| Players to Watch Authored by Keith Berzanske - November 1, 2006 - 8:15 pm
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PLAYERS READY TO MAKE "THE LEAP"
Every once in awhile, a player who has been performing at a certain level will all of a sudden raise his game to another echelon, so that he now must be considered to be peers with an entirely different group. Examples from last year include Gilbert Arenas, who became a dominant player, and David West, who went became a solid rotation player and 4th quarter go-to-guy.
So here’s this year’s list:
CARON BUTLER - The versatile forward seems to have finally found a home in Washington. He didn't really fit in with the Lakers, who had too many players at the same position. Remember that he had two solid seasons with the Heat and was moved only out of necessity to acquire Shaquille O'Neal. Butler is relentless at attacking the basket, and is one of the better rebounding small forwards in the game (witness his 20+ rebound playoff game in a pressure situation against the Cavaliers). Butler also gets to the free throw line at an exceptional rate, one of the marks of a truly great player. He should move ahead of Antawn Jamison as the Wizards' second option after Gilbert Arenas.
ANDREW BYNUM - Bynum didn't play much last year, but his increased numbers will not just be due to increased minutes. Watch a Laker game when you get a chance - Bynum stands out as a special talent. He's got a natural feel for the game, is unselfish, and has a great work ethic. In a league starving for big men, he could become an impact player for the Lakers way ahead of schedule.
LUKE RIDNOUR - Ridnour's contract extension should alleviate any concerns that he had about the team's faith in him. Now he can just relax and play ball. Ridnour makes Sonics games a joy to watch, at least from the offensive end. Now if he can just improve his defensive skills, he'll be considered a top flight point guard.
NENAD KRSTIC - Krstic has shown flashes, but this will be the year that he is consistently good night in and night out. And the Nets need this - they have few post players of consequence.
DARKO MILICIC - Darko may lead the league in blocked shots this year. He and Dwight Howard are a perfect combo and Magic fans should be salivating at the idea of watching these two seven footers be the cornerstone of their team for the next ten years. With Ben Wallace suddenly gone, Pistons fans will wish that Joe Dumars had not been so hasty to part with Darko, even though he probably did need a change of scenery.
MAURICE WILLIAMS - Besides Earl Boykins, Williams was the best backup point guard in the league last year. The Bucks don't lose much going from TJ Ford to Williams, who has proven to be a clutch shooter as well as a competent lead guard.
MICHAEL DUNLEAVY - This is the one player who will benefit the most from having Don Nelson as the new coach. If Dunleavy's considerable talents don't come out under Nelson, then they probably never will.
AL JEFFERSON - Jefferson disappointed last year, but came back this year in serious shape with something to prove. Look for him to finally live up to all of his potential, none too soon for a Celtics team that can use his scoring down low. Having two new point guards who can pass, Rajon Rondo and Sebastian Telfair, will really help Jefferson's game as well.
SHAUN LIVINGSTON - This will be the year that Livingston stays healthy and his jaw-dropping skills will become something more regular to witness. Livingston has tremendous court sense and is the kind of guard that big men love to play with. He should prove this year that he's ready to supplant Sam Cassell in the starting lineup for good.
ANDERSON VAREJAO - Varejao will build on last year's playoff performance and show that he's more than a part time player with cool hair. Varejao has added some face up jumpers and moves to his kinetic frenzied style of play.
JARRETT JACK - Not only was Jack handed the starting point guard job, but few realized that he was never completely healthy last year. Jack is skilled at controlling tempo, a smart point guard with height who can see the floor and knows his own limitations.
HAKIM WARRICK - One of my personal favorites, Warrick is going to be the prime beneficiary of the injury to Pau Gasol. By the time Gasol returns, I look for Warrick to have established himself as a key member of the rotation. Warrick is a difference maker on defense and has a better offensive game than more people realize.
STARS IN INTERESTING SITUATIONS
Kevin Garnett / Allen Iverson
I put these two together because they are in similar situations - star players, two of the greatest to ever play at their positions, but coming down from their prime years and stuck on poor teams due to inept GM's. The solution to the problem is quite obvious - these two should combine forces! I can't believe that no one has thought of this - Garnett is the perfect superstar complement to Iverson's rifleman routine. He's totally skilled at playing without the ball and makes all of his teammates better. Iverson also makes his teammates better, which is lost on most, but does it in a different manner. Philly should package Chris Webber, Andre Iguodala, Steven Hunter, Shavlik Randolph, Louis Williams, and a 1st round pick to Minnesota for Garnett, Troy Hudson, Justin Reed, and Craig Smith (see Trade Checker # 3401870). This would give the 76ers a lineup of:
Allen Iverson
Rodney Carney
Kyle Korver
Kevin Garnett
Samuel Dalembert
and a real backup point guard in Hudson. The only downside is a lot of youth on the bench.
The Wolves would then be building for the future, with young players Randy Foye, Andre Iguodala, Rashad McCants, Steven Hunter, Shavlik Randolph, and Louis Williams, plus an extra first round pick to play with. Veterans like Webber, Marko Jaric, and Mike James could be moved for expiring contracts and more youth.
Of course, with Billy King and Kevin McHale in charge, this would never happen. But admit it - you'd love to see KG and AI hooping together, wouldn't you?
