It’s because you guys haven’t had a particularly difficult schedule (ranked 28th here fwiw) and are 12th in net rating and 20th in defense.

Logic dictates that the defense and net rating should improve a bit but the lack of PoA defense, wing defense and Middleton looking slower on that end have really hampered the elite rim protection you have with Brook and Giannis. Idk your money situation but you should be buyers at the deadline if any plus wing defender is available.

Your schedule gets a fair bit harder after this month so I’m interested to see if this team can click. You’re 7th in offense now but if your coaching staff can start to utilize your pieces better you should be top 3. Middleton (hopefully) easing into more minutes will also help.

But again a lot of it comes down to just lacking personel which might bite you guys since the two rivals in the east are built around wings.