One Player on Every NBA Team Who Must Break out During 2012-13 Season

The start of the 2012-13 season is less than two months away, and as we look towards its tipoff, we must also look at which players need to have breakout years for in order for their respective team to succeed.

From the championship Miami Heat to the lowly Charlotte Bobcats, every NBA team has a player who is poised to step up their game and help their team compete while also increasing their own value in the NBA.

Having a breakout year doesn't necessarily mean increased offensive production. It could mean playing with a heightened basketball I.Q., an increased level of maturity or even a high level of efficiency. 

Ahead is a list of one player from every NBA team who must have a breakout year during the 2012-13 season. 

Atlanta Hawks: Devin Harris, PG

The Atlanta Hawks have had one glaring weakness for the past few seasons: a lack of consistent production from the point guard position.

Acquiring Devin Harris this past offseason is a step in the right direction for the Hawks, regarding their hopes of finding a franchise point guard. But that is only the case if Harris is ready to step up his game and produce at the All-Star caliber level that he certainly can.

Harris' 2011-12 production of 11.3 points and five assists per game is a good place to start, but the Hawks will need Harris to be even more productive—reminiscent of his 2009 All-Star days back in New Jersey—if they are going to compete in a stacked Eastern Conference.

Harris definitely has what it takes to be a top-tier point guard. He showed that kind of potential during the playoffs last year with the Jazz when he put up 20 points per game in the Jazz's last two playoff games against the Spurs. Without Joe Johnson, the Hawks need all the backcourt production they can get. 

Boston Celtics: Brandon Bass, PF

Brandon Bass turned on the jets during the Celtics run in the 2012 NBA playoffs. The player that Bass was during the playoffs is the player the Celtics need him to be over the longevity of the 2012-13 season.

With Kevin Garnett apparently moving to the center position, the Celtics need Bass to solidify the power forward spot, night in and night out.

There's no doubt that Bass can do that, as he averaged 12.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last season. The only question is whether he can put up that kind of production while also maintaining a high level of efficiency. 

If Bass can be the player he was during the playoffs last year, the Celtics won't experience much of a drop-off in their competitiveness in what is turning out to be a very tough Eastern Conference. 

Brooklyn Nets: Joe Johnson, SG

Joe Johnson is an explosive offensive player. There is no question about that.

With the appropriate amount of touches with the Nets, Johnson will undoubtedly be an above-average shooting guard on the offensive side of the ball. Where Johnson really needs to step up his game is on defense.

The last thing the Nets need is a liability on defense at the shooting guard position, especially when you consider the talented shooting guards that Johnson will be asked to defend. If the Nets are going to live up to their potential this season, Johnson absolutely must have a breakout year on the defensive side of the ball.

Deron Williams and Gerald Wallace will certainly carry the majority of the defensive responsibility in the backcourt, but they won't be complete without Johnson stepping up his game and finally being a legitimate defender in the NBA. 

Charlotte Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF

The Charlotte Bobcats don't have a lot to be excited about heading into the 2012-13 season, aside from the debut of their highly-touted first-round pick, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

The Bobcats won't have much to be happy about this season, unless Kidd-Gilchrist shows that he's ready to be the foundation of the Bobcats franchise.

Kidd-Gilchrist has a lot of work to do if he wants to be a superstar in the NBA, but the Bobcats absolutely need him to be that kind of a player. On a team where no one seems to want to step up and take over the team, Kid-Gilchrist has a a chance to be a very special player.

More than Kidd-Gilchrist himself, the Bobcats need him to have a truly breakout year. If he doesn't have one, it's going to be a very long season for Charlotte, and that's something they can't afford to have. 

Chicago Bulls: Marco Belinelli, SG

The Chicago Bulls' biggest weakness last season was a lack of production at the shooting guard position. They hope to change that this season with Marco Belinelli holding down that spot.

While you could argue that the Bulls will struggle early in the season without Derrick Rose, they have a competent player in Kirk Hinrich, who can buy the Bulls some time until Rose's return.

The real issue the Bulls need to be worried about is whether Belinelli will be the answer they've been looking for at the shooting guard position. On the defensive side of the ball, he won't set the world on fire, but that's not what the Bulls need him to do.

If Bellineli can come in and be consistent and efficient in the backcourt, the rest of the Bulls roster can pick up the slack until their fearless leader returns.  The Bulls can't afford to have the Bellineli experiment fail. If it does, their season could be doomed, even after Rose returns.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Dion Waiters, SG

The backcourt duo of Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters is reaching an insanely high level of hype, even before the two players have played a single game together.

