Basketball 26 Sneaky Breakouts
Aug 29, 2016 23:13:58 GMT -5
San Antonio Spurs (Chris), New Orleans Pelicans (Alex), and 1 more like this
Post by The Athletic on Aug 29, 2016 23:13:58 GMT -5
Hey guys, like i said i am going to try and use this ESPN account to do a lot more stuff in the league. In this feature i am going to highlight ten guys who i think have a shot at breaking out. For this piece's sake i try to avoid guys that are more popular as break out targets like Adams, Shroeder or Jokic etc. I am going to highlight guys that don't get a ton of talk but i think really have an opportunity this year. They don't even necessarily have to be young, but jut have to be someone i think is in a position to really outperform general expectations this year. And who knows maybe they even gain a little trade value from this 
Also these are in no particular order. Let's dive in! PS- power rankings still coming but i needed a small break so i could make sure i am not half -assing them.
Bobby Portis | PF | Chicago Bulls
Bobby Portis is a guy i really like. He's played well in limited minutes and had another good summer league. He doesn't have elite athleticism, isn't an elite scorer, or even rebounder, but he does a lot of small things well. Most of important of all he plays his absolute ass off. He's in a situation where there are a lot of guys at his position but known of them jump out at you as all that good. Mirotic and Dougie can shoot it, but thats about it. Felicio sucks, Robin Lopez is solid, but nothing special. The problem is the Bulls will probably plug a guy in that can shoot the rock, because nobody else in the starting five can. I hope Portis can carve out a role, and show enough this year, that Bulls let him be there starting PF for the forseeable future. He rebounds well, can hit the mid-range shot, and like i said earlier plays with a ton of heart. He's perfect for Chicago and is a guy i can see breaking onto the scene, this year or next.
Jarred Sullinger | PF | Toronto Raptors
Jarred is a guy i think is being overlooked a lot lately. He has a starting gig, in Toronto in which is only real competition for minutes is PP. Obviously, Sully's biggest problem is his weight. The funny thing is during the off-season he seems to be fine, it's when the season starts that he seems to put on the weight. He looks like he went on the Kyle Lowry diet this off-season, and is a lot thinner which is encouraging. He is a great rebounder, especially for his lack of natural athleticism. But i really like Sully's fit in Toronto, he should be able to work the glass with JV occupying a lot of space down low, and he has shown the ability to hit the open shot when given space.
Kent Bazemore | SG | Atlanta Hawks
I think Bazemore is a guy that could have a real sneaky good year this year. He should be locked in as the starting shooting guard a very good offensive system. He is already one of the better defensive two guards in the league, as he produces both steals, and can block a few shots. He has apparently been working hard on his shot all summer, and if he learn how to create/make his shot off the dribble better, he could in all honestly be a fringe all-star player. Obviously this is very best case scenario, but i think Bazemore is in a great position to succeed this year. Horford and Teague leaving opens the door for Baze to continue to grow in a leadership role and with that grab more looks. The first couple games of the season will be a big indicator of where his role will be in the offense, and i think there is a good chance that he is averaging 24-25+.
Brandon Jennings | PG | New York Knicks
Another guys people won't think of as a breakout candidate. Jennings has had a rough couple past years, and i've actually never been a huge fan of his, but i think he is in a great position to outperform people's expectations of him. He has always been a little bit of a chucker, but he seems to have matured a bit over the years and is in a really good spot to get minutes. He is backing up probably the most injury prone guard in the league, and is in a big market where i think the lights and action push him to succeed a little bit more than Milwaukee. He has apparently worked really hard this off-season and would not be surprised to see him emerge as a solid fantasy option backing up Rose. He should get atleast 15-20 starts when/if Rose goes down and should be able to put up serviceable numbers. Not saying it will happen but he's in a great position to resurrect his career.
Langston Galloway | SG | New Orleans Pelicans/OKC Thunder
This is a guy that im guessing most people are very surprised to see here. But i think Galloway has a chance to have an Ish Smith type breakout year. Galloway, broke onto the seen with New York, but the dude can play. He can make shots, both off the dribble and spot up. He is a better creator than he gets credit for, and has worked on his handle a lot this summer. Most importantly, Jrue is probably the most injury prone point guard in the association right now, Gordon also leaves a little but of room at the two guard as well. Galloway will start the season off the bench, but injuries, and his play may force himself into a nice role in an up tempo offense as the season goes. I think with as late as the Thunder got him in the draft it was a steal.
