The top five intriguing aspects surrounding the lowest-ranked teams in the NBA.
While “almost breaking even” and being “around the league’s average” may not sound incredibly impressive, it’s still better than having nothing at all. This is especially true towards the end of a confusing and underwhelming season, and when looking ahead to potentially improving next season’s outcomes.
After making the wise choice to begin Wembanyama’s career with the support of 6-foot-11 experienced player Zach Collins as his bodyguard, head coach Gregg Popovich made the decision in December to permanently transition his 7-foot-4 prized player to the center position. A few weeks later, after controversially starting the season with inexperienced point guard Jeremy Sochan, Pop decided to change course and start using Tre Jones, an established point guard, in the starting lineup.
Although the most intriguing aspect of this team currently is the valuable gems Wemby deposits on the court each night, another noteworthy element is their evolving potential.
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The Hornets head coach, Steve Clifford, stated that he believes the player is well-suited for the modern NBA. He possesses the right physical attributes and could defend multiple positions in college. He was also a reliable shooter and consistently made crucial shots for his team. However, what sets him apart is his decision-making skills, which are hard to come by. He knows when to take a shot and when to make a cut, and that cannot be taught. It is something that comes naturally to players or it doesn’t.
Strive to improve to a level that positively impacts any type of team.
Avdija has recorded 20 or more points in 10 of his first 240 NBA games. In his recent 35 games, he has achieved this feat nine times, including a remarkable performance of 43 points and 15 rebounds against the Pelicans on Valentine’s Day.
I believe that’s an exaggeration. Rational individuals may disagree about the significance of heightened output in essentially exhibition games; Avdija appears more suited for supporting offensive efforts rather than being the main scoring threat, and has a tendency to commit turnovers which would make it difficult for him to carry a significant load in creating shots for a competitive team. However, on a less serious team, there are bigger transgressions than taking risks – pushing the limits of your game and attempting to expand them.
The public was surprised by that event, leading to some inquiries about whether there could be a hidden star in the District that the non-viewers of Wizards games (i.e. the general public) were unaware of.[embedded content]
After playing sixty-odd games, the most exciting aspect of Miller’s performance is his functional similarity to other players. For example, when your primary player – such as a healthy LaMelo Ball – takes charge of the game, Miller can be relied on to spot up off the ball and has shown a success rate of 38.6% in nailing catch-and-shoot 3s. Additionally, Miller has proven to be an active player on the weak side and is able to be a threat beyond just being a stationary option. His stats include an average of 1.7 points per possession as a cutter, 1.2 points per play when curling around a dribble handoff, and just under a point per trip when working off an off-ball screen. Although his performance in the last category is below league average, it is still a promising start for a 21-year-old in his first season in the major leagues.
In this period, the Blazers have improved by almost six points per 100 possessions when Ayton is on the court compared to when he is off it. While this may not be a significant enough difference to turn a weak team into a strong one, it could potentially help Billups and his team gain a bit of credibility.
In general, when a player plays more, their effectiveness decreases. However, despite Avdija being involved in 21.6% of Washington’s offensive plays with either a shot attempt, a foul drawn, or a turnover, his true shooting percentage is still above .600, which is significantly better than his past performances.
Listen: I can’t blame you if you tuned out the Pistons right around New Year’s Eve, after they’d beaten the immediately-post-OG Anunoby-trade Raptors to end their 28-game losing streak. That was the most newsworthy thing this Detroit team was going to do this season, and we’ve all got a lot on our plates.
“We consistently task him with defending the top players in various positions, and there have been occasions where we’ve utilized a smaller lineup, giving him even more opportunities,” stated Wizards interim head coach Brian Keefe during a press conference last month. “However, we also strategically place him in positions to be aggressive and drive to the rim, creating scoring chances for himself and his teammates.”
The Hornets’ recent changes in ownership and basketball leadership may require some time to create a solid foundation for a successful team. Regardless of which path they decide to take and the type of winning culture they aim to cultivate, Miller is seen as a valuable player who can not only make sense of it, but also excel in the environment.