We've all seen what Irving can do on the court, so there's no questioning that he'll carry his end of the deal throughout the 2012-13 season. The only question is if Waiters will be able to live up to the hype.

For a player who never even started a game at Syracuse there is a lot of pressure mounting for him. Waiters is a streaky shooter who could hurt the Cavaliers just as much as he helps them.

If the Cavaliers are going to start moving out of the shadow of LeBron James' departure, they need Waiters to have an absolute breakout year. A backcourt duo of Waiters and Irving can be special for the Cavaliers and their fans, but if Waiters proves that he's not ready for the primetime, it will be just another long and disappointing season for the Cavs. 

Dallas Mavericks: O.J. Mayo, SG

O.J. Mayo has the new start his career has needed for the last few seasons. Mayo has a chance to come in and take over a Dallas Mavericks team looking for their next franchise player.

While he has been inconsistent and streaky in the past, Mayo has a chance to prove that he's ready to be a superstar who plays at an efficient level.

Mayo needs to not only increase his efficiency on offense, but he also needs to be a more explosive athlete on the defensive side of the ball. If Mayo can realize the kind of potential that exists in the way he plays the game, he can be an elite player in the NBA.

The 2012-13 season is Mayo's chance to finally prove what he's worth. If he has a breakout year, he can prepare himself to carry the torch from Dirk Nowitzki, once he retires. If he doesn't, Mayo will just be another player who has blown his chance at stardom. 

Denver Nuggets: Andre Iguodala, SG

The Denver Nuggets made out like bandits in the trade that sent Andrew Bynum to the Philadelphia 76ers and Andre Iguodala to the Nuggets.

While Andre Iguodala has already proven that he's a next-level talent, the Nuggets need him to be a breakout start on the defensive side of the ball. The one thing that's held the Nuggets back throughout the past few seasons is a lack of defensive focus, and that's what Iguodala can bring to the court.

With one of the fastest and most explosive offenses in the game, the Nuggets just need some solidification on the defensive side of the ball. Being a breakout star, defensively speaking, shouldn't be hard for Iguodala.

If he can live up to the hype, and carry the Nuggets on the wing and on defense, the Nuggets can be one of the most dangerous teams in the Western Conference. Don't be shocked if Iguodala's maturity and leadership transforms the Nuggets during the 2012-13 season. 

Detroit Pistons: Charlie Villanueva, PF

If you've forgotten about Charlie Villanueva, don't feel bad. He sat out the majority of the 2011-12 season, and he never quite lived up to the hype of the five-year, $35 million contract he signed with the Pistons.

While the Pistons have some players ready to take over the franchise, with Brandon Knight, Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond, they need a leader at the power forward spot. Their best hope is for Villanueva return to his 2008-09 form.

He has the intangibles to be a solid frontcourt player, but all too often Villanueva just doesn't put in the effort and hard work it takes to be a breakout star. 

While he might not be an All-Star next season, he's more than capable of becoming a solid piece of the future of the Piston's franchise. Both Villanueva and the Pistons need him to have a breakout year. If he doesn't, the Pistons' 2012-13 campaign could be a long one. 

Golden State Warriors: Andrew Bogut, C

The Golden State Warriors are going to look like a very different team this season than they have throughout the past few years. The main reason why is because they finally have an offensively competent and defensively efficient center.

Andrew Bogut will be looking to solidify himself as a franchise center for the Warriors, and they need him to be just that.

With Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes and David Lee, the Warriors have all the pieces they need to succeed in the West. The only question is if they've finally found a player who can add some frontcourt depth to their team.

If Bogut can stay healthy and be a physical force in the paint, the Warriors can surprise some people this year. 

Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lin, PG

The entire Houston Rockets roster needs to step up if the Rockets are going to have a successful 2012-13 season.

The pressure, because of all the offseason attention, is squarely on the shoulders of Jeremy Lin. Sure, Omer Asik signed an absurdly huge contract, but the focus of the Rockets season will be on how well Lin can adjust.

If Lin has another "breakout" year, he can carry the Rockets into a place of relevancy in the Western Conference. If he struggles, all the Houston media will talk about is how the Rockets overpaid for an unproven player.

In order to have a breakout season, the one thing Lin absolutely must do is protect the ball. Turnovers and inconsistency will be the bane of the Rockets' existence during the 2012-13 season, and it all starts with the play of their point guard. 

