LaMarcus Aldridge and the 15 NBA Players Having the Biggest Breakout Seasons
This year's NBA season has been filled with surprise talent from some of the league's normally mid level players. With this occurring, many teams are finding it harder to win games making it more exciting for the fans watching these games. For older guys and even younger guys nearing the end of their contract, having this caliber of season may be just the right break they needed to extend their NBA career and even get a raise.
Guys like Stephen Curry, Kevin Love, and LaMarcus Aldridge have all been playing top notch basketball this season garnering some trade rumors for the upcoming off-season. Finally fans will get a chance tot witness star studded players in the NBA other than Kobe and Lebron, not that we don't still love them.
Stephen Curry, G, Golden State Warriors
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Although he plays for the struggling Golden State Warriors, second year player Stephen Curry has been proving this season that he is capable of being an elite player in the NBA. Averaging 19.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 6 assists, Curry is one of the vital rebuilding pieces the Warriors.
Along with Monta Ellis, who also is having a breakout season, the Warriors have potential to be a top team in the near future if they can lock down a solid big man. Despite drafting Ekpe Udoh last season, the Warriors need someone with experience if they want immediate success.
Monta Ellis, G, Golden State Warriors
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Another Golden State Warrior, Monta Ellis is playing the best basketball he's played in his career this season. He's 6th in the league is scoring at 25.2 points along with 3.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists. If Ellis can stay injury and off court instances free, along with Stephen Curry, could lead the Warriors into the playoffs in no time at all.
Many believed he should have made the all-star game with his numbers but he shouldn't worry because if he does this again he will undoubtably be an all-star shortly. Ellis has the athleticism to blow by defenders and the ability to sky over big men and slam it home. Hopefully it well help the Warriors win some more games soon.
Blake Griffin, PF, Los Angeles Clippers
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Freak of nature may not even be the right phrase to describe Griffin. The most electrifying player in the NBA by far this season, the rookie is an all-star that more than deserved that honor. Griffin's highlight reel dunks every night and high scoring totals all contribute to his NBA success.
Griffin is averaging 22.9 points, 12.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists all while leading the Clippers to the best record they have had in several seasons. If by some chance Griffin could carry the Clippers to the playoffs, he would be by far one of the best players in the NBA if he already isn't. We all love seeing what he does every night he takes the floor.
Kevin Love, C, Minnesota Timberwolves
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Love is one of those guys exactly what a breakout season is. Not only is he playing more physical and dominant than ever in his career, but he made the all-star team and is dominating every game.
Love is averaging 21.4 points per game and leading the league in rebounds at a tremendous 15.6 per game. Love has had 33 straight double doubles since November 22. He is a clear cut all-star and having a beyond breakout season.
Andrea Bargnani, C, Toronto Raptors
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Unfortunately for Bargnani he plays for the Toronto Raptors who not only are struggling but completely out of the race for the playoffs. They have a mere 14 wins and don't look to be doing anything impressive. But they still have breakout player Andrea Bargnani.
Bargnani is averaging 21.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. He progressively has been increasing his points per game every season and finally this year cracked the 20 point mark. If he keeps improving his will most likely be an all-star shortly.
Raymond Felton, PG, New York Knicks
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The North Carolina grad and New York Knicks player is shining under D'Antoni's scheme for the first time in his career. Felton finally fits in the system he is playing in. Along with Amare Stoudamire the Knicks are playing top basketball for the first time in a while.
Felton is averaging 17.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 8.9 assists which is up with league leaders like Nash and Rondo. Scoring five points more a game than his previous season, Felton is in a town and organization just right for him.
Michael Beasley, F, Minnesota Timberwolves
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It's too bad for him that he had to leave the Heat right when the added the likes of LeBron and Bosh but there was no way they could afford him. Beasley found a new home in Minnesota and seems to be fitting in well with Kevin Love.
