Biggest Game Changer from Every NBA Team

Every NBA team has that one player who can change the game with one play. Be it tough defense, unpredictable skills or clutch shooting, each team's game changer is a valuable member of the squad.  One of the league's best of these players is New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul (pictured), who can simply do it all.

In the NBA Finals last season, game-changers were key in the outcome of the series.  In Dallas' case, J.J. Barea's clutch three-pointers and speedy footwork to the basket gave the Mavericks an advantage that ultimately won them a championship. On Miami's end, the speed and shooting of Mario Chalmers kept Miami in the series until the very end.

The game changers of the NBA Finals also bring to light an excellent point: a team's game-changer doesn't necessarily have to be the star of the team.

That being said, let's dive right in and look at each team's representative in the game-changing department.

Atlanta Hawks: Josh Smith

What makes Josh Smith a game-changer is that the opposition never knows what to expect from him.  One night, he may be the attacking force on offense. On another, he'll focus solely on defense and grab some key rebounds and maybe even block a shot or two.  Last year, he averaged 8.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.

I've said many times that the Atlanta Hawks have one of the deadliest starting lineups in the NBA. That statement rings true much in thanks to Smith and the contributions he makes on the floor night after night. Be it with a rim-rocking dunk or an electrifying blocked shot, this man has played a huge role in his teams' successes the past four seasons.

Boston Celtics: Ray Allen

Despite being 36 years old, Ray Allen just might be the best game-changer in the NBA. Ever since joining the Boston Celtics in 2007, he has been instrumental to the team's success by bringing clutch three-point shooting to the table. Last season, he made 44 percent of his shots from beyond the arc and in the process became the all-time leader in three-pointers made.

To give you an example of Allen's prowess from downtown, allow me to take you back to Game 1 of the first round of last season's NBA playoffs. The Knicks had kept pace with the Celtics for much of the night and were ahead by one point with 12 seconds remaining.  As he did throughout the season, Allen demanded the ball and sunk a three to give the Celtics an 87-85 victory.

He may be getting up there in years on paper, but Allen still plays with the skill of a younger player and continues to change games night after night as he guides his team to victory.

Charlotte Bobcats: Kemba Walker

He may not have an NBA game under his belt yet, but mark my words. Kemba Walker is going to be a key game-changer for the young Charlotte Bobcats.

The No. 9 pick in this year's draft, Walker was selected after leading the University of Connecticut on a magical run that started in the Big East Tournament and ended in the NCAA Men's Championship game.  The Huskies walked away champions despite being underdogs from the start of the former tournament and, not surprisingly, Walker was named the latter tourney's Most Outstanding Player.

He isn't the biggest point guard and could use some time in the weight room, but it's only a matter of time before Walker and his ankle-breaking moves that I used to think only existed in street-ball come through in the clutch for the Bobcats and make them perennial playoff contenders.

Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose was named this past season's MVP for a reason. He was instrumental in leading the Bulls to the best record in the league and carrying them on his back most of the way. On the year, he averaged 25 points and 7.7 assists. Those are numbers that coaches dream of getting from their star point guard.

More importantly, Rose never backed down in the face of adversity. If there were games when the Bulls were down and all hope seemed lost, he would get them back in the game with just one clutch basket or a pass for another bucket that would wake the crowd up. In just one move, Rose changed the tone of the game.

Next season will be the former Memphis Tiger's contract year and if he can continue to come through in key situations and maybe even lead his team to a championship, then he will be due some big money.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Daniel Gibson

Coming off the bench for the Cleveland Cavaliers last season, Daniel Gibson averaged 11.6 points per game. The season was a dismal one for the team, as they were adjusting to life without LeBron James and finished with the second-worst record in the league. Yet, throughout the year, Gibson was a bright spot on an otherwise underachieving team.

Though he averaged a modest amount of points off the bench, Gibson also made 40 percent of his three-pointers. Gibson averaged just 10.7 points in the 19 games the Cavs won last year, but he made a respectable 35 percent of his three-pointers. Considering how he was able to do that kind of damage off the bench, that makes him a decent game-changer.

