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NBA Panic Meter: Which Winless Teams Are In Trouble?

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 13, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) and coach Byron Scott react during the game against the Sacramento Kings at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) and coach Byron Scott react during the game against the Sacramento Kings at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 30, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston Rockets: 2 out of 10

As the best team in the winless category, the Houston Rockets seem like the one that should be panicking the most. Their MVP, James Harden, is posting .222/.094/.871 shooting splits after talking about joining the 50-40-90 club this summer. Their prized offseason acquisition, Ty Lawson, hasn’t meshed with Harden in the backcourt and their defensive anchor, Dwight Howard, has missed one game for a suspension and another for rest.

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The Rockets became the first team in NBA history to sustain three 20-point losses to start the season and a team that was once seen as a dark horse title contender seems to be quickly unraveling. But before everyone abandons ship, let’s remember that this team needs a little more time to gel with such a new, important piece being added to the roster.

Lawson and Harden haven’t looked great together, and with both being ball-dominant guards prone to defensive lapses in judgment/effort, perhaps they never will. But if they’re able to build that chemistry (or if head coach Kevin McHale realizes it’s not working and puts Lawson in a sixth man role behind Patrick Beverley), Houston will be just fine.

The first loss came to an inferior Denver Nuggets team, but they were undoubtedly motivated to make a statement against Ty Lawson. The second came to a superior Golden State Warriors team that regularly blows out their opponents. The third, which featured a 41-point swing, was clearly disappointing, but it came against a Miami Heat team that could make some noise in the East. Houston has plenty of time to right the (rocket)ship.

Next: The Magic Of Orlando