7 Local Athletes Who Haven't Been Themselves This Season

By Daniel Friedman
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There's usually at least one underperformer on every team, whether it's because he's failed to live up to the hype, regressed or just been going through a rough patch. Here are seven from the local teams:

1. J.R. Smith, Knicks

He's hardly the main reason why the Knicks have been horrendous, but he's averaging just 10.3 points per game. That's a relatively far cry from his numbers over the past few years.

2. Joe Johnson, Nets

For whatever reason, Johnson just hasn't been the same player in Brooklyn that he was in Atlanta.

3. Jason Pierre-Paul, Giants

He's been a major disappointment when you consider the bar he set with back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons in 2011 and 2012.

4. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Jets

A remnant of the Jets' once-dominant offensive line, Ferguson has been a shell of his former self this year.

5. Patrik Elias, Devils

Now injured, Elias has just 12 points on the year. You have to wonder if the 38-year-old has finally succumbed to his age.

6. John Tavares, Islanders

It's hard to criticize a player with 25 points in 28 games, but when that player is John Tavares, good just isn't good enough. He hasn't been his dominant self.

7. Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers

Lundqvist has struggled a bit out of the gate. His 2.71 goals-against average and .906 save percentage are far worse than we're used to seeing from him.

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