No Lillard? No Problem
It was another glorious week in the cellar of the Western Conference. In games not against each other, these eight teams were 4-18. When you consider two of those wins were against the 76ers, it leaves something to be desired. A 35-win playoff team is likely. Other NBA writers are now taking notice. There were more than a few articles this past week about the struggle for the eighth seed. (here and here)
The lone bright spot on the list this week was the Portland Trail Blazers. Without Damian Lillard in the lineup, the rest of the team stepped up. Rip City Project said it last week, but Lillard missing time is probably a good thing for the young Blazers. The offense was too reliant on the Blazers starting back court. The hope is, when Lillard comes back, the Blazers will go to another level and ready to pass the Utah Jazz into the playoffs.
The Bottom Eight
*RCP Playoffs % is a complex algorithm that consists of watching NBA games and making partially educated guesses.
Utah Jazz: 14-17 LW: 2-2 RCP Playoffs % = 31% (+5%)
The Utah Jazz picked up an important win against the Portland Trail Blazers on New Year’s Eve. They were dealt another injury blow with Alec Burks out for six weeks. Derrick Favors is dealing with back spasms. Besides Gordon Hayward, their starting lineup has been unrecognizable the last few games. They are doing a nice job treading water until Favors and Rudy Gobert return to the lineup.
Portland Trail Blazers: 14-21 LW: 3-1 RCP Playoffs % = 20% (+7%)
An incredible week without Lillard was soured by the Jazz. After winning three games in a row, the Blazers were ready to take over the eighth seed in the Western Conference Playoffs Thursday night. However, the Jazz took advantage of an awful Blazers defensive performance. The loss does not erase how impressively C.J. McCollum can run the offense without Lillard in the lineup. In the five games without Lillard, McCollum has averaged 26.2 points, 6 rebounds, and 6.4 assists.
New Orleans Pelicans: 10-22 LW: 1-3 RCP Playoffs % = 18% (-2%)
This team is running out of time to make up for their 1-11 start. Maybe Monty Williams should not have been fired at the end of last season. The Pelicans were actually fun to watch last year. Anthony Davis also might need 14 different players around him next year. This current group of players is not working.
More from Rip City Project
- Blazers News: Portland signs FIBA WC standout center
- Blazers News: Portland re-signing failed lottery pick
- 8 Do-overs the Portland Trail Blazers Wish They Had During Last Decade
- Portland Trail Blazers NBA 2K24 team, player ratings
- Woj: Blazers, Lillard ‘fully prepared’ for star to be with team in training camp
Phoenix Suns: 12-23 LW: 0-4 RCP Playoffs % = 10% (-6%)
The Phoenix Suns have seen better days. Eric Bledsoe is out for the year and Coach Jeff Hornacek has one foot in the grave. After seeing his assistant coaches get fired, Hornacek has one more chance to get control of the team before he is sent packing.
Minnesota Timberwolves: 12-21 LW: 1-3 RCP Playoffs % = 8% (unchanged)
Even though this team is so young, it still feels like they should be winning more often this season. I think the Timberwolves could use a better coach after this season (RIP Flip). Sam Mitchell is not a long term answer. In other news, hopefully you did not miss out on Karl-Anthony Towns’ face for 960 straight minutes as he watched his whole rookie season so far in chronological order. The only thing better than watching the Timberwolves season again is a close-up of Towns’ face watching the whole Timberwolves season again.
Denver Nuggets: 12-21 LW: 0-4 RCP Playoffs % = 7% (-1%)
The Denver Nuggets have lost 7 of 8 games. They take a trip to the Bay area tonight where Golden State has lost once in the past 53 home games. To make matters worse, the Nuggets played Mike Miller in crunch time the other day. Fortunately, they are not that far away from the playoffs, due to the steaming pile of mediocrity surrounding them. Plus, they have Will Barton at just over $3M per year for two more years. Wait, who gave up Barton last year? …
Sacramento Kings: 12-20 LW: 0-3 RCP Playoffs % = 6% (-3%)
The Sacramento Kings lost to the 76ers. I don’t know if anyone can recover from that.
Los Angeles Lakers: 7-27 LW: 2-3 RCP Playoffs % = 0% (Unchanged)
Entering Friday night’s titanic matchup with the 76ers, both teams had somehow won their previous game. The winner would be awarded with their first (and likely only) winning streak of the season. I looked it up, and there is no way to tie in the NBA. Someone was coming out of this game on a winning streak. The Lakers apparently really wanted this victory, because they elected to sit Kobe Bryant. It worked.
Party time in L.A.