The standout player for the Detroit Pistons is Cade Cunningham, who has been an exceptional performer.
Since his return to the starting lineup, Jones has been averaging 11.3 points, 7.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game. He has been shooting at an impressive rate of 61.3% on 2-pointers, 41.4% from beyond the arc, and 89.7% at the foul line, falling just short of the coveted 50-40-90 shooting splits. He has been a dominant force on the court, making strong drives to the basket about 10 times per game and taking 70% of his shots from inside the paint. His penetration has also been crucial in creating opportunities for his teammates. According to PBP Stats, only eight players have been more effective at producing points through assists during this time span: Haliburton, Dončić, Young, Nikola Jokić, James Harden, Domantas Sabonis, TJ McConnell, and Tyus Jones, the older brother of Tre.
Despite the controversy surrounding Miller’s statement prior to the 2023 NBA Draft declaring Paul George as his greatest of all time, and the subsequent humor that ensued – which I personally found entertaining – it is likely beneficial for a young player to highly prioritize a specific skill.
The Spurs’ season began with a seemingly limited and dysfunctional environment for development, but our perception of their progress has changed as we see Wembanyama as the core foundation for growth in San Antonio.
Since Keefe became the coach for Wes Unseld Jr., Washington has been playing at the NBA’s swiftest speed, with an average shot-up time of only 11.1 seconds per possession. Avdija has played a significant role in this fast-paced style, using his strength to quickly grab rebounds on defense and utilizing his 6-foot-9 body to drive into the lane more frequently. His number of drives per game has almost doubled since Christmas, with nearly half of his shots being taken in the restricted area where he has a 70% success rate.
Cunningham has become more intentional in creating opportunities for himself and scoring, but this has not taken away from his desire to involve his teammates. In the last few months, he has been among the top 10 players in the NBA for points created per game through assists and potential assists per game, with only LeBron James ahead of him. In fact, there are only three players who have had a higher assist rate than Cunningham during this time: Tyrese Haliburton, Luka Dončić, and Trae Young.
Prior to this season, Avdija was seen as a player who excelled on defense but lacked skills as a small forward. However, in the last three months, he has demonstrated high scoring efficiency, strong rebounding, passing abilities, and a high usage rate, comparable to some of the best big wings in the NBA. He has also continued to be a valuable defender at multiple positions, despite being only 23 years old. It is clear to see that this version of Avdija could make a significant impact on a successful team, potentially even on the next talented Wizard’s team.
I pondered nine months ago whether Wembanyama could meet the enormous expectations that came with his move from France. I questioned if he could match the rookie performances of franchise-changing big men like David Robinson and Tim Duncan from the San Antonio Spurs. However, statistically, Wembanyama is surpassing both of them in terms of production per minute and per possession.
Following his troublesome departure from the Valley, Ayton had a rough start upon joining the Pacific Northwest team. He only averaged 13.1 points per game with lackluster efficiency in the first few months. As reported by Jason Quick of The Athletic, team sources revealed that Ayton’s behavior during this time was characterized by being late and having outbursts. It was further noted that his sleeping arrangements were not ideal. However, after being sidelined for 15 games due to persistent right knee discomfort (or mostly related to it), Ayton has regained his momentum and is now averaging over 20 points and 12 rebounds per game with an impressive 63% shooting accuracy.
That’s good company for a main playmaker. The statistics that Cunningham has been achieving for the last three months – high scoring, creating opportunities, rebounding, efficient shooting, and usage – are the kind that only a select few players have ever accomplished over a full season. These players include multiple-time All-Stars and Hall of Famers.
The NBA’s bottom five teams, the Wizards, Pistons, Spurs, Hornets, and Trail Blazers, have the worst records and net ratings in the league. This season, they have also had the longest losing streaks, with Detroit leading the pack with a 28-game skid that has earned them a spot in the NBA’s record books. These teams are expected to have a good chance of obtaining a top-four pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, with at least a 1-in-10 chance of securing the first overall selection.
