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Ranking The 5 Most Disappointing Teams In The NBA

By Gerald Bourguet

November 7, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) moves the ball against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
November 7, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) moves the ball against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 20, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek (right) and guard Eric Bledsoe (center) talk during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Suns won 114-107. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Phoenix Suns

Coming off a 39-win season, expectations for the Phoenix Suns outside the Valley were all over the map. But for those paying close attention, general manager Ryan McDonough theoretically tried to address as many problem areas as possible over the offseason.

For a team needing veteran experience and locker room leadership, he added Tyson Chandler. For the NBA’s worst three-point shooting squad after the All-Star break, he drafted Devin Booker and brought in Mirza Teletovic and Jon Leuer while also re-signing Brandon Knight. And for a franchise needing a go-to star, he almost snagged LaMarcus Aldridge.

But even though the Suns have shown signs of being dominant and are probably better than their 7-8 record, they’ve also had a couple of dumbfounding performances. There was the complete dud in their home-opener against the Dallas Mavericks, an ugly loss to the Detroit Pistons in Marcus Morris‘ Phoenix return and a pair of bad losses to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Consistency has been a major issue for this team, even in wins like their recent road victory over the Denver Nuggets — a game in which Phoenix fell behind by 17 points before a career-high 38 points from Knight turned things around.

Eric Bledsoe may be taking steps toward becoming elite, Knight may be playing out of his mind and it’s encouraging that young players like T.J. Warren and Devin Booker are so NBA-ready, but as losers of three straight games — with two coming in close contests with the Pelicans — this team has yet to find its rhythm and capitalize on the lackluster play throughout the West.

The Suns are currently seventh in the playoff picture, and it should be noted that the most optimistic expectations heading into the season probably had Phoenix where they are right now. But this team has shown too many flashes of brilliance to be 7-8, and with the Golden State Warriors in town Friday leading into a six-game road trip, it’s not getting any easier from here.

Next: No. 4