Road to Redemption: Yao Ming and the Top 10 Comeback Players of the Year
Throughout an athlete’s career, there are low points and high points. Most of the low points are reached because of unforeseen events such as a team addition of a better player that plays the same position, a trade to a system that does not play to the player’s strength, or the worst of all, a serious injury.
Although part of the game of basketball, these factors can hinder a player’s season and sometimes their entire career. But some players are able to bounce back and become their usual dominating selves given the right opportunity or by finding the right motivation.
This list is an attempt to predict which players will be facing an opportunity for redemption next season. The ranks were determined based on the player’s expected productivity, the impact on their team, as well as the significance of their comeback attempt.
If you feel like a player was missed or misplaced, be sure to let everyone know in the comments section. Enjoy reading!
10. Michael Redd
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The former 2004 All-Star and All-NBA Third Team selection is not expected to come in and play like the player he once was. That is why he ranks last on this 10-man list.
Michael Redd has been a 20-point scorer for most of his career. Injuries have plagued his productivity over the past few seasons limiting him to only 51 games over the past two years. Before that, he was a consistent scorer and leader of his team.
The Milwaukee Bucks have learned to live without their best player for a while, and this summer they showed everyone they have moved on without him by signing John Salmons to a long term deal and trading for Corey Maggette, therefore structuring their core without Redd.
Does this mean it is time to count Redd out? Not by any means. Redd will be given the opportunity to embrace a sixth man role. He can come in and fire away from the perimeter and stretch the defense. He will no longer be the opposing teams focus on defense. He has the chance to come in and give the Bucks much needed bench scoring and score in the high teens similar to players like Jason Terry.
If Michael Redd is able to come back and play well, the Milwaukee bucks become serious Eastern Conference contenders.
9. Mehmet Okur
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This is as unfortunate of a story as it gets. The Utah Jazz were able to get much needed momentum at the end of last years regular season to tie for the fourth best record in the Western Conference. An unfortunate foot injury in the first playoff game took him out for the rest of the postseason.
That was the start of the problems for the future of the Utah Jazz.
After being able to eliminate a very capable Denver Nuggets team, the Jazz were man handled without their center by the mighty and eventual NBA champions Los Angeles Lakers. Okur might have not been enough to advance past the Lakers, but certainly enough to not be swept in four games, which of three were close calls.
Soon after being eliminated, during the busiest free agency period in NBA history, the Jazz lost Carlos Boozer to the Chicago Bulls, leaving their frontcourt as shallow as it has ever been. Eventually, the Jazz were able to bring in Al Jefferson to fill in for Boozer.
Okur needs to come back and play with a chip on his shoulder and show he is able to mesh with a new front court teammate as well as keep the Jazz relevant in a beefed-up Western Conference.
8. Tyson Chandler
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What a summer it has been for the former double-double machine. After two years of constant injuries, Tyson Chandler is the only true center in the USA Basketball roster of 2010 and showing everybody there why that is. Chandler has been playing like the dominant center he once was.
Just two years ago, Chandler averaged 12 points and 12 rebounds for New Orleans while shooting over 62 percent from the field. Last year, battling injuries, he amassed 6.5 points and 6.3 rebounds.
A new change of scenery will benefit Chandler, and playing next to Dirk Nowitzki and his defense-stretching ability can only improve Chandler’s game. He might not have the numbers he did in New Orleans, mainly because he will have to come off the bench for Brendan Haywood, but he has the chance to take this Mavericks squad to the top and contend with the Los Angeles Lakers.
7. Andrew Bogut
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The Milwaukee Bucks were as scary of a team as there was at the end of the regular season. Playing with a roster full of unknown players giving their 110 percent on the court night in and night out, the Bucks were constantly beating superior teams. The sure anchor of the Bucks defense and many times their offense was Andrew Bogut.
Bogut had an all-star caliber year. Averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds along with 2.5 blocks per game, he established himself as one of the top centers in the NBA.
Bogut does not make this list because of disappointing production. He makes this list because had he been healthy in the playoffs, the sky would have been the limit for the Bucks. They had a legitimate chance to reach the finals the way Orlando played against Boston. Now he needs to come out with that mentality and show the team and the fans he is the driving force of the Milwaukee Bucks team. He needs to come out showing he is an all-star caliber player able to elevate his team to new grounds.
