10 Biggest Surprises At Halfway Point Of 2015-16 NBA Season

10. David Lee Flopping In Boston

Before the season, David Lee likely thought he would have a bounce-back season with the Boston Celtics. After being buried behind Draymond Green on the depth chart, Lee was eager to start over, but now he's averaging even less minutes per game than he was last season. Lee has been buried again, this time even deeper in Boston's crowded frontcourt.

10. David Lee Flopping In Boston

Before the season, David Lee likely thought he would have a bounce-back season with the Boston Celtics. After being buried behind Draymond Green on the depth chart, Lee was eager to start over, but now he's averaging even less minutes per game than he was last season. Lee has been buried again, this time even deeper in Boston's crowded frontcourt.

9. The West Has Underachieved

As a result of free agency, the Western Conference was expected to be even better this year than last. Instead it has been extremely top-heavy, with the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans falling well short of their predicted contender status.

9. The West Has Underachieved

As a result of free agency, the Western Conference was expected to be even better this year than last. Instead it has been extremely top-heavy, with the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans falling well short of their predicted contender status.

8. J.J. Redick's Hot Shooting

J.J. Redick made the smartest decision of his career when he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers to play alongside Chris Paul. This has been Redick's best season, as he's third in the league in three-point shooting and second on the Clippers behind DeAndre Jordan in offensive rating.

8. J.J. Redick's Hot Shooting

J.J. Redick made the smartest decision of his career when he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers to play alongside Chris Paul. This has been Redick's best season, as he's third in the league in three-point shooting and second on the Clippers behind DeAndre Jordan in offensive rating.

7. C.J. McCollum's Breakout Season

C.J. McCollum has emerged as one of the best shooting guards in the league and easily become the Portland Trail Blazers' second-most valuable player. When on the floor, McCollum constitutes a 9.3 points per 100 possessions difference, by far the highest number on the team. McCollum and backcourt mate Damian Lillard need to improve on defense before Portland can take the next step, however.

7. C.J. McCollum's Breakout Season

C.J. McCollum has emerged as one of the best shooting guards in the league and easily become the Portland Trail Blazers' second-most valuable player. When on the floor, McCollum constitutes a 9.3 points per 100 possessions difference, by far the highest number on the team. McCollum and backcourt mate Damian Lillard need to improve on defense before Portland can take the next step, however.

6. Andre Drummond's Dominance

Andre Drummond started out the season at an incredible pace, recording 11 consecutive double-doubles, and he has kept up that play. Drummond has taken over the title of league's best rebounder, while remaining one of the game's best shot blockers and being ranked in the top 10 in defensive real plus-minus.

6. Andre Drummond's Dominance

Andre Drummond started out the season at an incredible pace, recording 11 consecutive double-doubles, and he has kept up that play. Drummond has taken over the title of league's best rebounder, while remaining one of the game's best shot blockers and being ranked in the top 10 in defensive real plus-minus.

5. Kevin McHale's Abrupt Firing

The Houston Rockets came into the season with championship aspirations, but they have instead been one of the league's greatest enigmas. Kevin McHale was surprisingly fired after their unfortunate 4-7 start in the hopes of lighting a fire under the team. Houston has managed to get back to a .500 record now, but they have a long way to go if they want McHale's firing to matter.

5. Kevin McHale's Abrupt Firing

The Houston Rockets came into the season with championship aspirations, but they have instead been one of the league's greatest enigmas. Kevin McHale was surprisingly fired after their unfortunate 4-7 start in the hopes of lighting a fire under the team. Houston has managed to get back to a .500 record now, but they have a long way to go if they want McHale's firing to matter.

4. Kobe Bryant Is One Of The League's Worst Players

It may seem extreme to call Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant one of the league's worst players, but if you look at the statistics it's hard to argue against it. Bryant is 69th out of 79 SFs in RPM, with a putrid offensive rating of 93 and shooting 35 percent from the field while still launching 17 shots per game. The defensively inept Lakers even have their best Defensive Rating (102.8) when he's off the floor and their worst (112.4) with him on it. In total, Bryant constitutes a minus-7.5 points per 100 possessions difference when on the floor. It's been a rough final season for the Black Mamba.

4. Kobe Bryant Is One Of The League's Worst Players

It may seem extreme to call Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant one of the league's worst players, but if you look at the statistics it's hard to argue against it. Bryant is 69th out of 79 SFs in RPM, with a putrid offensive rating of 93 and shooting 35 percent from the field while still launching 17 shots per game. The defensively inept Lakers even have their best Defensive Rating (102.8) when he's off the floor and their worst (112.4) with him on it. In total, Bryant constitutes a minus-7.5 points per 100 possessions difference when on the floor. It's been a rough final season for the Black Mamba.

3. Kristaps Porzingis Could Win Rookie Of The Year

Kristaps Porzingis was called a project by Phil Jackson on draft night. Maybe Jackson knew something we didn't or he actually thought that was true, but either way Porzingis is a legitimate pro player. He is arguably the best defender on the Knicks already and at times becomes their go-to scorer, with Carmelo Anthony taking on a lesser role. Porzingis has surprised everyone and taken the league by storm, and he's only just beginning.

3. Kristaps Porzingis Could Win Rookie Of The Year

Kristaps Porzingis was called a project by Phil Jackson on draft night. Maybe Jackson knew something we didn't or he actually thought that was true, but either way Porzingis is a legitimate pro player. He is arguably the best defender on the Knicks already and at times becomes their go-to scorer, with Carmelo Anthony taking on a lesser role. Porzingis has surprised everyone and taken the league by storm, and he's only just beginning.

2. The Golden State Warriors' Winning Streak

The Golden State Warriors captured the sports world when their winning streak became a constant headline. Despite the fact that it ended at 24-0 before they could set the streak record, it was an incredible run. Everyone knew that the defending champion Warriors would be great again. They were still young and were returning their entire core from a season ago. What took us by surprise wasn't so much the streak, it was how handily they beat some teams. On most nights they would make the other team look like they didn't belong on the same court as them.

2. The Golden State Warriors' Winning Streak

The Golden State Warriors captured the sports world when their winning streak became a constant headline. Despite the fact that it ended at 24-0 before they could set the streak record, it was an incredible run. Everyone knew that the defending champion Warriors would be great again. They were still young and were returning their entire core from a season ago. What took us by surprise wasn't so much the streak, it was how handily they beat some teams. On most nights they would make the other team look like they didn't belong on the same court as them.

1. Stephen Curry

Steph Curry creates a 29.1 points per 100 possessions difference when he's on the floor. Just think about that for a second. He makes the Warriors that much better. His numbers are absurd, near the top in every offensive category and again destined to be a candidate for MVP.

1. Stephen Curry

Steph Curry creates a 29.1 points per 100 possessions difference when he's on the floor. Just think about that for a second. He makes the Warriors that much better. His numbers are absurd, near the top in every offensive category and again destined to be a candidate for MVP.