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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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Nov 12, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau talks to his team in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Target Center. The Los Angeles Clippers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 119-105. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Prominent Head Coaches In New Situations

Over the summer, a number of high profile coaches were brought in to lead quite a few promising young rosters. But in an offseason that featured new jobs for Tom Thibodeau, Scott Brooks, Frank Vogel and Dave Joerger, it’s funny that guys like Mike D’Antoni, Jeff Hornacek and Kenny Atkinson have found more immediate success.

The New York Knicks and Houston Rockets have a decent amount of talent to work with, sure, but it’s been slightly disheartening to see the Washington Wizards stumble to 3-8 out of the gate under Brooks.

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The New Orleans Pelicans poor injury luck has already begun
The New Orleans Pelicans poor injury luck has already begun /

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    • Frank Vogel can only do so much for such a mismanaged roster like the Orlando Magic‘s, but he hasn’t exactly installed an elite defense as expected, with his team ranking 15th in the association in defensive rating. Through 12 games, the Magic are 5-7 have surrendered exactly the same number of points per 100 possessions as they did last year: 104.6.

    Most people predicted the Sacramento Kings would still be a dumpster fire outside of DeMarcus Cousins, so we have to cut Joerger some slack for his team’s 4-8 record given his impossible task.

    However, the so-called best hire of the summer — Tom Thibodeau joining the Minnesota Timberwolves — has gotten off to a bit of a bumpy start at 4-7. Known for his defensive mind, Thibs’ new team ranks 25th in the NBA in defensive rating, hemorrhaging 105.9 points per 100 possessions.

    They’ve been an elite offense, but the young Timberpups have the personnel to be a far better defense despite their youth. They’ve given up quite a few double-digit leads, and they don’t look prepared to make the jump into the playoff picture as so many trendily predicted over the summer.

    It’s still extremely early in the season, of course, but it’s interesting how the more unheralded hires of the summer — D’Antoni, Hornacek and Atkinson in particular — are the ones boasting the best early returns.