10 NBA Stars With Something to Prove Next Season

With the cancellation of 43 preseason games, the NBA lockout has officially affected part of the season, a reality that is very hard to swallow for both fans and players, and not only the players more dependent on their paychecks, but the headlining ones as well.

The cancellation of any games, including preseason ones, is incredibly crucial. With a shortened or completely voided preseason, athletes' ability to effectively prepare for the upcoming regular season is severely hampered. Not many would be overly amenable to watching into mid-December as players struggle to get their legs back.

While this recent cancellation of preseason games hinders players abilities to prepare for the regular season, it also postpones certain athletes' opportunity to shed or revive their labels. 

How much longer will Kobe Bryant have to wait to prove that he has plenty left in the tank?

Will LeBron James get the opportunity to reverse his tendency for disappearing when it matters?

When will Monta Ellis get the chance to show he is more than a hindrance to a team's development?

Superstars do not have immunity from proving their worth, and even in the face of the NBA lockout, this is no different. Sure, we will be ecstatic should we ever be able to see the aforementioned players take the court next season, but the lockout doesn't change the fact that there are elite players with something to prove as we look ahead.

And here are 10 stars, who despite their immense capabilities, are no exception.

Monta Ellis

Monta Ellis increased his willingness to pass the ball last season, yet he has still managed to find his way into numerous trade rumors and has drawn an abundance of criticism for his selfish tendencies.

Ellis averaged 24.1 points, 5.6 assists and 2.1 steals per game, improving in almost every statistical aspect, but there is some serious doubt as to whether he can become a leader for not only the Golden State Warriors, but any other team.

Currently, it seems as if Stephen Curry is ready to assume the primary leadership role in Golden State, and with the addition of Klay Thompson and new head coach Mark Jackson, who values defense above all else, Ellis is seen as expendable.

How often is it that we see a player who led his team in scoring be deemed expendable? Hardly ever.

Ellis has to prove that he is not a setback in his team's development, but rather a key piece of their future. And if he should begin the season with another organization, he is going to have to prove that he is more than what Golden State believed him to be.

As one of the most creative scorers in the game, Ellis' offensive reputation should be set in stone. However, despite passing more last season, he often did not pass enough. He tends to dribble too much and force the action. His ability to run the point should put him at a clear advantage, not open him up to further criticism.

Additionally, on defense, Ellis can be effective, but only when he is interested. It is widely known that his priority is offense, but to be considered a franchise player, you have to be a leader on both ends of the floor.

Looking ahead to next season, Ellis has to become more of a team player. He had an impressive season last year statistically, but such success means very little when your team doesn't experience the same kind.

Regardless of where Ellis begins the season, expendable is going to be a classification that he must endure. How he finishes though is up to him.

Brook Lopez

Over the past two seasons, Brook Lopez has been the lone bright spot for the young and struggling New Jersey Nets.

Last season, Lopez averaged 20.4 points, six rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. He is extremely versatile on the offensive end and very athletic for his size. Additionally, Lopez is only 23 and has not yet tapped his full potential, which makes him even more dangerous.

Despite Lopez's success and promising future, Deron Williams and the Nets have creeped their way into Dwight Howard talks. New Jersey wants nothing more than to keep Williams long term and obtaining Howard is a sure fire way of doing that. Lopez needs to prove that New Jersey's chances of retaining the star point guard do not live and die with Howard though.

Lopez is a more than capable big man. His rebounding and overall toughness need some work, but he is young and still developing. Lopez's future looks bright, but lately he has been considered as more of a tool to obtain the next player that will secure Williams' future with the Nets.

It is highly unlikely New Jersey trades Lopez by the start of next season, so he has a chance to prove to Williams and the rest of the organization he is prepared to be the second star the franchise so desperately craves.

For the Nets to keep Williams, they are going to have to show a mountain of improvement overall. He is not going to sign a long term contract if he feels that they are nowhere near contention. With Howard, the Nets are certainly contenders, but with Lopez in the low-post, such a potential is rarely considered.

Williams' abilities are heralded, but Lopez's, after only three-years in the league, are continuously questioned. Heading into next season, Lopez needs to prove that he is not only valuable as a trade asset, but as a building block for a championship team.

He needs to prove that one of the best players fit to convince Williams to remain with the Nets is already on the roster. 

Lamar Odom

The 31-year-old Lamar Odom has been mentioned in as many trade rumors as anyone, and despite being the reigning sixth man of the year, he is now viewed in Los Angeles as more of a means to the next superstar.

