall, torn ACL
- Joel Embiid, No. 3 overall, navicular fracture
- Aaron Gordon, No. 4 overall, broken foot
- Julius Randle, No. 7 overall, broken tibia
For the time being, Minnesota Timberwolves swingman Andrew Wiggins has avoided the injury bug. And that means the No. 1 overall pick should be considered a front-runner to capture Rookie of the Year honors.
While growing pains have abounded, Wiggins has flashed momentary brilliance. Take his 29-point outing against the Sacramento Kings or 23-point performance against the Portland Trail Blazers, for example.
His per-game numbers (12 points, four rebounds, 1.3 assists) are hardly gaudy, but the eye test is becoming progressively kinder to Wiggins and his ultra-smooth jump shot.
Already displaying comfort as a creator who enjoys rising and firing jumpers off a quick bounce or two, Wiggins needs to hone his skills as a penetrator and spot-up shooter in order to kick his offensive evolution into high gear.
Wiggins' lateral quickness and agility have also helped him excel as a one-on-one defender. According to NBA.com, the Timberwolves defense is three points better per 100 possessions with him on the floor.
New Orleans Pelicans
19 of 30
Desired Gift: A playoff berth
There's one thing that can justify all of the pricey moves New Orleans Pelicans general manager Dell Demps has made, and that's a playoff berth.
And while the Pelicans have been able to tread water, they're perched in a very precarious spot now that the Oklahoma City Thunder appear poised to bolt up the Western Conference standings.
With Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook healthy, the Thunder are within striking distance of the playoffs, while the Pelicans have been merely average over their last 10 games.
Shelling out big bucks to high-profile veterans Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans, Eric Gordon and Omer Asik, the time is now for New Orleans to break through and finally crash the postseason party. But with the emerging Thunder and scrappy Phoenix Suns better positioned to claim one of the West's final playoff spots, New Orleans may very well wind up on the outside looking in.
New York Knicks
20 of 30
Desired Gift: A top-five pick
The New York Knicks haven't made a lottery selection since 2009 (Jordan Hill, No. 8 overall), but that's going to change when this year's draft rolls around.
Proprietors of a 5-25 record, the Knicks aren't just well positioned to acquire a lottery pick either. A top-five selection will likely be within the realm of possibility.
Considering the Knicks no longer own their 2016 first-round pick and have traded away their next five second-rounders (2015-2019), finding a potential franchise building block is imperative. While it's far too early to speculate on who the team's target may be, a skilled big would certainly seem to fit the bill.
With Amar'e Stoudemire, Jason Smith, Samuel Dalembert and Andrea Bargnani all set to become unrestricted free agents at season's end, Jackson will be tasked with filling a major void in the frontcourt. Luckily, the draft appears to be the perfect avenue for New York to obtain a long-term solution.
Oklahoma City Thunder
21 of 30
Desired Gift: Improved three-point shooting
The Oklahoma City Thunder have only been a prolific three-point shooting team once over the past four seasons (37.7 percent in 2012-13), so it's not like expectations were outrageous to begin with.
That said, Scott Brooks' offense could stand to benefit from an influx of three-balls, particularly now that Kevin Durant is back and shooting a team-best 40.5 percent from deep.
With some ground to make up from beyond the arc, the Thunder are shooting under 32 percent from three on more than 22 long-range attempts per game.
Only the Philadelphia 76ers have been worse from an efficiency standpoint, which tells you all you need to know.
Orlando Magic
22 of 30
Desired Gift: Bench scoring
Young clubs like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers have all been buoyed by strong bench production to varying degrees, but the Orlando Magic remain an unfortunate outlier in that department. According to HoopsStats.com, Orlando ranks 26th in nightly bench scoring at just over 25 points per game.
Encouraging production from Nikola Vucevic, Victor Oladipo and Tobias Harris aside, Orlando's second unit hasn't possessed enough firepower to lift the Magic out of the offensive-efficiency basement.
Ranked 27th in offensive rating, per Basketball-Reference.com, Jacque Vaughn's squad is sorely in need of steadier scoring from Ben Gordon, Elfrid Payton and Co.
The loss of Aaron Gordon to a broken left foot has clearly hindered the group's upside, but Orlando can at least take solace in Gordon's shooting splits (.459/.383/.846), which have helped justify his $4.5 million payday.
Philadelphia 76ers
23 of 30
Desired Gift: Offensive development from Nerlens Noel
Now that Jabari Parker is presumably sidelined for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, the door has opened for Nerlens Noel to claim Rookie of the Year hardware.
But he's hardly going to win it by default.
With Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Mirotic and teammate K.J. McDaniels all impressing, Noel will need to display considerable growth on offense in order to emerge as a front-runner.
Already a master of dexterity on the defensive end, limiting opponents to under 55 percent shooting inside of six feet, per NBA.com, Noel is still in search of a go-to weapon with the ball in his hands.
Having tried everything from mid-range jumpers to jump hooks and sweeping hooks across the lane, Noel has been unable to establish a rhythm below the free-throw line.
Shooting worse than 25 percent on jumpers and conventional hook shots, Noel is still in search of the one tool he can utilize in a pinch on the low block.
If he can make some incremental strides in that department and nudge his scoring average into the double-digit realm, accolades won't be out of the question.
Phoenix Suns
24 of 30
Desired Gift: The Lakers' top-five-protected pick
As Bleacher Report's Dan Favale wrote last week, the Phoenix Suns are entering a period of uncertainty. Do they commit to the roster as is or turn an eye toward the future?
While the trade deadline will certainly indicate management's preferred direction, the season's home stretch could provide a ping-pong-ball-laden silver lining.
