The NBA regular season is in full swing and the big teams are clustered, but some teams that were originally in the spotlight, such as the Warriors, Lakers, Bucks, etc., have shown weakness and disappointment in the middle of the season. Some teams that are not favored, such as the Timberwolves, Thunder, Pacers, Knicks, etc., have come to the fore on the counterattack, showing a sudden rise.
In the West, the Timberwolves and Thunder are two teams that have shown excellent competitive form. In the East, the Pacers and Knicks have successfully built a well-balanced team through shrewd signings and trades in the past, and rushed to the top three positions in the East with a wave of consecutive wins. The Knicks, in particular, have become a strong team through teamwork and both inside and out, although the roster is not luxurious.
The teams that really have a championship appearance this season still need to be selected from the Celtics, Clippers and Nuggets. Although the Lakers and Warriors were expected to be high at the beginning of the season, the Warriors suffered a waterloo, and the Lakers lacked offense after the adjustment of the lineup, and the performance of the two teams was not satisfactory. The Lakers currently have a 24-25 record, while the Warriors are fourth from bottom in the West.
Another Bucks team that has attracted much attention, despite their impressive record, has been looking inadequate lately. The Bucks have lost three of their last four games, one of which was beaten back by the Trail Blazers, who are at the bottom of the West. Despite the Bucks' regular season record of 32-16, the team's overall form is clearly not as expected. The team still relies on Antetokounmpo's dominance, who excels on the offensive end, but his handling ability and free-throw percentage in key moments are still an issue.
To bolster the roster, the Bucks made a 5-for-1 trade in the offseason and brought in Lillard. Lillard hasn't been as good as he could have expected this season, with points and assists per game and three-point shooting all declining. The Bucks originally expected him to make up for the team's shortcomings in key moments, but at the moment, Lillard has not adapted to the new environment and is in an inconsistent state.
The Bucks' trade didn't look like it worked as intended, losing two of their top defensive resources and sending away first-round picks for nothing. The Bucks chose Rivers as their head coach, but Rivers' title of "reversed king" in the playoffs has also raised some questions. For the Bucks, the current situation is not optimistic, the team's prospects remain to be seen, and whether they can make a difference in the playoffs will require more effort and adjustments.