While every team comes in with expectations, some players disappoint. Here is the one player every team has been most disappointed in so far this season in my week 3 NBA Power Ranking.
*Stats and records do not include games from Monday(11/4/19)
1.Philadelphia 76ers (Previous: 3)
Record: 5-0
The 76ers are the only remaining undefeated team after Furkan Korkmaz capped off a 21 point comeback with a game-winner. Zhaire Smith was someone I expected to improve in Year 2, but it seems as though he’s in Brett Brown’s doghouse, having barely played in the preseason and now sits in the G-League.
Most disappointing: Zhaire Smith
2. Los Angeles Clippers (Previous: 1)
Record: 5-2
Montrezl Harrell continues to give his team a spark off the bench, and the Clippers went 2-1 last week. However, Landry Shamet, who was expected to improve as a scorer, has struggled, shooting just 31.7 percent from deep this season, well below last year’s percentage of 42.2 percent.
Most disappointing: Landry Shamet
3. Los Angeles Lakers (Previous: 6)
Record: 5-1
After an opening night loss to the Clippers, the Lakers have won five straight games, putting the Lakers atop the Western Conference. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, however, has underwhelmed, putting up just 6.7 PPG, his worst since his rookie season.
Most disappointing: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
4. Milwaukee Bucks (Previous: 4)
Record: 4-2
Giannis had an MVP-level game Saturday to help the Bucks achieve a 3-1 week. No one has been terrible on the Bucks, but Eric Bledsoe has been cold, shooting just 23.1 percent from deep so far.
Most disappointing: Eric Bledsoe
5. Denver Nuggets (Previous: 4)
Record: 4-2
The Nuggets had an underwhelming week with a close loss to the Mavericks and a surprising blowout loss to the Pelicans. Denver was hoping Torrey Craig would make improvements in Year 3, but he’s struggled mightily to the tune of 7-of-26 from the field (26.9 percent).
Most disappointing: Torrey Craig
6. Boston Celtics (Previous: 8)
Record: 4-1
Boston’s week was highlighted by a stepback game-winner from Jayson Tatum to sink the Knicks. Carsen Edwards had high expectations after he went off in the preseason, but he’s shooting just 22.7 percent from the field this season.
Most disappointing: Carsen Edwards
7. Utah Jazz (Previous: 5)
Record: 4-3
The Jazz didn’t have their best week, losing a close game to the struggling Sacramento Kings and another close match to the Clippers. Mike Conley looked better Wednesday against the Clippers with 29 points, but on the season he’s had a horrible start.
Most disappointing: Mike Conley
8. San Antonio Spurs (Previous: 10)
Record: 4-2
San Antonio had a decent week, going 2-2 and winning a close game against Portland. However, once-elite shooter Marco Belinelli has had a terrible start to this season as he is shooting just 18.8 percent from deep. His 4.3 PPG would be the lowest of his career since the 2007-08 season.
Most disappointing: Marco Belinelli
9.Miami Heat (Previous: 14)
Record: 5-1
On a team with notable overachievers such as Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson, this was one of the tougher ones to pick. Kelly Olynyk hasn’t shot the ball well, making just 30.6 percent of his shots this season.
Most disappointing: Kelly Olynyk
10. Portland Trail Blazers (Previous: 7) Record: 3-3
The Trail Blazers had a rough week after they lost close games to both the 76ers and the Spurs. While not his fault, I have to pick Zach Collins here since he is expected to miss at least eight weeks with a shoulder injury.
Most disappointing: Zach Collins
11.Toronto Raptors (Previous: 11)
Record:4-2
While Toronto has done better than most expected, Marc Gasol is off to the worst start of his career, shooting just 31.7 percent from the field and putting up 6.3 PPG, the lowest numbers of his career.
Most disappointing: Marc Gasol
12. Dallas Mavericks (Previous: 16)
Record: 4-2
Dallas had a strong week, going 2-1, with a close win over Portland, and a blowout win over Cleveland. Again, the Mavericks have overachieved and don’t have any obvious disappointment, but I’ll go with Tim Hardaway Jr., given that he lost his starting spot, and his scoring numbers are down.
Most disappointing: Tim Hardaway Jr.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves (Previous: 22)
Record: 4-1
The 76ers handed Minnesota their first loss but the T’Wolves were then able to beat Washington without Karl-Anthony Towns. While Jarrett Culver turned in a solid performance against the Wizards with 20 points, but he had previously struggled in his first four games of the season.
Most disappointing: Jarrett Culver
14. Houston Rockets (Previous: 9)
Record: 3-3
The Rockets are a dramatic mess, as I expected, and so far, the Russell Westbrook-James Harden combo doesn’t seem to be working. While Harden is scoring 35.3 PPG, his shooting is way down as he is shooting just 21.5 percent from deep on a ridiculous 13.2 attempts per game.
Most disappointing: James Harden
15. Indiana Pacers (Previous: 12)
Record: 3-3
The Pacers rebounded from an 0-3 start by winning three straight games last week to get back to .500. The Pacers were hoping Aaron Holiday could improve and provide some offense in Year 2, but he has been disappointing so far, shooting just 18.2 percent from the field.
