Most Disappointing Players in the East

Richard Jefferson

Jefferson has missed five games with an ankle injury and probably should have sat out a few more. That's because his step-slow defense has contributed to an overall New Jersey malaise that has dropped the Nets from among the league's best defenses to one that's now simply mediocre.

Fred Jones

Jones was brought in to supply offense for a Raptors team that was designed to run, but he has struggled to get going. Jones is averaging 10.4 points (on 38.3 percent shooting) in 32.5 minutes, which seems good enough until you realize that hustle players like Ryan Gomes, Etan Thomas and Andris Biedrins score more points per minute.

Delonte West

It hasn't been easy for West, who has seen his minutes drop by 12 per game from last season while shifting to shooting guard. And yet, that's hardly an excuse for making just a third of his shots, rarely getting to the line (12 free-throw attempts all season) or playing so poorly when he is afforded point-guard minutes.

Stephen Jackson

Even without factoring in his embarrassing off-court flare-ups, Jackson has been a millstone for the Pacers (notwithstanding a game-winner against the Warriors). He plays no defense, so you would at least hope for more than 12.1 points (36.5 percent shooting). Making things worse, he livens up the opposition's fast-break game with his numerous perimeter clangs.

Chris Webber

Webber actually tries on defense, but his side-to-side movement is so bad that he still ranks as the worst defensive big man in the game. And it's just not his man that scores; Webber's missteps often result in a dangerous domino effect that usually leads to an open look for the other team. Even worse: 10 points per game in 27 minutes, seven free-throw attempts in eight games (he's been out lately with a sore lower back) and the requisite airing of grievances.

Gerald Wallace

Wallace averaged a combined 4.6 steals and blocks last season, but that average has dropped to 2.0 this year (just six total blocks). His shooting has dropped from 54 to 42 percent, and his rebounds have dropped by two a game while the Bobcats (even with Emeka Okafor healthy) are being outrebounded by 4.5 per game.

Antoine Walker

Walker has never been shy about shooting and he's always been a solid rebounder, so his 10 points and four rebounds in 30 minutes per game are inexcusable. And you decide what's worse: His lack of production at the free-throw line (10 of 28 this season) or his lack of accuracy at the 3-point line (22 percent).

Ben Wallace

So what does a four-year, $60 million contract buy you? A drop-off in rebounding and defense, evidently. Wallace, who broke team rules by wearing a headband during a game, has now had public beefs with his last four coaches. Meanwhile, the Bulls are allowing opponents to shoot 46.9 percent (26th in the NBA, down from No. 1 the year before).

Speedy Claxton

Hampered by an aching left knee, Atlanta's big free-agent acquisition is averaging just four points in 22 minutes per game -- a frighteningly poor average for a supposed scoring point guard. Claxton has nearly as many turnovers (19) as assists (24) and he's shooting 22.8 percent from the floor.

Stephon Marbury

Marbury has been sleepwalking through games and isn't attacking the hoop or launching the jumpers that used to net him a lot more than the 10 points he's averaging this season. He is averaging just 4.5 assists in 34 minutes as well, ending a lot of games with a mopefest on the bench as opponents pull away.