People always say "Victory can cover up the team's problems." For some teams, whether they can make the playoffs is one of the criteria for victory. In the 2021-22 season, if such three teams are still blocked from the gates of the playoffs, they may have serious consequences, leading to a total outbreak of conflicts within the team. They can't afford to lose.
1. Pelican
Pelican is walking on a very dark, but very familiar old road. In 2012, the Pelicans used the No. 1 pick to select Anthony Davis , one of the most outstanding big men in basketball history. After that, they built a team around him, but after a few years there was nothing to tell. Davis, unwilling to perish, left the Pelicans desperately, chose to work with James, and won the championship in the first season after leaving the team.
In the year Davis left, the Pelicans used the No. 1 pick to select Zion Williamson. Zion is a perfect combination of speed, athleticism, shooting, strength and ball control. He stands out among players of similar size and has the opportunity to become a truly special player. But in the two seasons he played, the Pelicans seem to be repeating the same mistakes again, which is worrying because of the lack of vision and future plans that Davis did when he played.
Zion has played for these two seasons, the Pelicans coaches have changed like a whirlwind, previously used Stan Van Gundy to replace Gentry failed, and now they have appointed rookie coach Willie Green . This lack of a stable development environment is detrimental to Zion's future. In addition, the Pelicans still have some player transactions that are questionable. For example, they signed a two-year 35 million contract with Adams , but sent him to the Grizzlies only one year later.
If Zion really wants to play to its full potential and compete for the first person in NBA , he must lead his team to the playoffs. There is not much time left for the Pelicans, and Zion will not wait for the Pelicans to shape themselves.
Lonzo Ball made a leap in his shooting last season, and losing him was a blow to the Pelicans. But the combination of Zion, Ingram and Valanciunas still hopes to make the playoffs. Of course, the Pelicans have been unable to make the playoffs, and Zion is also to blame. He must have a better defense, and Ingram is the same. In addition, it is an indisputable fact that the Pelicans lack cohesion off the court.
The coming 2021-22 season is very important for the Pelicans. If Zion is blocked again from the gate of the playoffs, Zion will be difficult to stay. The Pelicans may change their blood during the offseason next year.
2. Bull
Bull is admirable. They are unwilling to continue to lose and have made up their minds to make changes. The Bulls' performance on this year's trade deadline and offseason proves everything. With Lavin as the core, the Bulls successively introduced Vucevic , Bauer and DeRozan . Next season will determine whether it is worthwhile for the Bulls to sacrifice future draft picks to pursue immediate interests. In the trade to introduce Vucevic and DeRozan, the Bulls gave up three first-round picks.
Last season, the Bulls hoped that Vucevic, an All-Star center who can open up space for pick-and-rolls, could join hands with LaVine to lead the team to the playoffs, but it backfired. In the upcoming 2021-22 season, the Bulls have no retreat and can only move forward with their heads high. They desperately need to "win in the moment". Any mistake before next year's playoffs will be considered a major failure. After all, the age of some players in the team determines their chances.
The Bulls could have been more patient, waiting for the progress of Patrick Williams and Kobe White while continuing to introduce high-ranking rookies. But they no longer want to wait.
The Bulls’ problem is defensive. Ball is a reliable defender, as is Pawei, but the Bulls’ other starters have their own problems. Vucevic is not good at protecting baskets,Although LaVine has improved, there is still a long way to go before becoming a reliable defender.
The bull made a high-risk investment. Both Vucevic and DeRozan are players with strong offensive firepower, but they are both at the end of their peak period. This also determines that their short-term goals have been clarified. Such a lineup will not allow the Bulls to be among the champions, but if they miss the playoffs again, they may suffer a disaster.
3. Kings
The Kings have been extremely difficult in the past 15 seasons. Since the 2005-06 season, the Kings have not known what the playoffs are, and 15 consecutive seasons with a single-season win rate of less than 50%, there is no reason for optimism.
But seeing some outstanding young players in the Kings, the fire of hope seems to have reignited. Since entering the NBA, Fox has moved forward steadily. Last season he averaged 25.2 points per game, a career high; Halliburton is also a talented player; Dawayne Mitchell can improve the team’s defense, and so can he Score.
The problem is that these points that the Kings can call the advantage are concentrated in the backcourt, especially if and Hilde are temporarily included. In contrast, the Kings still have a lot of problems with the depth and defense of the frontcourt. Last season, the Kings' defensive efficiency was the bottom of the 30 teams.
But in spite of this, the Kings still pin their hopes on Fox, and also uphold the principle of "only looking at strength, not position" during the draft. Fox is ushering in the fifth season of playing for the Kings, Hilde and Harrison Barnes will usher in the sixth and fourth seasons of the Kings. Of course, don’t forget Bagley , Although he and Hilde are being peddled by the king everywhere. Therefore, if they still hope to gain something, they must improve as soon as possible.
To a certain extent, it is wise for the Kings to choose not to make big adjustments to the lineup, but they can no longer end the new season with a winning rate of less than 50%; continue to search for treasure in the draft, and success does not know that the year of the monkey will come. Either the Kings will make the leap as soon as possible, or some "veterans" in the team have to take the initiative to make changes.
In the past 15 seasons, the Kings have never found the key to open the door to the playoffs.Putting tremendous pressure on the team's senior management, players and coaches, they are more like a clown than a "king". Although the setup of the play-offs gave the Kings more hope, the problems they face are still extremely difficult.
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