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When added together, it appears that Miller possesses similar qualities to those of stars, even if he is not yet considered one. He still needs to improve his ability to create shots, whether it be by creating and scoring for himself while isolated on the edge, or by recognizing different layers of coverage in order to assist his teammates during pick-and-roll plays. While he does have a smooth midrange shot, it would be beneficial to see more effort from someone with his height and athleticism to drive to the basket (as only 18% of his shots this season have been at the rim) and draw more fouls (averaging just 1.8 free throw attempts per game since the All-Star break). In order to become a reliable contributor on a successful team, Miller requires additional strength, experience, and seasoning; a common recipe for turning a 21-year-old with talent into a valuable asset.
Cunningham has not single-handedly transformed the Pistons in the last three months. (It would require a skilled player with more power for a task of that magnitude.) However, he has put forth his best effort to shift the focus onto himself, with an average of 22.9 points, 8.0 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game since mid-December. In addition, he has been shooting at an impressive rate of 52% from midrange. What is even more notable is his improvement in outside-shooting, a much-needed skill for the Pistons. Due to the team’s lack of spacing, Cunningham has frequently faced defenders going under ball screens in pick-and-roll situations. However, in the past few months, he has managed to increase his shooting accuracy, hitting 22 out of 58 (37.9%) pull-up triple shots.
Uncertainty has led to unanswered questions and Blazers fans are searching for any positives they can find. Sharpe showed promise before getting injured and Simons had a strong performance in December, but their success has been inconsistent since then. There have been some solid players on the edges of the rotation, like Camara, Walker, and Reath. However, the highlight right now is Ayton’s return to form as a dominant center for the Suns, something the Blazers had hoped for when they acquired him.
Overall, the Spurs have been outscored by 510 points this season. However, lineups that include Wembanyama, Jones, and Vassell have a plus-174 score, which is an incredible improvement of almost 700 points. Additionally, this lineup has a much stronger defense compared to the NBA’s top-ranked defense of the Wolves.
If you were the sort of kind-hearted teacher comfortable grading on a curve, you might charitably grade the first year of Portland’s post-Damian Lillard era as an incomplete.
“It is clear to see that Cade has been performing exceptionally well in the latter half of the season,” said Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd during a recent interview. “His shooting and scoring have been outstanding, and he has been playing with confidence and determination as he works towards his goals.”
According to Cunningham, in this league, success is measured by wins. He acknowledges that his current efforts may be seen as insignificant until he starts winning games, which is his ultimate goal.
As we enter the final month of the 2023-24 NBA regular season, the top contenders for the No. 1 spot in the West are gaining our focus. Along with this coveted position, we are also following teams vying for home-court advantage in the playoffs and predicting which players can lead their teams to a top six ranking and avoid the risk of the single-elimination play-in tournament.
Let’s examine some of them, beginning with positive advancements in D.C.[embedded content]
Both Deandre Ayton of Portland and Brandon Miller of Charlotte are exhibiting positive indications. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
Portland Trail Blazers: Deandre Ayton, reminding
[embedded content]There are still a ton of unanswered questions in Portland: how Simons, Sharpe and Scoot will fit together; how the rotation and offensive pecking order should shake out; whether any of the three of them can blossom into the kind of accelerant who pushes the rebuild into the next phase through sheer force of will; whether to keep or shop veterans Malcolm Brogdon and Jerami Grant; what Robert Williams III’s status is after missing the bulk of a second straight season with a knee injury; etc. If what we’re seeing from Ayton now doesn’t stick — if this is, as Dave Deckard of Blazersedge suggests, more of a context-dependent aberration than a new normal — then he’ll only add to the confusion. The version we’ve seen over the past couple of months, though, could help Blazers brass get closer to clarity on what they’ve already got, what they still need, and what they might be able to sacrifice to get it.As much as I’d love to be the obsessive brand of tape-grinding degenerate who can with a straight face argue that the most interesting thing about the Spurs is, like, “the way Dominick Barlow plays the cat-and-mouse game in drop coverage” or “Blake Wesley’s increased patience as he pressures the rim” or whatever. But I mean, come on, man:
Finding positives in a season that began with 17 losses in the first 20 games and saw the team become the first to be eliminated from playoff contention is no easy task. One would have to sift through numerous viral Jordan Poole videos to come across any. However, Deni Avdija’s performance in the latter half of the season can be seen as a silver lining, along with Tyus Jones’ impressive assist-to-turnover ratio and Corey Kispert’s increasing assist rate.
