NBA Surprise Players: Top Underdogs For Each Team in 2009-10

(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Randolph has reportedly grown an inch since last year and added 20 pounds to his frame this offseason and looks more ready to take the pounding an NBA power forward encounters entering his second season. All signs point to a breakout year from Randolph, but given who his head coach is, I wouldn't count on too much.

Houston Rockets: Carl Landry, F

With Yao Ming's 2009-10 season and possibly career in jeopardy, it is looking more and more like Carl Landry will play a big role in the Rockets plans this season.

With Ron Artest in position to get big money from someone other than Houston, the power forward spot for the rockets will be up for grabs by the likes of Chuck Hayes and Landry, with Luis Scola manning the center position.

In the nine games where Landry logged 28+ minutes, he averaged 14.0 PPG and 7.1 RPG. Landry also scored 20, 21 and 22 points in the three games where he played 30+ minutes. If Landry locks down a starting spot this year, he should post some very nice stats.

Indiana Pacers: Brandon Rush, G/F

The decision of Pacers GM Larry Bird to decline the option to keep Marquis Daniels over the upcoming season can be viewed as a vote of confidence of sorts for Brandon Rush. With Daniels gone, Rush becomes the Pacers primary backup wing player behind Mike Dunleavy and Danny Granger. And with Dunleavy playing only 18 games last season, Rush may see plenty of time as a starter this year. There is also a possibility that Rush moves into the starting lineup anyway with Dunleavy coming off the bench.

In his 19 games as a starter last season, Rush put up some very respectable averages of 15.9 PPG and 5.4 RPG in 36.3 MPG while shooting 41.1 percent from behind the arc. That was as a rookie. With the same minutes and another year of experience under his belt, there should be nothing in the way of Rush and a breakout season for the Pacers.

Los Angeles Clippers: Eric Gordon, G

Eric Gordon performed very well as a rookie last season with averages of 16.1 PPG, 2.8 APG and 2.6 RPG. So how could he possibly surprise people this year? Two words: Blake Griffin.

With the addition of Griffin, Gordon has yet another post presense to draw double teams down low and free up the sharpshooter from outside, a dangerous thought. With more looks and another year of maturity, there is no reason to not expect Gordon to top the 20 PPG mark in the 2009-10 season.

Los Angeles Lakers: Josh Powell, F

Josh Powell stands to be the man with the most to gain from the potential departure of Lamar Odom. If Odom walks, then Powell becomes the primary backup big for the NBA champs.

Powell would backup both Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, with one of those two manning the center spot when the other goes out, leaving Powell to play power forward in both scenarios.

Last season as a backup Lamar Odom averaged 29.7 MPG. Josh Powell only saw 25+ minutes of court action twice last year, but in those games he posted averages of 16.5 PPG and 8.0 RPG, and there is no telling what he could do with extended minutes in 2009-10. Good things look to be on his horizon if Odom leaves.

Memphis Grizzlies: Mike Conley, G

Mike Conley is the player who benefited most from the coaching change in Memphis last year. Over the final two months of the season (not counting the March 2nd game where he played two minutes before getting injured), Conley averaged 16.2 PPG, 5.6 APG, 3.7 RPG and 1.7 SPG in 38.0 MPG.

Memphis gave Conley a huge vote of confidence on June 25th, passing on Spanish phenom Ricky Rubio and hometown hero Tyreke Evans, solidifying Conley as their point guard of the future. There is no reason to believe Conley will do anything but continue to progress this year under Hollins.

Miami Heat: Michael Beasley, F

This was probably the easiest pick to make. With Shawn Marion being dealt last year, the door has opened for Michael Beasley to secure a starting job with the Heat this season, be it at small forward or power forward.

In his 19 games as a starter last season, Beasley put up 16.7 PPG and 6.7 RPG while shooting 37.9 percent from beyond the arc. He has the versatility to play either forward spot, and that versatility should earn him a good deal of playing time and a significant boost in production.

Milwaukee Bucks: Amir Johnson, F

With the imminent departure of Charlie Villanueva, the Bucks have a hole to fill at power forward. Enter newly acquired Amir Johnson. Johnson fell into the doghouse with Detroit after his inconsistent play and foul-prone style last season, however, he should find a niche in Milwaukee.

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