[Bob BallParticipant]

 whos this years player that was on the bench for a deep/ talented team who moves into a starters role that makes a leap? This player could be on a new team or simply finally given the starting spot. Darren Collison with the kings comes to mind but we saw him a starter before not overly impressive. I’m not a huge Jeremy Lamb fan but could he take a step forward with OKC this year and have the more proven Morrow help provide Reggie Jackson with Scoring off the bench. Could Scott Brooks take a page out off PHX book and start Jackson and Russ.if that happened Jackson could be a great pick to take a leap. Who do you guys think?

[UnbiasedObserverParticipant]

I have faith in Darren Collison as a starting PG. A lot of people may not like it, but letting Isaiah Thomas walk was the smart thing to do.

The Kings had WAY too much offense and almost zero defense. Collison is the first step towards a pass first, and defense first mentality coach Malone is trying to instill in his players. IT played zero defense and is better coming off the bench as a 6th man. 

Again its only the first step. But I believe Collison will be a reliable starting PG. He has a bunch of different weapons to pass to, Cousins, Gay, McLemore, Stauskas. That’s a TON of offensive talent to distribute the ball to. His assist numbers will rise no doubt.

 

 

[tuck243Participant]

I also think you’re underestimating Isaiah Thomas…   He’s the better player out the 2 and Darren Collinson already had more than enough chances to prove who he is in this league…  Did you forget that he was an awful starting PG for the Pacers a couple years ago?  Seems like his best work is filling in for CP3, outside of that he’s just a good back-up PG…  Plus his defense is suspect…  I always see him get thrashed…  

[UnbiasedObserverParticipant]

 And who was Collison passing to in Indy? His best weapon was Paul George and that’s it. I’m not underestimating IT one bit, I live in Sacramento and have been watching Kings games for years. Kings needed floor leadership, passing and defense, IT provided none of those and is a below average distributor. Collison is a better fit and IT was not needed.

[UnbiasedObserverParticipant]

 And who was Collison passing to in Indy? His best weapon was Paul George and that’s it. I’m not underestimating IT one bit, I live in Sacramento and have been watching Kings games for years. Kings needed floor leadership, passing and defense, IT provided none of those and is a below average distributor. Collison is a better fit and IT was not needed.

[phila9012Participant]

Definitely Tuck243. I don’t understand what unbiased observer is talking about. Collison is the same thing as isaiah thomas only not as good and 3 inches taller. He is known for his scoring off the bench and not really for making plays for teamates and he is the same level of defensive player as thomas, neither play much defense. Thomas got 20pts and 6sts in his best season and in collisons best seasons he was 12pts and 5asts and 13pts and 5 asts. On the mavs he was so bad he started osing minutes to a 35 or 36 year old mike james. I would much rather have isaiah thomas than darran collison

[UnbiasedObserverParticipant]

What do you not get?! The Kings have TOO MUCH OFFENSE! Isaiah Thomas is not a good fit in Sac. And Collison plays 3 times more defense than Thomas does, he doesn’t even TRY to defend. And he is also without a doubt a better passer and floor general than IT. That’s what the Kings NEED. Not a no defense 5’9 pg that doesnt look to pass.

[UnbiasedObserverParticipant]

What do you not get?! The Kings have TOO MUCH OFFENSE! Isaiah Thomas is not a good fit in Sac. And Collison plays 3 times more defense than Thomas does, he doesn’t even TRY to defend. And he is also without a doubt a better passer and floor general than IT. That’s what the Kings NEED. Not a no defense 5’9 pg that doesnt look to pass.

[Dog_ShammdogParticipant]

I love love love Isaiah Thomas as a player but he isn’t even close to being the defensive player that collision is. And not just Bc of his physical limitations.

[Dog_ShammdogParticipant]

I love love love Isaiah Thomas as a player but he isn’t even close to being the defensive player that collision is. And not just Bc of his physical limitations.

[phila9012Participant]

Definitely Tuck243. I don’t understand what unbiased observer is talking about. Collison is the same thing as isaiah thomas only not as good and 3 inches taller. He is known for his scoring off the bench and not really for making plays for teamates and he is the same level of defensive player as thomas, neither play much defense. Thomas got 20pts and 6sts in his best season and in collisons best seasons he was 12pts and 5asts and 13pts and 5 asts. On the mavs he was so bad he started osing minutes to a 35 or 36 year old mike james. I would much rather have isaiah thomas than darran collison

[JJ_PRParticipant]

The Kings had 3 players who scored 20 ppg or more, the league as a whole had 19. Thomas was one of them. He may be slightly better than Collison offensively and creating for himself, but he doesn’t excel in other areas like passing and defense. Collison is a true floor general the Kings desperately need on a team with a bunch of me first players.