Dallas Mavericks: Jason Terry

While J.J. Barea was instrumental down the stretch as the Dallas Mavericks ended the season as NBA champions, Jason Terry also deserves his due credit, especially since Barea is now a free agent.

Ever since joining the NBA out of Arizona in 1999, Terry has been one of the league's best shooters off the bench.  Last season, he averaged 15.8 points on 36 percent three-point shooting.  Yet, in the playoffs, he fared even better.

Terry's postseason saw averages of 17.5 points while he made a remarkable 44 percent of his three-pointers and 48 percent of his field goals. His shots in the latter half of the Finals proved to be great difference makers as they electrified the fans both in Dallas and Miami and proved to change the tone of the games.

Denver Nuggets: Danilo Gallinari

When he was drafted back in 2008, some experts compared Danilo Gallinari to Dirk Nowitzki. At 6'10", he was a player who could be an offensive force from three-point range or even under the basket.

While he may not have the media presence of Nowitzki, nor the stellar defensive game and clutch shooting, Gallinari matches the All-Star forward in terms of his drive and tenacity. In recent years, he has become not just a clutch three-point shooter but a forward who will drive hard to the basket and draw fouls. Even his rebounding is starting to improve.

He is only 23 and still has time to grow, but keep an eye on Gallinari as he becomes the go-to guy and first string game-changer in the Mile High City.

Detroit Pistons: Brandon Knight

There is no other way to say this.  The Detroit Pistons are a mess and chances are that their roster will have undergone a complete overhaul by next season. Yet, team management may have found the team's next game-changer in drafting Brandon Knight.

Knight spent one year at Kentucky playing for John Calipari and was pretty damn impressive. His play and leadership played big roles in getting the Wildcats to the Final Four. In the Sweet 16, it was Knight's basket with five seconds remaining that gave Kentucky a win over the heavily favored Ohio State Buckeyes.

Even in the Final Four game against Connecticut, Knight was able to repeatedly change the pace of the game. His team lost, but it was only by one point.

He has a lot to learn on the NBA level and it may be a couple of years before he's a star, but Knight will definitely be a game-changer from the get go.

Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry

In three years at Davidson College, Stephen Curry was one of the nation's best shooters. He left school with career averages of 25.3 points on 41 percent three-point shooting and was taken by the Golden State Warriors with the seventh pick in the 2009 NBA draft. In just two years as a pro, Curry has put to rest the idea that college players' numbers at school always drop on the NBA level.

Simply put, Curry is deadly in two ways. He is a phenomenal passer who can dish the ball off to the open man for a clutch shot, or he can make the clutch shot on his own. His career three-point percentage is a stellar 44 percent and while his career course can change at any moment, Curry will always be a man who changes the tone of games wherever he is playing.

Houston Rockets: Kyle Lowry

After four years coming off the bench in time with the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets, Kyle Lowry finally got a chance to start this season. In 75 games, he averaged 13.5 points and 6.7 assists as he was one of the few bright spots for the Rockets in yet another season without Yao Ming.

While Houston may have underachieved, Lowry's play was always entertaining to watch. He went out and hustled every step of the way, playing tough defense and changing games in making some clutch three-pointers. On the season, he shot 37 percent from long range.

With the Rockets hopefully undergoing a transformation under new coach Kevin McHale, look for Lowry to be the leader on offense and have a breakout season.

Indiana Pacers: Danny Granger

The Indiana Pacers are a young team that while talented, still have a lot of work to do in terms of development. The only player on the team that could be called a star is forward Danny Granger and as the team's best player, is often the one called upon to take control of a close game.

Despite that, Granger does his job as a game-changer well. Last season, he averaged 20.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, both respectable for someone like him. On the whole, his game-changing play (be it through driving hard to the basket or three-point shooting) was key as the Pacers fought and clawed their way to the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.