Indiana Pacers: Paul George, SG

The Indiana Pacers didn't make any offseason acquisitions, other than adding D.J. Augustin, and that's because they are comfortable with the talent they have on their roster.

While that's a great place to be, it also means that if they want to improve as a team, they'll need certain players to step up their game and have breakout years.

Losing Darren Collison means that Augustin will have to step up his game, but more importantly, it means that the Pacers need Paul George to really solidify the Pacers at the shooting guard spot. George played well last season, but they need him to be productive in order to take the pressure off of Augustin and George Hill.

George has all the intangibles it takes to succeed in the NBA, and now it is time for him to put everything together and have a career year. 

L.A. Clippers: Chauncey Billups, SG

The Clippers are going to look like a different team next season at a number of positions, including the shooting guard spot.

Chauncey Billups will be returning, and while his veteran talent and mentoring will be important for every player on that roster, the Clippers really need him to be a productive shooting guard.

Billups can run the point, but he's most productive when he's playing out on the wing, getting high-percentage shots created for him by his teammates, like Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

Billups will be entering his 16th year in the NBA, but that doesn't mean he's incapable of putting together a breakout year for the Clippers. His production at the shooting guard position will make or break the Clippers next season. 

L.A. Lakers: Dwight Howard, C

Steve Nash, Dwight Howard and even Antawn Jamison all need to have breakout years to help the Lakers look intelligent rather than greedy.

Most importantly though, the Lakers need Howard to have a breakout year, mainly because they gave away one of the best three centers in the NBA for him. 

They made a bold move by sending away Andrew Bynum for Howard, and they better hope that Howard is the kind of player we all know he can be. If he's not, the Lakers are going to have to answer a lot of questions regarding the trade they made for him.

For Howard's sake, he also needs to have a breakout year so that he can restore some semblance of a positive focus regarding his career. He's ruined his image, and it's going to take a breakout year to change that. 

Memphis Grizzlies: Josh Selby, SG

During the 2012 Summer League, Josh Selby put together quite an impressive performance.

He looked more like the player he was back at Kansas, and less like the disappointing pro he's been so far in Memphis. Selby needs a breakout year for his career, as much as the Grizzlies need him to have one as well.

Losing O.J. Mayo certainly has the potential to hurt the Grizzlies, but if Selby can carry over his Summer League performance into the 2012-13 regular season, then losing Mayo will actually be a positive for the Grizzlies.

Selby just needs to put the work in when it comes to increasing his basketball I.Q, because if he does that then there's no limit to how productive and explosive of a shooting guard he can be. 

Miami Heat: Mario Chalmers, PG

Sure, LeBron James did most of the carrying when it came to the Heat winning the 2012 NBA title. But without the play of Mario Chalmers, the Heat may not have even made it to the 2012 NBA Finals.

Chalmers showed what kind of player he's capable of being in the playoffs, and the Heat need him to be that mature leader during the 2012-13 regular season if they want to repeat as NBA champs.

The Heat need Chalmers to be opportunistic and not force up low-percentage shots, and in reality, Chalmers needs that for himself and his future too. Chalmers will be a free agent after the 2013-14 season, and he needs to start putting together complete seasons of impressive play if he wants to earn a big paycheck when that time comes.

The more pressure Chalmers can take off of LeBron, Wade and Bosh, the more dominant the Heat will be, and that's why the Heat need Chalmers to have a breakout season. 

Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon Jennings, PG

The Milwaukee Bucks have one of the most dynamic backcourt duos in the entire NBA, with Brandon Jennings at the point and Monta Ellis at the shooting guard position.

There is no limit to how great those two players can be together, but Jennings is the one who's going to have to put the work in to help both players reach their full potential. 

The Bucks need both players to work together instead of running and excelling in isolation situations, and since Jennings runs the point, it's his responsibility to keep Ellis involved in the offense.

Jennings is also heading into a qualifying offer year of his contract with the Bucks, which means he needs to put together a career year if he wants to maximize his value on the market. It's time for Jennings to step up and be a leader so that he can prove his real value as an NBA point guard. 

Minnesota Timberwolves: Brandon Roy, SG

There is a lot of pressure on Brandon Roy this season. Not only is he returning from a premature retirement, but he's also being considered a major piece of the Timberwolves reloading process.

Roy needs to have a breakout year so that he can prove to all the doubters that he's still got some production left in him and those degenerative knees. The Timberwolves need Roy to have a breakout year so that the two-year, $10.4 million deal they signed him to doesn't look so absurd.

