NBA's Biggest Disappointments of 2011

Enough of the high-praises and gold stars. These are the players and teams that had a very high ceiling but ended up taking a face plant on the floor.

Most Disappointing teams of 2011

1. Milwaukee Bucks- I was really high on the Bucks before the season began. I had them at 10 in my summer power rankings. I also projected them to win 50 games. I was sorely mistaken. The Bucks couldn't even reach 40 wins, and will miss the play-offs. There have been some injuries, but all and all its because they just played like shit.

2. Utah Jazz- When Carlos Boozer left for Chicago, Utah made an impressive counter by brining in Al Jefferson. With a standout center like Jefferson and Paul Millsap performing at a high level, things were looking pretty good for Utah. The Jazz started off  27-13 but then went 4-14 before the all-star break. During those tumultuous 18 games, Hall of Fame coach, Jerry Sloan retired to ensure he wouldn't be the next Don Neslon. Soon after Derron Williams was traded and it was all downhill from there. 

3. Portland Trail Blazers- We have been waiting for Portland's break-out season for the past few years. Well, this wasn't it, much credited to Brandon Roy's injury woes. Luckily, LaMarcus Aldridge kept them afloat. However, with Roy's return, the emergence of Wesley Matthews and the new addition of Gerald Wallace, Blazers have the potential for a first round upset in the play-offs

4. New Orleans Hornets- Chris Paul was the early MVP front-runner as New Orleans started off 11-1. They went 15-15 in their next 30 games. The Hornets are now tied for 6th in the WC and with David West out, their first round opponent will likely dispose of them in 4-5 games.

5. Orlando Magic- It is impressive that Orlando has been able to win 50+ games this season after their roster revamp, but they were top 2-3 in many preaseason power rankings (#2 in mine) and a favorite by many to win the East for the second time in 3 seasons. Now, a first round exit to the Hawks isn't out of the question.









Most Disappointing Players of 2011

1. Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers- Personally, I didn't expect Sam Bowie 2.0 to amount to shit as far as a franchise big-man . However, I as well as many expected him to some semblance of a full and productive season. Well for the fourth straight year, Oden's season was cut short due to injury.

2. Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks- After an impressive rookie season that was highlighted by a 55 point game (NBA rookie record) against Golden State, Jennings looked as though he would be a rising star in the league. Well Jennings missed 19 games in the middle of the season due to injury. His numbers have been pretty much identical to last season's and as i mentioned before, the Bucks suck

3. Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers- 2010 was the second consecutive season Roy averaged 20+ ppg an made the All-NBA team. This season Roy as missed 34 games due to injury, has only started 23 of the games he has played and averages 12ppg.

4. Yao Ming,  Houston Rockets- The 7x All-Star selection had returned from missing the entire 2010 season to injury. Houston was giving Yao limited minutes in hopes that they would transition him into form and he would have another all-star worthy season. He laste 5 games.

5. J.J. Hixon, Cleveland Cavilers - Cleveland believed so much in Hixon that they were not willing to take Amare Stoudemire last season in a mid-season trade because they would lose him. Instead they took Antwan Jaimeson, a good player but past his prime. Well Hixon is averaging 12-8,  Amare is having the best season of his career and if you had gotten him maybe LeBron would have stayed. Hey Cleveland, instead of burning LeBron jerseys, you should burn down the Cavs front offices.