Chicago BULLS C+
2015-16 Record (as of Jan. 16)
W-L 23-16
PCT .590
DIV 4-4
CONF 14-11
HOME 16-7
ROAD 7-9
Frontcourt C+
Too many bigs, too few littles. Pau Gasol’s numbers are solid but his defense is an issue. Taj Gibson brings energy as starter. Small forward is a problem until Mike Dunleavy (back surgery) returns.
Backcourt B-
Jimmy Butler’s star continues to ascend, but huge scoring nights (53 at Philadelphia) require him to play out of character. Derrick Rose shows flashes of his old self but is averaging career low in FTAs (2.7).
Defense B-
Whether from muscle memory or ingrained old habits, the Bulls had the league’s stingiest opposing FG% (42.2). But as the offense perked up — 13 consecutive games of 100 points or more — defensive focus waned.
Bench B+
When the bench outscores the other guys’ subs, the Bulls are 15-3. There has been inconsistency, but Joakim Noah, Doug McDermott, Tony Snell and Aaron Brooks developed a little chemistry before Noah’s shoulder injuries.
Coaching C-
The Bulls, with essentially the same roster, won 50 games last season and are on pace to fall short of that. Fred Hoiberg has had challenges on the court and off (Jimmy Butler called for “harder’ coaching) and still is learning.
Summary
The Bulls have made it hard to take them very seriously through the first half. While they have as much talent as any team hoping to slot in as the East’s second-best, uneven performances and preparation have been embarrassing at times. There has been a tendency to play down to the competition — as if this group has won anything to earn that failing.
The roster has a few one-way players — Gasol as offensive technician, Noah as defender, ditto with Nikola Mirotic and McDermott vs. Gibson and Snell. Rose has shown more aggression, attacking the rim, after devoting so much of 2014-15 to failed perimeter shooting but he’s producing All-Star-worthy quarters rather than games.
There is almost no confidence, certainly outside Chicago’s dressing room and likely inside it, that this bunch can put down LeBron James and the Cavaliers in a seven-game series. Noah’s dislocated shoulder adds to the Bulls’ woes, while muddying up their trade prospects. It’s looking like a long, dreary season for the Bulls, the equivalent of six months of Chicago Januarys.
— Steve Aschburner
2015-16 Team Rating
Offense – 100.9 (23rd Overall)
Defense – 99.7 (7th Overall)
Cleveland CAVALIERS A-
2015-16 Record (as of Jan. 16)
W-L 28-10
PCT .737
DIV 2-3
CONF 19-6
HOME 15-1
ROAD 13-9
Frontcourt B+
LeBron James still works here, yes? He has the Cavs focused and nine games ahead of last season’s pace. The Kevin Love equation still hasn’t been solved but there’s time. Despite trade speculation, Timofey Mozgov remains a valuable piece.
Backcourt A-
No need for an incomplete here — the Cavs went 10-2 in Kyrie Irving’s first dozen games back from knee surgery. Erratic or not, J.R. Smith has given Cleveland what it wanted (214 3-point field goals in first 80 games since arriving).
Defense A
Area of Cleveland’s greatest improvement, with a 23-5 mark when holding teams under 100 points and 10-0 when foes shoot under 40 percent. The Cavs are stingy with second-chance and fast-break points too and are toughest to score on in fourth quarters.
Bench B
Backup big Tristan Thompson still might be overpaid, but the Cavaliers see a ring in the work he does on the boards. Iman Shumpert’s individual D is showing up in his ratings now, and Matthew Dellavedova gives the Cavs the best backup PG among contenders.
Coaching B+
David Blatt has solidified his spot with the Cavaliers and, more importantly, with James. The biggest challenge now is Blatt adapting his rotations to a healthier roster.
Summary
Cleveland had won 15 of 17 heading through the midpoint weekend and was nine games better than its 19-19 mark a year ago through 38. Lineup tweaks and good health matter most now in an Eastern Conference that offers no apparent serious challenger to the Cavs’ quest for another Finals appearance.
There’s a sense the Cavs could use one more knockdown perimeter shooter, but that need could be alleviated if J.R. Smith were moved to the bench. Starting Shumpert would enable them to better utilize Love as more than a stretch-four, it would free up Smith’s opportunities and it would deepen the shooting ranks with Mo Williams and James Jones in reserve.
Big picture, though, James has this bunch right where they need to be. Fans of the Warriors and Spurs don’t have to like the fact that Cleveland — assuming it avoids injuries this time — might be far more fresh coming out of the East bracket.
— Steve Aschburner
2015-16 Team Rating
Offense – 105.4 (5th Overall)
Defense – 99,1 (5th Overall)
Detroit PISTONS B
2015-16 Record (as of Jan. 16)
W-L 21-18
PCT .538
DIV 5-3
CONF 13-9
HOME 13-6
ROAD 8-12
Frontcourt B+
Greg Monroe is gone but Detroit’s rebounding numbers are up, such is the development of Andre Drummond at center. Now if only he could sink free throws. Marcus Morris brings toughness and Ersan Ilyasova is a reliable enough floor-spreader.
Backcourt B
Reggie Jackson has hushed critics of the $80 million deal he landed, staying aggressive in the pick-and-roll with Drummond and (most nights) making up for the points his man scores. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has made steady improvement at both ends.
Defense B-
Much of Detroit’s improvement here has been due to running shooters off the 3-point line. Drummond’s presence has helped the Pistons clean up second-chance opportunities for their opponents too.