With most of the core returning next year, look for Granger to lead the Pacers back to the playoffs.

Los Angeles Clippers: Blake Griffin

Although he was drafted No. 1 overall in 2009, Blake Griffin missed that entire season due to microfracture surgery. He debuted this year and his performance was simply off the charts. He averaged 22.5 points and 12.1 rebounds per game on his way to being the unanimous choice for NBA Rookie of the Year.

The Clippers may have had a bad season, but Griffin always kept them in the game and changed the tone thanks to his electrifying dunks. As a result, his team usually only lost by about three points.

To get an idea of Griffin's dunking ability, watch the video.

Los Angeles Lakers: Lamar Odom

Lamar Odom is a game-changer much in the same way that Josh Smith is. If you're on the other team, you simply don't know how to guard him. At one moment he could be driving hard to the basket for a dunk, and at another he'll be getting ready to crash the backboard for a rebound or block a shot with authority. In some instances, he'll take the wind out of the opposition's sails with a clutch three-pointer.

Even crazier, a majority of Odom's minutes come off the bench. He played in all 82 games last season, but only started 35. With averages of 14.4 points and 8.7 rebounds, it's no wonder he was named Sixth Man of the Year.

He has two years remaining on his contract, so it looks as though another effective season could be in the works for Odom as he will continue to try and bring another championship to the City of Angels.

Memphis Grizzlies: Mike Conley

Last season, Mike Conley was the game-changer on a Memphis Grizzlies team that had a run towards the end that some teams can only dream about. The Grizzlies entered the postseason as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference and were matched up against the heavily favored San Antonio Spurs. Instead of being in and out of the postseason, the Grizzlies beat the Spurs in six games and pulled off a tremendous upset.

They lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the next round, but there's no denying that everyone was rooting for Memphis. In the postseason, Conley was the unquestioned leader on offense as he averaged 15.2 points and 6.4 assists per game. He was a game-changer not through how much he scored or how much defense he played, but through how he set the offense up so that Memphis could run the table.

Most of the team's core is back next year, so look for Conley to build upon last season's performance.

Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade

Words simply cannot do justice to what Dwyane Wade does as a game-changer. He simply puts the team on his back night after night so that he may guide them to victory. Allow me to illustrate just how clutch he is.

A team may be closing the gap on the Miami Heat's lead. Just when it's close enough, Wade will either make a pretty reverse layup or nail a fadeaway three-pointer from the corner. There we have the beginning of the end for the other team.

Wade's freakish accuracy is a weapon most players would kill to have and up to this point, there is no way to stop it. He is just that good. Next season, he will use that skill to hopefully bring South Beach another NBA championship.

Milwaukee Bucks: Beno Udrih

Recently acquired from the Sacramento Kings, Beno Udrih is going to be a tremendous game-changer for the Milwaukee Bucks next season. This is a team that is still suffering from the physical decline of Michael Redd and is without a leader. Udrih may not put up big numbers, but he will certainly play his hardest night after night and hopefully add a spark to the Milwaukee lineup.

Last season, he averaged 13.7 points and made 36 percent of his three-pointers. He is the perfect man (save for Stephen Jackson) to give a spark to the team's lineup either as a starter or coming off the bench. Either way, his contributions will be valuable in the clutch.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin Love

Kevin Love was a double-double machine last season, averaging 20.2 points and 15.2 rebounds. His game-changing ability comes in unpredictability, but it is one that is rarely seen in someone 6'10" and 260 pounds.

Love can dunk, be physical and score on the inside and has a nice perimeter shot too. On top of that, though, how many men his size will also shoot nearly 42 percent from downtown?

Simply put, don't mess with this guy on the hardwood.

New Jersey Nets: Anthony Morrow

I'll admit, the New Jersey Nets are a shell of what they were at the start of last season, despite the addition of Deron Williams. He himself is a game changer, but not in the same way as his teammate Anthony Morrow.

