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Following five years of dominance by the Golden State Warriors, the 2019-20 NBA season is among the most competitive in recent history. During a thrilling offseason, much of the league either strengthened through free agency or trades - and as a result, we now have a hugely competitive race for the playoffs in both Conferences.
Many competing teams have once again been fueled by huge performances from their leading superstars, and the likes of James Harden, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are all enjoying huge individual seasons with their respective teams. However, not every superstar in the NBA has enjoyed a positive start to the season, and here we will take a look at the five individuals that have failed to meet expectations through the first seven weeks of the campaign.
#5 Draymond Green - Golden State Warriors
Through Golden State's dominance over the past five years, Draymond Green has often been credited as the most important member of the team, and many have asked the question as to whether the 29-year-old was good enough to lead his own team. With Klay Thompson and Steph Curry out with injuries, Green has been handed the starring role, although the Michigan native has struggled without his long-time teammates.
Through 15 appearances, Green has averaged just 8.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game - and the guard is also shooting under 40 percent for the first time since his rookie year. He has also continued to struggle with his three-point shooting (27%), and it is fair to say that the 3-time All-Star is a perfect fit alongside the Splash Brothers rather than leading his own team.
#4 Russell Westbrook - Houston Rockets
Russell Westbrook arrived in Houston having averaged a triple-double in three consecutive seasons, although the 31-year-old has taken a back seat to James Harden on the Rockets. So far with his new team, Westbrook is averaging 21.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per contest - and he will fall well short on his quest to average a triple-double over the season.
Admittedly, this was always likely following his move to Houston, although Westbrook has also failed to improve his shooting percentage. His current field goal accuracy of 40% is the worst since his rookie year, and the point guard's three-point shooting has also plummeted to 22%. At this point, it is questionable if the 2017 MVP is an upgrade over an aging Chris Paul, and the Rockets face a major task to meet its goal of winning a title.
#3 Mike Conley - Utah Jazz
Mike Conley has never been named as an All-Star due to the amount of backcourt talent in the Western Conference, although the 32-year-old was excellent during his decade spell with the Memphis Grizzlies. His arrival in Utah was expected to take the Jazz to the next level, however, Conley's Jazz career got off to a historically bad start through the first two weeks of the season, and things have yet to get much better.
Through 21 appearances, Conley is averaging just 13.9 points on 37% shooting from the field, while his assists tally has also dipped to 4.6 per game. Meanwhile, the man he replaced in Ricky Rubio is excelling for the Phoenix Suns, and Conley's arrival has failed to transform the Jazz into true contenders in the West.
#2 Ben Simmons - Philadelphia 76ers
Heading into the season, much was made of Ben Simmons' supposedly improved jump-shot, although the 23-year-old has once again struggled on the offensive end. Simmons was expected to take on a bigger role in the absence of Butler, although the 2018 Rookie of the Year is only averaging 13.2 points per game on 54% shooting from the floor.
That marks a career-low for Simmons, and his rebounding figures are also down (6.8) despite averaging a career-high 34.4 minutes per contest. Admittedly, Simmons has been able to make an impact on the defensive end, although, with the Australian now into his third year in the league, his overall impact should be considered underwhelming.
#1 Nikola Jokic - Denver Nuggets
Following an excellent 2018-19 season in which he almost guided the Denver Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals, Nikola Jokic was widely backed as a potential MVP candidate. At 24 Jokic is entering his prime, and the Serbian last season averaged career-highs in points (20.1), rebounds (7.2) and assists (7.2).
However, while the Nuggets have started the season well, Jokic's struggles have been well documented. Through 20 appearances, Jokic is averaging 15.7 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, and is also shooting a career-low 46.4% from the field. At this point, Jokic will struggle to make the 2020 All-Star Game, and Denver will struggle to make much of an impact in the playoffs unless Jokic can improve over the next few months.
