About three weeks into the NBA season, there are a few teams that are unexpectedly struggling but should start doing at least somewhat better given time.
Three weeks simply isn’t enough of a sample size to judge a team, and such a team can dramatically turn things around after another three weeks or so.
These three teams, in particular, that are struggling right now, seem to have a real chance of showing some improvement soon.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
Many seem to feel the Lakers’ season is doomed, as they hold a 2-9 record and are on a four-game losing streak.
But it’s hard to make definitive conclusions about them, given that they’ve had a very difficult schedule to start the season and have many new players and a rookie head coach.
In addition, guard Dennis Schroder and center Thomas Bryant have been out with thumb injuries, and those injuries have cost the team offensive punch, size and defense.
The Lakers’ schedule is about to get easier, and the rest of the month will determine whether they will stabilize their situation or whether it’s truly a lost cause.
Their roster certainly looks like one that should have a record better than 2-9.
2. Golden State Warriors
How are the defending world champions 4-7 despite being relatively healthy?
Granted, some of their young players, such as Jonathan Kuminga and Jordan Poole, are struggling so far, as is Klay Thompson.
But the biggest culprit has been the Warriors’ defense, which has usually been airtight for the last eight years whenever they’ve been healthy.
They currently rank 27th in defensive rating, and their offense hasn’t been able to pick up the slack, as it ranks 15th in efficiency.
The defense is just inexcusably bad. The bench is truly awful. The youngsters aren't ready. Poole's been slow out of the gates.
Lots of issues with the Warriors.
— Golden State of Mind (@unstoppablebaby) November 4, 2022
However, it’s hard to imagine Golden State not getting itself back into the championship-contending mix.
3. Miami Heat
Miami is also 4-7, but it has almost the same roster that took it to the brink of the NBA Finals last season.
The Heat has fighters, owing to team president Pat Riley‘s personality and culture, and they will almost certainly claw their way back into the discussion of the Eastern Conference’s elite.
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