2010-2011 NBA Season Preview: 10 Guards To Watch In 2010-11
With a new NBA season just days away and the fates of players, fans, and fantasy owners alike all hanging in the balance it should be a very interesting season.
Everyone knows about King James moving to South Beach, many free agents packing their bags for new cities, and the shift of power to the East. However, despite the well-known facts, there are still plenty of players flying under radars nationwide. Let's take a look at 10 guys who have the abilities to make major shifts in the way this season plays out. Get ready people, it is going to be another stellar NBA season.
10: San Antonio Spurs PG: George Hill
1 of 10
After improving immensely in his sophomore campaign, George Hill began to open the eyes of San Antonio fans to the fact the "Big Three's" days were coming to an end.
With all the offseason speculation about Tony Parker being shipped to New York, to it being the final year of Parker's current contract, all signs point to an increase in Hill's minutes and production. When you couple that with aging players in Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, and an underachieving Richard Jefferson, all signs point to Hill having a big year.
9: Denver Nuggets PG: Ty Lawson
2 of 10
Being a Detroit native, I am a HUGE Chauncey Billups fan. It is no secret that "Mr. Big Shot" is closer to the end of his career than the beginning. He also had a monster summer with Team USA, where he often looked like the best player on the team.
With that said, Lawson is just too good not to get on the court. During his rookie season Lawson showed flashes of super-stardom in limited minutes. When you add in tons of off-court rumors and issues with J.R. Smith and Carmelo Anthony, expect to see some more of Billups at the off guard with Lawson handling the point duties.
8: New Orleans Hornets SG: Marcus Thornton
3 of 10
One of the best rookies of yesteryear was second-round selection Marcus Thornton.
From earning a spot on the team to becoming a starter, it was clear Thornton had the work ethic and drive to succeed at the pro level. The Hornets then shipped former starting SG Mo Peterson out of New Orleans to shore up a spot in the starting five for Thornton.
Expect big things from this LSU alum in his second season, and his first full season running with CP3 in the starting five. The only reason you don't see Thornton higher on this list is because his coming out party half-began last season.
7: Oklahoma City Thunder SG: James Harden
4 of 10
After a solid first season getting acclimated to the NBA game, it seems as if both the Thunder and Harden are ready to take the next step.
When you look at the Thunder's starting five they currently have defensive stopper Thabo Sefolosha penciled in at the two. Sefolosha plays a role very similar to Bruce Bowen's on the championship winning Spurs teams from a few years ago. With that said, it is unlikely to see Harden bypass him into the starting lineup. However, Harden will most certainly see a spike in minutes becoming a scoring force off of the bench.
Watching him in summer league really showed the improvements he has made on his game since leaving Arizona State. Expect his low shooting percentage around the rim (about 46 percent last season) to also improve, and you already know the second-year swingman can tickle the twine from deep.
6: Portland Trail Blazers SG: Wesley Matthews
5 of 10
Another player, like Thornton, who began the coming out party last season. Matthews found himself scoring in bunches for the Jazz as a full-time starter when it was all said and done last season. That led to him signing a major deal (five years, $34 million) with the Blazers.
It will be interesting to see if Matthews can live up to that contract for a Portland team, who always seem to be on the cusp of being true contenders. The only reason for skepticism, and the only thing preventing him from being higher on the list, is the plethora of talented wings the Blazers have under contract. Finding minutes could be somewhat of an issue. However, with Matthews in the fold and a potentially healthy Greg Oden (potentially), it should be a very interesting season for Portland basketball.
5: Los Angeles Clippers SG: Eric Gordon
6 of 10
OK this one is a little different. Gordon is easily one of the most talented guards in the league, and honestly is not necessarily under the radar by any means. However, playing for L.A.'s other team has left his career somewhere between obscurity and unnoticed.
He is coming off a stellar second season in which he scored 16.9 ppg, and had rock solid shooting numbers. He is also coming off the most impressive World Championship exhibition of any of Team USA's players. Expect Gordon to finally, and well deservedly, hit star status in the NBA this season.
4: New York Knicks SG: Wilson Chandler
7 of 10
Chandler has always been a talented pro. One of the few players capable of providing a full block and steal per game, especially while still scoring 15 points a game on the other end.
However, Chandler's career has been plagued with poor teammates and bad shot selection. With the arrivals of Raymond Felton and Amar'e Stoudemire expect the load to be lighter on Chandler's shoulders this season. Expect a great season defensively, and improved numbers and shot selection on offense. Maybe things are finally looking up for the Knicks...maybe.
3: Indiana Pacers PG: Darren Collison
8 of 10
After Chris Paul went down last season with an injury, this rookie PG stepped in and did amazing things. With multiple triple (and double) doubles, many 20- and 30-point games, and the ability to keep the Hornets offense moving on the fast-break, Collison looked spectacular.
Despite high turnover rates, the rookie was one of the most exciting players in the league to watch and had New Orleans management actually contemplating moving CP3 to a different team. That is how good Collison is.
After an offseason trade to Indiana, it will be interesting to see if Collison can bring the same spark to a Pacer team that has left much to be desired in recent years. After starting a new point guard virtually every season for the last five years, did Indy finally land their PG of the future? It looks likely.
2: Washington Wizards PGs: John Wall & Gilbert Arenas
9 of 10
Since John Wall's arrival in Washington, it seems as if everyone has been calling for Agent Zero's departure from the city he helped make basketball relevant for a few seasons.
Arenas who is often referred to as a "distraction" or "team cancer" may just be those things, but still has tons of basketball talent and immense on court IQ that can be passed on to Wall. Yes, it is true that he has the potential to pass along ill-advised behaviors and actions to Wall as well, but I do not see that happening.
With Arenas already acknowledging that Wall is the Wizards player of the future, it is actually plausible to see these two dynamic guards gel together and team up to take the Wizards to the postseason. Despite the skeptics, I see this combo providing a tough match up for every team, every night. It will work.
1: Philadelphia 76ers PG: Jrue Holiday
10 of 10
This kid is the real deal.
After a slow start to his rookie campaign the UCLA alum started to show signs of why he was taken with the 17th overall pick in last year's draft. Couple that with possibly the most impressive summer league of anyone, and you have reasons to be excited about Holiday's upside.
This explosive PG with a deadly first step and feathery jumper should flourish with a healthy Elton Brand, an even better Andre Iguodala, and the arrival of second overall pick Evan Turner. Keep an eye on this future star.
