NBA Mid-Season Report Cards for Every Single NBA Team
The 2010-2011 NBA season has been one of the more interesting seasons in recent memory. The story lines going in were endless.
How will the Heat handle the incredible pressure and expectations?
Will the two-time defending champion Lakers struggle to stay motivated?
Does Carmelo Anthony's contract situation destroy the Nuggets season?
Do the aging Spurs and Celtics have another June run left in them?
What will become of the Knicks after signing Amare Stoudemire?
Some of these questions have already been answered while the others will have to wait. Some teams have fallen flat on their face while others have exceeded expectations.
Here is a letter grade for each team in the NBA at mid-season..
30. Cleveland Cavs- F
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What more can be said about a team that got it’s soul ripped out before the season even began?
It’s the most depressing team in the NBA and I can only imagine what the locker-room morale is like at this point—especially after consecutive losses of 55, 22 and 28.
This team has dropped 23 of 24 games.
At least they still rank second in attendance. Then again, I wonder how many of those tickets were purchased before mid-July.
29. New Jersey Nets- D-
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The team is better than last year’s version, but that’s like saying Transformers 2 was better than the original.
The highly publicized trade talks to acquire Carmelo Anthony consistently are held up because he see’s the incredible lack of talent. Now the deal is off the table.
Brook Lopez is allegedly an All Star player, but he has had two double-digit rebound games ALL YEAR.
Russian Mark Cuban and Jay-Z have a lot of work to do.
28. Sacramento Kings- D-
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Where is the progress Sacramento?
Expectations were low, but only winning nine of their first 39 games doesn’t even come close.
DeMarcus Cousins has posted 13 points and 7.7 boards a game in his rookie season. He has endured his up and down’s with coaches and teammates, but has proven to be a legit low-post scorer in the NBA.
A troubling aspect of the team is the woeful shooting and regression of second-year guard Tyreke Evans.
Sure he has averaging a shade over 17 points a game, but it comes on a 39 percent shooting percentage. That’s six percent lower than last season, and it has cost him three points a game on his scoring average.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves- D
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The T-Wolves lone bright spot is the brilliance of Kevin Love.
He has made a name for himself by being one of the greatest rebounder of the past decade. Hauling in 15.7 boards in only 37 minutes a game is incredible and the most impressive stat in the NBA.
Yet his efficiency in other categories can’t be over-looked either. He is averaging 21.2 points a game on 46 percent shooting and is making a spectacular 44 percent of his three’s.
Courtesy of S.I: Love is making more threes, in fewer attempts, than Jason Terry, Paul Pierce and LeBron James.
26. Washington Wizards- D
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The two goals of the season were to ship Gilbert Arenas out of town and get No. 1 overall pick John Wall experience.
In that regard the season has been a success. Agent Zero is gone and Wall is learning how to be a NBA point guard.
He is scoring 15.4 points a game—but it’s on 40 percent shooting. He is averaging 9.1 assists, but turns the ball over 3.7 times a contest.
Wall has recently shown he is driven and maybe head coach Flip Sanders has been too easy on him.
He wants Saunders to keep pushing him because, "I want to be a great point guard."
Wall recently asked to receive a fine whenever he starts to pout, sulk or show frustration during games.
"It ain't too much," Wall said of the fines, "but it's enough to keep my pockets empty. I don't want to lose that money."
Very encouraging for fans in Washington.
Not so encouraging: 0-19 on the road.
25. Toronto Raptors- D
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They haven’t suffered the Chris Bosh hangover to quite the extend that the Cavs did...but they aren’t too far behind.
The defense still stinks and their best player is Andrea Barrgnani, a center that averages less than six boards a game.
The Raptors are one of the softest teams in the league and they need to change that if they plan on ever improving on defense.
24. Detroit Pistons- D
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Anybody else find it ironic that the team that could have drafted Carmelo the year BEFORE winning a title is now a third wheel in a potential deal for him?
That’s what happens when you hedge your future on Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva.
Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince don’t deserve this.
23. Milwaukee Bucks- D+
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Sure they have gotten off to a rough start after being the surprise team in the East a season ago, but of the Bucks' first 37 games—26 came against .500-or-better teams.
Combine that with Andrew Bogut slowly getting back to 100 percent health and the potential for a playoff spot is still there for the Bucks as soon as Brandon Jennings get’s healthy.
22. Charlotte Bobcats- D+
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The Bobcats were extremely uninspired and sluggish to start the season with Larry Brown at the helm.
Since he was fired, the Bobcats have responded by winning six of their first eight under the 67-year-old Paul Silas.
Now that Gerald Wallace is back, the Bobcats are now looking to be a potential playoff team once again.
It remains to be seen if the inspired Bobcats will keep up the energy for their new coach
21. Golden St. Warriors- D+
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Monta Ellis is deserving of a spot on the All Star team.
He is averaging over 25 points a game on 47 percent shooting. He swipes over two steals a game and has increased his career assist average by 1.5.