The remaining games in this regular season may hold some significance for this weak group, as they could provide insight for the future. Even when playing without hope of success, struggling teams can offer some noteworthy aspects to observe and possibly even generate some excitement.
Ayton shared with journalists that he is fully dedicated to giving his all in the upcoming games. He is not only focused on fulfilling his responsibilities and role for the team, but also going above and beyond. He aims to be a dominant force on the court, despite some people ridiculing his determination.
Assuming you are a conscious being reading a piece on a basketball team with a 15-54 record, I will take a leap and assume you are familiar with Victor Wembanyama. Just in case, here’s a quick reminder:
He possesses a striking resemblance to PG, evident in his tall height of 6 feet and 9 inches and a wingspan of 7 feet and 2 inches. His playing style is characterized by a calm, almost lazy pace, yet he effortlessly elevates off the ground with smooth movements. Whether driving to the basket on a fast break or taking a midrange jump shot in a set play, his movements are fluid and frictionless. In summary, his playing style can be described as smooth and seamless.
Achieve excellence in all aspects of basketball performance, both on and off the court.
After those adjustments, Wembanyama’s average points per game has been 22.3, with a shooting split of 48% from the field, 35% from the three-point line, and 82% from the free throw line. He has also contributed 10.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 3.8 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game, all in only 28.8 minutes of play time.
Reworded: An energized and committed Ayton – one who can convert around 20% or 25% of Portland’s possessions into productive offense, defend against opposing big players in the paint, and showcase strong interior presence.dominate
Manage the defensive rebounds – offers a stronger starting point for assessing progress and advancement. The lineups with Simons and Henderson, which have been unsatisfactory overall? With Ayton on the court, they nearly balance out. The Portland Trail Blazers’ defense, which is currently ranked 24th in points allowed per possession this season? It has performed at a league-average level with Ayton on the court, and at an exceptional level in the brief moments when Ayton has played alongside active wings Camara and Matisse Thybulle.[embedded content]That, after all, is what has made George one of the most decorated players of the last decade and a half: nine All-Star berths, six All-NBA selections and four All-Defensive teams; one of only 34 players ever with more than 17,000 points, 5,000 rebounds, 3,000 assists and 1,000 steals; a surefire future Hall of Famer. And while Miller’s an awful long way from all that … that sort of high-end versatility might just be what the Hornets have in him.
It is expected that the final results will not be determined until the end of the season, but we currently have a good understanding of the standings for the teams at the bottom. These teams have been focused on obtaining better draft picks instead of securing a spot in the playoffs for several months now.
Cunningham has a daunting task ahead in order to progress from a “meticulously designed Stathead query” to a status of “All-Star/Hall of Famer” in his own merit. The initial obstacle was maintaining good health to consistently perform at a high level for a significant length of time. This hurdle has been overcome. Now the focus is on elevating the overall capabilities of the team around him to match the new level he is competing at.
Seldom do poor teams have numerous opportunities for growth and substantial proof that they are making progress. However, it is uncommon for teams as substandard as this to have a player like Victor Wembanyama. Such exceptional talent is a rarity, particularly on Earth.[embedded content]
Since the holiday season, Avdija has been averaging 16.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 30.8 minutes per game. During this time, he has been making 55.5% of his 2-point shots and 42.6% of his 3-point shots on over three attempts per game, which are both the highest percentages in his career. He is also receiving more touches per game and has more time with the ball compared to earlier in the season. As a result, he is excelling in his role as the primary ball-handler in the pick-and-roll and has an impressive 46.3% shooting rate on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers.
