Several in the NBA need the fresh start a new year brings

Sometimes the end of the year cannot come fast enough. For those who had serious ambitions for 2012 only to see goals crushed, the arrival of New Year's Eve could feel like myth. Steve Dilbeck lists a few looking for a fresh start.

Considered a bust in Philadelphia with the 76ers so far this season, Andrew Bynum probably wishes he had stayed with the Los Angeles Lakers, even though his old team is struggling mightily, too.

Steve Dilbeck

Dec 31, 2012

Sometimes the end of the year cannot come fast enough.

For those who had serious ambitions for 2012 only to see goals crushed, the arrival of New Year's Day could feel like myth.

Those who have struggled to start the season eagerly await any excuse for a fresh beginning.

So here is our 2012 list of the NBA all-letdown team:

Andrew Bynum, Philadelphia 76ers Their new franchise player has yet to play a game this season, after aggravating another knee injury while bowling.

Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs He is shooting just 42.6 per cent from the field, down 10 per cent from last season.

The Los Angeles Lakers They added superstars Dwight Howard and Steve Nash to holdovers Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. So far they are 15-15 and currently would not make the play-offs.

Deron Williams, Brooklyn Nets Right or wrong, he is getting the reputation as a coach killer after Jerry Sloan's retirement in Utah and Avery Johnson's firing in Brooklyn, and he is producing his lowest scoring (16.6) and assist (7.8) averages since his first year as a starter.

Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors What a disappointment. Former No 1 overall draft pick still cannot play defence, is shooting only 39.8 per cent from the floor and averaging 4.3 rebounds per game. Yeah, he is a centre.

The 2012 NBA draft New Orleans' Anthony Davis and Minnesota's Alexey Shved may yet get there, but only Portland guard Damian Lillard looks like a difference-maker. What an empty class.

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