The NBA's Midseason Surprises

Every NBA season there are a few select players that come onto the court and perform bigger and better than expected. They put up numbers that nobody thought possible. They establish an identity and gain a sense of recognition that enables them to improve their game even more.

Below is a list of the NBA’s Midseason Surprises.

1. Devin Harris (PG, NJN)

Devin Harris ended his fourth NBA season averaging 14.78 PPG, 5.77 APG, and 2.70 RPG. Coming into the 08-09 season, Harris was expected to put up numbers similar to last year's. But boy oh boy, did he out-perform those numbers.

Devin is now averaging 22.26 PPG (seven more points per game than his career high), 6.43 APG, and 3.09 RPG. He ranks 10th in the NBA in points per game and has exploded from a basic point guard into one of the most elite scoring point guards in the NBA today.

Devin’s outstanding production has given himself a big reputation throughout the entire NBA and ranks him No. 1 as the NBA’s Midseason Surprises.

2. Danny Granger (SF, IND)

Being on a team like the Indiana Pacers, Granger has not received the amount of publicity that he deserves.

Danny Granger has skyrocketed this season and is putting up career numbers in points per game with 26.39, ranking him fourth in the NBA. He has turned into an extremely dynamic scorer, knocking down buzzer beater after buzzer beater, and has shown great leadership skills this season.

Granger has superstar potential written all over him and definitely deserves to be in the All-Star game this year.

3. Rajon Rondo (PG, BOS)

With the Big Three getting all the attention in Boston, Rajon Rondo has quietly produced significant numbers this season.

Rajon has clearly improved his game, averaging career highs in PPG (11.0), APG (7.95), RPG (4.91), SPG (2.21), and FG% (50.5). He has made a name for himself as one of the best point guards in the league, ranking eighth in the NBA in assists per game and fourth in steals per game.

Rajon is only in his third season in the NBA and will continue to improve his game tremendously—turning him into one of the top three point guards in the NBA in the years to come.

4. Paul Millsap (PF, UTA)

Great players always find a way to shine in any sport, and Paul Millsap is no exception. With Carlos Boozer sidelined for months, Millsap has gotten the opportunity to prove his great potential.

Paul has proved to the entire league that he can dominate any team in the NBA, dropping 19 double-doubles in a row, including pulling down 16 rebounds in one game and dropping 32 points in another. Millsap has greatness written all over him, as he can also shoot the ball, defend, and block anybody in the paint.

Paul is only in his third season in the NBA and will shine for the rest of his career. He deserves to make it to the All-Star game as well.

5. Jameer Nelson (PG, ORL)

Many people doubted that Jameer had the ability to take control of a team as the starting point guard. They thought he was too short, not good enough to put up great numbers, and unable to lead his team deep into the playoffs.

Coming into the 08-09 season, Nelson took in all the negative criticism and shoved it back into the face of every person that doubted him. Jameer and the Orlando Magic are currently the best team in the NBA with a 33-8 record. Nelson is averaging 17.08 PPG, 5.36 APG, 3.42 RPG, and has already made more three-pointers this half season than he has in an entire season.

Jameer has stepped up for his entire team and is ranked fifth in the NBA’s Midseason Surprises.