Cody Zeller | PF/C | Charlotte Hornets/Utah Jazz
Let's be honest, Zeller has been pretty disappointment since being drafted number 6 overall to the Hornets. But he has shown flashes of why he went so high. He might be the most mobile seven footer in the league, is able to knock down the mid-range shot, and that alone should earn him a role. But the Hornets really believe in him, and that alone should put him square on the map as a sleeper. Al Jeff is gone and Hibbert is in. Hibbert, atleast in my eyes is far below the quality of player Al Jeff was, and i think Clifford gives Zeller 30+ minutes a game this year. The Hornets are asking him to extend his range out to three, and i think this may be the season Zeller breaks out. If he can continue to further his arsenal down low, expand his range, his athletiscm paired with that could really take Zeller to the next level.
Chieck Diallo | C | New Orleans Pelicans/
Chieck was very highly touted out of high school, but when he was first ruled ineligible he wasn't every able to really get himself back into the rotation after being reinstated. As a result he slipped under the radar at the collegiate level and in the draft. He eventually went early second to the Pelicans, which i think is a great spot for him. Diallo dominated the combined or whatever its called, and apparently looked good in many workouts. He continued his solid play into summer league, and while he i still definitely raw, he has come a long way offensively since high school. He has really developed his mid-range jumper, and worked on multiple other moves out of the post. Diallo has elite athleticism for his size, unreal length, and can run the floor. He can protect the rim, and really if he improves could be an elite tandem with Davis. Another reason to look for Diallo to break out is the bigs next to Davis. Asik was pitiful last year, and Ajinca will never be more than a role player off the bench. I assume Asik will improve this year, but if he doesn't Diallo is this team's starting center by the end of year. It might take a couple years, but Diallo has all-star potential, and because the situation he's in don't be surprised if he is receiving meaningful minutes this year.
Josh Richardson | SG | Miami Heat
J-Rich is a guy i absolutely love. As a basketball fan i was sad D-Wade left Miami, but as a J-Rich fan i was ecstatic. The signings of Waitors, Ellington, and resigning of Johnson means there are less minutes than originally expected but J-Rich should still be able to carve out a nice role this year, an eventually be the starting two guard. For a two guard J-Rich may be a little undersized, but he makes up for it in tenacity and energy. He plays great defense, and had some great chase down blocks last year. He also went on that crazy run where he hit like 53% of his three for like a month and a half. He's a solid finisher and while he needs to improve his ball handling a little but, as a SG it isn't too big of a deal. I have no idea why the Heat signed Waitors, but hey that's up to them. I think J-Rich is the SG of Heat's future, and with continued development he will prove to be a big piece for the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets (in here).
Bojan Boogdanovic | SG/SF | Brooklyn Nets/Detroit Pistons
Last year Bojan was pitiful. He got plenty of minutes and really did nothing with them. Everytime i watched him he was inefficient, and really did nothing outside of shoot jumpers. I saw a different Bojan at the olympics this year. Granted, this is the olympics and the competition is much tougher in the NBA, but good ball players stand out like sore thumbs at the olympics. He was able to score off the dribble with ease, both blowing by defenders to finish, and creating space to nail jumpers. He was consistent from three, from the line, and midrange. He also facilitated the offense, and made the right play even when Croatia continued to feed him the ball. Again i'm not saying he is now an all-star, but in a situation like Brooklyn he should have the opportunity for a ton of minutes and this time, he can make use of them. He also showed leadership and fire something i never saw from here last year. Brooklyn seems to have faith in him, as they've sent out a developmental coach out to work with him all throughout the summer. Again, can't guarantee anything, but the Olympics were a very good sign for Bojan.
Alex Len | C | Phoenix Suns/ New Orleans Pelicans
Alex Len is a guy i really like, that most don't seem to be too high on. When given the opportunity last year Len really excelled. He has shown himself be a very good rebounder, and has started to really develop his offensive game. I still wouldn't call him above average at the NBA level on offense, but his post game isn't bad, and he has started to hit the mid range with some decent success. He also showed he can be a very solid rim protector, all while being very mobile. If he continues to grow as a player i really wouldn't be surprised to see him averaging upwards of 30-35 Fps, maybe not this year, but in the future. I really like this guy's future. Almost as importantly as his skill it seems like the Suns and Earl Watson all believe in him. Tyson Chandler is still there, and that alone presents a problem, but it shouldn't be long before the Suns are out of the playoff race, and the Suns hand him the reigns and continue to develop him and Booker. There will continue to be growing pains, but Len in my eyes has the potential to be a very solid center in this league.