Odom averaged 14.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game last season, furthering his reputation as one of the most consistent and versatile players in the league. He continued to play at a high level and proved he was still capable of standing up to the rigors of an NBA seasons, appearing in all 82 regular season games last season.

After a disappointing postseason, the Los Angeles Lakers appear ready to undergo a major roster upheaval, and Odom seems the most likely player to be moved regardless of the trade scenario, and he needs to prove that he is more than just a pawn in negotiations.

Odom may be aging, but he is still capable of making a major impact on the basketball court, and he needs to prove he is the same type of player next season, regardless of what team he begins it with. He may have numerous accomplishments under his belt already, but he has entered into a realm of uncertainty that players only enter when their career is on the decline. He needs to prove that this is not the case though.

It seems unreal that after having a season in which his production was in line with his career totals that he should endure such talk of his skills declining, but his age makes him susceptible to such talk. Whether it be with the Lakers or another organization, Odom needs to show that he can still be a crucial part of any championship aspirations.

Odom is a workhorse, but in a league where youth is a hot commodity, he has become a near afterthought on his current team. Even in negotiations, he is viewed as not enough of a centerpiece to acquire players like Andre Iguodala or Monta Ellis. This is something he has to change.

Next season may prove to be the most crucial year of Odom's career, as he embarks on a campaign to prove to his team, and the rest of the league that he much more than just aging role player.

Chris Bosh

Back with the Toronto Raptors, Chris Bosh developed a reputation for being a franchise player who was unable to lead his team anywhere important, a reputation he hoped to leave behind him when he joined the Miami Heat.

Such a reputation may not have followed him verbatim, but it did evolve to include his overall effectiveness.

No one can deny the Heat's success in the first year of the "big three" experiment, and we can also not dismiss the fact that Bosh averaged 18.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game as the third option on offense. That being said, Bosh exhibited a lack of ability to be a true game changer in the low-post.

Bosh has always been considered a very skilled offensive player, but he has a tendency to take too many jump shots, not only for a player at his position, but now for an athlete who plays alongside Dwyane Wade and LeBron James.

Additionally, amidst a diminished offensive role, one would expect Bosh to put more of a focus on his defensive effectiveness, which he did not. He is not one of the worst defenders in the league, but he is average at best. He has the height, but lacks the strength to go up against the more explosive power forwards and centers.

With all of this in mind, where does Bosh stand exactly? He is getting paid superstar money, yet often becomes an afterthought. This is exactly what he has to change next season.

Bosh needs to not only prove that he was worth the money he signed for, but that he is capable of establishing his own identity outside of this "big three" forming. It's clear that he is emotionally invested in this game, but that alone is not enough.

Bosh has been attempting to stave off the label of "soft" his entire career, and his lukewarm play in the postseason did not do him any favors in that department. His role has changed with the Heat, and while good players make do, great players find a way to thrive.

Is Bosh a star in the NBA? Yes. Is he a deserving one? That's what he needs prove to us next season.

Carlos Boozer

At first glance, Carlos Boozer had a very good year, averaging 17.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game last season. Despite the numbers though, Boozer has a whole lot to prove heading into next season.

During the postseason Boozer all but disappeared. His scoring dropped to 12.6 points per game and his defense became even more of a liability for the Chicago Bulls.

Additionally, Boozer's durability is questionable at best. He appeared in only 59 games during the regular season and part of his struggles in the postseason were due to a toe injury he suffered. He is no newcomer, but at 29, Boozer should be far from declining, and this is what he needs to prove is in fact not happening.

Boozer will most likely begin next season, lockout willing, with the Bulls, and he needs to show them that he was at least worth some of $80 million they gave him last summer. He needs to regain his composure on defense and needs to stay healthy long enough to make a significant impact on the court in general.

Derrick Rose and company are a heartbeat away from a championship, and Boozer cannot allow himself to be the reason they fall short. As of right now, if a team came along willing to take the power forward off Chicago's hands, chances are they would deal him.

When healthy, Boozer is a dominant low-post scorer who can crash the boards as well as anyone. He was even a strong defender early on in his career. However, Boozer has been unable to remain healthy for an extended period of time, and now finds himself as one of the weaker links on a deep Chicago team.

Boozer may be one of the harder working players in the league, but he is approaching a crucial juncture in his career. In less than two months, he will reach the volatile age of 30. This is an age where some players prove to be far from done while others fall into oblivion.

