We've seen a few breakout stars this season, Zach Randolph, Carlos Boozer, Ronald Murray, etc. So next season, who will follow in these players footsteps? My Top Three: 1. Kwame Brown (Wizards) This will be his year, he's shown steady improvement every season and granted he receives more shot attempts he could easily have a breakout year. Prediction: 16 ppg, 10 reb, 1.5 blk 2. Samuel Dalembert (76ers) This guy has impressed me all season long for the lackluster 76ers. He has amazing reaction, he's extremely quick to get off his feet, and could prove to be a top shot blocker in this league. He's currently averaging 8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and over 2 blocks a game IN JUST 26 MINUTES! Granted he receives starting minutes he could easily be a great defensive presense, the second coming of Dikembe Mutumbo down in Philadelphia. Prediction: 12 ppg, 10 rebs, 3 blks 3. Drew Gooden (Orlando) Has shown great potential all season long when he's gotten 30+ minutes down in Orlando. It's unfortunate Orlando placed him on the bench after aquiring Juwan Howard. Seemingly a bad move, Gooden actually had a great playoff series that year against Ben Wallace and Detroit, averaging 14 points and 12.7 rebounds against perhaps the leagues best defensive power foward. Anyhow, it's likely Gooden starts somewhere next season, hopefully it's still in The Eastern Conference where he could prove to be a dominate force. Prediction: 18 ppg, 8 rebs
Might be the Seattle bias here, but if Vlade Radmanovic gets the chance to play meaningful minutes at SF next season (whether that means he leaves Seattle or Lewis does) I feel he could easily put up 18 and 7 per game. He is not a power forward, and playing there has hurt his natural game.
I agree with you on Kwame, KJ X3. He seems to be getting more comfortable with the Wizards' offense by the day. Ever since they blasted each other in the media, he and Gilbert Arenas appear to form a strong one-two punch. With Gilbert as a one and Kwame as a two now. Kwame has all the talent to be one of the top six PF in this L, all he's lacking right now is confidence and consistency. If Kwame continues to develop and if Gilbert stays true with all that winning attitude, they could shift their 1-2 punch status soon. My breakout star: 1. Yao Ming: This is supposed to be his breakout year. But team PG Steve Francis has been reluctant to let Yao be the first option, often clashes with his coach about it. Even in a stretch where Steve appears willing to dump it inside, he still doesn't run the offense as well as he can. A lot of speculation has it that Steve will leave the Rockets after this season. If it happens, then Yao will have a new point guard, who'll be much more likely willing to let the offense run through him. This season has been a great improvement (17.6 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 1.9 bpg) over his rookie year. But Yao can still dominate more... much more. Prediction: 24.7 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 2.1 bpg Coming soon with no. 2... gotta go now
1. Dalembert (I really hope he doesn't get injured, he's very talented) 2. Kwame (It will be his year to prove he isn't a bust) 3. Darius Miles (He's playing great with the Blazers right now, and his shooting % is VERY good right now) 4. Joe Johnson (Expect close to 20, 5, 5 from this kid)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PupMelo:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree with you on Kwame, KJ X3. He seems to be getting more comfortable with the Wizards' offense by the day. Ever since they blasted each other in the media, he and Gilbert Arenas appear to form a strong one-two punch. With Gilbert as a one and Kwame as a two now. Kwame has all the talent to be one of the top six PF in this L, all he's lacking right now is confidence and consistency. If Kwame continues to develop and if Gilbert stays true with all that winning attitude, they could shift their 1-2 punch status soon. My breakout star: 1. Yao Ming: This is supposed to be his breakout year. But team PG Steve Francis has been reluctant to let Yao be the first option, often clashes with his coach about it. Even in a stretch where Steve appears willing to dump it inside, he still doesn't run the offense as well as he can. A lot of speculation has it that Steve will leave the Rockets after this season. If it happens, then Yao will have a new point guard, who'll be much more likely willing to let the offense run through him. This season has been a great improvement (17.6 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 1.9 bpg) over his rookie year. But Yao can still dominate more... much more. Prediction: 24.7 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 2.1 bpg Coming soon with no. 2... gotta go now </div> id agree with that. as for others that people think, id agree with kwame. dalembert....even though i love the guy, he doesnt have any moves. i wouldnt mind being wrong about him. i think gs will move a swing man this offseason, if so, i think pietrus has a good chance to breakout. id like to see the clippers move wilcox so he could get some minutes somewhere, he reminds me of a more athletic jamison for some reason.
Well it is his first year so im not sure if it will count but I expect Chris Bosh to be a break out star next year. He is a KG/JO combination of defense and offense and if the raps give him more touches you could see him averaging 16-17 ppg, 9rpg, .5 spg, 2 bpg. He is bound to gain more strength in his career and i'm pretty sure he will be an all star 3-4 down the stretch or sooner.
