5 NBA teams that have not performed as well as their strength on paper

With ample data of around 55+ games at our hands, it has become fairly easy to connect the dots in hindsight for this regular season. As the 2019-20 NBA campaign nears its dawn, we can juxtapose projections from the pre-season with what we have witnessed so far.

Many of the proposed storylines withered away as the season progressed, and many new ones emerged. One of the more riveting aspects came through from the rosters that had sufficient quality talent heading into the season but failed to live up to the hype.

The playoff bracket in both the conferences is almost set. But the intriguing detail still lies in the unprecedented rankings of some squads on their respective leaderboards. In this piece, we will take a quick look at the five teams that looked solid on paper but have failed to deliver proportionally on the floor so far.

#5 San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs last missed the playoffs in 1997.

The San Antonio Spurs have made the playoffs 39 times out of their 43 seasons, and are now expected to miss the postseason for the first time in over 20 years. The DeRozan-Aldridge pairing lost in the first round last season, but it looks like that won't be the case this year. The Spurs are currently 24-32 (0.429) on the season, 3.5 games behind the 8th seed Memphis Grizzlies.

Even with six players averaging double-digits in scoring on this roster, San Antonio have found it hard to register wins all year long. Impacted by the mid-range game of their two leading scorers, they have the second-lowest three-point attempts (28.4) this year.

Aldridge is having an ordinary year scoring-wise, and the support crew of Rudy Gay, Patty Mills, and Dejounte Murray have been ineffective in making a major splash.

#4 Philadelphia 76ers

Simmons will miss an extended period of time due to lower back issues.

The Philadelphia 76ers' starting lineup of Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, Al Horford, Josh Richardson, and Ben Simmons, is arguably the most talented in the league. However, their recent runs have provided little proof that this team is a serious title contender.

During their four-game losing streak recently, the Sixers lost to the Hawks, Bucks, Heat, and Celtics, three of whom are placed above them in the East standings. With averages like 23.8 points and 12 rebounds, Embiid certainly hasn't been his best version this season.

When experts projected this team to be one of the legit powerhouses from the Eastern Conference before the season began, they surely wouldn't have expected the 5th seed. The Raptors and Heat have undoubtedly beat them to the finish line, and with Simmons out indefinitely, things are only going to get worse for this franchise.

#3 Phoenix Suns

Ayton missed 25 games early on due to suspension.

The Phoenix Suns roster was different and much-improved for this season. But unfortunately, the end result hasn't changed for this ailing franchise.

Despite housing prominent names in Devin Booker, Ricky Rubio, Aron Baynes, DeAndre Ayton, and Kelly Oubre Jr., this team finds itself at the third-worst spot in the Western Conference. Their current 24-34 (0.414) win-loss record is a far cry from the quality talent that was assembled on this roster.

Led by All-Star Devin Booker, there are six Suns players averaging double digits in scoring, but they have lost seven of their last eleven games, and expect to miss yet another postseason.

#2 Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers keep incorporating the best talent available in the market.

With Paul George having his worst scoring year since 2013 (averaging 21.3 PPG), reported locker room issues including Montrezl Harrell and an apparent lack of chemistry amidst the stacked Los Angeles Clippers roster, Doc Rivers' men have not been as dominant as we thought.

Across the 57 matchups encountered so far, the Clippers' offensive and defensive ratings are outside of the top 5. They are the only team in the league to have four players averaging at least 18 points per game but still find themselves stuck at the 3rd seed in the West (and 6th overall).

Currently, 6.5 games behind the Los Angeles Lakers on the standings, this team has now lost five of its last ten - including an embarrassing 103-112 defeat to the Sacramento Kings at home.

#1 New York Knicks

Another miserable year in the books for New York.

When the New York Knicks drafted Duke phenom, RJ Barrett, as their 3rd overall pick, it was supposed to mark the beginning of a new and improved era for the franchise. They also fortified the roster with an elite mix of veteran and young talent, namely Julius Randle, Marcus Morris, Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson, and Dennis Smith Jr.

Even with Morris having a career-year before jumping ship to LA in February, and Randle posting 19 PPG, this new-look Knicks squad finds itself at the 13th spot on the Eastern Conference rankings with a lowly 17-40 (0.298) record. Rookie Barrett has been averaging 13.9 points per game, on an inefficient 39% shooting from the field so far

Yes, they have equaled their win total from last season (17) with 25 games remaining, but this is too little an improvement for a roster shuffle so seismic. Although the team improved under Coach Mike Miller (13-22), they still have a long way to go.