Heading into next season, Boozer needs to prove he is not poised to fall into the latter category.

Joe Johnson

After averaging over 20 points per game in his first five seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, Joe Johnson landed himself a max level deal on his way to averaging a less than impressive 18.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per game last season.

Johnson is known as a phenomenal offensive player, and even a competent defender, but he seemed to lack this stand out type of play that helped him land superstar status last season. He became arguably the Hawks' second option on offense by the end of the season, and his outside shooting was lackluster the entire year.

As a result, Johnson not only needs to prove that he was worth the money Atlanta offered him, but first show that he is not poised to become one of the bigger contractual busts of all time.

The Hawks are looking to move Josh Smith, and even though the team possesses a surplus of forwards, Smith's offensive production will be missed if he is moved, which puts more responsibility on the shoulders of Johnson. Even if Smith remains in Atlanta though, Johnson is going to be under an enormous amount of pressure after not living up to the first year of his contract.

At 30, and with 10 NBA seasons under his belt, Johnson's decline in effectiveness could be attributed to age and extensive exposure to the rigors of an NBA season, but with a relatively clear bill of health, such an excuse only goes so far.

Up until last season, Johnson was considered one of the best scorers in the game. His three-point shooting was viewed as downright lethal and he seemed good for 20 points every game. 

Next season, this is a reputation that Johnson is going to have to fight to preserve. It is a reputation that he is going to have to prove he is not finished building.

Steve Nash

Steve Nash, believe it or not, has something to prove next season, although unlike most on this list, it is not amid the face of severe adversity.

The 37-year-old Nash averaged 14.7 points and 11.4 assists per game last season, unprecedented numbers for someone his age, and he has to prove that his years are not completely catching up with him. 

Nash's age and the Phoenix Suns' current state aren't exactly a good fit, or so one would think. Phoenix is clearly rebuilding, and Nash isn't getting any younger, thus essentially wasting what time he has left on a team nowhere near contention.

That being said, not everyone sees it that way. The Suns seem in no rush to move Nash, and think he has plenty left, as do plenty of readers who deny that the prolific point guard is on the decline.

At 37, one would believe that Nash's skills and abilities are diminishing, yet there seems to be split parties on that subject. If last season is any indication, Nash could have two or three more very effective years left in him, if not more. 

Nash has the opportunity to prove that age truly is but a number. In a league where we constantly see athletes quickly falling in and even more quickly falling out of favor because of age restrictions, Nash has the chance to prove the opposite.

Will Nash retire after his contract expires next season? Possibly, but if he has another season like last year it would be hard to imagine that he would walk away.

However, another incredible season is not necessarily in the cards for him. If history has taught us anything, it is that even the best athletes eventually succumb to age—see Michael Jordan—and begin to drop off in capability.

Next season, Nash will serve as the possible exception to this rule. He has already defied the odds by performing at this high a level for this long, and it will be interesting to see if he continues.

Few will belittle Nash if he fails to become the exception to the rule, but for the teams who may inquire about his services between next season and beyond, he has to prove that he is still a top-tier point guard in the league, and that last season was a sign of what is to continue, not a finale of his incredible talents.

Carmelo Anthony

Though the New York Knicks had a disappointing postseason, Carmelo Anthony kept the team competitive in the first two games almost solely on his own, suggesting that he was worth the steep price that they paid. That being said, he still has a whole lot more to prove next season.

Anthony averaged 26.3 points and 6.7 rebounds after joining the Knicks, and more importantly, his three-point shooting improved dramatically as he shot over 42 percent from beyond the arc with New York. These are numbers he is certainly capable of maintaining, but he still must prove he can put them up consistently in this new system. 

Additionally, Anthony also has to prove that he can play a more complete game. By complete, we are of course referring to his lack of execution on the defensive end. He has shown that he is capable of playing tight, effective defense, but he has to prove he can do that consistently as well. 

Conditioning is also a concern regarding Anthony. He was not running the floor as hard with the Denver Nuggets as he will with the Knicks and he is going to be asked to play even more minutes. He needs to prepare himself for this as his overall fitness paled in comparison to teammates Amar'e Stoudemire.

Anthony is one of the most talented offensive players in the league, but this alone is not enough to satiate the appetite of New York and its fans, which is why he has so much to prove next season.