Also these are in no particular order. Let's dive in! PS- power rankings still coming but i needed a small break so i could make sure i am not half -assing them.Bobby Portis | PF | Chicago Bulls
Bobby Portis is a guy i really like. He's played well in limited minutes and had another good summer league. He doesn't have elite athleticism, isn't an elite scorer, or even rebounder, but he does a lot of small things well. Most of important of all he plays his absolute ass off. He's in a situation where there are a lot of guys at his position but known of them jump out at you as all that good. Mirotic and Dougie can shoot it, but thats about it. Felicio sucks, Robin Lopez is solid, but nothing special. The problem is the Bulls will probably plug a guy in that can shoot the rock, because nobody else in the starting five can. I hope Portis can carve out a role, and show enough this year, that Bulls let him be there starting PF for the forseeable future. He rebounds well, can hit the mid-range shot, and like i said earlier plays with a ton of heart. He's perfect for Chicago and is a guy i can see breaking onto the scene, this year or next.
Jarred Sullinger | PF | Toronto Raptors
Jarred is a guy i think is being overlooked a lot lately. He has a starting gig, in Toronto in which is only real competition for minutes is PP. Obviously, Sully's biggest problem is his weight. The funny thing is during the off-season he seems to be fine, it's when the season starts that he seems to put on the weight. He looks like he went on the Kyle Lowry diet this off-season, and is a lot thinner which is encouraging. He is a great rebounder, especially for his lack of natural athleticism. But i really like Sully's fit in Toronto, he should be able to work the glass with JV occupying a lot of space down low, and he has shown the ability to hit the open shot when given space.
Kent Bazemore | SG | Atlanta Hawks
I think Bazemore is a guy that could have a real sneaky good year this year. He should be locked in as the starting shooting guard a very good offensive system. He is already one of the better defensive two guards in the league, as he produces both steals, and can block a few shots. He has apparently been working hard on his shot all summer, and if he learn how to create/make his shot off the dribble better, he could in all honestly be a fringe all-star player. Obviously this is very best case scenario, but i think Bazemore is in a great position to succeed this year. Horford and Teague leaving opens the door for Baze to continue to grow in a leadership role and with that grab more looks. The first couple games of the season will be a big indicator of where his role will be in the offense, and i think there is a good chance that he is averaging 24-25+.
Brandon Jennings | PG | New York Knicks
Another guys people won't think of as a breakout candidate. Jennings has had a rough couple past years, and i've actually never been a huge fan of his, but i think he is in a great position to outperform people's expectations of him. He has always been a little bit of a chucker, but he seems to have matured a bit over the years and is in a really good spot to get minutes. He is backing up probably the most injury prone guard in the league, and is in a big market where i think the lights and action push him to succeed a little bit more than Milwaukee. He has apparently worked really hard this off-season and would not be surprised to see him emerge as a solid fantasy option backing up Rose. He should get atleast 15-20 starts when/if Rose goes down and should be able to put up serviceable numbers. Not saying it will happen but he's in a great position to resurrect his career.
Langston Galloway | SG | New Orleans Pelicans/OKC Thunder
This is a guy that im guessing most people are very surprised to see here. But i think Galloway has a chance to have an Ish Smith type breakout year. Galloway, broke onto the seen with New York, but the dude can play. He can make shots, both off the dribble and spot up. He is a better creator than he gets credit for, and has worked on his handle a lot this summer. Most importantly, Jrue is probably the most injury prone point guard in the association right now, Gordon also leaves a little but of room at the two guard as well. Galloway will start the season off the bench, but injuries, and his play may force himself into a nice role in an up tempo offense as the season goes. I think with as late as the Thunder got him in the draft it was a steal.
