2023-24 NBA Christmas Grades: Central Division
Merry Christmas, everyone!
The NBA Christmas games have been run and won and every team is now give or take a third of their way through their respective schedules. So let’s see what grades every NBA team received for Christmas from the Jolly Fat Man (Santa, to be clear, not John ‘Hot Plate’ Williams).
We’ve already taken a look at the Atlantic and Northwest Divisions, so take a look at the Central Division. Keep an eye on the Vendetta Sports Media socials as we will be releasing all the grades over the next few days.
(All numbers come via Basketball Reference unless otherwise stated)
Chicago Bulls – D:
The numbers: 14-18 record, 10th in offense, 17th in defense, 23rd in Net Rating
This is such a deflating situation: A relatively high-priced team that is loaded with veterans who are either middling or past their best, augmented by underperforming youngsters, playing an uninspiring brand of basketball.
Even when something good happens, like the emergence of Coby White as a legitimate offensive weapon, it comes with a massive disclaimer. In this case, it’s a double blow: a) Can Zach LaVine stay healthy; and b) does LaVine actively harm winning?
That last question – does LaVine actively harm winning – impacts not only the Bulls on the court, but also what they could eventually garner should the team eventually decide to trade the high-scoring guard. It would appear that his best fit is a contender needing one more weapon to push them over the top. But do those teams (Lakers, Kings, Knicks etc.) really want a player whose current team improves when he’s off the floor?
Cleveland Cavaliers – C-:
The numbers: 17-13 record, 18th in offense, 10th in defense, 17th in Net Rating
The Cavaliers have been solid, if unspectacular up to Christmas this 2023-24 NBA season. Doesn’t it all seem a little flat, though? Like something is not quite right? Sure injuries haven’t really helped (Max Strus aside, all of the top seven players in their rotation have missed at least five games) but it all feels very forced in Cleveland.
With the skill overlap of their best four players, that’s not exactly a surprise. Now that Evan Mobley has effectively abandoned his outside jump shot, his fit with Jarrett Allen on offense is super clunky, even if their defense is stifling. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland are both wonderful scorers and playmakers. They can each shoot well enough to play away from the ball but it is far from the best use of either All-Star guard.
They’re apparently a team on the rise, but with Mitchell due an extension at season’s end, the Cavs need to get their team on the floor and decide if this is the direction they want to take.
Detroit Pistons – F:
The numbers: 2-28 record, 28th in offense, 26th in defense, 29th in Net Rating
DEEE-TROIT! BASKETBALL!
Yes, injuries to Bojan Bogdanovic and Jalen Duren haven’t helped matters, but this is a disaster any way you cut it. There is talent here, but it is so mismatched and to be honest Monty Williams is doing a woeful job trying to make sense of it all.
To illustrate this point, the Pistons just lost their record-setting 27th straight game. Cade Cunningham was on fire late, doing everything within his power to drag the Pistons over the line. He’d scored on four consecutive possessions when Williams called a timeout with about three minutes to play … and drew something up for Alec Burks. It’s looking like $78.5 million might be just a slight overpay.
Indiana Pacers – B:
The numbers: 15-14 record, 1st in offense, 28th in defense, 15th in Net Rating
The Indiana Nominative Determinisms have been perhaps the story of the league up to Christmas. Their run to the final of the In Season Tournament put them in the spotlight and gained the team a whole lot of respect and recognition.
It also served as the coming out party for star point guard Tyrese Haliburton. Those who watch the league closely have known for a long time that Haliburton is That Guy, but it’s lovely to see the general public see it as well.
At risk of spoiling the mood, it must be pointed out that the Pacers are the No. 8 seed in the East, with the Nets and resurgent Bulls chasing them down. There is a very real chance that this exciting, though defensively challenged young side will not make the playoff this season. That said, they’re still on the right path.
Milwaukee Bucks – A-:
The numbers: 22-8 record, 5th in offense, 19th in defense, 5th in Net Rating
For a team that is sitting comfortably in second place in the conference despite major upheaval both on the floor and the sidelines, there sure is a lot of negativity around these Bucks.
Once resident megastar Giannis Antetokounmpo threw title-winning coach Mike Budenholzer under a downtown bus last season, his exit was inevitable. First year head coach Adrian Griffin hasn’t had the easiest of starts, losing experienced assistant Terry Stotts a week prior to opening night, having to scrap his defensive system at the insistence of his players and reportedly feuding with key reserve Bobby Portis. The team has also had to cope with the continuing injury concerns around Khris Middleton, integrating Damian Lillard and coping with the stylistic change that losing Jrue Holiday causes.
Yet, they’re still right in the mix. Despite the ballyhooed Dame/Giannis pick and roll not being leaned on to any great level, the Bucks are still an excellent offensive team, with the potential to be unstoppable when (if?) they’re fully enabled.
Whilst the combination of Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez means the Bucks will always defend the rim well, the lack of defensive resistance provided by Lillard and backcourt partner Malik Beasley is a huge concern, especially in restricting transition baskets, where the Bucks rank dead last in the NBA.
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