[llperez]

who are some guys catching your attention with their play early in the season? And try not to just say the same players you’ve been saying all summer, some players that are legitimete surprises in your eyes.

[Michael.S.Participant]

Well Bargnani has been playing like a star, Gallinari is playing great, definitely not surprised though, I knew he was capable.

Totally Surprised????????? Brandon Jennings, I knew he would be an upper-tier PG, but not as soon as he stepped on the court.

P.S. another thing that has surprised me is just how much LeBron i settling for J’s. He hasn’t been doing the thing that made him famous……….he amazing ability to blow by the D and finish no matter what……..

[llperez]

yeah, i wasn’t too impressed with lebron’s play during the toronto game. Which is actually a huge credit to how good he is considering he had a triple double. Jennings has been the real deal for sure. The guy who I’m really liking is Martell Wbster. HIs hooting stroke is great and he is attacking the rim and playing d. He has been geting blocks and steals. He looks like they might have their sf for the future.

[Chicago1980Participant]

Andray Blanche he is doing his thing so far this year and he is hitting that jump shot consistently. I also like the way Martell Webster has been playing he has been hurt the last 2 years and he is plyaing like he never missed a beat.

[Michael.S.Participant]

Call me crazy, but I like Outlaw more than Webster.

[MagikKnickParticipant]

Ryan Gomes, never liked him, never thought much of him
but for right now, hes doing a better job than expected, filling in for the injured Kevin Love
Not superstar numbers, but Gomes is averaging 12ppg, and 8 rpg

Same goes for Yi Jianlian, not the biggest fan, but hes doing a solid job for his team thus far
averaging about the same numbers as gomes, with 12 & 8

And Trvor Ariza, i thought he was gonna do horrible, i had 0 expectations for him, i thought he was overpayed, overrated, and everything else….and then I see him averaging 23 ppg, and im like wow, didnt know he had the ability to take over games like that

As far guys like Gallinari, Bargnani, Jennings, though they are all exceed expectation, i cant really say im surprised because I already had pretty high expectations for them as it is

[joecheck88Participant]

trevor ariza is the scorer by default. he is the most talented and athletic wing on the team(yikes). trust me when I say this, ariza just looks akward as a scorer and I dont think it is a permanent role for any team. he has put up good numbers but for as good as they have been, be on the look out for some 12 points on 5-18 shooting days to come with them. Actually Aaron Brooks is doing a very good job so far and that was the most surprised I have been so far.

[Chicago1980Participant]

I agree with u trinajoe he does look awkward as a scorer it doesnt look natural and his jump shot looks like its gonna miss every time he shoots i cant believe he hits those shots.

[the microwaveParticipant]

Gomes has always been solid, even when he cracked bostons rotation..

[llperez]

i watched some of the suns game last night, and GHill was showing some flashes of his old self out there. He finished with like 20/10 and was crossing dudes over. So much for the people who wrote him off (including me).

[the microwaveParticipant]

Mike Miller – rebounding #’s are nice, great facilitator

Ryan Anderson – carried shooting over from preseason

Elton Brand – I know it was against NY / MIL but if he gives us that night in and out ill deem it a success

[rtbtParticipant]

Andre Kirilenko is bigger, stronger, and as athletic and agile has ever. He no longer looks like the thinnest power forward in NBA history. AK47 looks like he’s ready to bang with the big boys.

[NorthernLights666Participant]

The Wolves are going to trade Gomes, it’s all over the MN media. He has an option next year for something like $4.5M and if the team he is on releases him at the end of the season they won’t owe have to pay that next year. Hopefully they’ll get something for him. He’s just not quick enough to guard 3s and definitely not big enough to guard 4s, I’ve watched the first three games for the “new” look Wolves and Gomes has been more of a deteriment to his team than helpful, his shot was extremely off until last night and his rebounding stats are inflated because of Love’s absence, on this new “United We Run” campaign (Wolves’ new marketing slogan) he doesn’t fit because he’s too slow and not big enough, he will be gone very soon.