[JJ_PRParticipant]

The Kings had 3 players who scored 20 ppg or more, the league as a whole had 19. Thomas was one of them. He may be slightly better than Collison offensively and creating for himself, but he doesn’t excel in other areas like passing and defense. Collison is a true floor general the Kings desperately need on a team with a bunch of me first players.

[tuck243Participant]

I also think you’re underestimating Isaiah Thomas…   He’s the better player out the 2 and Darren Collinson already had more than enough chances to prove who he is in this league…  Did you forget that he was an awful starting PG for the Pacers a couple years ago?  Seems like his best work is filling in for CP3, outside of that he’s just a good back-up PG…  Plus his defense is suspect…  I always see him get thrashed…  

[UnbiasedObserverParticipant]

I have faith in Darren Collison as a starting PG. A lot of people may not like it, but letting Isaiah Thomas walk was the smart thing to do.

The Kings had WAY too much offense and almost zero defense. Collison is the first step towards a pass first, and defense first mentality coach Malone is trying to instill in his players. IT played zero defense and is better coming off the bench as a 6th man. 

Again its only the first step. But I believe Collison will be a reliable starting PG. He has a bunch of different weapons to pass to, Cousins, Gay, McLemore, Stauskas. That’s a TON of offensive talent to distribute the ball to. His assist numbers will rise no doubt.

 

 

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Taj Gibson could be considered, if Thibs decides to make Pau the 6th man…

[BunzParticipant]

I know a lot of people want Taj to be the starter but I think he is better off the bench.  He comes in with great energy and although he did get some consistency with the starting role for parts of last year, he thrives off the bench.  Taj can be a little reckless and I think being on the bench gives him the fire and motivation to play angry and make a solid impact.

I’m hoping someone on the team steps up.  I have always liked Tony Snell and hopefully he gets some confidence both within himself and from Thibs.

 

 

  

[BunzParticipant]

I know a lot of people want Taj to be the starter but I think he is better off the bench.  He comes in with great energy and although he did get some consistency with the starting role for parts of last year, he thrives off the bench.  Taj can be a little reckless and I think being on the bench gives him the fire and motivation to play angry and make a solid impact.

I’m hoping someone on the team steps up.  I have always liked Tony Snell and hopefully he gets some confidence both within himself and from Thibs.

 

 

  

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Taj Gibson could be considered, if Thibs decides to make Pau the 6th man…

[TimberTrollParticipant]

Cody Zeller could start a lot. 

[TimberTrollParticipant]

Cody Zeller could start a lot. 

[capshati23Participant]

 Reggie Jackson def will have a great chance this year to put some good numbers 

[capshati23Participant]

 Reggie Jackson def will have a great chance this year to put some good numbers 

[rileymcshea3Participant]

I think Giannis Antetokounmpo is poised to have a break out season. In terms of star potential the Greak Freak has the length, athleticism, and skills to be on the rise.

Other guys who might have a chance to show out this year and get new roles are Tim Hardaway Jr and Jordan Hill. I think Hardaway is eventually going to win that SG position over JR Smith and Shumpert. Hardaway has all the qualities you want in a SG 6’6 , athletic and can flat out shoot. My other guy is Jordan Hill who will be getting on kinds of playing time now that he is the starting Center for the Lakers. Good defensive big man that rebounds and hustles is a guy that any team in the NBA could use.

[rileymcshea3Participant]

I think Giannis Antetokounmpo is poised to have a break out season. In terms of star potential the Greak Freak has the length, athleticism, and skills to be on the rise.

Other guys who might have a chance to show out this year and get new roles are Tim Hardaway Jr and Jordan Hill. I think Hardaway is eventually going to win that SG position over JR Smith and Shumpert. Hardaway has all the qualities you want in a SG 6’6 , athletic and can flat out shoot. My other guy is Jordan Hill who will be getting on kinds of playing time now that he is the starting Center for the Lakers. Good defensive big man that rebounds and hustles is a guy that any team in the NBA could use.

[Dog_ShammdogParticipant]

 I also like Reggie as my top breakout candidate and really hope they put him or lamb in the starting line up.  This may be a little off topic as he won’t see any starting minutes barring injuries, but Donatos motejunas is poised to have a breakout year in his own right. With asik being traded he should get a lot more opportunities than he’s ever had. Once upon a time he was projected as a top 3 pick by this very site. He played really well this summer league as he always does, but he did most of his damage on the block, which is great for his chances this year as he has spent way too much time floating on the perimeter and shooting threes his first couple years in the league. He can finish with either hand in a variety of ways. He can put the ball on the floor and hit from anywhere on the floor. Where as he isn’t an explosive athlete, he possesses great coordination and dexterity for a bruiser sized big that can play the 4 or 5. If he can continue to keep himself in the post, I believe he will be paramount to Houston’s success. Or failure.

