Now that the second half of the 2021-22 season is in full swing, there are several teams that find themselves in dire situations with playoff races heating up. While injuries and health and safety protocols are convenient excuses, virtually every team has had to deal with the same circumstances.<\/p>\n
The next big date circled on the calendar is February 10, which is the trade deadline as teams try to solidify their rosters before the 3 PM buzzer goes off. There aren\u2019t expected to be as many sellers this season, but a flurry of activity is still to be expected as front offices jockey for last-minute deals. Eight days later is the All-Star break in Cleveland.<\/p>\n
Roster moves are one way to steer the ship in the right direction but that can also happen with improved play on the court. There has been a large volume of players that have underperformed this season. No matter the expectations or contract status, players have the ability to adjust and get better. By doing just that, these players can help turn the tide for their team\u2019s disappointing season.<\/p>\n
Julius Randle, Knicks<\/strong><\/h2>\nThis list begins with Randle, who has significantly regressed from his All-NBA campaign last season. After setting career-high benchmarks and leading New York back to relevancy, the veteran forward has failed to perform at anywhere near the same level this year. The Knicks have been dreadful as they sit 10th in the East, but the reasoning for that was thought to be in large part due to their lackluster defense.<\/p>\n
Randle has seen his scoring drop by a whopping five points per game this season, and his assists are down as well. New York doesn\u2019t appear to be running their offense through him the same way they did a year ago, but even with the opportunities he has, the Kentucky product has failed to deliver more often than not.<\/p>\n
In terms of percentages, Randle is shooting just 41 percent from the floor, 31 percent from three, and 75 percent from the free-throw line. Those are all drastic dips from a year ago. The Knicks have gotten better play from RJ Barrett lately, and if they can get the same thing from Randle down the stretch, they could squeak their way back into the postseason.<\/p>\n
Russell Westbrook, Lakers<\/strong><\/h2>\nAs much grief as Randle has gotten from the home crowd in New York, no one has received the wrath that Westbrook has this season in Los Angeles. The jokes with this roster began even before the season tipped off, with so many veterans and players well past their prime. Some of them, like Carmelo Anthony and Avery Bradley, have worked out fairly well. Clearly, the addition of Westbrook has not.<\/p>\n
Anthony Davis has been out for more than two months and the team is still waiting on Kendrick Nunn but even with their \u201cbig three\u201d intact, the Lakers have not been able to find their rhythm. The two key focal points with Westbrook have been his turnovers and shot selection. The turnovers have improved over the last week or two but the glaring shooting issues remain. The former MVP is averaging 18 points per game, his lowest total since the 2009-10 season, his second year in the league.<\/p>\n
\nhow is Russell Westbrook THIS bad? \ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d pic.twitter.com\/WDbRnPb1Rb<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) January 13, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nWestbrook is shooting 29 percent from three-point range and just 66 percent from the free-throw line. Those numbers will have to improve if the Lakers want to have any success in the postseason. The Lakers have been utilizing LeBron James at center but it might be worth putting the ball back in his hands, and running on-ball actions with Westbrook as the roller. Westbrook seems hell-bent on the idea of changing his game but that is what it will take for Los Angeles to improve.<\/p>\n
Duncan Robinson, Heat<\/strong><\/h2>\nMiami is the one exception in this list, as they are the only team that has not really suffered in terms of their overall record. Robinson\u2019s struggles shooting the ball this season have been masked very well by the outstanding play of Tyler Herro and role players like Max Strus and Gabe Vincent. The Heat tends to find guys that no one has heard of and turn them into solid rotation players. Now if they could just figure out how to get their sniper back.<\/p>\n
After shooting 45 percent from deep two seasons ago, Robinson dipped to 41 percent last year. The 27-year old is hitting just 34 percent of his attempts this season and free-throw shooting has slumped off as well. He has been lethal from outside, which has opened things up for this team on the interior. If Robinson is not knocking down shots, he doesn\u2019t offer much else on the floor for this group.<\/p>\n
Miami has been without their best players Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler for much of the season, and they have still managed to stay near the top of the loaded Eastern Conference. Credit to Erik Spoelstra and his staff for being able to win games despite all of the absences. If Robinson can return to form, it will make Miami legitimate title contenders.<\/p>\n