Despite his team's struggles last season, Morrow averaged 13.2 points while making an astounding 42 percent of his three-pointers. I had the opportunity to watch him live this season when his team faced off against my beloved New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Nets lost 120-116, but Morrow was 4 of 5 from downtown and finished with 30 points. His clutch shooting kept his team in the game up until the final buzzer.

He has a bright career ahead of him as he is just 25 years old, but look out for Morrow as he becomes one of the league's best shooting forwards who can change the tone of a game with just one shot.

New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul

Besides being a phenomenal game changer, Chris Paul is quite possibly the best point guard in the NBA. He can shoot, pass the ball well and plays possibly the best defense out of all the guards in the league.

Last season, Paul averaged 15.9 points and 9.8 assists per game, as well as 2.4 steals. Those stats alone suggest an infinite number of ways he can change a matchup. He could dish off a pass for an electrifying alley-oop, take the shot himself or steal the ball before running up the court to make another pretty play.

Even better, Paul is a free agent after next season. If he can continue to put up numbers like that, look for teams to fight over him like they were over LeBron James last offseason. Unlike his contemporary, Paul will do everything he can on his own to bring the team he plays for a championship.

New York Knicks: Landry Fields

At 6'7" and 210 pounds, Landry Fields has the build of a shooter. That assumption isn't far off as he averaged a modest 9.7 points last season and shot an incredible 39 percent from long range.

However, Fields also turned a lot of heads last season when he crashed the boards with tenacity not normally seen in guards. His average in that department was a very respectable 6.4 and he proved to be the steal of the second round of the 2010 draft. Be it through a three-pointer or stealing a rebound from a bigger opposing player, Fields was a tremendous game-changer.

His role on next year's team is up in the air what with the drafting of Iman Shumpert, but his performance last year should be reason enough for the coaching staff to give him a spot in the starting lineup along the Knicks "Big Three" of Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups.

Oklahoma City Thunder: James Harden

Considering how he is the team's sixth man, it is always a pleasure to watch James Harden as he plays with the intensity of a starter. He averaged just 12.2 points per game for the Thunder last year, but made some clutch shots down the stretch that set the tone for some dominant drives by teammates Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.

Harden definitely has the potential to crack the starting lineup next season and to be honest, coach Scott Brooks would be a fool not to start the former Arizona State Sun Devil. He might not put up a ton of points, but his pretty shots would do wonders for getting the adrenaline flowing for his teammates.

Orlando Magic: Ryan Anderson

Ryan Anderson's ability as a game-changer comes in the fact that most people underestimate him. He averaged 10.6 points and 5.5 rebounds last season, and I'll say those are pretty good numbers considering the one-sided nature of Orlando's offense.

More importantly, however, Anderson shot 39 percent from three-point range and when opposing defenses left him open, he made them pay for it. To give you a better idea of how clutch this man is, the team that trailed me in my fantasy basketball league had Anderson as the starting power forward and out of all the players on that team, he was the one who worried me the most.

He may be just another face in the crowd on the team compared to some of his teammates, but Anderson is going to be a key player in the Magic's success next season as they look to get back to the NBA Finals.

Philadelphia 76ers: Jrue Holiday

Jrue Holiday became the starting point guard in Philadelphia last season and immediately established himself as one of the top up-and-coming point men in the league. He averaged 14 points and 6.5 assists as the leader on the floor and was key in helping the Sixers clinch the No. 7 seed in the East.

His game-changing ability is the way he uses his size to psych out opposing defenses. Holiday has decent height at 6'4", but is a skinny 180 pounds. Yet, he is physical in driving to the basket for layups and when not doing that can be found either dishing the ball off to a teammate or drilling a three-pointer.

He still has a high ceiling at age 21, but keep an eye on Holiday as he continues to improve over the next season or two.

Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash

Steve Nash's work as a game-changer comes, like Holiday's, in his ability to psych out defenses. He still is a top point guard at 37 years old and will make opposing players guard him again and again while he attacks the rim. 