Most disappointing: Aaron Holiday
16. Brooklyn Nets (Previous: 13)
Record: 2-4
While the Nets’ record is 2-4, they could easily be 5-1 as four or fewer points have decided three of their losses. While his minutes are down from last season, Spencer Dinwiddie’s turnover numbers have shot up as hit turnover percentage is an ugly 17.0 percent, by far the highest in his career.
Most disappointing: Spencer Dinwiddie
17. Phoenix Suns (Previous: 23)
Record: 4-2
Phoenix has been helped by Aron Baynes, who is making significant improvements as a shooter, and the Suns are finally looking like a competent team. However, Deandre Ayton is still serving his 25-game suspension for PEDs, so he’s been disappointing for the team.
Most disappointing: Deandre Ayton
18. Atlanta Hawks (Previous: 17)
Record: 2-3
The Hawks had a rough week as they lost three straight games, and Trae Young suffered an ankle sprain. While it’s still early into his rookie season, Cam Reddish has been a disaster, shooting 20.9 percent from the field, and an atrocious 5.6 percent (1/18) from deep.
Most disappointing: Cam Reddish
19. Detroit Pistons (Previous: 20)
Record: 3-4
Andre Drummond has carried the Pistons as he is averaging a ridiculous 22.1 PPG and 18.7 RPG so far. While Derrick Rose has had a monster start to this season, Reggie Jackson played poorly and will now be out at least four weeks with a stress fracture in his back.
Most disappointing: Reggie Jackson
20. Orlando Magic (Previous: 18)
Record: 2-4
Orlando’s scoring continues to be a huge problem, as they are putting up just 93.5 PPG as a team, by far the worst in the NBA. Aaron Gordon’s scoring has also dropped to only 11.3 PPG, his worst since the 2015-16 season.
Most disappointing: Aaron Gordon
21.Oklahoma City Thunder Previous:19 Record:2-4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a beast and is an early Most Improved Player of the Year candidate despite the Thunder’s struggles. Speaking of struggles, Steven Adams has been horrible, shooting just 30.6 percent from the field so far. To make matters worse, the average distance on his shots is just 3.9 feet.
Most disappointing: Steven Adams
22. Chicago Bulls (Previous: 21)
Record: 2-5
Chicago had a rough week, going 1-3 and dropping games to both the Cavaliers and the Knicks. Kris Dunn has been especially underwhelming as he has shot 0-of-11 from deep, and is scoring just 4.7 PPG.
Most disappointing: Kris Dunn
23. New Orleans Pelicans (Previous: 24)
Record: 1-5
The Pelicans earned their first win of the season in an impressive blowout win over the Nuggets. Zion’s injury is both concerning and just generally bad for the NBA, as we are still waiting for the rookie to make his debut.
Most disappointing: Zion Williamson
24. Golden State Warriors (Previous: 12)
Record: 1-5
Wow, this team is a complete disaster. Who would have thought their most effective players who aren’t injured right now would be Eric Paschall and Ky Bowman? On the bright side, D-Lo should be back soon, and Draymond Green’s injury isn’t expected to be severe.
Most disappointing: Everyone?
25.Charlotte Hornets (Previous: 30)
Record: 3-3
On a team with absolutely no expectations coming in, it’s hard to pick one person who’s been disappointing. Nicolas Batum, however, has been out since opening night with a broken finger.
Most disappointing: Nicolas Batum
26. Cleveland Cavaliers (Previous: 27)
Record: 2-4
Cleveland had a rough week, getting blown out by Milwaukee and Dallas. Fifth overall pick Darius Garland has had a quiet start, shooting just 31.1 percent from the field and turning the ball over at an alarming rate.
Most disappointing: Darius Garland
27. Memphis Grizzlies (Previous: 25)
Record:1-4
After Grayson Allen’s horrible rookie season, the Grizzlies were hoping he would improve since he was a part of the Mike Conley trade. So far, that hope has been unfulfilled as Allen has an atrocious -6.5 BPM.
Most disappointing: Grayson Allen
28.Sacramento Kings (Previous: 26)
Record: 2-5
After five straight losses to start the season, the Kings finally got back on track with wins over the Jazz and the Knicks. Marvin Bagley III, however, remains out after he suffered a fractured right thumb on opening night.
Most disappointing: Marvin Bagley III
29.Washington Wizards (Previous: 29)
Record:1-4
What’s to say here? This team had no expectations, and John Wall’s disgusting contract significantly handicaps the whole organization. Pure disappointment right there.
Most disappointing: John Wall
30. New York Knicks (Previous: 28)
Record: 1-6
The Knicks played well but lost a nail-biter against the Celtics on Friday night. Dennis Smith Jr. scored just 3 points in the first three games of the season, on 1-of-11 shooting, before being placed on a leave of absence.
Most disappointing: Dennis Smith Jr.
