NBA Team Tiers 2013-2013: Tier IV

In a previous post, I outlined six NBA regular season Team Tiers ranging from title contenders to outright disasters. In this series, I will predict which teams fit into each tier for the 2013-2014 season, starting from the bottom up. As always, teams within this Tier are presented in no particular order.

Tier IV (30-40 wins): Not awful

Los Angeles Lakers

Pau, Kobe, and Nash. With those superstars healthy, the Lakers would be competitive most nights and would be a lock for the playoffs. Two big problems of course: the rest of the roster is a terrible mess, and it is unreasonable to expect a high level of fitness out of those core star players. Kobe suffered a ruptured Achilles, probably the most debilitating injury an athlete can have (excluding those involving the nervous system). He claims the rehab is going well, but I will believe it when I see it. Historically, basketball players with this injury have not ever returned to full strength, let alone in under a year. On top of that, Nash might be past the point of his career where he is an elite guy because of chronic back and leg problems. Pau is the healthiest of the bunch. He played 49 games last season. I predict a borderline disastrous season for the Lakers resulting in a trip to the lottery for the first time since 2005 (Andrew Bynum).

Boston Celtics

Danny Ainge sent a clear message to Celtic nation with the Garnett/Pierce trade: the past is great, the future isn't here yet. While rebuilding around Rajon Rondo, Jeff Green, and head coach / savant Brad Stevens is a nice place to start, the talent level on this year's squad isn't nearly high enough to seriously compete for the playoffs. By putting them in Tier IV, I am assuming that Rondo plays (and plays well) for at least 50 games or so. He's good enough to drag a team out of the cellar by himself. If he doesn't come back to his old form, they will sink even lower.

Charlotte Bobcats

The Bobcats went out and signed Al Jefferson to a nice fat contract because they are tired of being a doormat. With solid, underrated young guards in Kemba Walker and Gerald Henderson and some development from defensive ace Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, this team should be able to compete night in night out. Unless 4th overall pick Cody Zeller vastly outperforms expectations however, it's doubtful they can compete for a playoff spot in the East.