Started From the Bottom: The Outlook for Lottery Teams

There is a such thing as no man's land in sports. You want to be either really bad or really good, not in between. If you're really good you want to remain that way. But if you're not that good you want to be really bad because that is the only way you will get any better. Confusing, I know, but look at Oklahoma City's record from the time they moved from Seattle (Pour one out for the Supersonics):

20-62 (Last Season in Seattle), 23-59, 50-32, 55-27, 47-19 (Lockout Year), 60-22

See there, no 30-45 win seasons. Mediocrity doesn't go unpunished hence the Atlanta Hawks constantly making the playoffs yet barely making it to the second round. Mediocrity gets you half-decent regular season teams.

This year would be a great year to be bad. The first four picks in the 2014 draft might be the new guard of superstar in the next 2-3 years. There are times teams defy lottery odds, remember the Chicago Bulls were 9th worst team when they won the lottery in 2008. I'll break down each teams I expect to be in the lottery instead of the individual posts for playoff teams.

1. Philadelphia 76ers 

At the draft I was shocked when the Sixers traded Jrue Holliday but should the Pelicans not make the playoffs they will have two lottery selections. This team will be historically bad. I put their win expectation at 15 wins but if they reach that it will be by accident. I heard the other day that they will shut Nerlens Noel down for the season, which is smart. They should also look into trading Evan Turner who could net them another lottery pick from a fringe playoff team like Minnesota or a future first rounder from a contender.

2. Charlotte Hornets 

I'm already calling them the Hornets...that's how much of a non-factor this season is for Charlotte. They have the pieces to be competitive in the future. Al Jefferson will put up big numbers and will help when they trade him in the next few years. They missed out on many of the marquee #1 picks in recent years but if they land a top 4 pick it could go a long way. They will likely look into trading Ben Gordon.

3. Sacramento Kings 

Yuck, just yuck. The same thing I said about Al Jefferson should go for DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins should take this time with this awful team to figure out his game and become a dominant center in a league where there are only a few. Shaq says he will mentor the kid, I sure hope so.

4. Toronto Raptors

I feel bad for Canadian basketball fans. The only team they get to watch is this one. There new "Brand Ambassador" (say that with Dr. Evil finger quotes) Drizzy Drake claims to be a big Raptor fan but can favor a Miami Heat bandwagoner more often than not. This team can win games as constituted but should trade what they can including Rudy Gay and Demar Derozen. Terrence Ross should remain though.

5. Orlando Magic

Thank god the Dwightmare tragedies remnants are being cleaned up. Victor Oladipo was fascinating to watch on Indiana last year and somewhat the year before. Once Aaron Afflalo and Jameer Nelson are traded or demoted to the bench in favor of Oladipo he should be really fun to watch in preparation for the draft.

6.  Phoenix Suns 

The Suns will be always be the team I pick to win the draft lottery but don't. This year won't be any different. They might be the whipping boy of the Western Conference. The only thing I looked forward to was them bringing back the "sunburst" jerseys from the Barkley days and they managed to screw that up.

7. Milwaukee Bucks 

Another yuck team, but like Toronto they should win a good amount of games. Brandon Knight can grow with this team and perhaps OJ Mayo will finally find a home. They could be the team that defies they lottery because with Randle or Wiggins they'll be a tough out in the 2015 playoffs.

8. Utah Jazz 

Can this please be the year Derrick Favors makes that leap? He no longer has to contend with Paul Milsap and Al Jefferson. Unfortunately, Trey Burke was injured in the preseason so hopefully we can see him return in time to watch him develop. Alec Burks should try his best to shine in the meantime.

9. Atlanta Hawks 36-46

Al Horford and the Hawks have sneakily be playoff mainstays and played a slightly more competitive playoff series than the Knicks did against Indiana. I like their draft and outlook for the future but this year I think they play it cool and have a few competitive games when they make the occasional ESPN Friday Night Game.

These last five have a legitimate chance of making the playoffs so I tell you their outlook if they do and if don't.

10. Boston Celtics 

Playoffs: If they make it will be because Jeff Green has a breakout year and Marshon Brooks and the other misfit toys decide they want to compete. The major x-factor in them making it is Rajon Rondo's attitude. If he decides he wants to let Brad Stevens coach him in his first year as the "star" of the C's he should flourish.

Lottery: If Rondo doesn't want to be coached, he should force a trade and let Danny Ainge and Brad Steven construct the new era of the Celtics.

 11.Denver Nuggets 

 Playoffs: They still have the pieces that won 57 games and made former head coach George Karl NBA Coach of the Year in 2013.

Lottery: Brian Shaw has finally gotten the chance to be a head coach. Sadly, this team is in transition. Danillo Gallinari will be out for a bit and the onus was on him to bring the offense lost by Andre Iguodala going to the Warriors.In the competitive Western Conference time waits for no man. 

12. Dallas Mavericks

Playoffs: The Mavs had an okay summer but again lost out on their main free agent target in Dwight Howard. They still have Dirk and the last legs of Shawn Marion. They gained a more consistent player in Monta Ellis over OJ Mayo.

Lottery: The Mavs might be victims of the Conference yet again. They could start a rebuilding period but that idea behooves Mark Cuban.

13. Minnesota TWolves

Playoffs: The Timberwolves can make a lot of noise with their young team and coaching by Rick Adelman. Derrick Williams finally playing like a #2 pick can also help.

Lottery: Irregardless of injuries, the Timberwolves should finish anywhere between 7-10 in the West. 

14. LA Lakers 

Playoffs: They still have Kobe and Pau...

Lottery: ...But not much else I expect the Lakers to score 96 ppg this season and 36 of those points from Kobe. The Lakers have the makings of a fringe playoff team with one of the greatest players of all time (whenever he returns) and a top-5 Power Forward. But they will most likely fall short and if that's the case they may want to look into trading Pau and seeing what they can get for this first rounder if it is not in the top 7 picks.