End of The 2022-23 Regular Season NBA Report Cards (4-14-23)
Headline Photo Credit: USA Today
The NBA Regular Season has come and gone right before our very eyes. Some teams have accomplished their goals while other teams have fallen short. The reports are in. Check out every team’s report card on how their regular season went this season.
Atlanta Hawks: C+
There has been so many issue’s internally with this team. The coach got fired earlier in the season and now Trae Young’s future really seems to be in doubt in Atlanta. However, they have squeezed their way into the playoffs simply due to having so much talent on the roster.
Boston Celtics: A-
It’s not easy losing in the NBA Finals and duplicating off success from the previous season. Both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have made significant improvements in their games and so have this Celtics team even with a new Head Coach.
Brooklyn Nets: C+
One of the hardest things to do is lose not one but two top 20 players in the league, be without a former all star, and hire a new head coach after the season has started and still make the playoffs. Job well done Brooklyn.
Charlotte Hornets: F
Injuries have plagued this team all season long. However, the losing has gotten out of hand and now Michael Jordan as an owner is having second thoughts. Changes are needed all across the board right away in Charlotte.
Chicago Bulls: D
There has been a lot of ups and downs in Chicago. This is another team that has been hurt by injuries. The dynamic duo between DeMar Derozan and Zach Lavine works but one has to wonder for how long? Changes are expected soon and rightfully so.
Cleveland Cavaliers: A
The addition of one player has simply made the jump from a playoff contender to title contender. This team is a sleeper team that nobody would want to face.
Dallas Mavericks: D
This team punted on their season towards the end. Many people question that decision however it honestly was the right decision if they know deep down inside they aren’t contenders. The team isn’t built right around Luka Doncic even with the addition of Kyrie Irving. Having a lottery pick in this year’s draft has improved the team tremendously.
Denver Nuggets: A+
Once again, another great season for Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. We all know what this team could do with the MVP alone. Cheers to a great regular season. Now we await what this team can do fully healthy with Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr in the postseason.
Detroit Pistons: D
We see so much potential in this team. They have quite a bit of tools. They are always active in the trade market too. Losing Cade Cunningham hurt however it helped in the development of Jaden Ivey. He is and will be the future of this team. The Pistons will catch the league off guard next season.
Golden State Warriors: B
The road woes for the Warriors may have concerned many. However, they still managed to make the playoffs as a 6th seed even with multiple injuries from multiple players. Klay said it best. The Warriors are the team to beat when fully healthy.
Houston Rockets: D+
This team seems to be making steady improvement. They really do a great job in developing their young guys. They have one of the best centers in Alperen Sengun. Jalen Green is coming into a zone and Jabari Smith seems like the right pick here too. They need to address the point guard position and they will be a scary team to defend.
Indiana Pacers: C
The acquisition of Tyrese Haliburton was the right move. They may have traded an allstar to get him, but Haliburton became an allstar too. They got the pick right in Ben Mathurin too. The Pacers are on the rise.
LA Clippers: C+
Injuries were hurting this team early on. Once everyone got comfortable, the Clippers took off and didn’t look back. Slow start for this team, however a strong finish with the addition of Russell Westbrook along with the other moves.
LA Lakers: C+
They say it’s not how you start but how you finish. LeBron James as well as the front office saved the season for this team. The fit with Russell Westbrook just didn’t work. However, once the deals were made, this team evolved and now may be on a championship run.
Memphis Grizzlies: B+
Having a good roster and being well coached is what this team is all about. The only thing that interferes with things is injuries of course and immaturity. If this team can get out of their own way, they can be dangerous in the playoffs for years to come.
Miami Heat: C-
Sometimes you know when your time is up. The window is cracked and almost closed shut on their title hopes. This is a fairwell tour not only for Udonis Haslem but for this entire team.
