10 NBA Players Set to Break out in 2011-2012

Last season, we had the opportunity to see players like Blake Griffin, Russell Westbrook and LaMarcus Aldridge step into the spotlight for the first time in their careers, begging the question, who's next for this upcoming season?

The beauty of the NBA is that different players step up each season. It keeps the game interesting and keeps us as fans and critics on our toes. And amidst this ugly lockout, it can serve as a reminder of why our patience will be worth it.

Should we be lucky enough, and the NBA diligent enough, to see the end of this current lockout, this upcoming season is sure to boast an array of performance story lines.

Who will cross the threshold into superstardom?

Which players will start living up to or exceeding their potential?

Who will thrust themselves into the spotlight?

Seeing players reach their full potential is a huge part of why many follow the NBA. It enhances competition between both teams and individual players, and makes the league more entertaining to watch.

And it is one of the reasons why myself, and probably others, are able to stay sane during unfortunate times like these. We know that there are incredible and surprising things on the horizon.

In an attempt to quench the thirst of knowledge for what the 2011-2012 NBA season will hold, let's take a look at 10 players who are poised to have a breakout year. 

DeMar DeRozan of Toronto Raptors

While some may think that DeMar DeRozan had a break out season this year, he has barely scratched the surface of his full potential.

DeRozan averaged 17.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and one steal per game for the struggling Toronto Raptors, proving that he could score in bunches and was not afraid to take flight in the paint.

Such numbers would constitute a break out season for any number of second year players, but DeRozan's less than impressive display on defense and his struggles with outside shooting give him weaknesses to strengthen.

Yes, DeRozan is on a young, inconsistent and arguably underachieving Raptors team, but his athleticism is no facade. He has the ability to improve all aspects of his game, and come next season, he will prove to have done just that. Look for him to develop an outside shot and show a more visible effort on defense.

DeRozan is the type of player who can averaged 25 or more points a game, and next season he is poised to do just that while boasting a more prolific, more complete, overall game.

Nicolas Batum of Portland Trail Blazers

Nicolas Batum showed flashes of having taken his game to a completely different level this past season, and he should complete said transition this upcoming season.

Batum averaged 12.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game for the Portland Trail Blazers while shooting nearly 35 percent from three-point range. He boasted an impressive inside-out game, and became one of the more consistent players in the Blazers rotation.

Batum's production dropped slightly in the postseason to eight points and 1.7 rebounds per game, and while this was his third trip to the playoffs, his struggles are of no major concern. He is still only 22 and learning how to cope with such pressures.

Now that the secret is out on LaMarcus Aldridge and Portland is welcoming an aggressively effective point guard in Raymond Felton, Batum should receive even more open looks. Opposing defenses will be so focused on stopping Aldridge and Felton that Batum may become an afterthought.

Additionally, playing alongside an elusive point guard with great court vision in Felton is sure to boost Batum's offensive numbers substantially. And his natural abilities will take care of the rest.

Last season, Aldridge's claim to fame stole the show, but next season, the most prominent Blazers story line will belong to Batum, as he plays his way to borderline stardom.

Gary Neal of San Antonio Spurs

It took Gary Neal quite some time to reach the NBA, but when he finally did, he came ready to play.

Neal averaged a solid 9.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in just over 20 minutes per game for the San Antonio Spurs last season, excelling at the long ball as he shot nearly 42 percent from beyond the arc. No one expected Neal to make as large a contribution as he did to the Spurs, and even fewer will be prepared for what he accomplishes next season.

With Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili entering a steady, age-related decline in production, and Tony Parker's status with the organization up in the air, Neal will be asked to assume a larger role. And he is ready to do just that.

Now that Neal finally has some NBA experience under his belt, there is no telling how high the 26-year-old will fly. And while he is older for the amount of experience he has, Neal does provide some refreshing youth, as well as a glimmer of hope for the future to a rapidly aging San Antonio team.

Neal's stellar performance this past season was no fluke. Next season he will return better prepared and ready to take on a larger role.

