NBA Tank Rankings: Trouble in the nation’s capital

#4 – New Orleans Pelicans 

There is no question that New Orleans is playing better than they were earlier in the year, but that doesn’t mean that the Pelicans deserve to escape from our list. The Pelicans are still just 7-19 on the year after yet another double-digit loss to Phoenix on Friday, and a closer look at the numbers would display that Anthony Davis and company just aren’t very good.

The Pelicans are just 3-7 in their last 10 games, including a net rating of -6.3 points per 100 possessions during that time. When examining the full season, New Orleans remains the team with the worst defense in the NBA, and that while that may seem impossible given their personnel, there are real issues. As their health improves, the Pelicans should perform better, but the ship has not been righted to this point.

#3 – Brooklyn Nets

Just one week ago, it appeared as if the Nets were poised to escape from this list entirely. On cue, Brooklyn posted an 0-4 week, and actually “climbed” in the rankings.

The Nets were largely respectable in a Friday night loss to Indiana, but prior to that, Brooklyn lost three games while being outscored by more than 12 points per 100 possessions. In short, Lionel Hollins’ team looked a lot more like the squad we all expected than the pleasant surprise of the previous few weeks, and Brooklyn’s momentum has all but evaporated.

Celtics fans are, once again, eager to watch the Nets on a nightly basis, and Boston has a real chance to claim a top pick using Brooklyn’s selection if their recent play continues.

Next: Lakers and Sixers