Players on the verge of taking the step from good player to Star
Yes, I had to think a while about him, and my decision might comeback to bite me. Here is why I am a bit skeptical.
A) he gets a ton of his points in transition, getting fed by his pg/running mate,
B) It is looking like Andre Miller could go somewhere else (he has always been great at setting up guys who are not great at creating their own shot), and here's the big one
C) Louis Williams looks to be in line to take the pg role on the team. He seems to follow the AI/Arenas model of playing pg. Shoot first, say "my bad" later.
I like Iguodala, but I see him as more of a Shawn Marion type of player (more assists, fewer rebounds). A great defender, and great player who needs a distrubuting pg to get huge point totals.
I have them currently on the borderline of being complete stars right now. In all honesty they could be in the MVP race next year. I only included them on the borderline, because I think they will remain consistent (Joe Johnson), or step up next year (Bosh, and Roy). They were not on the list though, because they are already too good to be on the list. I would only argue that they are a notch below the top 5 in the league.
Good catch though, I would have misunderstood after reading what I wrote again.
Another difficult one. He has all the opportunity in the world to do so, but he seems content getting 20 and 5. He will probably be the #2 option, on the team after Mayo, so for him to get 20 ppg is still very good. Good addition though. If I was not worried about writing a 4 page post, I would have included both Rudy and Andre.
Others who made the move last year..
Harris, Granger, Rondo.
Other I see making the move..
Andre Iguodala: I see him as almost a star now, the #1 option on a playoff team. An athletic freak, and great defensive player. Good rebounder and passer, if he improves his jumpshot he will DEFINETLY become a star. Could get you 20 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg next year.
Monte Ellis: Could be a major part in the Warriors season next year, can score, but will need to set up his teammates like Curry and Randolph.
TJ Ford: Good pg, maybe the fastest player in the NBA. Can get you about 15 ppg, 7-8 apg, plus plays good defense. In my opinion one of the key parts of the team when the Raptors were the 3rd seed in the East.
Raptors:
06-07 Ford: Starter 3rd seed.
07-08 Ford: Backup to Calderon most of the season. 7th seed.
08-09 No Ford: Missed playoffs completely.
(I am a Raptors fan)
This is just how I saw things anyway.
Also, Andrea Bargnani should probably step up this year to help out the raptors.
I am a huge Raptors fan as well. Monte Ellis could be really good as well. he needs to go in one of two directions though to do it. He either needs to take the Arenas/Iverson route and score 27-30 points a game, or he needs to become better at setting up teammates.
You mentioned Bargniani. He will improve his skills from last year, but I also imagine it will be difficult for him to vastly improve his points (above his 2nd half avg. of roughly 20ppg), just because he will be on the floor with Bosh (22ppg) Turkoglu (15-18ppg), Calderone (12ppg), the starting sg (8ppg. that is already around 60 points from the starters (80 with Barg's 20) assuming that Turkoglu, Calderon, Bosh, or the SG does not improve. Add in Jack off the bench (who should get at least 10ppg), and you have 90. If the Raps score 100 points per game, that leaves only 10 points left (five after you take out the points Evans will get off of his OREBS. All this matters because Andrea is a points guy, and outside of improving his defence and rebounding, his jumps will come in the form of points.
Basically it will be tough for him to get enough touches to get the points that he could, and to get to be a "star" (based on stats) he would need to get at least 9-10 rebs with 20 pts. As you can tell, I have done some of the Math.
Rudy Gay is overrated and no one he gets to the next level. Mayo and Randolph will take over the team and that's that. Sorry Griz Fans, his chance was last year...
Devin Harris would be a great choice, he is now the number 1 option...
Iggy, I think he will have to step up if Miller is gone and hopefully he and Brand can make it happen in Philly. I love his game, a triple threat on most nights. I think an All-Star for sure.
Good Luck
Danny Granger: has been overlooked his whole basketball career, yet has produced on the court. He rebounds and scores at a high rate and he continues to improve. Look for him to get 27, 6, 4 next year and be a starter in the allstar game. Also, he has an incredible work ethic and strives to get better every year.
Rajon Rondo: We all saw his abilities on full display during the playoffs. He is the best rebounding pg in the league and he has great vision. He also has the potential to be a lock down defender with his incredible speed and wingspan. If he improves his outside game, he will become a triple double threat every night because teams will not be able to double him b/c of his team.
Anthony Randolph: He is going to be the star of a very talented team three years from now. He can and will cause many mismatch problems for the Warriors. He has a good outside game and is stronger now, making him able to play down low on both sides of the court. Put that with a 6'11'' body, 35'' vertical, and 7'3'' wingspan, you have a star.
Good post (I cannot give points), so here is a verbal point. Yeah Granger has been overlooked like crazy, and they are talking about rebuilding around someone else. he is still young and is always improving. WHY??? As far as the conversation goes, he is already in the star class in my opinon and now just has to stay consistent to begin building his HOF resume.
Randolph, I left off the list just because he would be jumping a few classes from a raw prospect (last year) to a potential star this year. If he plays to his current potential he is a frontrunner for most improved player of the year. He could improve his ppg by at least 12 if he gets the pt.
Bargnani does have star potential, but I agree, he will be surrounded with players that will all score.He will likely get around 15-17 ppg atleast, but he will need more touches to get anymore than that.