It’s too bad his talent is going to waste on a team that is underwhelming everywhere else on the floor and still is among the worst in the league in points allowed (106.1) per game.
What’s crazy is that the Warriors play 16 of their next 19 at home. If there was ever a time to make a run—this is it.
20. Indiana Pacers- C-
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The Pacers were off to a surprisingly good start and Roy Hibbert was beginning to emerge as a premier center in the Eastern Conference.
But that was in December and his numbers have decreased every month, bottoming out with averages of 7.3 points and rebounds a game in January. Hibbert is the key to any sort of success for the Pacers.
Yet in the East they are in the playoffs if the season ended today.
19. Philadelphia 76ers- C-
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The 76ers have surprised this season but could have an even better record—they are only 2-8 in games decided by five-points or less.
The 76ers rely on more than a few players each night in the scoring department.
Elton Brand (14.9), Jrue Holiday (14.6), Andre Iguodala (13.8), Lou Williams (13), and Thaddeus Young (11.4) all average double digits.
Watching the development of Evan Turner will be the big story for the 76ers in the second half.
18. Phoenix Suns- C
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It’s been a tough year for the Suns and trading for Vince Carter didn’t help matters.
Steve Nash is now one of the oldest players in the NBA, yet is still able to average 17.2 points and 10.8 assists while shooting 52 percent from the field.
Channing Frye had a great 2010 postseason and was expected to carry that momentum into the new season. Instead his greatest weapon, three-point shooting, has fallen off a cliff from 44 to 36 percent.
But six of the Suns next nine games are against sub-.500 teams and maybe this will be the boost to get the 2010 Western Conference runner-ups back to prominence.
17. Houston Rockets- C
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Since Yao Ming went down the Rockets have become Kevin Martin’s team. Their style of play proves, that as the Rockets are fourth in the league in scoring at 104.9 points a game, they are also 25th in total defense at 104.5 a game.
Martin is a efficient scorer that makes more free throws than anybody else in the league, but his defense is awful and it seems as if the rest of the team has mirrored Martin.
The Rockets can play with anybody with wins at Boston and against the Lakers, but they have to find a way to improve that 0-4 record in OT.
16. Los Angles Clippers- C
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They're 14-12 since that dreadful 1-13 start.
Rookie Blake Griffin has re-energized the fan base with his jaw-dropping dunks and physical play. He wont let anybody push him around and his intimidation factor is growing by the day.
He is averaging 22.5 points a game, which would be the highest rookie scoring average since Allen Iverson. He also ranks fourth in the NBA with 12.8 rebounds.
The Clippers are on the rise and nothing punctuates that better than beating the Heat and the Lakers in the span of five days.
The playoffs are not out of the question.
15. Memphis Grizzles- C
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Zach Randolph is one of only five players in the league that averages at least 20 points and 10 rebounds a game. He had a 20 and 20 game in a win against the Mavs last week. Playing in the final year of his contract—rumors are swirling around him.
But the Griz need him, as evident by their record of 12-6 when he scores 20 or more points and 7-16 when he doesn't.
The immaturity of O.J. Mayo continues to be an issue for Memphis.
14. New York Knicks- C+
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Amare Stoudemire is now the king of New York and deserves to be mentioned as a candidate for MVP.
The Knicks are first in the NBA with 107.5 points scored per game and now play in front of a rejuvenated crowd at Madison Square Garden.
Raymond Felton has exceeded expectations—averaging 17.7 points and just under nine assists and two steals a game. He has adjusted well to head coach Mike D’Antoni’s offense and the Knicks look poised to make their first playoff appearance in seemingly forever.
If they could only tighten up that 28th ranked defense.
13. Portland Trail Blazers- C+
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The whole Brandon Roy saga is a sad story but the Blazers have managed to go 12-7 without their best player.
The Blazers should be led by a 20 and 10 Greg Oden at this point in his career, instead it’s LaMarcus Aldridge and his 21.1 points and 8.8 rebounds a game. He has been able to transition from a mid-range jump shooter to a player that averages almost six shots a game within five feet.
He is the biggest reason the Blazers have stayed afloat in the West.
12. Denver Nuggets- C+
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The season has been destroyed by the on-going trade talks for Carmelo. The home crowd has began to boo for the first time in his career and are ready for a divorce.
‘Melo wants to go to the Knicks but the Nuggs don’t want any of New York’s assets. New Jersey had a great package for Denver, but that's a mute point now.
Both sides are being stubborn and it’s created an awkward and uninspired season in Denver. The quicker this deal gets down the faster both sides can move on with their lives.
Sooner or later somebody will cave.
11. Atlanta Hawks- B-
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They are riding a 10 game home winning streak and have dismantled sub .500 teams to the tune of 22-6.
Al Horford as slowly, but surely made himself into a key cog to the Hawks success. He has increased his points per game all four seasons in the pros and now is putting up 16.2 a game on 56 percent shooting to go along with 9.7 rebounds.
Problem is, this team doesn’t have a very high ceiling. Does anybody think the Hawks could beat the Celtics, Heat, Magic or Bulls in the playoffs?
