2010-2011 NBA Season: 10 Wild Cards Whose Play Could Alter the Playoff Landscape
It's only September, yet almost everyone is ready to name the Miami Heat or the Los Angeles Lakers NBA Champions already.
It's certainly a possibility that one of these two teams will take home the championship this season, especially if you look at the off-seasons that the two have had.
The Lakers, the reigning NBA Champions, only strengthened their core by adding veteran guard Steve Blake, swing-man Matt Barnes, and forward Theo Ratliff, while only losing Jordan Farmar.
And as for the Miami Heat, well they decided to blow up their entire roster and go out and add a couple guys you may have heard of: LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Mike Miller, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Juwan Howard, and Eddie House.
Adding those guys to Dwyane Wade, Udonis Haslem, Mario Chalmers, and a plethora of other guys makes the Miami Heat the sure-fire favorite in the Eastern Conference.
While those two teams have certainly re-tooled very nicely this off-season, I hate to just give them the championship because of how they look on paper.
So as Lee Corso says "Not So Fast My Friend"!
The rest of the NBA has been making acquisitions, changing their style of play, and preparing for these two NBA super-powers.
And while they have been making all of these moves, there have been a few people (like myself) who have taken notice of players that could change the new power structure in each of the two conferences.
After racking my brain, looking at the current power structure in each conference, and making a list: I have come up with the 10 players that I think could change things drastically in each conference.
So as always....sit back, relax, and feel free to comment with players that you think could change things up as well!
10. D.J. Augstin, Charlotte Bobcats
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The Charlotte Bobcats jumped into the NBA playoff landscape last season.
And even though their stay in the playoffs only lasted four games due to a sweep at the hands of the Orlando Magic, the Bobcats have an opportunity to keep themselves there this season.
But before they can start thinking about the playoffs, they have to figure out who will replace the recently departed Raymond Felton.
Felton brought stability, leadership, and the perfect point guard for the Bobcats last season.
And now all of that has gone out the door with his signing with the New York Knicks.
And this is why I think that D.J. Augustin deserves the first spot on the list of 10 players that could change the playoff landscape.
Augustin has the opportunity to alter the fate of the Bobcats (and other teams in the East) with his play at point guard.
If he can excel, like the Bobcats hope, his play could propel the Bobcats into the No. 7 or No. 8 seed in the East.
If he fails, the third year point guard out of Texas could very well open the door for another team in the East to sneak into the bottom seeds of the playoffs.
No pressure D.J.
9. JaVale McGee, Washington Wizards
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If you had the opportunity to watch any of the Team U.S.A. scrimmages before the Worlds roster was set, one player stood out: JaVale McGee.
McGee was a beast during the scrimmages, but for some reason he didn't get the call to make Team U.S.A.
Their loss may be the Washington Wizards gain.
The extra confidence and learning that McGee gained could be just what the Wizards need to make McGee their starting center this upcoming season.
With the Eastern Conference only featuring five post-season locks at this point (Miami, Boston, Orlando, Atlanta, and Chicago), that leaves three seeds open for grabs.
This means that the team who landed John Wall with the first overall pick could very well find themselves in the playoffs this season.
And if they do make the playoffs, it will be because of the much improved game of McGee.
There are very few teams in the league that can defend against a 7'0" 252 pound athletic center, and when their focus is on a combination of John Wall, Gilbert Arenas, and Andray Blatche: McGee could end up being the man down low for the Wizards.
Looking for McGee to have a break-out year in Washington and lead the Wizards back into the playoffs.
8. J.J Hickson, Cleveland Cavaliers
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Dear NBA fans,
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a new face of their franchise, and he will finally get his chance to shine now that LeBron James has taken his talents to South Beach.
Many of you know J.J. Hickson from being one of LeBron's dance crew, and looking solid in garbage minutes during blow-outs.
For Cavaliers fans, Hickson is that young, scoring project that Mike Brown let waste away on the bench in favor of seasoned veterans.
Well, a new era has brought a new coach, and Byron Scott has named J.J. Hickson the starting power forward from day one.
So what exactly does this mean for the East? Well, not too much, yet.
The Cavaliers aren't going to rise to the top of the East just because J.J. Hickson is the starting power froward, but they may not drop as far as people think either.
If Hickson can make up for some of the scoring the team will lose with James' departure, he could keep the Cavaliers in the playoffs.
People have to remember that the Cavaliers are returning a starting line-up that features Mo Williams' 15.8 points per game, and Antawn Jamison's 18.7 points per game.
This means that the Cavaliers have the ability to add a third 15 plus points per game player in Hickson.
I understand that he averaged only 8.5 points per game last year, but that was in 20 minutes of action per night.
If Hickson plays like he did during the end of the season, he could average near 20 points per game next season.
And if Hickson can do this, he will certainly keep the Cavaliers in playoff contention next season.
But that's a lot of ifs......
7. James Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder
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The Oklahoma City Thunder were one of the few teams that had a chance at knocking out the eventual NBA Champions from the playoffs.
And when the Thunder won, the rookie out of Arizona State dropped 18 and 15 points to go along side of Kevin Durant.
Needless to say, James Harden will be a big part of the young core in Oklahoma City.
And if he can perform like he did in those two games, the Thunder may be a lot more deadly than you think next season.
Sure, they have guys like Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant who make them instant playoff contenders, but Harden gives them that "big three" look.
Defending against three players who have the ability to score on you and hurt you in various ways is a deadly thing to own in the NBA, and when Harden has his coming out this party this year......Look Out.
Not only does Harden have the ability to raise the seed of the Thunder, he will be one of the main reasons you will find them in the Western Conference Finals this season.
6. Evan Turner, Philadephia 76ers
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It's hard to label the No. 2 overall pick in the draft as a wild card, but I think in the case of the 76ers, that's just what Evan Turner will be.
