Lucky or Not? Teams Suffering from Bad Fortune in the NBA Season So Far
As the saying goes, "it's better to be lucky than good" when it comes to sports. While hard work is essential for success, Lady Luck plays a significant role in determining the outcome of games. In the NBA, injuries and opponent shooting can greatly impact winning and losing. Let's take a look at which teams are suffering from bad luck in these areas.
Injuries have been a major issue for several teams this season. The Indiana Pacers, who are currently 4-16 in the Eastern Conference, have lost the most man games due to injury. With key players like Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith missing significant time, it's been challenging for them to maintain respectability. Interestingly, the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team that has remained relatively healthy over the past few years, are second on this list.
However, not all injured teams are struggling. The Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Miami Heat have also lost significant player games due to injury, which is concerning given their high salaries. The Pelicans and Mavericks are two of the four worst teams in the West right now.
On the other hand, some teams are facing issues with opponent shooting on wide-open threes. The Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, and Charlotte Hornets have struggled to contain these shots, allowing a high percentage of uncontested three-pointers. One year after finishing third in defensive rating, the Los Angeles Clippers are now struggling against opponents who can't miss from outside.
While it's tempting to write off teams that are struggling due to bad luck, history suggests that regression to the mean is never guaranteed. Teams that are getting hit hard in these areas could be due for a bounce back if things start going their way. Take the Charlotte Hornets, for example. With a solid young core and key players like LaMelo Ball returning from injury, they might make a playoff push once they get healthy.
As the saying goes, "luck can run out." The Toronto Raptors, who are currently 14-7 in the Eastern Conference, have been exceeding expectations despite having one of the sixth-lowest opponent three-point percentages on wide-open threes and the fourth-fewest dollars lost to injuries. What happens to them if they start losing key players and opponents continue to hit uncontested shots?
In conclusion, while luck is a significant factor in sports, it's essential to analyze teams based on more than just bad fortune. By understanding the data behind team performance, we can get a more accurate picture of their strengths and weaknesses.
As the saying goes, "it's better to be lucky than good" when it comes to sports. While hard work is essential for success, Lady Luck plays a significant role in determining the outcome of games. In the NBA, injuries and opponent shooting can greatly impact winning and losing. Let's take a look at which teams are suffering from bad luck in these areas.
Injuries have been a major issue for several teams this season. The Indiana Pacers, who are currently 4-16 in the Eastern Conference, have lost the most man games due to injury. With key players like Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith missing significant time, it's been challenging for them to maintain respectability. Interestingly, the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team that has remained relatively healthy over the past few years, are second on this list.
However, not all injured teams are struggling. The Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Miami Heat have also lost significant player games due to injury, which is concerning given their high salaries. The Pelicans and Mavericks are two of the four worst teams in the West right now.
On the other hand, some teams are facing issues with opponent shooting on wide-open threes. The Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, and Charlotte Hornets have struggled to contain these shots, allowing a high percentage of uncontested three-pointers. One year after finishing third in defensive rating, the Los Angeles Clippers are now struggling against opponents who can't miss from outside.
While it's tempting to write off teams that are struggling due to bad luck, history suggests that regression to the mean is never guaranteed. Teams that are getting hit hard in these areas could be due for a bounce back if things start going their way. Take the Charlotte Hornets, for example. With a solid young core and key players like LaMelo Ball returning from injury, they might make a playoff push once they get healthy.
As the saying goes, "luck can run out." The Toronto Raptors, who are currently 14-7 in the Eastern Conference, have been exceeding expectations despite having one of the sixth-lowest opponent three-point percentages on wide-open threes and the fourth-fewest dollars lost to injuries. What happens to them if they start losing key players and opponents continue to hit uncontested shots?
In conclusion, while luck is a significant factor in sports, it's essential to analyze teams based on more than just bad fortune. By understanding the data behind team performance, we can get a more accurate picture of their strengths and weaknesses.