The price New York paid for Anthony only becomes worth it if the Knicks are a heartbeat away from becoming title contenders, meaning Anthony has to prove that he and Stoudemire can at least make some noise in the Eastern Conference together.

Next season Anthony has to show he can stray away from his iso-oriented style, and excel in the realm of fast-paced, unselfish basketball. Many already consider him to be a top 10 player, but next season, he is truly going to have to earn his keep in that department. 

Kobe Bryant

After all Kobe Bryant has accomplished over his career, he still has something to prove to the basketball world as we, lockout willing, move into next season.

Bryant had another great year, averaging 25.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game last season. However, as the Los Angeles Lakers' season drew to a close and their postseason hopes were thrashed by the Dallas Mavericks, his ability, specifically the ability of his knees, to lead this team to another title began to be questioned.

Bryant is 33 and his knees have 15 seasons of wear and tear on them. He has adjusted his game accordingly and remained an overwhelming threat to defenses while doing so, but does he have enough left in the tank to carry the Lakers on his shoulders? 

Proving he is still capable of leading Los Angeles into the promise land is something that would consist of him having an MVP type season in the eyes of many. If he comes out next year and drops 25 plus points per game while regaining much of his elusiveness and pushing Los Angeles deep into the postseason, much of the doubt will be put to rest.

However, as Bethlehem Shoals introduces, the best way for Bryant to help the Lakers remain relevant may be to take on the reduced role. By introducing such a concept, this means that Bryant has to prove that he is still capable of discerning what is best for this Lakers team.

If Bryant defies his age and has a career year, but the Lakers fail to make some noise in the postseason, can any doubt really be put to rest? Despite his knee issues, his abilities cannot be questioned, but is he going to be able to accept a diminished role, even slightly, if it is what's best for the team?

Bryant's priorities have come under scrutiny before, especially during Shaquille O'Neal's final days in Los Angeles, but his desire to win has always seemed to edge out his need to satisfy his own statistical ego. He is still the face of the Lakers franchise, but he has adjusted his play on the court to account for his aging body as well as open up opportunities for others, something he has been commended for. 

Bryant will always be the face of the Lakers, regardless of what role he assumes. The real question is how much of a reduced role is he willing to accept? Furthermore, does he know if taking a slight step back is what's best for the team?

Bryant's abilities are undeniable, but his judgement is questionable. And he needs to put such questions to rest, by continuing to lead the Lakers to success, one way, or another. 

LeBron James

LeBron James helped lead the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals this past season, but he once again did not save his best for last, which opened him up to further criticism.

After last summer's "The Decision" and James' numerous media lash outs this season, his image could ill afford to take further hits. A lot of the criticism surrounding James tends to be exaggerated because of his controversial nature, but the fact remains he was not at his best when the Heat needed him to be.

James averaged 26.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and seven assists per game last season, showing that he was at the top of his game, in the regular season anyway. In the postseason, his production dropped to 23.7 points and 5.9 assists per game, not too major of a decline, but it certainly came at the most inopportune time.

James has built a reputation as one of the best to ever play the game, but next season, he needs to prove that he is capable of not only being a postseason leader for his team, but capable of rebuilding his image as well.

When he left Cleveland for Miami, his motivation was a championship. He did not feel that he could win a championship with the Cavaliers, essentially attributing his postseason struggles to the lack of a supporting cast to play with. With the Heat, he was alongside the players he wanted to be alongside, and still didn't play his best ball though.

Yes, it's only one season, and we cannot read too much into the Heat falling just short of a title, but we can read into the fact that James doesn't seem to thrive in the postseason. His numbers are stellar, but James is above that. People expect more from him, and rightfully so, as he is one of the most talented players to ever step foot on the court.

Additionally, James has to prove he is maturing in terms of his public persona. He creates waves in the media too frequently, and this is something that he needs to stop. He is not making it any easier on himself or his teammates by creating rifts between he and the public.

Defeat is tough to swallow, but as a professional athlete, James needs to control his frustration much better. When his play is unable to do the talking for him, he allows his mouth free reign, and it's just unacceptable.

James has already accomplished a great deal over his eight-year career, but he still has much left to prove. We know he has the tools to be a force in the postseason, but he has to prove he can use them in that type of atmosphere. As far as his public image is concerned, we know he is involved with countless charities and things of that nature, but his media relations must improve.

Is James the best to ever grace the court? Debatable, but coming out next season and proving he is capable and willing to improve upon the aforementioned transgressions would only help his case. 

You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter here @DannyFavs2033.