5 NBA Teams That Will Not Reach Their Win Total

When the Brooklyn Nets' roster was first assembled back in February, it had the look of a championship contender. 

After the James Harden experiment failed and he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Nets paired Ben Simmons with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. With Simmons being more of a playmaker and defender than Harden, this supposed to be a Nets team placed among the NBA's elite. 

So far, it hasn't happened. The Nets have started the season by losing six of their first eight games. Simmons has struggled. Durant's dominant stretches are less frequent. And Irving is providing empty numbers. They were projected to win 50 games but their poor start puts them at No. 1 on the list of teams that could fail to make their preseason odds projections. 

Speaking on the Bill Simmons podcast recently, NBA analyst and Hall of Famer Charles Barkley didn't hold back. 

“It’s like one of those trainwrecks that you’re like, ‘Oh, I gotta watch this,"' Barkley said. "They have three of the most interesting personalities that we’ve ever had on the same team. You have zero idea what you’re gonna get night in and night out from any of them. It’s one of the most fascinating things that I’ve seen in my 40 years in the NBA. If they won the championship, I wouldn't be surprised. If they got their coach fired by Christmas, I wouldn’t be surprised."'

Barkely was early by nearly two months. The Nets relieved Nash of his duties Monday, the latest chapter in a drama-filled stretch that isn't likely to improve anytime soon.

It all starts with Durant, who is still among the league's top players. Even great as he has been over the years, some are saying he has lost a step. Hall of Fame point guard Isiah Thomas drove this point home on a recent appearance on NBA TV, saying Durant no longer controls the game like he has in year's past. 

“He used to get 30 and that meant he dominated the game," Thomas said. "Now his 30 is just 30.” 

Durant needs to play at peak if the Nets are to have any chance, especially if Simmons continues to underperform. How bad has he been? He fouled out two of his first three games, and is averaging a pedestrian 6.2 points per game. It's no secret Simmons has dealt with confidence issues the last two seasons. This is not the attitude you want from a primary ball-handler. 

 “We understand right now he lacks confidence and aggressiveness," ESPN analyst Tim Legler said. "OK, we’re going to be patient with him while he tries to find his way through that. The problem is when this is your primary ball handler, and you don’t have a threat at the initial action up the floor and everybody defensively knows it, to me this is just wasted time."

The Nets have plenty of time to figure it out. In a loaded Eastern Conference, they better do it sooner than later. Or else, the criticism will keep coming. 

After their latest loss, ESPN's Kendrick Perkins said the Nets' defense has been horrendous. They have already allowed five players to score at least 30 points. 

“I guess the Nets are okay with people giving them that work on a nightly basis," Perkins tweeted after Luka Donic's 33-point effort. "I mean they can’t guard senior citizens in a Nursing Home at recess!!! Carry the hell on… Oh btw that Luka is just SPECIAL!”

Here's a quick look at some other teams that have gotten off to slow starts the first 2+ weeks of the season:

Los Angeles Lakers (44.5 wins)

If the Nets are a trainwreck, then the Lakers are a 20-car pileup on Southern California's I-405. They weren't expected to be a contender but no one figured things would start this bad. 

The Lakers opened the season by shooting 22 percent from the 3-point line in the first four games. What made it worse was all the games were on national television, so it was on display for the entire world to see. 

At 38, LeBron James is no longer able to carry a team by himself. At some point, he's going to need some help from Anthony Davis and participation from the disgruntled Russell Westbrook. Things may get better when Denis Schroder returns from thumb surgery next month. 

But if there is no improvement, this Lakers' season will be all about James chasing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's career scoring record. 

Philadelphia 76ers (50.5)

The Sixers basically jogged their way through the first five games. Actually, it was more like they walked.

According to the Twitter account StatMuse, they are playing at the slowest pace of any team in the last six years. That's not going to bode well in a league that has gotten quicker each season. 

It got so bad that forward P.J. Tucker, who was acquired from Miami during the offseason, is already yelling at teammates a few months into his tenure. This is supposedly the Sixers' best chance to contend because of Joel Embiid, James Harden and Tobias Harris but they've already lost to the lowly San Antonio Spurs. 

Coach Doc Rivers was already considered on the hot seat entering the season but it will only get hotter if things don't turn around quickly. 

Los Angeles Clippers (53)

It may be too early to place the Clippers in the group because they are still adjusting to the absences of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and others due to injuries. 

The problem with them being out so early is it cuts into their time of developing chemistry. These two haven't played many games together since the duo was formed two seasons ago.  

The Clippers also have to decide who will be the full-time starter at point guard. Reggie Jackson was supposed to handle it but John Wall has looked good so far. 

Miami Heat (49.5)

The Heat have shown their quiet offseason could have an impact. While the rest of the league went out and recruited more talent, they were comfortable with "running it back" with their current roster. 

Early on, Jimmy Butler has been left alone to carry the load at times. His running mates, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, have already battled bouts with inconsistency. They need Adebayo to play like a legit No. 2 scorer and Herro has to live up to the hefty offseason contract he was awarded in the offseason. They are tough to beat when the trio is playing well. 

The Heat also have a glaring weakness at power forward, although Caleb Martin played solid when they knocked off the previously-undefeated Portland Trail Blazers. If Martin struggles, the Heat could finally move Adebayo to power forward and start Omer Yurtseven at center.