Anyways as a fellow Raptors fan, how do you think we'll do this season?
They will be very good. They have to mesh, but they got lots of meshable guys. Did you see the Jack press conference, when Bosh showed up. Dude's gotten big! They have gotten some solid D, gotten tougher (both mentally - Turkoglu, Jack, and physically - Evans, Jack).
They should make the playoffs. If they don't it will be because they have multiple injuries. In that case they will be even more stacked next year.
Very happy with the moves so far. The only question will be whether Triano can manage so much talent now. All players will have to sacrifice in some way (except for maybe Calderon, who could easily get double digit assists).
Kevin Martin, Monta Ellis, JR Smith...all 3 can score like crazy!!!
Josh Smith and Rudy Gay should be, but aren't...they have all the ability in the world, but somethings just isn't clicking, I hope they get it, cuz they could both be superstars!!!
I already consider Jefferson, Durant, Granger, and Harris stars...but if you guys think they're borderline, then add them to my list!!!
what about russell westbrook good rebounder at pg should improve on ast maybe about 8 and pts like 16-17 with a improved jump shot and great defender and ball theft he should look like 16-17pts,7-8asts,5rebs,and 1to 2 stls and hopefully less turnovers maybe just two turnovers hopefully!! on a team with a superstar yes i said it. he could be an allstar maybe i dont know im just sayin
brandon roy should only get better!! ,go blazers, may god help greg oden please !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Westbrook could easily get 7-8 assists. If he has done a lot of work on his pg skills he could even get more. He has Harden to kick to now as well as both Durant and Green. he will also get a few dropping it off to Mullens (who will not get a lot of pt, but many of the points he gets will be off rebounds or passes from Westbrook).
PGs are always good candidates if they are on good teams, because they can get allstar stats while the scorers on their team get their points. They don't cancel eachother out as much.
has improved his shooting what a work ethic..no to mention hes from my favorite college Arizona...hes making the transition from the sf posttion to the sg postion in my mind he can be 1 of the best defenders in the leauge big and athletic.but he will keep improving his gaurd skills and he will be a difference maker in no time hes already one of the best
sf in the league and a super athlete former track& feild star... really gets up 1 of my fav player
about chris bosh. i feel that being a star has to deal with attitude as much as play. and chris bosh has to be on eof the lamest players in the NBA. i mean not that he cant play but to me he jus snt sumbody people care about. And i dont think doin commercials 2 help garner interest for fans 2 vote u in the all star game helps his cause. if anything me watching those commercials made me want to vote 4 sumbody else even more. maybe living in canada has sumthing 2 do with it idk but 4 me cb4 is jus not cuttin it
What Good Players (e.g. Lamarcus Aldridge, Andrea bargniani, J.R. Smith, etc.) will improve to the point of being an All-star caliber player (e.g. Dirk, Wade, Carmelo, Howard, etc.)? They do not necessarily have to make the team, but they do have to emerge as viable selections. An example of a player making this move last year was Kevid Durant. He improved in all categories (including FG%, which is very important). NO '09 '10 ROOKIES.
Here are a few who could make the jump:
- OJ Mayo - He is the #1 option on his team, and seems to have the Killer Kobe mentality. He needed to get a feel for the league, but his skills, athleticism, and mentality should help him reach a new level this year. He has good potential to improve in multiple categories, and could develop much like Roy in Portland.
- Charlie Villenueva - He has been signed to a big contract in Detroit, so they obviously value him. Look at his stats (16/7/2/45%FG/35%3FG), and combine that with his versatility, and the fact that he did this in only 26 min. Just expanding the points and rebs to 36 min he had 22 and 9. Not to say that he does this, but if he has similar output next year, he will be very close. If he improves at all, he is getting close to the 24/11 mark, and people will say that he has become a star player. All he needs is some time in the weight room this summer, and it is very possible.
- Derek Rose - This one does not need much explanation, as it is pretty clear to people what skills he posesses, and assuming that he works to improve his game this summer he should move to a different category of player this year. At the very least, he will move to the borderbetween the two classes.
- J.R. Smith - The Nuggets lose Jones, and this creates more time for Smith who poured in 15 ppg in just 27 min. he has the skills, athletic abilities, and he plays in Denver. It is very possible that if he matures at all over the summer, or some teammate (Chauncy) gets in his face, that he will take a big step up and set the scoreboards on fire. He could also have some solid reb and ast numbers with more time. he shoots efficiently from all points of the floor.
- Eric Gordon - there are quite a few guys from the last two years that have similar numbers. the difference with Gordon is that there is so much emphasis on the good front line of the clips, but not a whole lot in the backcourt (aside from Baron, Thornton is more of a 3/4 than a 2/3). He will be given a heavy load to carry, and he should do fine. he has been asked to try out for team USA, so many feel he will be very good.
- Russell Westbrook - See summer league performance, also he is very athletic, has good skills and defends like a spartan. OKC did not even consider a pg, because they want to give the ball to Westbrook and Durant. Look for the def stats, rebs and assists to go way up this year. His points might as well, but he might have numbers more similar to JKidd, due to the number of offensive threats in the starting 5.
- Lamarcus Aldridge - He could go either way. He is too perimeter oriented right now to be a star, but he is super talented, and has huge potential. He is in a contract year.
There are others, but that is where you come in.
Some already on the border between the two classes.
- Roy
- Bosh
- Joe Johnson