By trading Steve Nash to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Suns received the Purple and Gold's 2015 top-five-protected first-round pick. If the Lakers wind up picking in the top five come June, the protection dwindles to a top-three designation for 2016 and 2017 before the selection becomes unprotected in 2018.
A fringe playoff contender at best these days, the Suns are in danger of briefly plunging into basketball purgatory. However, if things shake out favorably, Phoenix could be right back in the thick of the postseason chase with a roster chock-full of intriguing young talent.
Portland Trail Blazers
25 of 30
Desired Gift: More trips to the line
The Portland Trail Blazers are still quite efficient, generating 109.4 points per 100 possessions while stroking the rock at a 36.5 percent clip from beyond the arc.
However, Portland's commitment to mid-range jumpers, via LaMarcus Aldridge, means the Blazers aren't getting to the line at a rate commensurate with their typical efficiency under Terry Stotts.
Last season, four players (Aldridge, Damian Lillard, Wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez) attempted at least three freebies per game. Now, only two are.
As a result, the Blazers rank 28th in free-throw attempts, which represents an absolutely staggering 15.3 percent decrease from a season ago.
Sacramento Kings
26 of 30
Desired Gift: A few months without drama
As Bleacher Report's Ethan Skolnick wrote last week, former Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Malone was doomed by the unreasonable expectations and requests of owner Vivek Ranadive:
"Since Malone's dismissal, Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski has reported some of new owner Vivek Ranadive's meddling in rotation decisions, including his desire for Malone to force troubled prospect Royce White onto the floor. That, coupled with Malone's reported reluctance to agree to a possible offseason acquisition of Josh Smith—who continues to be a disaster in Detroit—and management's desire for a more uptempo style, apparently contributed to the firing.
"
And if firing a coach who started the season 11-13 with a seriously ill DeMarcus Cousins wasn't absurd enough, Ranadive is now setting the bar far too high for interim head coach Ty Corbin.
According to CBS Sacramento's Steve Large, "Ranadive says he expects Kings to reach playoffs with more wins under Corbin then they would have had under Malone."
Not only is that statement unrealistic, but it's unfair to Corbin.
It's fine if Ranadive wants to be optimistic, but saddling Corbin with such a lofty goal at the risk of succumbing to ownership's impatience simply isn't professional.
Unfortunately, with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans all jockeying for the West's final playoff spots, Sacramento would appear to be the odd team out in the midst of some major turmoil.
San Antonio Spurs
27 of 30
Desired Gift: An uptick in pace
Since 2011, the San Antonio Spurs haven't ranked worse than 10th in pace, defined as the number of possessions a team generates per 48 minutes.
But fresh off an NBA title, Gregg Popovich's club has fallen to 17th in pace (92.9) after producing 95 possessions per game last season.
Perhaps not surprisingly, San Antonio's offensive efficiency has dipped in tandem with its slower style of play. Now ranked seventh in the Western Conference standings, the Spurs are producing 3.7 points less per 100 possessions than last season, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
There's plenty of time for San Antonio to round into more classically efficient form, but this isn't the style of play we were accustomed to seeing last year.
Toronto Raptors
28 of 30
Desired Gift: Home-court advantage
Dwane Casey's Toronto Raptors burst out of the gate with a 13-2 start to the 2014-15 season, placing Canada's beloved ballers in the early pole position for home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference.
Possessing one of the league's most raucous and dedicated fanbases, Raptors loyalists clad in "We The North" gear can stir up an intimidating setting that makes opponents cringe due to the sheer decibel level.
One year removed from falling to the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the playoffs, it's time for redemption. And while it will take a tremendous effort over the regular season's final four months to stave off the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards, Toronto has its eyes firmly set on that tantalizing top seed.
Utah Jazz
29 of 30
Desired Gift: More playing time for Dante Exum and Rudy Gobert
Quin Snyder's Utah Jazz have been a partial defensive catastrophe, hemorrhaging 112.5 points per 100 possessions (No. 29 overall) during his first year on the bench.
Fortunately, there's a readily available solution Snyder can deploy in order to patch up his leaky defense. And while it may come at the expense of some offensive fluidity, it's necessary at this point in time.
As Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey recently outlined, the Jazz stand to benefit from allotting more minutes to Dante Exum and Rudy Gobert:
"It's the natural talent they already possess that makes their defensive ceilings so high. If your defense is led by an explosive point guard with a 6'9.5" wingspan and anchored by a bouncy center with a 7'8.5" wingspan, you're going to bother a ton of offenses.
Even without a great feel of how to defend—rotations, switches, hedging, etc.—both are already among Utah's best defenders.
"
To Bailey's point, Utah's defense has been strikingly more efficient with both Gobert and Exum on the floor.
Washington Wizards
30 of 30
Desired Gift: Road wins
Within the friendly confines of Verizon Center, the Washington Wizards have been downright menacing. In 16 home contests, the Wizards have accumulated a record of 13-3 with some snazzy statistics to boot.
To simplify things, here's a side-by-side comparison of how the Wizards are producing in home and away games, per NBA.com:
- Home: 103.4 points per game, 47.9 field-goal percentage, 40.6 three-point field-goal percentage, average point differential of plus-7.4
- Away: 96.6 points per game, 45.7 field-goal percentage, 35.4 three-point field-goal percentage, average point differential of minus-2.1
Through Sunday night, the Wizards are a respectable 6-4 on the road. While Randy Wittman's club may very well have home-court advantage through several rounds of the playoffs, it's worth noting that Washington has already dropped road contests at Toronto and Cleveland—teams that could stand in the way of a trip to the Finals.
Note: All stats courtesy of NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com unless noted otherwise.
