Hoops Habit
Fansided

3 struggling NBA teams destined to turn things around soon

By Dallin Duffy

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 26: Evan Fournier #13 of the New York Knicks and Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers collide during the first half at Madison Square Garden on October 26, 2021 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 26: Evan Fournier #13 of the New York Knicks and Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers collide during the first half at Madison Square Garden on October 26, 2021 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
NBA Teams
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 04: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks reacts to the loss with teammates Evan Fournier #13 and Obi Toppin #1 late in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Madison Square Garden on December 04, 2021 in New York City. The Denver Nuggets defeated the New York Knicks 113-99, NBA teams. 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 Elsa/Getty Images) /

We’ve already hit the quarter mark of the 2021-22 NBA season. With an appropriate sample size, NBA teams are starting to show their true contending colors (or lack thereof).

While teams like the Bulls, Cavaliers, and Grizzlies have gotten off to surprisingly good starts, some NBA teams who were thought to be playoff contenders have struggled out of the gate.

It’s not time to panic for these squads. Just last season, the Atlanta Hawks started 14-20 and rallied to an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals. Here, we’ll be looking at the current standings and picking the stumbling NBA teams most likely to turn it around.

Struggling NBA teams who will turn things around soon: New York Knicks

The Knicks were a pleasant surprise during the 2020-21 season, producing one of the league’s best defensive units and breaking a seven-year playoff drought. They haven’t been outright terrible this year, but if the season ended today, they wouldn’t even make the play-in tournament.

After a 5-1 start, they’ve stumbled to an 11-12 mark. Perhaps more concerning than their record is their defense, which has been nowhere near as good as last year. They’ve allowed 107 points per game, ranking right in the middle of the pack.

Their offense has been equally mediocre, not good enough to make up for their so-so defense.

The schedule has been brutal for them as well. In the final few days of November, they played the Bulls, Lakers, Suns, Hawks, and Nets. Their December slate is much more manageable with the Rockets, Timberwolves, Pistons, and Thunder all on tap.

Further, coach Tom Thibodeau has too successful of a history to doubt his ability to turn around the D. The benching of Kemba Walker could also prove to be a real addition by subtraction. Expect the Knicks to go on a run and get back into the race.