10. New Orleans Hornets- B
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As much as thing’s change and rumors swirl, Chris Paul and David West continue to put-up gaudy numbers.
Paul has been incredibly efficient this season, shooting 45 percent from three-land and an astonishing 90 percent from the free throw line. His points may be down (16.2), but his 9.6 assists and 2.7 steals rank him among the leagues best.
West continues to quietly be one of the top power forwards in the NBA. Averaging 19 points on 51 percent shooting and hauling in 7.2 rebounds a game is par for the course.
9. Utah Jazz- B
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What’s odd about the Jazz 109-101 loss to the Wiz on Monday? It was just the second loss in 22 games when they score over 100 points.
The Jazz haven’t played outstanding basketball but consider the injuries (Mehmet Okur), trade (Ronnie Brewer) and free-agent departures (Carlos Boozer and Wes Matthews) Utah has played well.
Deron Williams has averaged 22.1 points, 9.4 assists while leading an ever-changing roster.
C.J. Miles has had nine 20-point games off the bench and has proven to be able to score in bunches.
8. Dallas Mavericks- B
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The Mavs lost six of eight games while Dirk Nowitzki was injured and lost a sizable chunk of the momentum of a 24-5 start.
But he’s back and the Mavs need to go on another big run. Losing Caron Butler for the season is a big blow and if they keep letting Jason Kidd play 33 minutes a game, it will not end well for Dallas.
Can we put an amber alert out for Shawn Marion? The one time fantasy stud has been reduced to averaging a mere 11.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and less than one block and steal a game.
7. Oklahoma City Thunder- B
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The young and energetic Thunder are four games better than they were last season at this point.
Kevin Durant and his 28.4 points a game already spoil fans, but it’s Russell Westbrook’s 22.4 points and 8.4 assists that have been the catalyst for the Thunder’s success.
If they can improve the 20th ranked defense this team will be even better.
I don’t think you want to face the Thunder in the playoffs.
6. Chicago Bulls- B+
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Believe it or not but the Bulls would be the three seed if the playoffs started today. They are currently riding a 18-6 record since early December—all without Joakim Noah.
Derrick Rose has been everything the Bulls expected when they selected him No. 1 in the ’08 draft. Rose drops 24.7 points and eight assists a game while emerging as a leader in his third season.
Once Noah returns and the Bulls finally return to full strength—watch out.
5. Orlando Magic- B+
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Count me as a staunch supported of the trades the Magic have made.
Jason Richardson has fit in well with the Magic’s free flowing offense and Gilbert Arenas has been able to play pressure-free ball off the bench and has embraced his new role.
Not to mention the homecoming of Hedo Turkoglu to an offense that desperately missed him last season.
The Magic had no shot at a title in the beginning of the year, now they are a legit contender. Oh yeah, they have Dwight Howard too.
4. Los Angeles Lakers- A-
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Kobe Bryant has a bum knee and his shooting percentage is way down, but the team is still almost 20 games above .500.
Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom were able to hold down the fort while Andrew Bynum was gone and the Lakers look poised to cruise into the playoffs as a one or two seed.
Head scratching Phil Jackson comments aside, this team has been somewhat boring considering they are two-time champs and have the best player in the league.
That may not be a bad thing.
3. Miami Heat- A-
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Nobody expected them to live up to the unreal expectations placed upon them to start the season. After a embarrassing 10-8 start, the Heat ripped off win after win before a recent four game slide.
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are learning how to co-exist and all the drama seems to have subsided.
One area of concern is the awful play of Mike Miller since his return last month. Sure he is working off the rust, but 1.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and one assist a game wont cut it for a guy that signed a contract for $5M this off-season.
Troubling stat: The Heat are 4-9 against the 11 best teams in the league.
2. Boston Celtics- A
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Props to this aging team that has dealt with the Kendrick Perkins injury all season, yet still find themselves in first place.
The Celts dodged a bullet when they found out Kevin Garnett’s knee wasn’t as bad as expected. He is the leader on defense and raises the energy level every time he is on the floor. But as K.G. averages 9.5 boards a game, it’s his teammates that need to pick up the slack.
The C’s are last in the NBA in rebounding.
Rajon Rondo may be the key to a Championship for Boston. The offense seems to stall far to often when he is out and nobody can replace the 13.4 assists he provides per game. Then there is the tenacious defense that he brings on a nightly basis.
Rondo might be the MVP of the Celtics by the time the season is over.
1. San Antonio Spurs- A+
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This has been the best team in the league and they show no signs of slowing down. The 35-6 record is extremely impressive.
But how about the 77.7 team free throw percentage?
Tim Duncan has embraced his diminished role—yet still hauls in almost 10 rebounds a game.
This is Manu Ginobili’s team now and he is playing better than at any point in his career. He has hit multiple game winners; plays top notch defense all while scoring 18.9 points a game.
Depth issues will service as the season goes along, but the Spurs deserve the highest grade of any team in the first half of the season.