[Lemons4LifeParticipant]

Ryan Anderson
Carmelo
Brandon Jennings
Joakim Noah
Bargnani

[gatorheelsParticipant]

666BlancoDiablo- Hey how has Brewer looked so far?  I haven’t watched Minnesota play yet this year but I’ve been looking at the box scores.  I’m a Brewer fan.  It seems he isn’t shooting that well but his rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, etc… are solid.  

[JNixonParticipant]

—Mo Speights- He looked good offensively in the SL, and he continued to show that so far during the season.

—Brandon Jennings- I always thought he had superstar potential, but I was expecting solid numbers and turnover prone play. He has looked pretty good running half-court sets, and he’s showing a shooting stroke that makes him very very hard to defend. Just needs more strength and awareness on D.

—Gallinari is playing very good. I made a bold prediction that he’d lead the Knicks in scoring. Don’t know if it’ll hold, but he’s been lights out shooting and as he gets stronger it’ll improve his weaknesses (D and finishing when he slashes).

—Andray Blatche has always been talented to me, but his game needed polish. He has polished perimeter skills now, and it’s allowing him to score in bunches and space the floor for the Wizards.

—Sebastian Telfair actually has been outplaying Baron Davis to me. Davis’ turnovers and low shooting percentages are always going to hurt the teams he plays for, but Telfair is a careful passer and he only takes shoots when he has good looks and he’s a better shooter than he was when he came to the NBA. He’ll make a flashy pass or crossover every now but he’s not the reckless player he was at 1st.

[rtbtParticipant]

Wow! How could I forget Speights? I watched him play two games and he has to be the most improved player I’ve seen this year. He’s been fantastic on the boards and scoring down low in the paint.

Right behind him, the biggest surprises for me are Gallinari and Bargnani, 2/3 of the Italian Connection.

[the microwaveParticipant]

Speights has looked great but one of the games he had 4 pts.. Did not get much playing time at all.. I believe it was against milwaukee.

[rtbtParticipant]

That’s true but it wasn’t his fault that he was sitting on the bench. When he was given the opportunity, Speights was a game changer, doing everything he was asked and then some. So for my money, he’s the most improved player I’ve seen this year.

[the microwaveParticipant]

did u watch the gm? LOL, i buy lg pass to watch my sixers since im not in philly any longer. Speights did not get much playing time cause his D was off that gm. He did have 7 boards in 13 minutes of play thought to notate a positive. When speights comes into the gm its to shoot the rock. His knock is he gets lazy at times on the court, and seems disinterested. If they keep him in flow of the gm, he will be LEGIT… hes on the way. just notating all the facts. Offense is half the battle, hes got to put same effort on other end of court

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Melo – I picked Durant to lead the league in scoring this season, but Melo is on a mission.

Brandon Jennings – He’s impressed me. I knew he’d be good, just not so soon.

Grant Hill – He doesn’t look like a 37 year old AT ALL out there.

Trevor Ariza – I thought he’d struggle. He looks like he’s about to break out. He went head to head with Brandon Roy.

Bassy – He’s playing well for the Clippers. I agree with Iggy. He’s outplaying Davis to an extent.

Jeff Teague – I’m surprised nobody is mentioning him. He played extremely well vs the Lakers last night. He led the comeback and had a huge slam over Lamar Odom.

[JNixonParticipant]

I thought about Teague, but he’s had some games and stretches of the game that he isn’t effective. I’ve watched every single Hawks game so far and Jamal Crawford is that deal. He’s proven as a scorer, but he’s been a far better defender and facilitator than I thought he’d be

[the microwaveParticipant]

great call on teague…during commercials of World series i was going back n forth (+ lg pass was replaying all the gms anyway)…. He is impressive.

[festar35Participant]

Chris Kaman.