VINCE CARTER
Vince Carter is in a contract year. I'm not sure this will be as big of a deal as everyone makes it out to be - i personally think that Carter is a bit underrated in general due to the Raptor mess a couple of years ago that he was associated with. Carter's skills are through the roof though, and he can win games by himself at times. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. The Nets should be very good, but if an injury happens and the season starts to go bad, they may end up trading Vince.
AMARE STOUDEMIRE
Stoudemire is the most important player in the NBA right now. If he returns to the form of 2004, the Suns become the favorite in the West, hands down. However, there signs have been intermittent so far. My guess is that it will finally click for Stoudemire and the Suns about halfway through the season.
PAU GASOL
Pau will be out for 3 months and by the time he returns, the Grizzlies could be in a huge mess. It will be interesting to see how the team goes forward. Gasol is still young, so it's not like he needs to be traded; the team can still build around him. But even with him, they've never won a playoff game.
TRACY MCGRADY / YAO MING
These two go together because their health is key for the Rockets, who could go from a lottery team to the NBA Finals because of how good McGrady and Yao are. I'm not personally buying it - they still have Rafer Alston at point guard and it's a very old team for a squad that really hasn't accomplished anything. Still, Yao is a special player, and we've all seen what McGrady can do when healthy.
GRANT HILL
Hill is in the last year of that mega-deal - wouldn't it be ironic if he were completely healthy. The Magic could use what he brings to the court. A healthy Hill makes them a certain playoff team. Hill is a pleasure to watch, and this will be a make or break season for his future. One more injury and teams might be wary of dishing out for another contract.
SHAQ
This year we will see Shaq decline and it will be painful to watch. Which brings me to my next group
PLAYERS ON THE WAY OUT
I'll just make a list here - these guys should seriously consider retirement. They just can't do what they did before...
Gary Payton
Clifford Robinson
Juwan Howard
Vin Baker
Eric Piatkowski
Aaron McKie
Michael Finley
There are other players on the decline who can still play, but are declining and must be willing to accept a reduced role - can they handle it?
Jalen Rose (he'll sign somewhere)
Stephon Marbury
Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Theo Ratliff
Antawn Jamison
Cuttino Mobley
OLD FACES, NEW PLACES
Speedy Claxton - When you realize how many minutes Royal Ivey played last year, you realize that anything would have been an upgrade for the Hawks at point guard. Claxton finally ahs a chance to run a team - what will he do with it?
Sebastian Telfair - It's been a tough couple of years for Telfair and while you'd think the Boston job was his after what they gave up to get him, nothing is for sure. Delonte West and Rajon Rondo and quite talented and have just as much a right to the lead guard spot.
Ben Wallace - The Bulls overpaid for Wallace, who is just a more consistent, slightly fiercer version of the jettisoned Tyson Chandler, but Wallace brings a bit of attitude, and that will give the other Bulls more confidence. The domino effect helps the Bulls more than just considering the addition of Wallace, and will help immensely this year and next, but I think that by year 4, the Bulls will be regretting this contract.
Austin Croshere - Croshere never could get consistent burn in Indiana for one reason or another, but should be a significant contributor in Dallas. He actually has a similar game to the man he backs u, Dirk Nowitzki, although at a much lower level obviously
Shane Battier/Bonzi Wells - Battier is a perfect fit in Houston, as he can do all of the little things next to McGrady and Yao. Wells should prove to be a huge bargain, especially come playoff time. His series last year against the Spurs was unreal - can he perform at that level more consistently? Not sure
Al Harrington - Harrington returns as a much better player than when he left, and will try to provide what Ron Artest did without the insanity.
Charlie Villanueva - his acquisition is big because it allows Andrew Bogut to move to center. I still think his numbers were misleading -he really didn’t help the Raptors win any games. Can he improve on what he did as a rookie?
TJ Ford - Ford gives the Raptors a pass first point guard, and he has a lot of weapons. But the Raptors problem last year was defense, and the undersized Ford won't really help there. However, he is a proven winner, so it will be interesting to see how the raptors due. They have so many new faces - probably the hardest team to make predictions for.
Peja Stojakovic - will Stojakovic continue his decline? Or will Chris Paul rejuvenate him? he is the key to the Hornets making a playoff run. He got a surprisingly big contract considering his recent post-season performances.
DeShawn Stevenson - the Wizards got him as a bargain to replace Jared Jeffries. Stevenson’s problem is that he really doesn't have an area of excellence, although he appears competent across the board. Washington might be a perfect fit for him - he's a 4th option on offense and he can concentrate on shutting down his man.
RIVALRIES
There are several but I will mention the one that I think is the most compelling - that's the friendly rivalry between LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, which escalated last year when Wade won a championship. Look for them to outdo each other all year, culminating on an in-game level when they face up head to head. AWESOME
So many interesting stories and subplots - and I didn't even mention the stellar talents of Carmelo Anthony, the coaching subplots involving likes of Isiah Thomas and Doc Rivers (who will survive the season?), the return to health of talented players like Jarvis Hayes, the influx of foreign players like Mickael Gelabale and Jorge Garbajosa, the loss of the super ginger kid Robert Swift, or any of the fascinating incoming rookies. I didn't mention the quiet excellence of the Spurs (yes I think Tim Duncan will return to form and lead the Spurs deep into the playoffs).
And I didn't make a Knicks joke. But hey, I have all season, right?
{this article was written by Keith Berzanske - send feedback to nothingbutnet44@hotmail.com}
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