Then, after scoring some, Nash will pass the ball to another teammate, who will then nail the open shot.  This will go on and on because defenders will still be expecting Nash to be the one taking the opportunity to score.

While Nash is one who can take control of a game, he has always been a team-first player. Those players are rare in today's game and Nash uses that mentality to change the tone of games night after night.

Portland Trail Blazers: Gerald Wallace

Out of all the players on this list, Gerald Wallace is probably the best athlete.  He seems small for a physical presence at just 6'7" and 220 pounds, but he is a game-changer in that he puts his body on the line game after game just to bring his team a victory.

Look at it this way. Two seasons ago, for the Charlotte Bobcats, Wallace averaged 18.2 points and 10.1 rebounds. That's amazing considering how he isn't built like a conventional power forward.

Those numbers dropped this season to 15.8 points and eight rebounds, but Wallace also averaged 1.5 steals. Defenders with his toughness are rare and considering how he is no slouch on offense either, he makes this list as Portland's game-changer.

Sacramento Kings: Jimmer Fredette

Again, we have another rookie who is going to become a phenomenal game-changer. Just how successful Jimmer Fredette will be on the NBA level remains debatable, but there is one thing that cannot be argued. Out of everyone in his draft class, Fredette easily has some of the finest leadership skills.  That alone can change a game for any team.

This situation is simply perfect, seeing as how the Kings are a young squad in desperate need of a leader. Fredette may be a rookie but I can already tell he'll have no problem putting the team on his back, as evidenced by his performance at BYU. He will take this same approach in Sacramento and barring him being a major bust, the Kings will slowly become contenders once again.

San Antonio Spurs: Manu Ginobili

In his nine-year career, Manu Ginobili has been a game-changer with his electrifying shooting. Last season was no exception as he averaged 17.4 points per game in helping the Spurs to the best record in the Western Conference. Despite the fact that the Spurs lost in the first round, Ginobili averaged a very respectable 20.6 points per game in the series. 

He may be getting up there in years, but Ginobili can still turn a game around with one shot. Throw in his leadership skills on the floor, and this man is someone who would be welcome on any team.

Toronto Raptors: Jose Calderon

Jose Calderon was one of the few bright spots for the Toronto Raptors last season. The team only won 22 games, but the Spanish point guard went out and gave his all every night to the tune of 9.8 points and 8.9 assists per game, not to mention 36 percent three-point shooting.

The fact is that Calderon is the type of point guard who changes games with his shooting and his court vision. He'll either sink a clutch shot, or fake a defender out by driving to the basket and then passing the ball off to an open teammate. With the Raptors having a new coach in Dwane Casey and looking to get back to the winning ways of the Vince Carter era, you can bet that Calderon will be a key player in the team's improvement.

Utah Jazz: Paul Millsap

At 6'8" and 250 pounds, Paul Millsap is not someone I would want to guard, nor would I want him guarding me. In five years with the Utah Jazz, Millsap has evolved into one of the league's best game-changers. His game-changing skill? Well, it's his physicality.

Millsap bumped and grinded his way to 17.6 points per game last season and on the defensive end averaged 7.7 rebounds. This man can use his body to wear down the opposition and make life difficult for anyone trying to score on the inside.

Considering how the Jazz are in need of a makeover this offseason, don't be surprised to see Millsap emerge as the leader next year and continue forcing a victory to Utah night after night.

Washington Wizards: John Wall

He may have just one season under his belt, but John Wall certainly lived up to the hype after the Washington Wizards took him with the first overall pick in 2010. He only played in 69 games, but averaged a respectable 16.4 points and an astounding 8.3 assists per game. Even better, he showed some defensive prowess by averaging just under two steals a contest.

Simply put, Wall is a game-changer in the making. Once he improves his three-point shooting and is paired with a veteran that isn't named Rashard Lewis, the sky is the limit for him.

Be it driving hard to the basket, making an important pass or stealing the ball on a key possession, Wall is definitely the man the Wizards need to lead them back into contention. With game-changing skills like those at hand, who could argue?