NBA: Top 5 Star players having the most disastrous season of their career

Kobe Bryant, LA LakersIt is imperative that we talk about players who have great seasons or like the NBA calls it Most improved players. But here we list NBA players who are having a disastrous season either because of the system they are in or due to lack of motivation. These players were either signed as a Free agent, acquired in trades or in-house products who failed to deliver. It is normal for players to have a slump and they usually pick it up. We expect these players who are healthy to pick their performance post All-Star break. This is when every game is important and every win is valuable. So let us collectively hope that these Star players shake off the rust and re-establish their credit.One of the NBA all-time greats and arguably one of the Top 3 players ever to play ever is having a bad season. Yes, you guessed it right; Kobe Bryant by far is having one of his worst shooting seasons of his career. Let’s see if he made our list.

#5 Kevin Martin

A prolific scorer who is having an average season because of injuries. Making it to the list after averaging 11 ppg just shows how good of a player Martin is at the NBA. Kevin Martin will always score buckets at an highly efficient rate and this season he is shooting a poor 37% from the field.

This is unlike the Martin we know and the lack of minutes in Minnesota is hurting his production. The timberwolves are a young team and they are developing Wiggins, Towns and Deng. This leaves very few minutes for a pure scorer in Martin.

Kevin Martin would be a great addition to a championship contender. He provides instant offense and he will be a starter coming off the bench which would be lethal during playoffs. It is a matter of time before Martin catches fire and retains his normal rhythm. In this list Martin has the most chance to turn the season around and be successful at Minnesota

#4 Ty Lawson

Ty Lawson was supposed to seek redemption at Houston under Kevin Mchale and playing alongside Harden and Howard. With Howard being inconsistent and McHale gone, it is not helping his cause. To add on to the issues he is not playing at a high level either.

When Lawson moved to Rockets, it was clear that he is going to be an upgrade at point and take over when Harden is off the floor. This is a failed experiment and with the Coach fired, we would have to wait and see what happens next to Lawson’s future.

Harden runs the offense at Houston and Lawson needs the ball in his hands to be effective. This combined with lack of minutes has resulted in a terrible season for Lawson. He is averaging a meagre 3 apg compared to 9 apg the previous season and a poor 6 ppg shooting 39% from the field.

#3 Brandon Jennings

Brandon Jennings has been a disappointment this season for Pistons. He lost his spot to Reggie Jackson who is averaging 19 ppg and 6 apg. It is highly unlikely that Jennings will resume his starting role for the Pistons.

Jennings’s career average is 16 ppg and 6 apg; while this season he is making 6 ppg and shooting a career low 35% from the field. As a guard you are expected to be around 45% or above mark since the guards take a lot of shots.

Brandon is a scoring point guard and he relies on that part of his game to keep him effective against his opponents. When his shots are not falling, it would be difficult for him to operate at point and set his teammates for easy baskets. He played a good season for Pistons after moving from Dallas, but it would have been wise for him to have stayed with the Mavericks.

#2 David Lee

The two-time All–Star in David Lee has been a starter all through his career. Although now he averaged 15 mins a game; you read it right, it is in the past. This is because Lee has not played in last 15 games and received DNP i.e Coach’s decision not to play.

Lee averages 15 points per game and almost 9 rebounds per game throughout his career, it is sad to see him ride the bench. It all started with his injury two seasons ago and he came back at inopportune time to Warriors roster. During the summer, he was traded to Celtics for Gerald Wallace who was later waived by Warriors. Lee was expected to fit right in the system of Brad Stevens.

Ironically, lack in effective defense has forced Lee out of the rotation. It remains to see if Lee can improve and get back to his older self once he is 100% healthy.

#1 Joakim Noah

He played lesser minutes than his usual and his role in the team was not clear. He averaged 20 mins per game similar to his rookie season and 4.3 PPG this season. Noah is not a bucket machine but however he pulled down almost 9 rebounds a game this season. However, the system in Chicago is offense-based system and it is clear that he was a misfit in the rotation.

Ideally, Noah should leave Bulls to sustain his career with teams that require a defensive center to complement the high scoring big man. But it is sad to see the one-time Defensive player of the year have a below par season because the system does not suit his style of play.