5 NBA teams with the most disappointing start to the 2022-2023 season featuring the LA Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, and more
With the 2022-2023 NBA regular season under way, several teams are not off to the start that they hoped for. Here's a look at five NBA teams that have had a disappointing start to their season.
1. LA Lakers
The LA Lakers entered the season coming off of a rough last campaign. Russell Westbrook struggled to fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.And injuries suffered by James and Davis eventually derailed the Lakers' season.
While James and Davis have both been healthy this season, the Lakers are yet to win a game. Westbrook's performance has been a big reason for the Lakers' struggles.
Russell Westbrook’s first 3 games of the season:
10.3 PPG
6.7 RPG
4.3 APG
28.9% FG
8.3% 3PT https://t.co/ySUYaWb8eG
In the Lakers' season opener, Westbrook shot 0 for 11 from the field and 0 of 6 from 3-point range. In the following game, he shot 4 for 15 from the field and 0 of 3 from 3-point range. In their latest encounter against the Portland Trail Blazers, his ill-advised late-game shot directly led to the Lakers losing the lead.
Russell Westbrook has made 3 of 17 jump shots this season.
Also, he is the only player that has attempted a jump shot with under 30 seconds to go and 15+ seconds left on the shot clock with their team up by 1 possession in the last 4 seasons. https://t.co/DrH8UEs2L9
Westbrook's uncomfortable fit alongside the Lakers stars has hurt both him and the team. Although Westbrook's Lakers future is unclear, coach Darvin Ham must find a way to get the most out of him.
Playing Westbrook off the bench could allow the former NBA MVP to play his game while spacing the floor for James and Davis. The Lakers' poor floor spacing has led to an offense that ranks 29th in points per game and 30th in offensive rating.
2. Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets have struggled to assimilate Ben Simmons into the lineup early in the season, leading to a 1-2 start. Simmons is yet to attempt more than five field goals in a game and fouled out of two of the Nets' first three games.
Ben Simmons has 17 points and 14 fouls this season...
He's fouled out in 2/3 games he's played in https://t.co/048AWiNHs4
Despite possessing a top 10 offense in 2021-2022, the Nets defense was barely a top 20 unit. The organization had hoped that Simmons' presence would help turn the defense around. Instead, their offense has regressed outside the top 10 and their defense has been among the worst in the NBA.
Through three games, the Nets rank 28th in opponents' points per game and 30th in defensive rating.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers have been off to a surprisingly slow start, which has included a loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
The 76ers fall to 0-3 to start the season 👀 https://t.co/2wCC5RwiNU
While they were able to right the ship against the Indiana Pacers, the 76ers are just 1-3 to begin the season.
Aside from James Harden, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris, the 76ers have gotten next to nothing offensively from their roster. They currently rank 24th in the NBA in points per game while playing at the league's slowest pace.
4. Miami Heat
The Miami Heat finished the 2021-2022 season as the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Heat nearly made their second NBA Finals appearance in three seasons. They lost Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals in heartbreaking fashion against the Boston Celtics.
Jimmy Butler doesn't regret going for the game-winning shot in Game 7. https://t.co/kqqoR8lWp3
Through four games this season, the Heat are just 1-3 as both their offense and defense have regressed tremendously. Miami's defense, which was in the top 5 last season, ranks 10th in opponents points per game this season. They are also just 18th in defensive rating.
Their offense, an above-average unit last season, is among the worst in the NBA. The Heat are currently ranked 28th in points per game and 27th in offensive rating.
While the Heat have faced four teams that made the postseason to begin the season, Kyle Lowry's continued regression in Miami is becoming a concern.
The six-time All-Star has looked like a shell of his former self. He is averaging just 10.8 points on 28.2% shooting, including 28% from the 3-point range. It is still early in the season but it marks his lowest scoring output since 2009-2010, when Lowry was coming off the bench.
Lowry in 36 minutes tonight:
7 PTS
1-8 FG
1-6 3P
He’s shooting 28% this season. https://t.co/gxaXIhAo1U
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
At first glance, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 2-2 start may not warrant inclusion on this list, particularly considering that Rudy Gobert has to get acclimated. Taking a deeper look, however, Minnesota has faced four opponents that were expected to be competing for the NBA's worst record coming into the season.
The Timberwolves hoped that acquiring Gobert would improve their defense. Last season, they ranked 24th in opponents points per game and 13th in defensive rating. The improvement has been minimal thus far, as Minnesota ranks 18th and 14th in those categories, respectively.
Their offense has taken a step back after ranking first in points per game and eighth in offensive rating last season. In 2022-2023, the Timberwolves offense regressed to 13th and 21st, respectively.