According to Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report, head coach Chauncey Billups stated earlier this month that they have tapped into his full potential and he has been playing exceptionally well.
The first half of Detroit’s season has been disappointing, but it also brought up questions about the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Many advanced statistical metrics did not give high praise to this highly touted prospect. It also raised concerns about his ability to score inside and draw fouls. People debated whether this was due to a lack of support and opportunities for development in Detroit, or if it revealed that Cunningham may not live up to expectations as a game-changing player.
Devin Vassell, a swingman on the team, has greatly benefited from Jones’ skill in creating scoring opportunities. Since Jones became a starter, Vassell has been shooting 48% off of his passes and averaging 20.2 points, 4.7 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game with a shooting percentage of 48% from the field, 39% from the three-point line, and 78% from the free throw line during this period.
The exciting part is that you don’t need to imagine what a functional version of this team would be like. It already exists, and the first 730 minutes of play have shown how impressive it can be. With Wembanyama dominating the lane on defense and skillfully navigating the offensive side with the grace of a queen on a chessboard, Vassell consistently hitting jumpers and stepping up as a playmaker, Jones leading the way in the paint and keeping everyone on track, and Sochan fulfilling the role of a hard-working, versatile defender eager to take on any challenge, this team has not only made sense but also looked incredible.
Having these resources at their disposal, the Spurs have the freedom to make any necessary moves in their roster building. Whether it be making big changes at the point guard position or choosing to maintain consistency, the team has the means to do so. They have a surplus of draft picks and room in their salary cap to pursue upgrades, and they also have the option to keep promising players like Jones, Barlow, Wesley, and Branhams on the court. Additionally, with a high lottery pick and the possibility of two top-seven selections, the Spurs can potentially accelerate their development by selecting talented prospects in the upcoming draft.
Although Ayton has never been compared to the dominant defensive presence of Rudy Gobert, he has shown traits of being a formidable force around the rim. In the last two months, Ayton’s opponents on the Blazers have shot an average of 56.1% at the rim when he has been defending, according to tracking data from Second Spectrum. This puts him at 20th out of 129 players who have defended at least three close shots per game during that time.
Achieve this in a manner that enables you to adapt to any type of structure or plan.
Miller has been performing well in a more important role on the team. With Ball injured since late January and Rozier now playing for a different team, the Hornets have relied more on their second overall draft pick. Miller’s involvement in the game, amount of time he holds onto the ball, and how often he is utilized have all increased significantly compared to earlier in the season. He has also improved in his assist rate and decreased his turnover rate, and although his shooting efficiency was not great to begin with, it has remained relatively consistent despite his increased workload. In the past two months, he has averaged 19.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.0 steals and blocks combined in 33.7 minutes per game.
Research from Jeff Stotts of In Street Clothes, shared with Yahoo Sports, shows that the Blazers have suffered the second highest number of player injuries in the Western Conference this season, only behind the Grizzlies. Almost all of their expected rotation players have missed significant time, often overlapping. General manager Joe Cronin’s goal of returning Portland to prominence depends on their young core, consisting of Ayton, Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, and the No. 3 draft pick Scoot Henderson. However, they have only played together in five games this season, making it difficult to draw any concrete conclusions about their chemistry and performance.
He has yet to show much aggression in driving towards the basket, which is disappointing given his athletic abilities. According to Cleaning the Glass, over 60% of his shots have been taken from outside the restricted area. However, he has been excelling in scoring opportunities inside and has been performing well in the midrange area. He has also been contributing on the defensive end with strong rebounding and impressive steal and block rates, which have not been seen since his impactful role in helping the Suns reach the 2021 Finals.
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Jannik Sinner’s Miami Match Delayed Due to Rain: Latest Update on Opening Game – Sports News 2024
It rained most of the day in Miami on Friday. © APA / BRENNAN ASPLEN Jannik Sinner was actually supposed to play his opening match in Miami against Andrea Vavassori…
The post Jannik Sinner’s Miami Match Delayed Due to Rain: Latest Update on Opening Game – Sports News 2024 appeared first on 247sports News.
