The elder statesmen of the NBA are all in an interesting place right now.
For the first time that I can remember, none of LeBron James, Steph Curry or Kevin Durant are in position to make their respective teams title contenders.
The Lakers continue to have a revolving door of coaches despite the front office’s inability to find better pieces to fit with James and Anthony Davis. What was once the best defensive team in the league now ranks near the bottom of the NBA in defensive efficiency. LA still has no reliable outside threat, although rookie Dalton Knecht has the potential to blossom into a sharpshooter.
The Warriors are two seasons removed from winning their fourth title in the Curry era. That 2002 run was a remarkable one, with Curry rocketing himself into the top 12 players of all time, and Andrew Wiggins playing the best ball of his career over the two-month playoff run. Golden State, though, has struck out in several attempts to bring younger talent into the fold. The Warriors whiffed on James Wiseman. The team has overvalued Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody at points. Jonathan Kuminga has his moments, but Golden State hasn’t shown the faith in Kuminga you’d expect. Kuminga particularly this season has shown flashes, as he’s averaging career highs across the board.
Phoenix is in a rough spot too. Mat Ishbia showed the effects of New Owner Syndrome in trading for Bradley Beal. I didn’t think it was a bad move when it happened. I’d hoped Beal would settle into a “Klay Thompson with better handling and playmaking skills” role. That hasn’t happened. Phoenix’s bench is rail thin. Despite all that, the Suns got off to a 8-1 start because Durant was playing MVP-level basketball. Durant suffered a calf strain in a Nov. 8 win over Dallas, causing him to miss Phoenix’s next seven games. The Suns went 1-6 in that stretch and haven’t been able to rebound. Phoenix is 20-12 with Durant in the lineup and 1-9 when he sits.
It’s tough to see any of the Lakers, Warriors and Suns rebounding, and turning into a title contender. The Lakers are sixth in the West, barely avoiding the Play-In. The Suns and Warriors are 10th and 11th, respectively, out West. Phoenix is at least going for it, as rumors swirl of a deal for disgruntled Miami Heat standout Jimmy Butler.
Transition is usually not great. Kobe’s Lakers missed the playoffs each of his last three seasons. Same for Isiah’s Pistons during his last two years in Detroit.
James, Curry and Durant, though, are all healthy and have some talented pieces around them. It’s not fair to say the League has passed them by because they all continue to play at a high level. It could be that their large contracts, which they earned, could be hampering their teams in terms of adding depth. That happened to Kobe too.
A League without the trio will feel weird. So would seeing them fade into obscurity.
NBA Power Rankings
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Boston Celtics
4. Denver Nuggets
5. Houston Rockets
6. New York Knicks
7. Milwaukee Bucks
8. Memphis Grizzlies
9. LA Clippers
10. Indiana Pacers
11. Sacramento Kings
12. LA Lakers
13. Atlanta Hawks
14. Detroit Pistons
15. Minnesota Timberwolves
16. Phoenix Suns
17. Dallas Mavericks
18. Miami Heat
19. Golden State Warriors
20. Orlando Magic
21. Chicago Bulls
22. San Antonio Spurs
23. New Orleans Pelicans
24. Portland Trail Blazers
25. Philadelphia 76ers
26. Charlotte Hornets
27. Toronto Raptors
28. Brooklyn Nets
29. Utah Jazz
30. Washington Wizards