Don't go into the tiger's den, get the tiger. This extremely philosophical idiom applies to the NBA stage as well. In the era of business alliances where superstars gather, the big two and big three teams have become the trend of the times, but it is not the best is the most suitable. Instead of torturing each other and consuming each other, it is better to find your own willow and dark flowers in the middle of the mountains and rivers.
Today, take stock of the eight biggest stars who have exhausted this season.
Eighth place: Wall, son of the Chosen
Wall was selected by the Wizards with the 1st pick in the first round in 2010. As the pride of heaven, Wall was placed high hopes on his debut, as a top defender, Wall is physically strong, technically strong, and has amazing bouncing power, and is once the hero of the League.
Wall has been in the Wizards for many years, and Bill's double star combination is even more popular in the league, the two can also be described as a strong combination, complement each other, the Wizards' record is also constantly improving, once became the east's indispensable super team. However, the two have never been able to lead the Wizards further in the playoffs.
In January 2019, Wall underwent surgery on his left heel and was expected to be absent for 6-8 months, but in February of the same year, Wall accidentally fell at home and broke his Achilles tendon, which was a fatal blow to Wall and the Wizards.
In the 2020-21 season, Wall and Westbrook exchanged owners, and Wall will join hands with Harden, but Harden broke out of the locker room contradictions, and even completely broke up with the team, took the initiative to apply to leave the team, went to the Nets, and formed a big three team.
Harden's departure also allowed the Rockets to begin a long rebuilding period, and Wall, who wanted to rely on Harden and win the championship, was completely disheartened, devastated, and had no fighting spirit. Wall then gave up the season completely due to a hamstring injury.
In the 2021-22 season, Wall was completely abandoned by the Rockets, this once indispensable top guard, now can only become a water dispenser custodian, and even has no chance to play, before the trade deadline, the Rockets once hoped to reach a deal with the Lakers, send Wall away, so as to get the in-form Westbrook.
However, Wall, who has not played for a year, has once again encountered rejection from the Lakers, and although Wall has updated the dynamics and shown goodwill in several episodes, he still cannot impress the Lakers who are determined to win the championship. And Wall had to accept the embarrassment of not having the ball to play.
Wall's contract will expire in 2023, and if the Rockets can not send Wall away, Wall can only wait until the contract expires, and part ways with the Rockets, for the 31-year-old Wall, despite the maximum salary, but can not wear the team will also become the biggest pain in Wall's heart, in Wall's current state, there will be no team to take over, almost no one cares. Unless the Rockets buy out Wald's contract, perhaps Wall, who has a base salary contract, will have a team willing to take over.
Wall, who used to be a storm, is now reduced to a water dispenser keeper, and even playing on the court has become a luxury. And all this will continue, in the current state of the Rockets, there is no intention of buying out Wall, they are still hoping to be able to exchange Wall for more chips, and all this is not achieved overnight, and now Wall can only let people fish, people sigh and sigh.
Seventh place: Ill-fated rising star Sykeston
Sykeston was selected by the Cavaliers with the 8th pick in the 2018 first round. The Cavaliers' biggest surprise last season. Relying on his strong personal ability, Syxton once became the new leader of the team after the Cavaliers, that is, James, and the focus of the team.
Last season, Sykeston averaged 24.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. Super scoring can record, once made this stinky guard promoted to the ranks of the league's super scorers, Sexton is also famous, and even expected to sign a hundred million salary contract with the Cavaliers, which will be a huge trust and recognition for Syxton, who is still in the rookie contract.
However, all this changed completely after Syxton's sudden injury and the sudden rise of the 2019 rookie Garland, and at one point it changed dramatically.
In the new season, the Cavaliers took the lead, relying on the young starting five Tigers and the bottoming rebound of Love on the bench, the Cavaliers ushered in a long-awaited prosperity. A wave of powerful winning streaks not only brought the Akelet back to the top and got rid of the title of the Fish Belly Team, but also made the league turbulent.
As the team's leading scorer and recognized leader last season, Sexton's performance was slightly bleak, averaging 16 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, and all the statistics were slightly lower than last season, and the scoring ability was even more abruptly reduced. At the same time, it was center Aaron and young star Garland who played with ease and became the team's most reliant duo.
In the middle of the season, Syxton suffered a major cruciate ligament tear and was reimbursed for the season. Garland broke out again, and through his super ability to lead the team, led the Cavaliers to regain their strength, fully exposing the potential and ability of the superstar.
In contrast, Garland's counter-current and Sykeston's inaction are in stark contrast, and due to the impact of injury, Sykeston's qualifications have also been lowered, which also indicates that Sykeston's hundreds of millions of contracts are not easy, if you stay in the Cavaliers, after the end of the offseason rookie contract, Sykeston will sign a contract with the team for up to 4 years and 60 million.