And the performance that will ensue from there will be nothing short of incredible.

Jeff Teague of Atlanta Hawks

Jeff Teague, after a less than an impressive regular season, became quite the player to watch during the postseason, especially during the Atlanta Hawks' and Orlando Magic's first-round matchup.

During the regular season, Teague averaged 5.2 points and two assists per game, numbers that aren't exactly overwhelming. Come playoff time though, Teague pushed his game to a whole other level, putting up 11.8 points and 3.5 assists in nearly 30 minutes per game.

Although Teague's postseason display was only an eight-game stint, he exhibited the ability to competently run the offense and hold his own on defense. He also showed that he could score when called upon.

Teague's postseason success will not prove to be luck and is not something we can chalk up to the hype of the playoffs. What we saw this postseason was just a preview of what's to come; this performance was only the beginning.

Teague is the real deal, and come next season, he will shed the label of mediocrity and claim a spot amongst the top starting point guards in the league.

Wilson Chandler of Denver Nuggets

Wilson Chandler is a restricted free agent, and while the Denver Nuggets would love to keep him around, it may prove too costly as his enormous potential may entitle him to a very large pay-day.

Last season, spending time with both the New York Knicks and Nuggets, Chandler averaged a combined 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while emerging as one of the most versatile players in the game.

Chandler can play the shooting guard, small forward and power forward positions, something few players are capable of. His strength allows him to go up against guys much taller than him in the paint, yet his speed and ball-handling skills make him a threat from anywhere on the court.

Prior to last season, Chandler was known primarily for his inside game. However, he developed an outside game, and an effective one at that, as he shot nearly 35 percent from beyond the arc. And his defense is nothing short of stellar.

After last season, all signs pointed to Chandler being on the cusp of superstardom and one would be hard pressed to argue otherwise. The 24-year-old Chandler is equipped with all the tools a team needs to build around, making a breakout inevitable.

As a result, the question surrounding Chandler is not if he will enter the realm of stardom next season, but rather which uniform he will be donning while he does so.

James Harden of Oklahoma City Thunder

James Harden became quite the contributor for the Oklahoma City Thunder in only his second year in the league, which is saying something considering he played in the shadows of both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

During the regular season Harden averaged 12.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game, making a name for himself as one of the better sharp-shooters in the league, knocking down over 43 percent of his three-point attempts.

Additionally, Harden became accustomed to hitting the pressure shot from the outside as opposing defenses tended to focus all of their attention on Durant and Westbrook. And as far as the postseason was concerned, he excelled under the spotlight, averaging 13 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals each night.

The 6'5" Harden can score, defend and even rebound when he is motivated enough. And now that he has two full seasons of experience on his resume, look for his numbers to increase significantly next year.

Last season, the Thunder had the luxury of watching as Westbrook blossomed into a proven superstar, and come next season, whenever that may be, they will have the same luxury as Harden plays his way into stardom.

Marcin Gortat of Phoenix Suns

After spending more than three years in a shadow cast by Dwight Howard with the Orlando Magic, Marcin Gortat found his niche with the Phoenix Suns.

Once he was traded to Phoenix, Gortat averaged 13 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, incredible numbers compared to the ones he put up while in Orlando. With the Suns, he proved that he was as versatile as anyone, becoming a major part of the team's game plan.

Gortat can score, both in the paint and from the outside, and his ball-handling is outstanding for someone of his size. The 6'11" center can also rebound and block shots with the best, which might be the one useful aspects of his game he can attribute to spending time alongside Dwight Howard.

At 27, and only four years of NBA experience, Gortat has barely scratched the surface of his full potential, even during his time thus far with the Suns. Next season, as he develops a better cohesion with his teammates, specifically with Steve Nash, and fully adjusts to becoming an everyday player, he will emerge as one of the best big men in the entire league.

Considering where Gortat was less than a year ago, the prospect of such improvement is remarkable.

But then again, so is he.