If Roy can be even half as productive as he was at the peak of his career, the Timberwolves can be an extremely dangerous team in the Western Conference. If he doesn't have a breakout year, the Timberwolves will look extremely foolish for signing him.

New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF

You could argue that Eric Gordon and Austin Rivers need to have breakout years this season, and while that is true, the most pressure will always be placed on the No. 1 overall pick.

Anthony Davis is the man in that position, and he has a lot to prove during his rookie campaign. He has more "NBA" experience than any other rookie because of his play on the 2012 USA Olympic Basketball team, and that even adds more pressure to his 2012-13 season.

The Hornets need a player to believe in, and while Gordon certainly can be that, there's no doubt that the excitement is around the talent that exists within the lengthy wingspan of Davis.

Having a breakout year would not only help Davis win the 2013 Rookie of the Year award, it would also solidify himself as one of the next great players in the game, and that's exactly what the Hornets need him to be. 

New York Knicks: Raymond Felton, PG

The New York Knicks obviously believed in Raymond Felton. Now it's time for Felton to prove to the Knicks fans why they should believe in him too. 

Felton was a very productive member of the Knicks back in 2010-11 when he averaged 17.1 points per game. That's the kind of player the Knicks hope Felton will be, and that's why he needs to have a breakout year.

The Knicks chose Felton over the sensational, Jeremy Lin, and that just adds to the pressure on Felton. If he doesn't respond by having a breakout year, the media will be all over his inability to do what Lin did, and that's the last thing the Knicks need next season. 

The Knicks need Felton to have a breakout year more than he needs himself to have one, so for the sake of the Knicks franchise, let's hope Felton can be the player he was a few years ago. 

Oklahoma City Thunder: Perry Jones III, SF

The Oklahoma City Thunder lacked bench production last season. There's just no way around it.

Perry Jones III from Baylor is the only addition the Thunder have on the bench, and he's going to have to develop into their go-to-guy from their second unit because he's the only legitimate offensive threat besides James Harden on the bench.

Jones was projected as an early first-round pick until health questions surfaced regarding his knee, and he will certainly want to prove to every team that passed on him in the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft that they made a big mistake. Having a breakout season is a great way for him to do just that.

Jones is ridiculously athletic. He can stretch the court, and he's also great in transition. He fits in perfectly with the play style of the Thunder, and if he can have a breakout year, the Thunder can certainly repeat as favorites coming out of the West. 

Orlando Magic: Jameer Nelson, PG

The Orlando Magic thrust themselves into rebuilding mode when they gave away Dwight Howard for a handful of picks and some average players.

Their main acquisition this offseason was re-signing Jameer Nelson, which was somewhat of a head scratcher—especially for a team without a true, franchise player.

Nelson absolutely needs to have a breakout year, because if he doesn't, the Magic won't have anything to fall back on. Fans will grow weary of losing, and without a player to rally around, the Magic franchise will begin to slowly fall apart.

Without many other options on the offensive side of the ball, Nelson should have no problem putting up the best numbers of his career, which would be more than 16.7 points and 5.4 assists per game. The only question is if he can translate that production into wins for the Magic. 

Philadelphia 76ers: Nick Young, SG

Losing Lou Williams and Andre Iguodala will certainly hurt the 76ers next season, but it will hurt less if Nick Young can step up and have a breakout year.

Young has never been known for efficiency or smart shot selection, but with the focus of opposing defenses on Andrew Bynum's presence in the paint, his job should be that much easier.

The 76ers will need Young to be a disciplined and somewhat mature player, which certainly won't be easy. With that being said, a change of scenery and a role change might be exactly what Young needs to take his career to that elusive next level.

To be as competitive as they were last season, the 76ers will need role players to step up, and that's exactly what they need Young to do. If he can shoot efficiently, he will be an impact player for the 76ers during the 2012-13 season. 

Phoenix Suns: Michael Beasley, SF

Michael Beasley is an enigma. He's the kind of player who can be absolutely unstoppable when he puts a complete game together. But he can also be a cancer to your team when he's not playing smart.

For the sake of a rebuilding Phoenix Suns team, let's hope that Beasley can be the unstoppable player we all know he can be.

Beasley is an athletic freak, and he will certainly thrive in a Suns offense that will be led by Goran Dragic. If Beasley can stay healthy and play disciplined, he can have a breakout year, which he'll need if he's going to back up his 2013 All-Star campaign talk.

A breakout year for Beasley might not mean career numbers, but it will instead be him playing at an efficient and intelligent level. If he does that, there's no limit to the success that Beasley, and the Suns for that matter, can achieve. 

Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, PG

The Portland Trail Blazers are a team to keep an eye on out in the Western Conference, mainly because they have one of the most dangerous rookies at the point—Damian Lillard.

It's not a question of whether or not Lillard is going to have a break out year. Rather, it is a question of how dominant his breakout will be.

Lillard's potential was on display during the 2012 NBA Summer League, and if he can play at that same level during the regular season, the Blazers can be a playoff team out West. 

He has all the intangibles to be the next great scoring point guard in the NBA, and with LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum running alongside him, Lillard could reach that level of success during the 2012-13 season. Don't be shocked when Lillard's name is called for the 2013 Rookie of the Year award. 

Sacramento Kings: Isaiah Thomas, PG

Some might say that Isaiah Thomas' breakout season came last year, when he worked his way into the Kings starting lineup and averaged 11.5 points and 4.1 assists per game.

His performance last season was just the tip of the iceberg for Thomas though, as the 2012-13 season will bring much more success and production from him at the point.

Thomas is going to become the Kings leader because he gives his all out on the court and he has a mature demeanor. He's worked hard for everything he's achieved during his NBA career, and that's not going to stop anytime soon.

You can't put a value on gritty play and leadership, and that's what Thomas brings to a very undisciplined and, at times, immature Kings team. Thomas' name will be in the discussion for the 2013 Most Improved Player Award, and that's because he is going to have an absolute breakout season next year. 

San Antonio Spurs: Patty Mills, PG

The time is coming when San Antonio is going to have to start building for their future, and hopefully backup point guard Patty Mills will be a big part of that process.

Mills averaged 10.3 points and 2.4 assists in just 16 regular season games last season, and if that's any indication of the kind of player Mills will be, then the Spurs have already found their next franchise point guard.

With that being said, Mills still has a lot to prove, and the 2012-13 season is going to be the place for him to do just that. Depth is going to be key for the Spurs next season, and Mills gives them that at the most important position on the court.

Mills will also be in the player option year of his contract at the end of next season, and he'll want to maximize his value by putting together an impressive outing next season. That means that a breakout year is what is in store for Mills. 

Toronto Raptors: Terrence Ross, SG

The Toronto Raptors made a bit of a stretch when they drafted Terrence Ross with guys like Jeremy Lamb and Austin Rivers still on the board.

If Ross can put together a breakout year, that pick won't look so out of place, but if not, Ross at No. 8 overall will be just another overvalued pick.

Ross is an explosive shooting guard, but there's one thing holding him back, and that is his inefficiency. Luckily for Ross, the Raptors traded for Kyle Lowry, who will be able to help along Ross' maturation process sooner rather than later.

If the Raptors are going to be the "sleeper" team in the East that experts believe they can be, they will absolutely need Ross to have a breakout season. If he doesn't, it will be just another year looking toward the lottery in next year's draft. Ross could be a dark horse for the rookie of the year award, but that's only if guys like Lowry and DeMar DeRozan take the defensive focus away from him. 

Utah Jazz: Mo Williams, PG

Mo Williams is a dangerous player at the point. On one hand, he's capable of lighting up the scoreboard. On the other hand, he's also capable of taking low-percentage shots that lead to his team's collapse.

The Jazz are hoping that Williams is going to be player lighting up the scoreboard and adding backcourt production, because that's what they lacked last season.

Williams is playing on his fifth team in 10 years, and he's certainly hoping that this team will bring him closer to that elusive NBA championship he's after. Luckily for Williams, his job in Utah will be that much easier because of the talented frontcourt trio of Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Derrick Favors.

A breakout year for Williams won't mean an exponential increase in production, but instead it will be an increased focus on controlling the Jazz's offense and facilitating offense to his teammates. An efficient year will be a breakout year for Williams, and that's exactly what is in store for him. 

Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, SG

For the past two seasons John Wall has been trying to get the job done in Washington all by himself. 

Finally, he's got a backcourt partner in Bradley Beal who is capable of carrying some of that responsibility with him.

Beal is without a doubt one of the best shooters coming out of the 2012 draft class, and his abilities out on the wing will take the defensive pressure off of Wall, which, in turn, will make him a more productive player.

Wall needs to have a great year to solidify himself as an elite talent in the NBA, and he can only do that if Beal lives up to the hype. Having a breakout season for Beal won't be difficult because Wall will certainly create high-percentage shots for him, and knocking down those shots won't be an issue for Beal.

Don't be surprised if by the end of the 2012-13 season Beal and Wall have the Wizards in contention for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.