NBA Breakout Watch: Some Names to Look Out For in 2010-11
Each NBA season, new players get the opportunity to step up and make names for themselves. Whether it's rookies or veterans, things must fall into place for these players to get their chance.
Some players get their shot because of an injury, some because of a trade, some because a former teammate left via free agency. Whatever it is, these guys know that their opportunity could come and go very quickly, so they must step up and play big.
There are some obvious names like Darren Collison and John Wall who could potentially break out this season, but it's no fun to make predictions for players that a lot of people already know about.
Here are some guys that I have my eye on for the upcoming season:
Serge Ibaka 6'10/235 PF/C, Oklahoma City Thunder: Ibaka averaged 6.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 1.3 BPG in just 18 MPG last season. Although he did not start in the playoffs, Ibaka saw extended run because the Thunder needed long-armed defenders to matchup with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. Even though the Thunder lost in six games, Ibaka had a very solid series, including a 7-block performance in Game 2.
Ibaka will look to build on his playoff success in the 2010-2011 season. Ibaka has superb length and athleticism and can really hit the glass hard. His offensive game is still a work in progress, but he is a very hard-worker and will continue to improve. Ibaka's main competition for minutes at the five will be Nenad Krsitc, but Oklahoma City will soon realize they are much better off with Ibaka on the floor. Rookie Cole Aldrich will see some minutes as well, but you can't keep an athlete like Ibaka on the bench.
Dorell Wright 6'9/210 SG/SF, Golden State Warriors: Wright is the kind of player that frustrates scouts. He has the ability to be a good player on both ends of the floor because of his great length and athleticism. Wright can slash to the basket and score in traffic. He flashed the ability to step outside and knock down jump shots last year in Miami, as well.
However, he just has not been able to put it all together. Whether it's been injuries or just a lack of playing time, Wright has not been able to make a consistent impact throughout his career. With the overhaul in Miami, Wright found a new home in Golden State, which could be the ideal fit.
In Don Nelson's run-and-gun system, Wright will have the opportunity to show off his skills. Wright's only real competitor for minutes at the three is Reggie Williams, so even if he doesn't start, he will still see plenty of time on the court. Wright, who is still only 24, has plenty of room to grow and this season will be his best chance to reach his potential.
Jrue Holiday 6'4/180 PG, Philadelphia 76ers: When Louis Williams broke his jaw in November, Holiday got the opportunity to step in and run the point. However, he really struggled and eventually lost his starting job. You can't be too harsh on him though, as he was only 19 years old and was rushed into playing time because of Williams' injury.
Once the Sixers realized they weren't making the playoffs, they decided to let Holiday try running the point again, and he was much more successful the second time around. Even though Williams is a better scorer, Holiday is the better pure point guard. He is quick, athletic, and has good size for a point guard. He uses his long arms well on defense and started to become a three-point threat toward the end of last season.
I'm interested to see how assertive Holiday will be this season because teammates Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner are both guys who can distribute the ball and create offense for others. Either way, Holiday has the talent to become a good point guard and he will begin to show basketball fans that talent this season.
JaVale McGee 7'0/250 C, Washington Wizards: McGee stepped in and took the starting center job last season after the Wizards traded Brendan Haywood to Dallas. McGee struggled at first, and actually lost his starting job to Fabricio Oberto (I know, that's pretty bad). However, McGee still saw more minutes than Oberto and played pretty well down the stretch, averaging 13.3 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.9 BPG in the month of April.
Even though McGee did not make the final roster for Team USA at the FIBA World Championships, reports out of camp said that McGee looked very sharp. While Andray Blatche will get most of the shots on the block, McGee will make his impact on defense. He has great length and uses it to block and alter shots. McGee could be amongst the league leaders in blocks during the 2010-11 season.
Bill Walker 6'6/230 SG/SF, New York Knicks: Walker, the former high school teammate of O.J. Mayo, was once regarded as a top prospect coming out of high school. Walker was known for his elite athleticism and his ability to play above the rim. However, during his freshman season at Kansas State, Walker ruptured his ACL in his left knee. Walker had also ruptured his ACL in his right knee while in high school.
He came back his sophomore season to average 16.1 PPG and 6.3 RPG, and then declared for the NBA Draft. Walker looked like a first round pick, but he hurt his knee again during a pre-draft workout, and fell to the second round. He spent time back and forth between the NBA and the D-League for two seasons, until he was traded to the Knicks in February of 2010.
In 27 games with the Knicks, Walker averaged almost 12 PPG while shooting 51.8% from the field. He also shot 43.1% from behind the arc, something that surprised most people. Walker enters the 2010-11 season potentially as the starting shooting guard in New York. With his new-found shooting stroke and re-emerging explosiveness, Walker could be in store for a big season in Mike D'Antoni's fast-paced system.
Other Names to Look Out For: Shaun Livingston (Charlotte Bobcats), Donte Greene (Sacramento Kings), Jerryd Bayless (Portland Trailblazers), Austin Daye (Detroit Pistons)
