A rough start can reveal a team’s weaknesses, but it doesn’t settle an 82-game NBA season. In an SB Nation column, Ricky O’Donnell singled out the Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers as teams facing early concerns.
Instead of declaring their seasons over, here’s a question worth watching for each club.
Sacramento Kings: Can the team give its young players room to develop while building a more reliable offense? Progress may matter as much as the early win total.
Chicago Bulls: Can Chicago find more consistent shooting and defensive rebounding? Those areas could show whether the team’s problems are temporary or require bigger changes.
Milwaukee Bucks: What happens in close games? Competitive stretches mean more when a team can turn them into wins with dependable late-game execution.
Phoenix Suns: Can lineup adjustments create better balance? Phoenix needs combinations that work together on both offense and defense.
Utah Jazz: Can the offense find a steadier rhythm? Ball movement and shot selection will be useful signs to watch as the season develops.
Los Angeles Clippers: Can the Clippers take better care of the ball and tighten their defense? Those improvements would give them a stronger foundation, regardless of their early record.
The first weeks of a season raise questions; they rarely provide final answers. Injuries, schedule strength and lineup changes can all alter a team’s direction. For these six clubs, the next stretch of games will tell us more than an early-season label ever could.