Philadelphia has longed for a player that will take over a game with his scoring/passing ability since Allen Iverson departed for the first time.
They hoped Andre Iguodala would be that guy, but he has proven unwilling to become the focal point of the offense.
Enter Evan Turner.
He showcased his abilities for The Ohio State Buckeyes last season, and has proven to be unafraid of taking over a basketball game at any time.
His slick ball-handling skills, and shooting range could be just the thing that the Philadelphia offense needs to get going next season.
Imagine if defenses have to start worrying about Evan Turner first.
That could open up opportunities for Iguodala, Jrue Holliday, Marreese Speights, and even the long, lost Elton Brand.
And in the unsettled Eastern Conference, a team that finds itself quickly, could find itself on the inside of the playoffs next season.
5. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
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In 2009, Blake Griffin may have been the most hyped first overall pick since LeBron James in 2003.
The Clippers were thinking that this would be the draft pick that takes their team to the next level.
But then, the curse of the Clippers hit, and Griffin was lost for the season with a knee injury.
Well it's 2010, Griffin is healthy, and the Clippers are once again looking to crack the playoff scene in the Western Conference.
They have had a pretty decent off-season thus far, adding rookie Al-Farouq Aminu, Randy Foye, Ryan Gomes, and another rookie in Eric Bledsoe.
But their biggest acquisition is getting "Superman" back.
Griffin's presence in the line-up gives the Clippers a go to man with a dynamic scoring ability.
Put that with Baron Davis' outside shooting and Eric Gordon's ability to get to the hoop, and things could be looking up for the Clippers.
But it will be the play of the "rookie" Griffin that could change things in the West rather quickly.
If he can give the Clippers 20 points per game like they hope, you could see a second team from Los Angeles gracing the playoffs next season.
4. Hedo Turkoglu, Phoenix Suns
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It only took one season in Toronto for Hedo Turkoglu to go from one of the most difficult people to match-up against to a player that nobody feared.
Well I hate to wake up a sleeping giant, but Hedo will be back to his old self playing in Phoenix with Steve Nash.
People are counting out Phoenix now that Amar'e has headed to New York, but once again I have to say "Not So Fast My Friend"!
If Hedo can play like the player he was in Orlando, the Suns could be in for a treat this season.
When Hedo is able to run the floor, shooting from the outside and attacking the basket: he is one of the top five hardest players to defend against in the league.
You cannot find someone big enough and quick enough to stay with the near seven footer.
Add him into Phoenix's run and gun offense, and that makes things even deadlier for Nash and Co.
So while many people feel that there is no chance for the Suns to make the playoffs, I think there could be a genuine surprise in the West this season.
And it all starts with the man they call Hedo.
3. Jermaine and Shaquille O'Neal, Boston Celtics
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The Boston Celtics may have one of the oldest starting lineups in NBA History when the 2010-2011 season starts.
But that doesn't mean they won't be a force to be reckoned with.
While the rest of the league gets younger, the Celtics seem to be willing to add veteran centers in order to make up for the injury to Kendrick Perkins.
While the O'Neals are two players, not one, I think the combination of these two makes for something interesting to be watched this season.
When Jermaine O'Neal is on top of his game, he is altering shots and creating havoc for players attempting to get into the paint.
And if Shaq can give any portion of what he has to offer, the Celtics have another weapon on offense.
Don't forget about what Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Rajon Rondo bring to the table, because a starting five featuring that combination could just blow the Miami "Big Three" out of the water.
With Jermaine altering shots, Shaq drawing fouls, and the rest of the team doing work like they know how, the Celtics could regain the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
So if the O'Neals can play like their old selves this season.....look out Eastern Conference.
2. Darren Collison, Indiana Pacers
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The Pacers pulled off one of the best trades this off-season, grabbing Darren Collison and James Posey from the Hornets.
Yes, they lost Troy Murphy, but they have plenty of post help to make up for his production.
The acquisition of Collison could end up being one of the top five moves in the Eastern Conference for this upcoming season.
The Pacers have the players to make the playoffs.
They have the dangerous scorer in Danny Granger.
And they have a solid supporting cast in Brandon Rush, Mike Dunleavy, Josh McRoberts, Tyler Hansbrough, Roy Hibbert, and James Posey.
But they have NEVER had the right point guard for the team.
Enter Darren Collison.
In his rookie season for the New Orleans Hornets he only took over for one of the top point guards in the NBA, and did it with ease.
Collison averaged 12.4 points and 5.7 assists per game for the Hornets last year, and those numbers will only increase in Indiana.
He has the deadly Danny Granger to spread the floor with, and an easier path to the playoffs in the East.
Look out for Collison and the Pacers this season.
If he can give them what he did in his rookie season, the Pacers could shock the NBA this year.
1. Yao Ming, Houston Rockets
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Remember Yao Ming?
Before his foot injury he was the biggest catalyst for the Houston Rockets.
In his seven years with the Rockets he has averaged nearly 20 points per game, created the single biggest match-up problem in the NBA, and has altered offensive game plans across the NBA.
If Yao Ming returns to the Rockets starting line-up this season, he changes the landscape of the playoffs drastically.
The Rockets were on the outside of the playoffs looking in with 42 wins last season, but with Yao Ming they made the playoffs in five of his seven seasons.
Not only did they make the playoffs, but they won 50 games four times.
Add in a team that features a speedy Aaron Brooks, the scoring Kevin Martin, the defensive presence of Shane Battier, and the all-round play of Luis Scola, and Yao Ming could take the Rockets to the next level.
Without Yao, the Rockets are fighting for a 6th-8th seed in the West.
With Yao, they are a top four seed.
Get ready for some changes in the Western Conference if Yao returns to Houston this season.
