NBA Sophomores Who Could Erupt in 2014-15 After Quiet Rookie Seasons
There weren't many impact rookies from the 2014 draft class. It's not that it was filled with busts—it just takes some guys a year to ultimately break through and settle into the NBA game.
Whether it was injuries, minute restrictions or just a lack of NBA readiness, the following prospects were all pretty darn quiet last season.
That should change in 2014-15. These sophomores looked poised for big second years likely to launch their pro careers.
Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
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Rudy Gobert was all over the place for France in this year's FIBA Basketball World Cup—a job that's made easier thanks to that epic 7'8.5" wingspan.
But Gobert has some serious wheels for a 7'2" big man, along with a motor that keeps them spinning.
Though not very polished, he's an easy-bucket machine around the rim. Gobert shot 72.9 percent (16 of 22) from the floor this summer in Spain, with just about all of his makes coming off catch-and-finishes, lobs or putbacks.
His timing looked more on point, which ultimately led to more activity despite his inability to create. In what was a major upset over Spain, he made a legitimate impact in the paint, having pulled in 13 boards to Pau Gasol's eight and Marc Gasol's four.
Defensively, between the on-ball rejections and weak-side challenges, he ultimately helps shrink the size of the rim he's protecting.
Gobert is also coming off a strong Las Vegas Summer League, where he averaged 11.8 points, 9.8 boards, 2.5 blocks on 73.1 percent shooting through four games.
At this point, forget about how raw his offensive game is. Even without any ball skills, he still provides his guards with a high-percentage finishing target, while his physical tools translate to all sorts of defensive disruption.
Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors will continue to anchor Utah's frontcourt, but as a secret weapon off the bench, look for Gobert to do some damage in 2014-15.
Solomon Hill, Indiana Pacers
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The opportunity just wasn't there for Solomon Hill as a rookie in Indiana. But With Paul George out for the year, Lance Stephenson in Charlotte and Evan Turner in Boston, Hill should be locked into sophomore minutes.
"If he would have been playing 25 minutes a game last year, everyone would be talking about how good Solomon Hill is," coach Frank Vogel told Michael Pointer of Indystar.com.
Hill spent four years at Arizona, where his versatility and all-around game caught the attention of Indiana's coaching staff.
Though not spectacular in any one area, his skill set covers a lot of ground, from outside shot-making and post scoring to driving and passing. Physically, Hill makes up for average athleticism with terrific body control, mobility and strength.
Unfortunately, an ankle injury kept Hill out of summer league, where he fared quite well a year ago (12 points per game, 55 percent shooting from downtown). But I've been watching this kid for long enough. He's got the game and maturity to hold his own right now in a supporting offensive role.
A bright prospect with a reputation for being coachable, Hill has some promising role-player potential. And given his accomplished college career, one year in NBA training and expected bigger sophomore workload, I'm anticipating some of that potential coming to fruition in 2014-15.
Gorgui Dieng, Minnesota Timberwolves
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The Minnesota Timberwolves got a whole crew of exciting new players this offseason, but I'm just as pumped to get a look Gorgui Dieng as a sophomore.
His FIBA Basketball World Cup performance was eye-opening. Dieng averaged 16 points, 10.7 boards, 1.5 blocks and 1.8 steals, and it wasn't just empty production. Dieng was flat-out awesome in wins over Puerto Rico and a talented Croatian lineup.
Jumpers, one-legged fadeaways, pick-and-roll finishes in traffic—he flashed it all in Spain after averaging a double-double two months earlier in Las Vegas Summer League.
Nikola Pekovic hasn't gone anywhere, which means Dieng's minutes will still likely be capped. But it's going to be hard keeping him off the floor next season, given his two-way services and the signs of growth he's shown.
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Isaiah Canaan, Houston Rockets
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Isaiah Canaan gave us a glimpse of that mean offensive attack and killer instinct at this year's Las Vegas Summer League.
He averaged 17 points and 3.2 assists through eight games, including one in which he sized up Andrew Wiggins and beat him to the rack for a game-clinching bucket.
His uneven points-to-assist average would reflect exactly what you'd think—Canaan is more of a scorer with a shoot-first mentality than a natural facilitator or passer. But with breakdown quickness and a tight, confident handle, he's got dangerous playmaking ability off the dribble.
