Some teams are thriving while others are struggling halfway through December. Here’s a look at the week’s NBA underperformers and overachievers for Week 9.
The NBA season is slowly beginning to separate the pretenders from the contenders, but what it’s also done is shown where adjustments can be made. Take a look at the Oklahoma City Thunder, for instance. They were heavily favored and praised for their offseason acquisitions of Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. They currently have a 13-14 record this season, currently good for eighth-best in the Western Conference.
Or consider the Detroit Pistons, who are 0-7 in December since beginning the season with a 14-6 record. After going 9-3 in November, they have yet to get a win this month. Now at 14-13, they’re tied for the eighth-best record in the Eastern Conference.
Still, there’s our fair share of overachievers amongst the underperformers. The Chicago Bulls are on the longest winning streak this season as they have won four straight games. One big man has been key for them off the bench.
Another bench player fans are very familiar with made this week’s edition as well. Hint: He plays for the Los Angeles Clippers and hit a game-winner this past Sunday against the Washington Wizards. That’s where we’ll start this week’s edition of underperformers and overachievers as we look at trending players across the NBA.