[Dog_ShammdogParticipant]

 I also like Reggie as my top breakout candidate and really hope they put him or lamb in the starting line up.  This may be a little off topic as he won’t see any starting minutes barring injuries, but Donatos motejunas is poised to have a breakout year in his own right. With asik being traded he should get a lot more opportunities than he’s ever had. Once upon a time he was projected as a top 3 pick by this very site. He played really well this summer league as he always does, but he did most of his damage on the block, which is great for his chances this year as he has spent way too much time floating on the perimeter and shooting threes his first couple years in the league. He can finish with either hand in a variety of ways. He can put the ball on the floor and hit from anywhere on the floor. Where as he isn’t an explosive athlete, he possesses great coordination and dexterity for a bruiser sized big that can play the 4 or 5. If he can continue to keep himself in the post, I believe he will be paramount to Houston’s success. Or failure.

[JoeWolf1]

 C.J. McCollom – After an injury riddled rookie year and Mo Williams and Earl Watson leaving town, I feel C.J. can easily find more than the 12.5 mpg he averaged as a rookie. He averaged 15.3 ppg per 36 minutes as a rookie, and shot a very solid .375% from three point range. McCollum’s mid-range game and ability to creat his own shot also make him very deadly, and his ability to play both guard positions will allow him more minutes. A 20.2 ppg scorer this summer, on a 48/35/70 line, he showed he was healthy and ready for better competition. 

I think C.J. can get about 24 mpg this season, and I think in that kind of role he can put up about 13.5 ppg 3 rpg 2 apg. Now, that’s not exactly Harden/Bledsoe break out style numbers, but my reason behind his mentioning is that I think this is a set up year for him, and I feel he has the ability, if in the right situation, to have a 17 or 18 ppg 3rd season.

[JoeWolf1]

 C.J. McCollom – After an injury riddled rookie year and Mo Williams and Earl Watson leaving town, I feel C.J. can easily find more than the 12.5 mpg he averaged as a rookie. He averaged 15.3 ppg per 36 minutes as a rookie, and shot a very solid .375% from three point range. McCollum’s mid-range game and ability to creat his own shot also make him very deadly, and his ability to play both guard positions will allow him more minutes. A 20.2 ppg scorer this summer, on a 48/35/70 line, he showed he was healthy and ready for better competition. 

I think C.J. can get about 24 mpg this season, and I think in that kind of role he can put up about 13.5 ppg 3 rpg 2 apg. Now, that’s not exactly Harden/Bledsoe break out style numbers, but my reason behind his mentioning is that I think this is a set up year for him, and I feel he has the ability, if in the right situation, to have a 17 or 18 ppg 3rd season.

[Andrew1984Participant]

I nominate Ersan Ilyasova, contingent on his being moved to a team that could use an upgrade at the four. Last year was very forgettable for him, as he dealt with injuries and Larry Drew’s schizophrenic rotations. But in 2012-2013, there was a stretch of maybe 30 games when Ersan was averaging 20 and 10, including some mammoth games of 27 and 17, 30 an 18, etc.

While he has always struggled with consistency, he’s also never averaged starter’s minutes. I believe if Ersan got healthy and played 35 minutes a night somewhere, he is capable of posting some gaudy numbers.

[Andrew1984Participant]

I nominate Ersan Ilyasova, contingent on his being moved to a team that could use an upgrade at the four. Last year was very forgettable for him, as he dealt with injuries and Larry Drew’s schizophrenic rotations. But in 2012-2013, there was a stretch of maybe 30 games when Ersan was averaging 20 and 10, including some mammoth games of 27 and 17, 30 an 18, etc.

While he has always struggled with consistency, he’s also never averaged starter’s minutes. I believe if Ersan got healthy and played 35 minutes a night somewhere, he is capable of posting some gaudy numbers.

[Andrew1984Participant]

Ersan is 27 and with a new emphasis on the stretch four, some teams I can envision acquiring him are Sacramento, Toronto, or Brooklyn. Another good landing spot would be Minnesota, if Flip doesn’t get a four in exchange for Kevin Love.

[Andrew1984Participant]

Ersan is 27 and with a new emphasis on the stretch four, some teams I can envision acquiring him are Sacramento, Toronto, or Brooklyn. Another good landing spot would be Minnesota, if Flip doesn’t get a four in exchange for Kevin Love.

[Author]

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