1. Chris Bosh - If the Raptors get a true center then Chris Bosh will be moved to the PF spot where he should be, he plays very well and could have a monster season, great potential here. Prediction: 11ppg 9rpg 1 bpg All of the other suggestions I agree with, I think Dalembert has just been crazy seeeing his limited minutes.
I agree , Joe Johnson will be big next season for the Suns...16ppg(because of Amare and Matrix) but 6apg at least. Drew Gooden....that guy can be an All-Star player...this season was a wasted season for Him because of the big mistake this season of adquiring Juwan Howard...he could become a 18ppg 12rpg kinda guy easily , become a K-Mart type of player with a better long-range shot than Boozer's.
What about my man RJ(Richard Jefferson). He has taken his game to a to whole different level this year. Yes we all new he could bring the house down with his amazing open court dunks. But this season he has added so much to his game. He has added the mid-range shot to his game with consistency. He is even starting to stretch that range even deeper the second half of the season. He leads the Nets in scoring. And has become a serious go to guy in the half court. He can create his own shot of the dribble, knock down the spot up 15 footer, or create easy opportunites for others. Jefferson is no longer a one deminsional player And next year he will be an all-star.And a top 5 Small Forward.
Cheis Bosh, Drew Gooden, and all those others you guys have named... Except your forgot two players that have had a huge impact... ZACH RANDOLPH and RAEFER ALSTON! ~Out, Prime
My somewhat biased Top 4: Yao Ming It could be argued that this was his breakout season but I think Francis is hindering him to reach his full potential. Next season Stevie Francis will realize that Yao is worth more to the Rockets than he will ever be, so he'll humble down and start passing to the big guy. Chris Bosh This season he's already showed signs of what's to come. So once he adds more muscle and get's moved to his natural position at PF, I predict good things for the young guy. Kwame Brown Now that Jordan's gone, there's no one on the team to degrade him and make him cry in public so now he can prove to the league why he was a #1 pick. Kwame will lead the Wizards to a play-off spot next season. Darko Milicic Yup you read that right, Darko Milicic, the supposed 2003 draft day bust. If Rasheed is signed by the Pistons in the off-season, Darko will get traded (he'll probably demand it) and he won't be forced to rot on the bench. I don't expect him to put up big numbers but he will show signs of his potential. Give him a few years and he will blosom into a quality big man in this league.
1.Sammy D-this guy is insane he can stuff anyone like a turkey Prediction averages: 15ppg 11rpg 1.2apg 2.7bpg 2.Dajuan Wagner: He's gonna start playing PG and get more minutes Pediction averages: 18ppg 3.7rpg 5.6apg 2spg 3.Jannero Pargo: the kid is already showing what he can do Prediction averages: 19ppg 3rpg 5apg 1.7spg
I think Kareem Rush is a player with alot of potential. He doesnt get enough minutes to show his ability(cause of Kobe but you cant blame anyone for that), he is a great scorer with a good range. If he gets traded, he could have alot of sucess on his own team.(Im sure its next year though) Predictions: 20ppg 3rpg 4apg 1spg 43%FG 38%3FG
Samuel Salembart-He has a very bright uture for the Sixers he reminds me of a more athletic Deke,if he worked on a little jump hook and some post moves he would be a complete player.Prediction-14.7ppg,10.3 ppg,1.3 apg,2.6bpg
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ming-dynasty:</div><div class="quote_post">Darko Milicic Yup you read that right, Darko Milicic, the supposed 2003 draft day bust. If Rasheed is signed by the Pistons in the off-season, Darko will get traded (he'll probably demand it) and he won't be forced to rot on the bench. I don't expect him to put up big numbers but he will show signs of his potential. Give him a few years and he will blosom into a quality big man in this league.</div> Darko will not get traded, not a chance in hell.
Drew Gooden Most definenetly. 04-05 will be the season when he might actually get some minutes therfore he will produce like he did in the playoffs against Detriot which was outstanding. Steven Hunter would be one but he won't get any minutes
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PG2:</div><div class="quote_post">1.Sammy D-this guy is insane he can stuff anyone like a turkey Prediction averages: 15ppg 11rpg 1.2apg 2.7bpg 2.Dajuan Wagner: He's gonna start playing PG and get more minutes Pediction averages: 18ppg 3.7rpg 5.6apg 2spg 3.Jannero Pargo: the kid is already showing what he can do Prediction averages: 19ppg 3rpg 5apg 1.7spg</div> It's even more insane that Sammy can do what he does and he's so small... not height wise but body wise.
Kwame-Everything has been stated already, I think he will get 15ppg and 10 rpg Dalembert-He has turned a lot of heads lately, including mine. I think he will get 13ppg and 10 rpg Joe Johnson-He is a scorer, with the Suns rebuilding, I think he is a part of their future. 16ppg and 5 apg
I kinda thinkt that Eddy Curry could have a real nice season next year. Lately he's really shown some talent, he can definately score and if he decides to rebound he can. He has a good body, big and strong and he is athletic, put 2 and 2 together and it sounds good to me. My predictions for hisnumbers next year: 16ppg 7.5rpg 1.5blks