The fall of the team's status, the contract shrinkage of hundreds of millions of dollars, and the pain and suffering of injuries and diseases are like a thunderbolt on a sunny day for this young man who is growing up.
It is reported that the Lakers intend to sign Syxton in the offseason and provide him with a 5-year and 100 million contract. This may be a new turning point for Sykeston, after all, the team's status has been lost, and Garland's excellent performance has made Sykeston a background board, for the Cavaliers, Garland and even Allen are cleveland's future, whether it is the Lakers or other teams, if the salary is reasonable, leaving may be a better choice for Sykeston.
Sixth place: Rising star Collins
Collins was selected by the Hawks with the 19th pick in the first round of 2017. As the biggest contributor to last season's Eagles dark horse season, Collins has to grow up for all to see. At one point, it even became the second leader of the Eagles after Trae Young.
However, the good times are not long, and the eagles in the new season have not been able to continue the momentum and morale of last season. There is a locker room contradiction within the team. As the second leader of the team, Collins has repeatedly publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the team's tactical arrangements. At one point, he thought that his shots were squeezed, and the locker room conflict with the team's head coach Mike Milan was constantly intensifying.
Even due to the tense attitude between the two, the Eagles' record has continued to decline, once from the fifth place in the East last season to the bottom team in the East.
Before the closing date of the transaction, the Eagles also put Collins on the shelves many times, and the intention of the transaction was extremely obvious. Due to the contradictions in the locker room, Collins' competitive status this season has also been declining, and the growth rate has also stagnated.
This season, Collins averaged 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game, and all the statistics have not improved much, which will be a huge obstacle to Collins' growth.
Recently, Collins has suffered from strains in his right foot, plantar fasciitis and sprained ring finger on his right hand, and has missed several games in succession, but the Eagles have regained their strength and passion.
As the biggest hidden danger of the Hawks' locker room this season, no matter how far the Hawks can go this season, Collins will be abandoned by the Hawks again in the offseason, after all, Collins's complaints and the outbreak of locker room conflicts have affected the team's record, and his departure will become a natural fact, the big forward who has just signed a salary of more than 100 million yuan in the Hawks has once again become a prisoner of the order and started a wandering journey.
Fifth place: Interior Giant Tower Ayton
Ayton was selected by the Suns with the 1st pick in the first round of 2018. As the chosen son, Ayton's entry into the league was not shocking. Even by the same year's Doncic and Trae Young far behind, the two have already received a new contract extension last season, worth hundreds of millions, but as a champion, Ayton is still struggling for a maximum salary.
Last season, Paul's airborne landing once promoted the team from the bottom team in the West to the super team in the West, and entered the playoffs after many years, and even broke into the stage of the Finals, breaking a number of records in one fell swoop, making the Suns famous and becoming the most brilliant super team in the West and even the league.
Although, due to the lack of experience of the young team, the Suns eventually lost to the Bucks and returned home, but last season for the Suns is undoubtedly the most important stroke in the team's history.
As a giant tower of the Suns' interior, Ayton also grew with the Suns' sgas last season, and even in the face of Jokic, he once crushed the MVP last season, which made people see Ayton grow. However, instability and weakness in the face of tough confrontation are still on full display. In the face of Embiid, Alphabet Brother these tough inside line, Ayton became difficult, not only the offensive end is extremely hesitant, the defensive end is also full of holes, as an interior tower, Ayton still has a long way to go.
In the new season, under the leadership of Paul and Booker, the Suns continue to soar, not only with excellent records, extremely stable competitive status and team records, making the Suns the most stable king team in the league.
However, Ayton's performance is only remarkable, after all, around Paul and Booker, Ayton's aura is difficult to be seen, and there is still a gap between Ayton's lethality on the inside line and embiid and Jokic.
As the 2018 champion, Ayton ended this season, the rookie contract is about to expire, it is reported that Ayton has always wanted a 170 million maximum salary contract, but, for the Suns, Ayton still has a weak rib, and there is a huge gap from the top internal line, so the Suns are not willing to give such a maximum salary contract.
The regular season is over, the Suns naturally want to shame and win back the lost championship, but Booker's injury once again makes the Sun walk on thin ice, for Ayton, no matter where the Sun eventually goes, his maximum salary loss is difficult to achieve, otherwise the Sun will not drag on for so long, at the end of last season, the Suns can renew Ayton's contract, but they would rather leave the elderly Paul, nor far to give Ayton a maximum salary that is growing up. The sun's intention is extremely obvious, and Ayton stays here, and can only be the second or third boss, and the future sun must belong to the cold-blooded killer Booker.