Beasley is averaging 19.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. He's scoring more points than he ever did in Miami and is playing how scouts projected him to play coming out of college. Nice job Beasley.
Wesley Matthews, G, Portland Trailblazers
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Portland Trailblazers guard Wesley Matthews is playing like an elite point guard should in only his second season out of Marquette. After leaving the Jazz for his now home Portland, this was obviously the right place for him to play.
Matthews is averaging 16.3 points per game which is substantially up from last season when he only scored 9.4. It looks like he has the potential to be a solid point guard feeding LaMarcus Aldridge inside for years to come.
Dorell Wright, F, Golden State Warriors
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After playing with Wade in Miami and not producing any kind of star quality numbers, Wright may have finally found the perfect fit for him in Golden State. Playing along side Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry, the trio have the potential to be a new big three.
Dorell Wright never averaged 10 points of higher in Miami and now in Golden State he is averaging 16.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. Wright keeps playing this way and he will be a star in no time at all.
Eric Gordon, F, Los Angeles Clippers
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Eric Gordon alongside Blake Griffin may be just the pieces the Clippers have been looking for for so many years. They finally have an amazing big man and athlete in Blake Griffin and a guard in Eric Gordon to get him the ball as well as score.
For the past two seasons Gordon has been scoring around 16 points a game and now in his third season is scoring 24.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. Hopefully Gordon and Griffin can take the Clippers to the playoffs very soon.
Derrick Rose, G, Chicago Bulls
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Rose is of course a superstar and leads the Bulls game in and game out. Now with Carlos Boozer they have a chance to go far in the playoffs where before they struggled in the first round. Some thought Rose wasn't ready after only one year of college but he proved those critics wrong.
Rose is averaging 24.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game. All his numbers are the highest they have been in his career and have been contributing all season to Bulls success. Hopefully they finally have the pieces they need to relive that 90's winning.
Russell Westbrook, G, Oklahoma City Thunder
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We all knew Westbrook has the ability to be an elite player in the NBA and has shown potential in his past two season in the NBA but finally now he is putting up those type of numbers. After falling to the Lakers in the playoffs last year, hopefully now Westbrook and the Thunder have what it takes to behead the monster that is the Lakers.
Westbrook in his third season has the highest numbers he has had in his career at 22.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 8.6 assists. The Thunder with him and Durant should be able to make a real run this season and in the playoffs.
Luis Scola, F, Houston Rockets
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He's 31 years old but has only been in the league for three seasons and now in his 4th year he's scoring more points than any of his previous seasons. Argentinian born Scola is playing well alongside new Rocket Kevin Martin.
Scola in his four seasons has progressed well in scoring totals from 10.3, 12.7, 16.2, and finally this season to a career high of 19.4 that go along with 8.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Scola needs some help other than Martin for the Rockets to be a contender again with Yao possibly never playing in the NBA again.
Paul Millsap, F, Utah Jazz
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Millsap and the Jazz are a consistant playoff team and have the capability of being a contender for a title with the strong play of all their players including this breakout year for Millsap. With the absence of Carlos Boozer, Millsap finally has his chance to be the go to guy inside for Deron Williams.
Millsap is having a career seasons in terms of numbers and productivity for the Jazz. He is averaging 17.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. which are all career numbers for the improving big man in Utah.
LaMarcus Aldridge, C, Portland Trailblazers
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Aldridge, who scored a career high 42 points a night ago, is having his best season of his career and helping the Portland Trailblazers in more ways than he ever has. At 28-24 the Portland Trailblazers are in 8th place in the Western Conference and need to keep playing strong in order to make a run in the playoffs.
Aldridge is carrying the team along with the surprising strong play from guard Wesley Matthews. Aldridge has a career high points per game with 21.6 while nabbing 9.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists to go along. For Aldridge, he hopes to help carry his team out of the first round in the playoffs and show people he can be in the conversation with the liks of Amare Stoudamire and Dwight Howard.