Bench C
Detroit’s bench gets deployed less than any other teams, thanks to a starting five that has logged more minutes together than anyone else’s. Brandon Jennings, since returning from his 11-month Achilles rehab, has put some pace into the Pistons’ reserves.
Coaching B
Stan Van Gundy’s vision of a one-in, four-out attack built around Drummond up front and Reggie Jackson running the pick-and-roll with him, has taken shape, with shooters surrounding that duo. It’s on SVG to unlock the team’s inconsistency.
Summary
Is it Stan Van Gundy’s coaching? Is it his running of the Pistons’ front office? Or is it still the waiving of Josh Smith? Detroit, after a 5-23 start, went 27-27 last season following that addition-by-subtraction transaction and 21-18 this season heading toward this midpoint. Most likely, it’s all of the above, with several young Pistons making strides — none more than Drummond, a likely All-Star for the first time with 20-10 potential for the next decade.
There are fine complementary parts — Caldwell-Pope, Morris, rookie Stanley Johnson — in need of some surgical reinforcements if Van Gundy the executive can procure them. In the meantime, the Pistons will rise or fall on Jackson’s forays into the paint and Drummond’s he-man work under the glass.
— Steve Aschburner
2015-16 Team Rating
Offense – 101.2 (22nd Overall)
Defense – 100.1 (8th Overall)
Indiana PACERS B-
2015-16 Record (as of Jan. 16)
W-L 22-18
PCT .550
DIV 4-5
CONF 15-9
HOME 13-6
ROAD 9-12
Frontcourt B
Paul George’s first half has been a one-man argument for bringing back the Comeback Player of the Year award. Ian Mahinmi at times has looked like a completely new player, though prone to familiar mistakes. C.J Miles has lent surprising help at both ends.
Backcourt C-
Never known for his efficiency, Monta Ellis’ shooting has been a borderline liability so far. George Hill averaging just 3.2 assists confirms his stance that he’s not a “point guard” as much as his 40 percent 3-point shooting.
Defense B+
It’s a different style of defense now, without Roy Hibbert as rim protector, but the Pacers are getting it done on that end with active hands (fifth in turnovers forced) and solid shot-contesting (43.8 opposing FG percentage).
Bench B
Jordan Hill has been valuable up front (15.6 points and 12.0 rebounds per 36 minutes) and Rodney Stuckey’s perimeter game aided the spread approach. Lavoy Allen is the big who gets the call when the Pacers go traditional.
Coaching B-
Frank Vogel and boss Larry Bird are said to be on the same page, though Vogel is the one who has to make the call to stay small or go big — and lapsing into the latter does not much meet with Bird’s approval.
Summary
It’s hard to quantify the Pacers’ first half — a seven-game improvement from last season’s 15-25 isn’t bad if you factor in the style overhaul. But when you add George playing at All-Star level and Ellis as a new weapon, a gain of seven victories seems a bit meager. Blame the 6-9 stretch over the past month for casting Indiana’s season in a different light.
Think of this team’s commitment to a breezier, more offensive-minded style as an earlier-than-New Year’s resolution and remember how tough it is to stick with those. That’s sort of what the Pacers have gone through, slipping into old ways against certain foes. They’re not at the dictating and asserting point yet. If rookie Myles Turner can stay healthy and contribute after a first-half spent largely on the side, Indiana’s identity should get firmed up.
— Steve Aschburner
2015-16 Team Rating
Offense – 101.7 (18th Overall)
Defense – 98.6 (3rd Overall)
Milwaukee BUCKS D+
2015-16 Record (as of Jan. 16)
W-L 17-25
PCT .405
DIV 4-4
CONF 11-15
HOME 12-7
ROAD 5-18
Frontcourt B-
Giannis Antetokounmpo, in year three, is starting to string together strong performances. Jabari Parker still doesn’t seem to be in top shape and needs to extend his shooting range. Greg Monroe helps Bucks lead NBA in points in the paint (49.0).
Backcourt C+
Khris Middleton has justified Milwaukee’s $70 millon investment, growing his game across the board. Michael Carter-Williams’ calendar 2016 numbers are better than 2015’s, so that’s a start.
Defense D-
How do we spell D-saster? The Bucks have gotten shredded this season, plummeting in the defensive ratings, routinely giving up triple digits and getting outshot. They dodge a failing grade thanks only to the steals and blocks their length provides.
Bench C-
Jerryd Bayless has been more stabilizing than MCW at the point and John Henson is a legit rim protector with some offense. But the locker room misses last year’s veterans, notably Zaza Pachulia and Jared Dudley.
Coaching D
There’s something odd about Jason Kidd undergoing his hip-replacement surgery in the thick of the Bucks season. Maybe last season’s miracle worker is waiting for his young team to get older.
Summary
Look, plenty of folks expected Milwaukee to take a step back from its 41-41 finish last season — a 15-game improvement from 2013-14 — before making another significant stride. But no one expected the 10-18 start or the defensive hemorrhaging.
Maybe the Bucks thought they could outscore teams, by adding free-agent big man Monroe last summer and getting Parker back from his ACL surgery. Carter-Williams getting a training camp was supposed to tighten things up as well. But it hasn’t happened.
It’s not clear that Milwaukee knows what it wants to be — an old-school attack camped in the paint, a new-age offense in need of better shooters or a defensive-minded team built on lanky, switchable defenders. It needs to decide, as surely as it needs to firm up a pecking order.
— Steve Aschburner
2015-16 Team Rating
Offense – 101.3 (20th Overall)
Defense – 106.4 (29th Overall)