For Ayton, once the offseason can not get what he wants, leaving will be the best choice, whether it is to join a championship-winning team, or a young team, Ayton's injection will inevitably make it flourish, especially for the offensive and defensive ends of the interior will be a qualitative change, whether it is for the status of the team or dignity, the intention of this Yuanlang to ask for a maximum salary has been unshakable.
Fourth place: Harden, the almighty god of war who runs for his dreams
Harden was selected by the Thunder with the 3rd pick in the first round of 2009. For the superstar who rose from the bench, from the best sixth man, to the regular season MVP, Harden's growth experience is shocking.
Harden once played the peak of his career in the Rockets, but he was never able to win the highest honors, as he grew older, Harden's desire for the championship reached its peak, Harden did not hesitate to break up with the Rockets, went to New York, and formed a big three team.
Last season, after Harden joined the Nets, the team once played an excellent performance, Harden is also in good shape, successively won the best of the month, the Nets are also under the leadership of Harden, topped the top of the East.
In the new season, Harden was plagued by hamstring injury factors, from the mentality to the competitive state are slightly ups and downs, completely losing the competitive state of the top superstar, the high and low scoring performance, and the low performance that can not score near the frame once made Harden fall to the bottom.
This season, Harden has averaged 22.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 10 assists, scoring, this is also Harden's new low in scoring in the past 5 years, Harden's downturn is closely related to himself, before the trade deadline, Harden left the Nets and went to Philadelphia.
However, after coming to the 76ers, although Harden instantly improved the team's record, Harden's key moments of play are still tigers, successively in the face of the Nets, Nuggets in the game downturn, and even once caused Embiid and coach Rivers dissatisfaction, locker room contradictions are also constantly erupting.
As a superstar, Harden's sluggish performance this season has become an indisputable fact, whether it is plagued by injuries or influenced by gossip, Harden's aggressiveness in scoring is gradually weakening.
Recently, Philadelphia has revealed that it will not renew Harden's contract with the maximum salary, and only provide Harden with a 5-year 180 million salary reduction contract. This will be a huge blow to Harden. After all, in addition to winning the championship, the maximum salary contract has always been Harden's biggest chase.
As a historical two-energy position, Harden's state has declined slightly this season, from offensive aggressiveness to shooting stability, but as a superstar, Harden's deterrent power and game rhythm are still the top in history.
If the 76ers win the championship this season, for Harden, since he can't get the top salary, the team's tactical status can't surpass Embiid, leaving the team and continuing to chase the long-cherished wish to win the championship will be a better choice.
Third place: the controversial Lillard
Lillard was selected by the Blazers with the 6th pick in the 2012 first round. As the absolute leader of the Blazers, Lillard has a super explosive scoring power, and the three-point deterrent power of 100 steps through Yang is even more murderous. Lillard time also comes from this.
In the 2021-22 season, Lillard experienced one of the toughest seasons of his career, not only suffering from trading turmoil, but also aggravating Lillard's abdominal injury when participating in the Olympic Games, leaving the top scorer plagued by injuries.
In the new season, Lillard's injuries continue to appear repeatedly, the competitive state after the comeback is not good, and even once openly ridiculed by the new coach Billups, and the locker room contradictions are constantly intensifying.
This season, Lillard averaged 24 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game, and all kinds of data have declined compared with previous seasons, especially 24 points per game, which is a new low in scoring in the past three years.
As a super scorer, Lillard has lost the explosive power of a scorer, as well as athletic talent. The sluggish performance, as well as the exhaustion of injuries and trading turmoil, has left the superstar exhausted.
This season, Lillard has been unable to play his peak performance, and the most lethal breakthrough has disappeared, and a top superstar who can only project three-pointers from the outside line cannot create a huge deterrent for other teams. Before the trade deadline, the Blazers sent away Cowington and McCollum in succession, the intention to rebuild is extremely obvious, and Lillard's relationship with the Blazers is likely to end.
Lillard has gone from being an invincible super scorer to being a prisoner of the ranks shouted by everyone, although Lillard still has the opportunity to return to the peak, but Lillard, who is full of injuries, has indeed been shocked by his performance this season, and has long lost his peak state. Lillard, who was expecting to return from a serious injury, would be able to wash away the lead and make a comeback.
Second place: Young Hollywood Lavin
LaVine was selected by the Timberwolves with the 13th pick in the 2014 first round. As a selected point guard with the same 13th pick as Kobe Bryant. LaVine was also not the son of the chosen one, but through the continuous efforts of the day after tomorrow, Lavin gradually showed his talent and won the dunk contest twice, making the unknown scoring guard famous.
LaVine also gradually became famous among the Timberwolves. However, due to the locker room conflicts with Towns and Wiggins, LaVine was sent away by the team in the 2017-18 season and went to Chicago.
LaVine also gradually played an All-Star performance in Chicago, and successively rewrote the team history record belonging to LaVine with super scoring ability. However, the only regret is that LaVine has never been able to cash in his personal ability into a team victory, and the Bulls have never made it to the playoff stage.