Canaan also has phenomenal range as a shooter, having sunk 15 three-pointers in eight games this summer and finished his career at Murray State with 304 makes on a terrific 41.9 percent shooting from deep.
Call him what you want—a point guard, a combo, a scorer. At the end of the day, Canaan is simply an offensive weapon, and with Jeremy Lin now in Los Angeles, the Rockets could use some of his firepower off the bench.
Otto Porter, Washington Wizards
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Otto Porter never really had a chance last year. An injury led to a late start, and with the Washington Wizards playing for postseason position, coaches stuck with the veterans and the hot Trevor Ariza.
Things look a little bit different heading into 2014-15. Ariza is now in Houston and Porter is coming off a monster showing in Las Vegas Summer League, where he averaged 19 points on 38.9 percent shooting from downtown.
He was the No. 3 pick for a reason—Porter does a lot of things well out there on the offensive end, from ball-handling and passing to driving and shooting.
Porter's lack of playing time as a rookie likely factored into his 19 percent three-point mark, as it's tough to establish much rhythm with all the DNPs and an 8.6-minute-per-game average.
But assuming his minutes pick up, I'd expect his confidence to follow, which should result in more shooting consistency and the rest of his game coming together.
The Wizards signed 36-year-old Paul Pierce this offseason, who's just not built to handle full-time duties anymore.
Look for Porter's role to increase dramatically, as well as his impact and production.
C.J. McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers
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C.J. McCollum started behind the eight ball last year after breaking his foot in practice just a month before his rookie season. And with Damian Lillard sizzling and Mo Williams in the picture, the door never really opened for McCollum.
It should in 2014-15. Portland's bench is pretty weak from top to bottom, especially now that Williams left in free agency.
The second unit is going to need some type of jolt, which is what McCollum's game was built to do.
He's an offensive microwave capable of heating up at any given moment. McCollum averaged 20.2 points through five summer league games in July, where he torched opposing defenses as a perimeter scorer.
Step-backs, pull-ups, crafty drives to the rack—between McCollum's nifty handle and dangerous shot-making ability, he's a guy who can put points on the board and generate offense on demand.
There's an opening for a player with McCollum's skill set in Portland's lineup. I think it's time he's ready to fill it. Write McCollom in as a breakout sixth man in the Western Conference.
Tony Snell, Chicago Bulls
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Tony Snell went nuts this year in Las Vegas Summer League, where he looked like a confident veteran and a more polished offensive player.
He averaged 20 points on 17 three-point makes in just five games. Obviously, if Snell shoots it as well as he did in Vegas, he won't have any problems breaking into Chicago's rotation as a regular.
But we also saw a bit more shot creativity from Snell, who was separating into mid-range jumpers and weaving his way to the hoop.
The Chicago Tribune's K.J. Johnson notes that Snell added 10 pounds of muscle, which should ultimately help him improve upon his 55.1 percent shooting number at the rim, per sports-reference.com.
With only Jimmy Butler, Doug McDermott and Mike Dunleavy at the 2 and 3 positions, the Bulls should be counting on Snell to inject their wing with athleticism, shot-making and defense.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Detroit Pistons
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Kentavious Caldwell-Pope did very little as a rookie despite seeing a generous amount of time. Fortunately, those minutes probably aren't going anywhere in 2014-15, and after a breakout performance in the Orlando Summer League, there's good reason to believe he'll carry it into the regular season.
Caldwell-Pope looked awfully sharp in five games this July, having averaged 24 points in a go-to role.
We saw the same shot-making ability that got him drafted No. 8 overall out of Georgia, along with what seemed like better command as a shot creator. He was cleanly separating into jumpers, both with pull-ups and step-backs, and knocking them down with hands in his face.
Detroit was one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league last year. It's going to need some perimeter scorers and shooters to spread the floor for its interior-oriented frontcourt, which plays mostly inside the arc.
Caldwell-Pope seems a little more confident heading into his second season in Detroit. New coach Stan Van Gundy spoke highly of him on the team's website. "More than anything what opened my eyes was the intensity and energy he brings to the floor every time he plays. He’s an all-out guy all the time—practices, games."
With the support of the coach and only Jodie Meeks ahead of him on the depth chart, I've got my money on Caldwell-Pope emerging as a breakout 2014-15 sophomore.
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