NBA News: Are Los Angeles Lakers or New York Knicks Having More Disappointing Season? (POLL)
These days, it doesn't pay to be a fan of either the Los Angeles Lakers or the New York Knicks.
The two largest cities in the United States of America are also two of the most popular basketball locations in the country. The Knicks and Lakers have won a combined 18 NBA championships.
Unfortunately, both the Lakers and Knicks are struggling this season with a combined 7-22 record, and a chance at making the playoffs doesn't look very good for either team.
So which team has been more disappointing this season?
New York Knicks
The Knicks are just 4-11 this season, having lost eight of their last 10 games. Playing at Madison Square Garden doesn't seem to provide any type of home court advantage for the Knicks as they are just 3-5 at home so far. Despite having one of the best scorers in the league, Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks offense currently ranks 25th overall in scoring.
Of course, point guard Jose Calderon has been injured for the majority of the season, but there's no excuse to be this bad offensively.
Unlike the Lakers, who play in a loaded Western Conference with strong teams such as the Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies, the Knicks are unable to take advantage of a weak Eastern Conference. Only one team even has a winning record in the Atlantic division, the Toronto Raptors. Not being able to qualify for the postseason in the East is extremely disappointing.
The Brooklyn Nets at 5-8 don't help lift New York basketball fans spirits either.
The triangle offense has been nonexistent so far with the Knicks, and Derek Fisher is having a rough first year as a head coach. Amar'e Stoudemire is grabbing a lot of rebounds, but without Tyson Chandler, defense is taking a hit.
Thankfully, much of the Knicks flaws and terrible play has been overshadowed by the winless Philadelphia 76ers.
Los Angeles Lakers
The worst record in the Western Conference belongs to the Lakers. The Lakers also own the worst defensive in the NBA, allowing more than 111 points per game. Kobe Bryant leads the league in scoring with 26 points per game, but it's coming at a cost. Bryant is shooting just 38 percent this season, the lowest of his career.
For perspective, Anthony Davis is also averaging 26 points per game, but he is shooting over 57 percent from the field.
Without Pau Gasol, the Lakers interior is hurting severely. Jordan Hill and Ed Davis are average at best, and Carlos Boozer hasn't lived up to expectations. Boozer has just 12 more rebounds all season than Bryant does so far. Jeremy Lin continues to lead the Lakers in assists, but without a reliable front court, things are tougher than ever. Lin will be a free agent after this season ends.
Even though the Lakers play in a much tougher conference, they have more talent than the Knicks do. To only have three wins with Byron Scott as a head coach is really disappointing. With Lin becoming a free agent, Steve Nash out for the season and Bryant nearing retirement, the future of the Lakers franchise has many questions.
The Lakers are the fourth best NBA team in California.
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