The Biggest Breakout Players of the 2014 NBA Playoffs
The 2014 NBA playoffs have been so thoroughly entertaining that it's almost a shame to admit we've already reached the Conference Finals. There are still plenty of games to be played, but a select few young players deserve recognition thus far.
With so many guys giving it their all, it's easy to lose sight of those who have been exceeding expectations and breaking new ground.
Whether it's showing an improved level of play, impacting the game differently or coming into their own as a star, these players have had breakthrough postseasons to force us to see them in another light going forward.
Not all of them have done it the same way, but they've competed and broken through nonetheless.
Let's take a look at the cream of the crop of the biggest breakthrough players of the 2014 NBA playoffs.
Kemba Walker, Charlotte Bobcats
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Sure, his Charlotte Bobcats got swept by the Miami Heat, but don’t blame Kemba Walker.
In his first NBA postseason, he turned it up and broke out from what we saw in the regular season. He also moved away from what we’ve seen from him in the past, in that he always performed at relatively below-average efficiency (39.8 field-goal percentage for his career).
That wasn’t the case against the Heat.
In the four games, Walker averaged 19.5 points and 6.0 assists on 47.3 percent shooting, dwarfing his 39.3 shooting percentage during the season. The point guard also managed 50 percent from the three-point line, converting on 12 of 24 shots from deep. Considering he shot 33.3 percent in the 73 regular-season games he played, he showed remarkable accuracy when his team needed it most.
In addition, he played very well, given the potency of his opponent. The two-time NBA champion Heat are renowned for their destructive defense, so it's impressive for Walker to have pulled free of his poor season and Miami's defense to perform above expectations.
With Al Jefferson suffering from injury, Walker went off for 29 points, five rebounds and five assists on 11-of-15 shooting (4-of-7 from three) in Game 4 in hope of extending the Bobcats’ season.
Sadly, it was to no avail, but there’s always next season.
Taj Gibson, Chicago Bulls
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Move over, Carlos Boozer.
It was disappointing to see the Chicago Bulls lose 4-1 to the Washington Wizards in the first round, as the Bulls were looked at as a potentially destructive opponent after closing the season with a 21-9 record after the All-Star break. But one positive they can take from the early exit was the play of Taj Gibson.
On a team that was short of scorers, he broke away from the status he set during the regular season to become a leader for this team. While he finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting, he was considered more of a glorified role player than an impact player who would take the reins and lead Chicago.
But now, after Gibson’s 18.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game against Washington, it’s almost certain he’ll be in the starting frontcourt with center Joakim Noah next season.
That all hinges on whether or not Chicago’s front office amnesties Boozer in the offseason, but the team would be well-advised doing so after Gibson’s breakout play in the postseason.
He mustered a 32-point, seven-rebound performance in Game 4 to keep the Bulls in it, but Chicago came up short.
His placement on this list is limited due to almost winning this season's Sixth Man of the Year award. That sounds slightly redundant to give a player praise, only to limit it by using it as evidence against him.
But as arguably Chicago's third-best player, it was necessary for Gibson to play well for his team. Even so, the big man broke free of the role-player status and became a definite building block for the Bulls.
And you can bet he’ll be raring to go next season.
Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
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Boy, the future of the Washington Wizards looks bright.
Aside from All-Star John Wall and still-to-be-unleashed Otto Porter Jr., the Wizards have a truly special player in Bradley Beal. And he showcased why as Washington had just its third playoff series win since 1979.
Despite the tough defense of the Chicago Bulls, Beal averaged 19.8 points and 4.2 assists while shooting 44 percent from the field. He also shot 45.5 percent from three, improving on an already stellar regular season in his second year.
He carried that production into the second round, scoring 18.7 points and 4.8 assists against another defensive monster in the Indiana Pacers. The Wizards managed to win two games before being defeated, as the shooting guard went off for 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists on the road in Game 1 to set the tone.
Beal already had a great season by averaging 17.1 points, but he didn't slow down against wily veteran teams in the Bulls and Pacers. In doing so, he cemented himself as a legit shooting guard who can compete against top competition.
As such, he broke through as an All-Star-caliber 2-guard and gets a higher placing considering his inexperience.
Expect much more from Beal as he continues to grow heading into his third NBA season.
Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets
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Ah, there he is.
Dwight Howard hasn't really looked himself the past few seasons, but he looked like his old self in the first round. His Houston Rockets were still eliminated, but it's not his fault.
The big man averaged 26.0 points, 13.7 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in six games, even shooting 62.5 percent from the free-throw line. He has long been considered the best big man in the NBA, but his play the last three years had cast that title in some doubt.
He hadn't showcased the dominance that once net him so much praise, with his scoring, rebounding and blocked shots dropping slightly since the 2010-11 season.
His 18.3 points, 12.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots in his first year with the Rockets weren't at the level we'd seen in past seasons. But his performances against the Portland Trail Blazers in the postseason should put those concerns to rest.
Howard didn't technically break through like the rest of the players on this list, but he still shattered our perception of him. Even considering that, his past as an All-Star limits his placing on this countdown.
Welcome back, D12.
DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers
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It might have been due to the absence of Andrew Bogut, but DeAndre Jordan looked like an absolute monster against the Golden State Warriors.
He was a beast on the glass, averaging 12.1 points, 15.1 rebounds and 4.0 blocks in the seven-game series. He was a major reason the Los Angeles Clippers advanced, as he contributed 15 points and 18 rebounds in the pivotal Game 7.
He also dropped 25 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks in Game 5, overpowering the undersized frontcourt of the Warriors.
He was less impressive as the Clippers were knocked out in six games by the Oklahoma City Thunder, delivering 6.7 points and 9.5 rebounds, but he still broke out as a dominant force defensively.
Overall, Jordan's numbers were slightly worse than the regular season, save for his 50.9 percent from the free-throw line in the first round. Hence, the focus centers on the impact he had against the Warriors and what that meant.
Yes, Bogut being sidelined allowed Jordan to roam free. But that shouldn't discount just how much he broke out and became a destructive frontcourt player. He needs to add to his offensive repertoire, but Jordan has time for that in the offseason.
For now, let's appreciate the Defensive Player of the Year-esque postseason he put up.
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
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With a new coach in tow, it's hard to say who'll be getting minutes next season, but Draymond Green must be one of them.
He was limited to a small role during the regular season but played more with multiple injuries to the Golden State Warriors' frontcourt. His minutes rose from 21.9 to 32.6 in the first round of the playoffs, and he made the most of them.
The combo forward averaged 11.9 points and 8.3 rebounds, providing a defensive presence with 1.7 blocks and 1.7 steals. He also shot 46.7 percent from the field but just 27.6 percent from long range.
Green isn't much of a shooter but went off by shooting 5-of-8 from deep en route to 24 points and seven rebounds in Game 7. He ultimately fouled out in 40 minutes of play but still broke out as a defensive presence and solid role player who can do it all when needed.
Considering the 6.2 points and 5.0 rebounds he averaged in the regular season, Green has absolutely broken through as an undersized defensive forward. He's not quite in the same mold as Shane Battier, but it's a solid comparison.
Green gets higher placement, given his relative unknown status coming into the playoffs and that he's now made a name for himself as a guy who should be the first one off the bench.
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
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Big Game Dame. Dame of Thrones. Choose whichever name you want. Damian Lillard is big time.
The Portland Trail Blazers exceeded expectations against the Houston Rockets, thoroughly handling Dwight Howard, James Harden and Co. in a six-game series. It almost went to seven games, but Lillard had other ideas.
In case you missed it (somehow), the second-year point guard knocked down a walk-off three-pointer to secure the series victory with just 0.9 seconds left on the clock.
He averaged 22.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists for the postseason but struggled against the veteran San Antonio Spurs. His three-point percentage dropped from a blistering 48.9 clip against Houston to a dismal 17.4 percentage in the second round.
Considering it was Lillard's first taste of the postseason, he was on both sides of the fence in that he played extremely well but also struggled. It was an integral lesson and experience for him to further develop, but he already broke through as one of the top point guards in the NBA.
Few showcased his level of scoring, distributing and efficiency, which was remarkable from a second-year player. We were already aware of his skill, but he truly broke through as one of the best players of the league when it counted.
The rest of the players on this list did too, but none more so than Lillard.
I don't know about you, but I can't wait for next season.
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