6. Kendrick Perkins
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Kendrick Perkins is not an all-star, and probably never will be. What he is though, is a solid contributor to a very solid team. The reason he makes this list is because he is probably the player that has the most to lose next season. Boston did not sign one, but two centers in the offseason.
It has been reported that Kendrick will have to earn his starting spot back once he recovers from surgery. He has steadily improved to career highs of points and rebounds last season, but might have to ride the bench behind Shaquille and Jermaine O’Neal.
This is Kendrick’s time to play for his minutes and come out with the same energy and attitude he is known for and prove to Celtics managers and fans that he is the team’s starting center.
5. Gilbert Arenas
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Agent Zero has gone from zero to comedian, to all-star, to franchise player, and back to zero. He has the chance of a lifetime to redeem himself in the NBA.
There are many questions surrounding Arenas, including his reaction to moving to the shooting guard position, his durability throughout the season, as well as understanding that the ball will be in John Wall’s hands more than in his.
If Gilbert Arenas is able to find his shooting touch and understand his role within the team, the Washington Wizards might find themselves in a competitive spot for a playoff seed and showcasing an impressive backcourt.
This might be Arenas’ last chance to put his stamp on a team and bring his name back up to relevance.
4. Andris Biedrins
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Andris Biedrins is one year removed from averaging 12 points and 11 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 58 percent from the field. Injuries hampered him during last season’s campaign where he only played 33 games and averaged 5 points and 7 rebounds while showing limited athletic ability and mobility.
When healthy, Biedrins is one of the top centers in the Western Conference. His presence in the paint is much needed by his Golden state Warriors team. With the departure of Ronny Turiaf and the injury to sixth overall pick Epke Udoh, Biedrins will be counted on to man the middle for extended minutes.
If and only if Biedrins is able to come back to full form, the Warriors might have an outside shot and making any serious case to compete for a playoff seed, or for basketball sake, a shot at becoming the fun athletic team they were just a year ago.
3. Greg Oden
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It seems Greg Oden is part of similar lists every year. That is because Greg Oden has only played a full season worth of games in his first three years in the league. The reason he ranks so high on this list is because when healthy last season, he was a monster.
While only playing 23 minutes per game, Oden was able to average 11.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks while shooting over 60 percent from the field and 76 percent at the foul line. To give you an idea, on a per-36 minute basis, that translates to 17.4 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game. For comparisons sake, Dwight Howard averaged 18 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks while playing 35 minutes per game.
If Greg Oden is able to adapt more to the NBA game and stay out of foul trouble while keeping his body healthy, he can put Portland back to one of the top teams in the West.
There are plenty of “ifs” in Greg Oden’s case, but just the slight chance that they all end up positive makes him a clear candidate for Comeback Player of the Year.
2. Chris Paul
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Chris Paul did not have a bad season last year. Despite his injuries, he was still able to dominate the ball at the point guard position while showing an improved three-point shot.
So, why is he on this list? Because with what has happened this summer in New Orleans, he will be responsible for the franchise’s future.
It has been reported that Chris Paul was in approval of the trade that sent Collison to Indiana for Trevor Ariza. That not only sends New Orleans’s only insurance if Chris Paul were to leave in two years, but it also nets the Hornets a long term contract for a franchise looking to rebuild.
Chris Paul needs to establish not only his comeback as the best point guard of the league, but also establish the comeback of the New Orleans Hornets. With the quality of teams in the Western Conference, that will be as hard of a mission as any player can have. If he is not successful, players like Derrick Rose and Deron Williams will take over as best point guard in the league by season’s end.
1. Yao Ming
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The Chinese giant will be giving his career another shot during the 2010-2011 season. When healthy, Yao is among the best centers in the league. Some may argue he is the best.
With a 7’6” frame and a shooting touch of a guard from the outside, Yao is able to shoot over anybody and from anywhere within 20 feet of the basket. Guarding him is virtually impossible, even with double and triple teams.
The Houston Rockets are going into the season with much promise. Newcomers from last season Kevin Martin, Jordan Hill, along with recent acquisition Courtney Lee team together to create one of the better teams in the Western Conference.
In a conference where size rules the land of the winners, Houston has a chance to contend against the Lakers, Portland, Mavericks and other big teams.
Yao has the chance to elevate the Houston Rockets team from a good young and athletic team to a dominant scary team. By proving a successful comeback, Yao will not solidify his Rockets legacy, but also give the team a chance to compete for a championship.
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