In the 2021-22 season, the Bulls signed Spurs former All-Star guard DeRozan with 81.7 million in three years. This deal, which seems to be not a big deal in the league today, has ushered in a new turning point for the Bulls, and DeRozan's arrival not only returns the individual to the top, but also completely lifts the Bulls to the top, and the dusty Chicago reinvents the glory and glory of the past.
As the leader of the team, deRozan's joining squeezed Lavin's living space to a certain extent, but in the early and mid-season, the team has been breaking through, Lavin and DeRozan have both been selected for the All-Star Team, and the team is also expected to be on the stage of the playoffs and even the finals after many years. The overall morale of the team is also extremely high.
In the middle of the season, the Bulls suffered from injuries one after another, from Jones, Ball, Caruso to Lavin, the Bulls completely experienced an injury cold current. This wave of extremely ferocious injuries also dampened the morale of the Bulls to a certain extent, and the team's record also fluctuated and fluctuated at one point.
The season is coming to an end, for LaVine, the playoffs will be his last chance to impress the management to keep him, if LaVine can continue the peak of the regular season, with DeRozan to produce the final cooperation, and even create more trouble for the Bucks, perhaps, Lavin still has the opportunity to stay in the Bulls.
After all, for Lavine, staying in the Bulls would be his best bet, and instead of testing the waters for an unknowable future, staying in this prestigious city with a top salary would be the best option.
However, once LaVine performs poorly and the team returns home, the possibility of keeping LaVine will become slim, after all, for the Bulls, since they can't win the championship, there is no point in signing LaVine with the maximum salary.
For LaVine, the playoffs will be the last chance to redeem, one thought of heaven, one thought of hell. If you miss the opportunity again, you can only give it a go in the offseason and start a wandering career for the top salary.
First place: James who has made up his mind
James was selected by the Cavaliers with the 1st pick in the first round in 2003. As the chosen son, James's talent and self-disciplined attitude make the 37-year-old James still the most favorable competitor to the scoring king, which shows James's perverted body and indomitable will.
James became famous in the Cavaliers, James can be said to be the peak of his debut, in the Cavaliers for many years, but the tiger eye of the Celtics Triumvirate has made James return home in the playoffs for many years.
In 2010, James joined Bosh to join Miami to form the Heat Big Three, James was once angrily scolded by Cleveland fans, and even publicly burned James's jersey, James's move also caused Cleveland's public anger.
However, James got his wish, winning two championships in four years, and in the 2014-15 season, James returned to the Cavaliers again, and helped the team reverse the Warriors in the 2015-16 season to win the first championship trophy in team history.
The comeback Warriors won durant, the league's top scorer, through reinforcements, and James returned to the feathers for two consecutive years. After Irving left and Love grew old, in the 2018-19 season, the disheartened James once again went to the other side of the ocean to Los Angeles.
In the 2019+20 season, James recruited Davis and formed the two giants, the Lakers also cashed in their talents that season, James helped the Lakers win the 17th crown in team history, alongside the Celtics, and James also got the fourth championship trophy of his career.
Last season, after winning the championship, Davis's mentality fluctuated, once lost the strength of a top superstar, and his body was also plagued by injuries, the Lakers lost to the dark horse Suns in the first round of the playoffs, and James also swallowed the embarrassing record of the first round of the playoffs of his career.
In the new season, the Lakers made a comeback and formed the big three teams of James, Westbrook and Davis. However, the Lakers were devastated. Speaking of the good big three, Westbrook was in a slump, playing the worst season of his career, Davis stopped and stopped, and there were constantly conflicting locker rooms. The Lakers are left with only 37-year-old James struggling to support himself.
This season, James averaged 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. Even once won the title of king of points, but the Lakers have long been strong in the middle, after suffering a wave of 7 consecutive losses at the end of the season, they completely lost the qualification for the playoffs.
Throughout the season, the Lakers' record has fluctuated, and the storm about James' departure has never stopped. After all, James is not Kobe Bryant, his feelings for Los Angeles have not yet reached the point of not abandoning, throughout James's entire career, winning the championship has always been the biggest long-cherished wish and motivation.
From the middle of the season, James was once extremely ambiguous about returning to Cleveland, and then at the end of the season, he refused to extend the Contract of the Lakers in advance, and recently expressed his long-cherished wish to play with Curry. About James's whereabouts are also fermenting again.
Offseason, leaving for James has almost become a foregone conclusion, whether it is the return of glory, or the combination of strong and strong, James's whereabouts are destined to make the league once again grass and trees, the wind and noise again, after all, as a top superstar, James's joining will completely change the overall appearance of a team, perhaps, the league is really going to change the sky again, the new dynasty is about to rise.