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NBA: 10 Biggest Disappointments So Far In 2016-17

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 20, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) drives past Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) drives past Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 19, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes (40) lays on the floor during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

6. The Dallas Mavericks

Dirk Nowitzki missing seven of his team’s first 10 games has undoubtedly played a factor in the Dallas Mavericks‘ ugly 2-8 start, and it’s probably the only reason we’re not ready to give up on a mastermind warlock like Rick Carlisle just yet.

That being said, the Mavs have some serious ground to make up in the playoff picture, and that’s assuming a 38-year-old in the twilight of his career can come back healthy and be more effective than he’s been in his first three games of the season (12.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 35.9 FG%, 28.6 3P%).

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There’s no question a Mavericks legend like Dirk deserves a better career send-off than this. But even if he were healthy, injuries to Deron Williams and J.J. Barea have left Dallas shorthanded at the point guard position, Wesley Matthews is a shell of his former self and the Mavs just don’t have the same talent they’ve had in the past.

Harrison Barnes is quickly proving he’s capable of accepting more responsibility on the offensive end, proving a lot of naysayers wrong about how good he actually was with the Golden State Warriors. He’s averaging 22.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game and has topped the 30-point mark three times already this season.

Unfortunately, Barnes’ career-best numbers haven’t prevented this disastrous start for the Mavs, and with their only wins on the season coming against the Lakers and Bucks, Dallas has been one of the biggest disappointments in the West.