Milwaukee Bucks: A+
Batman sometimes works alone. He doesn’t always have Robin, or Nightwing, or even Batwoman. Giannis Antetokounmpo has put the team on his shoulders and really showed us what a MVP looks like. Not only do the Bucks have the best record in the East, but they have the best record in the league without Khris Middleton for the majority of the season.
Minnesota Timberwolves: C
If there was a such thing as bad luck, it may be the Timberwolves. They are so close to being the team we know they can be but things just happen to hurt them at the wrong time. Solid season, however, there is still lots of work to be done.
New Orleans Pelicans: D
Just when you thought a problem was settled it happens to reappear. With a healthy Zion Williamson, this team was in first place in the West. Without him has caused them to drop out of the playoff race. They need to take a strong and close look at the future and partnership with Zion Williamson.
New York Knicks: B+
Despite not getting Donavan Mitchell, acquiring Jaylen Brunson has made this team a true threat. They defend and play the game the right way. This team will only get better. Fantastic season for the Knicks.
Oklahoma City Thunder: B
No one expected the OKC Thunder to be this good right? When Chet Holgram went down, many thought the season would be a tank job. However, the Thunder are proving the doubters wrong. This team has grown faster than we thought and have exceeded expectations.
Orlando Magic: C
This team is always active in the trade market and for good reason. They are growing up and close to being a playoff team. They made a significant leap this year just by getting Jonathan Isaac back on the court. Orlando will make magic happen soon enough behind Paolo Banchero and Markelle Fultz.
Philadelphia 76ers: A-
Trust the Process! It may be time to finally crown Joel Embiid as MVP as he hopes his Sixers can make it to the finals. He won another scoring title and James Harden has won another assist title. The team has been consistent all season long. Watch out for the 76ers.
Phoenix Suns: B
Things were suddenly going south in Phoenix until Kevin Durant arrived. Chris Paul and Devin Booker missed some time this year and it appeared the window was shutting close. Kevin Durant’s arrival changed everything. He saved the season for the Sun and now makes them the most dangerous team in the playoffs.
Portland Trailblazers: D
Every season, we hear how committed Damian Lillard is to Portland. Once again, they have missed the playoffs and haven’t really improved. A divorce has to be imminent now because clearly it isn’t a good fit and the Blazers aren’t interested in winning at the moment.
Sacramento Kings: A+
It has been 16 years since the Kings made the playoffs. This team by far has been the biggest surprise of the season. Mike Brown is rightfully so the Coach of the Year. De’Aaron Fox has been crowned the clutchest player of the league this year and Damantas Sabonis is a walking triple double every night. The Kings may have been the most impressive team in the West this season with the best offensive in the league.
San Antonio Spurs: F
Sometimes, players and teams are stuck in their ways and don’t know how to keep up with the new ways of life. The Spurs are an old school basketball team with old school basketball coaching in Greg Popovich. They don’t shoot a lot of threes and aren’t efficient from three either. There are a lot of changes needed in San Antonio.
Toronto Raptors: D
It’s amazing how you can be so close to accomplishing a goal then have to start from scratch. The Raptors are on the cusps of doing just that. They need to address a few things as the roster doesn’t seem to fit collectively as a group. They need synergy on the court. Nick Nurse is one of the best coaches in the league but it starts with him and will end with him as well as he will be collateral damage in this situation.
Utah Jazz: C
It was a good story to see the Jazz get off to a hot start after trading both of their all stars last summer in Rudy Gobert and Donavan Mitchell. Now they have a new all star in Lauri Mark Markkanen and it seems like they will build the team around him. The foundation is solid in Utah. It is up to them now to continue to build the right way with all of the draft picks they now have.
Washington Wizards: D+
We have seen the best and the worst of this team all in one season. When fully healthy, this team can be pretty good. Their stars didn’t get a lot of burn together this season. They simply didn’t meet expectations this year after seeing the strength of the roster. Many may question coaching however we will see what the team looks like next season after a strong development in younger talent this season. The future should be bright if handled the right way.
