When the playoffs come, these NBA teams will need to win with depth. That means these key role players need to get better. For many teams, the final stage of the season is to fight for the playoffs (or playoffs) and try to fight for favorable seeding rankings. But for teams aspiring to win championships, the real competition doesn't begin until the playoffs arrive, with some teams boasting several struggling key players.
3. Isaac Okoro, Cleveland Cavaliers
A few days ago, I mentioned Okoro in a Cavaliers-focused inventory of role players who needed strengthening, but I have to repeat the nagging. The Cavaliers' current small forward options — Sedie Osman, Caris LeVer, Isaac Okoro and Lamar Stevens — all offer offensive and defensive tasks to varying degrees. Okoro is the most influential defensive forerunner in the group, and they really need him in a potential showdown against the 76ers or Celtics.
But his struggles on the offensive end were sometimes so severe that it was difficult to keep him on the field. Okoro shoots a reasonable 35.4% from three-point range, but no one really wants to defend him, and even if he does, he drags down Cleveland's space. Okoro has the ability to contribute in other ways on the offensive end – he's a great passer and can finish the finish. But he was also aware of his shortcomings, which affected his confidence. If he can improve his 3-point shooting in crunch time and gain more confidence when attacking with the ball in hand, he can really help Cleveland move forward.
2. Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers
There was a time when Tobias Harris was the second-in-command on the Philadelphia offense. But the arrival of James Harden and the appearance of Tyrese Maxi have made his options on the offensive end down, and he has become a reliable offensive threat. His three-point shooting percentage this season is higher than at any other moment in his career, shooting 43.3 percent, the highest percentage since he joined the 76ers. He shot 38.2 percent from outside the three-point line, and his true shooting percentage was near his career-high. The bad news is that he has been absolutely bad this year against other top teams in the East.
In 11 games against the Celtics, Bucks, Cavaliers and Knicks, Harris averaged 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 44.2 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the three-point line. In those 11 games, the 76ers have a 4-7 record, and with Harris present, their net win is negative. The 76ers will need to give it their all to fight a tough playoff run, which means Harris will be in some big games.
1. Jordan Poole, Golden State Warriors
In last season's championship race, we saw firsthand how important Jordan Poole is to the Warriors' current iteration. And this year, we've got a good idea of his practical role. With Stephen Curry's frequent injuries and Poole having more opportunities as a primary promoter and creator, his efficiency in these games has declined, in large part due to his tendency toward brainless offensive options. Poole isn't a shooter on the same level as Curry and Klay Thompson, but his added value as a creator of ball carriers makes up for it. He's not doing well this season, and if the Warriors want to go further, they need Poole to play like he did in the playoffs last year — not just about how often he shoots, but how and where he finds them.