Hoops Habit
Fansided

5 big storylines to watch for in the second half of the 2018-19 NBA season

By Daniel Lubofsky

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 25: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks to dunk on Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of the game at TD Garden on December 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 25: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks to dunk on Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of the game at TD Garden on December 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. Race to the bottom

Not every team is fortunate enough to compete for a championship each and every season like some of the best organizations out there. Some make the playoffs, but have little chance of doing much of anything once there. Others miss the postseason by an inch, and then there are some who actually prefer to miss it entirely in pursuit of something more.

Whether league executives are willing to admit it or not, tanking has long been a part of NBA society. Those incapable of contending for anything more than a 35-win season usually go in the opposite direction, placing themselves in the best position possible to land one of the top players in the upcoming summer draft.

Looking ahead to the 2019 NBA Draft, the ultimate prize may be as great as its ever been. Zion Williamson out of Duke is something the basketball world has never seen before, a combination of eye-opening size, speed and athleticism all maxed out to 99 as if he were a player created in a mode of NBA 2K.

Some drafts lack top tier talent, but not this one. Zion has the chance to significantly alter the future of a franchise for the next decade or so. He’s that good, and a number of front offices know it.

Thanks to a revamped lottery system, the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers all have an equal 14 percent chance at the coveted No. 1 spot, with a number of other teams not far behind. But that won’t stop fans from wishing for as many losses as possible, just to be completely safe.

As the season dwindles down, those with rooting interests in these bottom-feeding teams will continue to root for the opponent and run constant simulations on Tankathon.com, all with the hope that it pays off in a big way when the NBA Draft Lottery takes place on May 14.