While some players have lived up to expectations so far this NBA season, some have not. The likes of Kevin Durant and Steph Curry have been exceptional so far. A few other stars have struggled to make the usual impact. We take a look at the three biggest stars who have been disappointing so far by their standards.
Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards)
Bradley Beal had a phenomenal year on a personal level last season. He duelled with Steph Curry for the scoring title just missing our marginally in the end. Curry ended up with the award, averaging 32.0 PPG. Beal averaged 31.3 PPG for the season.
Going into this year, most observers and fans expected Beal to maintain that high level of scoring. This season has seen his numbers drop drastically. Beal is averaging 23.2 PPG on 44.0 FG% and 27.5 3P% for the Wizards. Beal will need to improve going forward if the Wizards are to have any chance of success.
James Harden (Brooklyn Nets)
We do need to apply context when analyzing James Harden. He’s now primarily a point guard and he has had to play without Kyrie Irving. However, Harden is playing alongside Kevin Durant and has struggled to look like an All-Star at times this NBA season. Harden is averaging 20 PPG which is his lowest since 2011-2012.
This is shaping up to be his worst shooting season for nearly a decade. Harden is in danger of shooting below 40% for the first time in his NBA career. His three-point shooting is just around 35% on the season. In the last outing against the Bulls, he shot 5 of 21 from the field for 14 points. In some games this season, he has given Kevin Durant next to no help. The Nets need him firing on all cylinders if they are to win a title this season.
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Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)
It has certainly been a rough start to the season for Lillard. After coming off a season where he averaged an impressive 28.8 PPG, his numbers have dropped. His scoring is down to 21.5 PPG and only hitting 39.7% from the field and 30.2% from 3. He was attempting 7.2 free throws per game last season and that number has dropped to 4.5 this year. For a player that hits over 90% at the line, that’s a significant reduction.
Dame Lillard is one of the many players afflicted by the new officiating changes. His Trail Blazers team are currently 11-14 and it looks set to be another disappointing season for Portland. The truth is Lillard has never shot this bad and it’s a huge surprise to watch him struggle the way he has. He needs to improve quickly or risk wasting yet another year of his prime.