[R-Dot-13Participant]

Redick
Ariza
Teague

[RickyRubio9Participant]

Ariza – I was hoping he’d be a Stud for my Rockets, but he’s crazyyy. He’s got the Green Light and he’s stroking it. It reminds me of McGrady 3-4 years ago and also during the 22 Game Winning streak. Not just saying that ’cause he’s Number 1 now.

Jennings – I was expecting great things this season and for that I watched his games since NBA League Pass is free, but almost notching a Trip-Double in his debut is outstanding, but he did have 5 Turnovers. Then to take over that game in the 3rd Quarter was AMAZING to watch and that move…WOW. Now with Redd out, let’s see how he responds to the defense focusing on him more.

Kaman – I thought he could put up numbers like this before the injury, but man he’s been carrying the load up front! Even if his team is losing, he can say it isn’t his fault. Kaman has been taking a lot of crap from Clip fans, but he’s doing great this season. In the Center-less Western Conference, can he make a push for All-Star consideration? Why not?

Carmelo – Scoring crazyyy, taking the next step possibly? He’s been awesome and he seems to be on a mission to prove all doubters wrong and put his team in the discussion with those Spurs and Lakers. So far, so good.

Gallanari – Whoa! Where did this all come from?!? I wasn’t expecting these kind of numbers, but man….if he keeps it up he could help attract a few free agents. Maybe he wasn’t such a bad draft choice like everyone has been saying, but ya know Brook Lopez and Eric Gordon could still prove that wrong. If he can stay anywhere close to what he’s at then Great for the Knicks, that’s a bright spot for their team and it seems like the only one they have.

Blatche – Last one, when players get the opportunity, will they grasp it or just let it slip by? Blatche would answer, “I’ll grasp it” He has been playing great with Jamison injured and his new number 7 shows he works EVERYDAY at his game and it is showing. Much improvement, 2 20+ games already? Last year he had what….3? Only question I have is will he try as hard or stay on this level when Jamison is back. I know he won’t score as much, but he can still give them a nice boost off the bench. The Wiz-Crew has looked great so far with Agent Zero leading the pack.

[marcusfizer21Participant]

Josh Smith – I am really surprised with how he is not settling for jumpshots anymore and how he focuses more on what he does best… rebounding, shot-blocking and of course, catching those alleyhoops..

Shelden Williams- He has been very solid for the Celtics and has shocked me in more ways than one… He has rebounded well and has responded off the bench. He is a very good upgrade for PJ Brown and Mikki Moore and makes you ask, Leon Powe who?

Danilo Gallinari- He’s playing a lot like a rookie Bargnani where he tends to fall in love with the 3 point arc but that’s OK, he’s hitting them all down and has been good for D’Antoni and the Knicks.

Brandon Jennings- Never expected an awesome debut from him and has been good so far,,,, 17 , 9 and 9… That’s a headturner!

Carmelo Anthony- I think he’s jealous of LBJ getting all the MVP considerations… maybe the League would notice if he would fire up 30+ and 40+ points night in and night out…LOL

Chris Kaman- I never thought Chris would return to his old form but he is… He just needs more help down low… DeAndre? Marcus? Blake? Where the F are you?!

[whiteflashParticipant]

I’m gonna echo what Llperez said in Martell Webster. He looks alot more athletic and aggressive than I remember him being, and he still has that j. Not gonna say Jennings ’cause I’ve said multiple times now that he’ll be the best player from this draft when it’s all said and done. Check the books kids!

[JoeWolf1]

Marc Gasol is tearing it up in the early season, I though his production last year was similar to what it would be in his career, but has has started off on a tear averaging about 19.5 and 12.5 rpg with 1.5 blocks. He could have a lot higher ceiling than a lot of people thought.

[Michael.S.Participant]

He has all the makings of a young Pau, but alittle less athletic,but their repitoire is loaded on O, and can both shoot.

[quincey hodges]

I was gonna comment, but i can’t honestly say how i feel about any of those guys right now.

[Author]

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