The NBA season is in full swing, and while there have been surprise stars, there have also been big disappointments. In fact, the amount of players and teams playing below expectations has been shocking.
With that said, here are the 10 biggest disappointments of the 2021-22 NBA season after 15+ games.
10. Davis Bertans
Bertans has been a disappointment for the Washington Wizards thus far. The team has started the season hot, posing a record of 11-6. Almost everything has been going right for the Wizards, but Bertans has yet to get on track.
He is currently recovering from an ankle injury but was already shooting atrociously before getting hurt. On the season, Bertans is averaging 6.1 points per game while shooting 34.2 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from deep. His role on the team is to be a shooter, so poor shooting numbers will not cut it.
Bertans was signed to a five-year, $80 million deal last year and is not living up to the contract. If his shooting struggles continue, it will be hard to see Bertans get consistent minutes.
9. Chris Boucher
One of the key contributors for the Toronto Raptors last season, it has not been the same case for Boucher this season.
He has struggled to get going, as his numbers have been down in almost every category. This has led to fewer minutes in the rotation. This season, Boucher is averaging 5.8 points per game along with 4.4 rebounds. He has also shot at a low rate from the field at 36.6 percent.
Boucher's output has been disappointing, and the Raptors will need to pursue a reliable center for the future.
8. New York Knicks defense
A focal point for the Knicks last year was their defense. Under a defensive coach in Tom Thibodeau, he loves giving minutes to players that put an effort on the defensive end. This usually translates to his teams having a solid defense, but that has not been the case this season.
The Knicks are ranked 16th in the NBA in defensive rating, which is a drop from last year when they were ranked fourth.
Some of this could be attributed to the new players acquired in the offseason. Still, the Knicks have been an above-average team and sit at 10-8 on the season. If they can get on track defensively, they could make a run in the NBA Playoffs.
7. Michael Porter Jr.
Porter has been a colossal disappointment for many reasons. In the offseason, the Denver Nuggets inked him to a five-year, $172 million deal. This has not looked like a good decision as he struggled to get going before his back injury.
This season, MPJ has only put up 9.9 points per game on 35.9 percent shooting from the field and 20.8 percent from long range. Following his terrible start to the NBA campaign, his setback will keep him out for the foreseeable future.
Porter has not played up to his contract, and the Nuggets will need him to step up when he returns.
6. Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jackson has been another disappointing player after signing a monster contract. The Memphis Grizzlies signed him to a four-year, $104 million deal. But JJJ has shot inefficiently thus far, shooting 40.1 percent from the field and 35.1 percent from three-point land.
While his numbers have been down, he is still an integral part of the Grizzlies. If he can shoot more efficiently, he could turn his season around and become an impactful player.
5. Atlanta Hawks defense
The Hawks have been somewhat disappointing, and their defense currently has the sixth-worst rating in the NBA. Last year, the Hawks had a surprisingly great season, as they made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals.
They weren't a great defensive unit as they were 18th in terms of defensive rating last season, but it was better than this year. While the roster is constructed to be a lethal offensive attack, the Hawks have some talented defensive players.
4. Nikola Vucevic
The Chicago Bulls have been one of the best teams in the NBA, but Vucevic has not played to his All-Star level. While his numbers were expected to drop with new players coming in, his efficiency has dropped significantly.
Vucevic is averaging 13.7 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. He has shot 39.3 percent from the field and 28.0 percent from long distance.
If he can improve his efficiency, Vucevic could make the Bulls an even better team.
3. Zion Williamson
Williamson's injury has been catastrophic for the New Orleans Pelicans. The team is 4-16 on the season and is 14th in the Western Conference. Williamson fractured his foot and underwent surgery, which has kept him out of the season thus far.
The Pelicans have been unable to rely on Williamson since he was drafted with the number one overall pick in 2019. He is a generational talent, and NOLA needs him back as soon as possible.
2. Duncan Robinson
Robinson has been regarded as an elite shooter in the NBA but has struggled this year. He is shooting 36.7 percent from the field and an atrocious 33.7 percent from three-point range. For his career, he has been a 41.2 percent three-point shooter.
Robinson's shooting woes need to be corrected as the Miami Heat will need him to make a deep run in the NBA Playoffs.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
The biggest disappointment of the NBA season so far are the Lakers. While the team made an abundance of moves in the offseason, it has not translated to wins. Frank Vogel's group is 10-10 on the season, which is far below what was expected of the championship contenders.
Part of the struggle has been the injuries that have plagued the Lakers, as well as integrating an almost whole new roster. Although they have started off slow, they are starting to get healthy and seem to be picking up chemistry.
If the Lakers can get healthy and improve their defense, they will be right back in the hunt for a championship.
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