John Wall of Washington Wizards

John Wall's impressive rookie season took a back seat to the dunk-happy Blake Griffin, but such an occurrence will not be the case next year.

Wall averaged 16.4 points, 8.3 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game while emerging as the clear leader of the Washington Wizards in only his first year as a pro.

The frightening thing about Wall though, for opposing teams anyway, is that he is going to improve for next season. He can already score, pass and even defend, and he will only build upon these strengths.

One concern of Wall's, though, is that his outside game is mediocre, but at only 20, he is far from doomed in that department. In fact, look for Wall to incorporate a strong outside game into his arsenal for next season.

How exactly does one have a breakout sophomore season after such an impressive rookie one?

Well, with a year of experience now under his belt, he knows the ins and outs of the game better. Look for him to fly past opponents even more, score even more and steal the ball even more.

Seriously, do not be surprised if Wall puts up 25 points and 10 assists per game because he is that talented.

Wall has already made a name for himself as one of the fastest players to ever the NBA has ever seen, and next season, be prepared for him to solidify his spot as a bona fide superstar.

Stephen Curry of Golden State Warriors

After the season Stephen Curry had, some may not be able to come to grips with how anything he will do can constitute a breakout year for the 23-year-old guard.

The fact of the matter though is that while Curry's 18.6 points, 5.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game were impressive, his full potential hasn't been reached. Additionally, his improvement did not receive proper recognition given that he plays alongside the ever flashy Monta Ellis.

Regardless of whether or not the Golden State Warriors decide to move Ellis, Curry is going to emerge as the franchise player next season. His basketball IQ is higher than that of Ellis; he can distinguish between when to score and when to pass and doesn't force the action, letting the offense come to him instead.

Additionally, Curry can run the point as well as assume the shooting guard duties, and while Ellis can do the same, Curry is more elusive and has a better court-vision. He also knocks down shots more consistently, his form resembling that of notorious sharp-shooters Ray Allen and Allan Houston.

The Warriors are one of the most underachieving teams in the NBA. With the talent they have on their roster, they should be at least a borderline playoff team. However, they are missing one key aspect of a successful team: leadership.

Curry is ready to step up and be the leader of this organization, and even with Ellis still on the roster, new head coach Mark Jackson and the rest of the team are going to look to him to lead them.

How will Curry respond?

By averaging close to 25 points and eight assists per game, while helping Golden State establish establish a clear team concept and identity.

And if that doesn't constitute a breakout year, what exactly does?

Danilo Gallinari of Denver Nuggets

Danilo Gallinari was a player that was due for a break out this past season, yet countless trade rumors prevented him from doing such a thing.

Despite failing to have a breakout year, Gallinari still put up an impressive 15.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game between his time with the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets

At 6'10", Gallinari is as versatile as they come. He can run the floor, drive the ball to the basket and is one of the most lethal three-point shooters in the game, hitting nearly 38 percent of his three-point attempts for his career.

Speaking of his outside shooting, though, a major concern surrounding Gallinari is that he tends to settle for the jump shot as opposed to taking the ball to the rim, which he proved to be effective at. His rebounding could also use some work too, as someone his size should be grabbing twice as many boards per game.

However, Gallinari is only 23, and has plenty of time to improve such weaknesses. Even last season, Gallinari demonstrated the willingness to take the ball into the paint more often. And his defensive awareness improved greatly as well, making it clear he is committed to evolving as a player.

The Nuggets see Gallinari as their franchise player for the foreseeable future and will look to build around him, which will lead to him getting more touches on offense, and thus more opportunities to become the Dirk Nowitzki-like scorer we know he is capable of being.

Assuming the role of Denver's franchise player should instill a high level of confidence in the Italian prodigy, ensuring that this next season will be a memorable one.

It will be the season in which Gallinari transitions from a promising young player into a bona fide star, turning heads and dropping jaws in the process, while at the same time solidifying his spot as one of the best small forwards in the league.

You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter here @DannyFavs2033.