De\u2019Aaron Fox, Kings<\/strong><\/h2>\nNothing ever seems to go right for Sacramento, but it appeared early on that they had something special brewing in the backcourt. With Davion Mitchell joining Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, and Fox, the Kings finally looked to have a solid young core to build around. That lasted for 17 games when the team fired then-head coach Luke Walton.<\/p>\n
There are conflicting reports about Fox\u2019s availability as the trade deadline nears. With the West so wide open this year, it was an opportunity for Sacramento to pounce. As the story goes, the Kings were unable to take advantage, and once again find themselves at the bottom of the conference standings. There are certainly some changes on the way, and no one on this roster is untouchable. In terms of getting the best return, Fox provides the most value, despite his struggles this season.<\/p>\n
\nKings PG De’Aaron Fox on his name attached to trade rumors, how he deals with it, & if he controlled his future, what he’d like to happen.<\/p>\n
“I want to win; I want to be part of a winning team. We’re continuing to build & work towards that.”<\/p>\n
FULL VIDEO: https:\/\/t.co\/oe9VAo9WJT pic.twitter.com\/62yqldpBr3<\/a><\/p>\n
As much grief as Randle has gotten from the home crowd in New York, no one has received the wrath that Westbrook has this season in Los Angeles. The jokes with this roster began even before the season tipped off, with so many veterans and players well past their prime. Some of them, like Carmelo Anthony and Avery Bradley, have worked out fairly well. Clearly, the addition of Westbrook has not.<\/p>\n
Anthony Davis has been out for more than two months and the team is still waiting on Kendrick Nunn but even with their \u201cbig three\u201d intact, the Lakers have not been able to find their rhythm. The two key focal points with Westbrook have been his turnovers and shot selection. The turnovers have improved over the last week or two but the glaring shooting issues remain. The former MVP is averaging 18 points per game, his lowest total since the 2009-10 season, his second year in the league.<\/p>\n
\nhow is Russell Westbrook THIS bad? \ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d pic.twitter.com\/WDbRnPb1Rb<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) January 13, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Westbrook is shooting 29 percent from three-point range and just 66 percent from the free-throw line. Those numbers will have to improve if the Lakers want to have any success in the postseason. The Lakers have been utilizing LeBron James at center but it might be worth putting the ball back in his hands, and running on-ball actions with Westbrook as the roller. Westbrook seems hell-bent on the idea of changing his game but that is what it will take for Los Angeles to improve.<\/p>\n
Duncan Robinson, Heat<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Miami is the one exception in this list, as they are the only team that has not really suffered in terms of their overall record. Robinson\u2019s struggles shooting the ball this season have been masked very well by the outstanding play of Tyler Herro and role players like Max Strus and Gabe Vincent. The Heat tends to find guys that no one has heard of and turn them into solid rotation players. Now if they could just figure out how to get their sniper back.<\/p>\n
After shooting 45 percent from deep two seasons ago, Robinson dipped to 41 percent last year. The 27-year old is hitting just 34 percent of his attempts this season and free-throw shooting has slumped off as well. He has been lethal from outside, which has opened things up for this team on the interior. If Robinson is not knocking down shots, he doesn\u2019t offer much else on the floor for this group.<\/p>\n
Miami has been without their best players Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler for much of the season, and they have still managed to stay near the top of the loaded Eastern Conference. Credit to Erik Spoelstra and his staff for being able to win games despite all of the absences. If Robinson can return to form, it will make Miami legitimate title contenders.<\/p>\n
De\u2019Aaron Fox, Kings<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Nothing ever seems to go right for Sacramento, but it appeared early on that they had something special brewing in the backcourt. With Davion Mitchell joining Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, and Fox, the Kings finally looked to have a solid young core to build around. That lasted for 17 games when the team fired then-head coach Luke Walton.<\/p>\n
There are conflicting reports about Fox\u2019s availability as the trade deadline nears. With the West so wide open this year, it was an opportunity for Sacramento to pounce. As the story goes, the Kings were unable to take advantage, and once again find themselves at the bottom of the conference standings. There are certainly some changes on the way, and no one on this roster is untouchable. In terms of getting the best return, Fox provides the most value, despite his struggles this season.<\/p>\n
\nKings PG De’Aaron Fox on his name attached to trade rumors, how he deals with it, & if he controlled his future, what he’d like to happen.<\/p>\n
“I want to win; I want to be part of a winning team. We’re continuing to build & work towards that.”<\/p>\n
FULL VIDEO: https:\/\/t.co\/oe9VAo9WJT pic.twitter.com\/62yqldpBr3<\/a><\/p>\n