Cody Zeller | PF/C | Charlotte Hornets/Utah Jazz
Let's be honest, Zeller has been pretty disappointment since being drafted number 6 overall to the Hornets. But he has shown flashes of why he went so high. He might be the most mobile seven footer in the league, is able to knock down the mid-range shot, and that alone should earn him a role. But the Hornets really believe in him, and that alone should put him square on the map as a sleeper. Al Jeff is gone and Hibbert is in. Hibbert, atleast in my eyes is far below the quality of player Al Jeff was, and i think Clifford gives Zeller 30+ minutes a game this year. The Hornets are asking him to extend his range out to three, and i think this may be the season Zeller breaks out. If he can continue to further his arsenal down low, expand his range, his athletiscm paired with that could really take Zeller to the next level.
Chieck Diallo | C | New Orleans Pelicans/
Chieck was very highly touted out of high school, but when he was first ruled ineligible he wasn't every able to really get himself back into the rotation after being reinstated. As a result he slipped under the radar at the collegiate level and in the draft. He eventually went early second to the Pelicans, which i think is a great spot for him. Diallo dominated the combined or whatever its called, and apparently looked good in many workouts. He continued his solid play into summer league, and while he i still definitely raw, he has come a long way offensively since high school. He has really developed his mid-range jumper, and worked on multiple other moves out of the post. Diallo has elite athleticism for his size, unreal length, and can run the floor. He can protect the rim, and really if he improves could be an elite tandem with Davis. Another reason to look for Diallo to break out is the bigs next to Davis. Asik was pitiful last year, and Ajinca will never be more than a role player off the bench. I assume Asik will improve this year, but if he doesn't Diallo is this team's starting center by the end of year. It might take a couple years, but Diallo has all-star potential, and because the situation he's in don't be surprised if he is receiving meaningful minutes this year.
Josh Richardson | SG | Miami Heat
J-Rich is a guy i absolutely love. As a basketball fan i was sad D-Wade left Miami, but as a J-Rich fan i was ecstatic. The signings of Waitors, Ellington, and resigning of Johnson means there are less minutes than originally expected but J-Rich should still be able to carve out a nice role this year, an eventually be the starting two guard. For a two guard J-Rich may be a little undersized, but he makes up for it in tenacity and energy. He plays great defense, and had some great chase down blocks last year. He also went on that crazy run where he hit like 53% of his three for like a month and a half. He's a solid finisher and while he needs to improve his ball handling a little but, as a SG it isn't too big of a deal. I have no idea why the Heat signed Waitors, but hey that's up to them. I think J-Rich is the SG of Heat's future, and with continued development he will prove to be a big piece for the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets (in here).
Bojan Boogdanovic | SG/SF | Brooklyn Nets/Detroit Pistons
Last year Bojan was pitiful. He got plenty of minutes and really did nothing with them. Everytime i watched him he was inefficient, and really did nothing outside of shoot jumpers. I saw a different Bojan at the olympics this year. Granted, this is the olympics and the competition is much tougher in the NBA, but good ball players stand out like sore thumbs at the olympics. He was able to score off the dribble with ease, both blowing by defenders to finish, and creating space to nail jumpers. He was consistent from three, from the line, and midrange. He also facilitated the offense, and made the right play even when Croatia continued to feed him the ball. Again i'm not saying he is now an all-star, but in a situation like Brooklyn he should have the opportunity for a ton of minutes and this time, he can make use of them. He also showed leadership and fire something i never saw from here last year. Brooklyn seems to have faith in him, as they've sent out a developmental coach out to work with him all throughout the summer. Again, can't guarantee anything, but the Olympics were a very good sign for Bojan.
Alex Len | C | Phoenix Suns/ New Orleans Pelicans
Alex Len is a guy i really like, that most don't seem to be too high on. When given the opportunity last year Len really excelled. He has shown himself be a very good rebounder, and has started to really develop his offensive game. I still wouldn't call him above average at the NBA level on offense, but his post game isn't bad, and he has started to hit the mid range with some decent success. He also showed he can be a very solid rim protector, all while being very mobile. If he continues to grow as a player i really wouldn't be surprised to see him averaging upwards of 30-35 Fps, maybe not this year, but in the future. I really like this guy's future. Almost as importantly as his skill it seems like the Suns and Earl Watson all believe in him. Tyson Chandler is still there, and that alone presents a problem, but it shouldn't be long before the Suns are out of the playoff race, and the Suns hand him the reigns and continue to develop him and Booker. There will continue to be growing pains, but Len in my eyes has the potential to be a very solid center in this league.