[Miko4rm206Participant]

Looking back at the 2014 draft the Injury Bug hit many of the Rookies, While some just didnt Perform or Get enough Playing time to make a Difference. Now with a year under their belt and the rosters are pretty much locked in for the upcoming season,

Which Sophmore will be the most improved?

Nick Stauskas is one player that I think can have a really nice sophmore campaign for the 76ers. No doubt Stauskas had a horrible rookie season which sent him to the worst team in the NBA but He will be given more than enough opportunity to at least become a decent 3pt Specialist at the very least playing along side a slasher like Tony Wroten a inside threat with Okafor and  defensive presence in Noel. I think thats a pretty good young core for the future. Start all 4 this season and see how they do.

And also keep a eye on Noah Vonleh, Aaron Gordon, Zach Lavine and Rodney Hood

 

 

 

 

 

[roni3Participant]

 I am looking forward to seeing how Randle and Parker play coming back from serious injuries, hoping wiggins makes more strides in his game and really hoping Gordon gets more minutes and can somewhat begin justifying the fact he was a 4th pick. 

[roni3Participant]

 I am looking forward to seeing how Randle and Parker play coming back from serious injuries, hoping wiggins makes more strides in his game and really hoping Gordon gets more minutes and can somewhat begin justifying the fact he was a 4th pick. 

[Rip255]

 That class is still an all-timer. Injuries just ravaged almost every player. It was also really young at the top.

[Rip255]

 That class is still an all-timer. Injuries just ravaged almost every player. It was also really young at the top.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I’m interested to see what exum does this year. He got a decent amount of mins last year, but they seemed to keep him on a pretty tight leash. He was basically just a facilator and rarely looked to force the action or make plays, which was probably by design. He didn’t necessarily play bad, but his overall impact was pretty low for a top 5 pick that got the amount of mins he did. If Utah is going to take that next step and challenge for a playoff spot, I think they’re going to need exum to be more of a playmaker and take the reins off him a little more this year. 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I’m interested to see what exum does this year. He got a decent amount of mins last year, but they seemed to keep him on a pretty tight leash. He was basically just a facilator and rarely looked to force the action or make plays, which was probably by design. He didn’t necessarily play bad, but his overall impact was pretty low for a top 5 pick that got the amount of mins he did. If Utah is going to take that next step and challenge for a playoff spot, I think they’re going to need exum to be more of a playmaker and take the reins off him a little more this year. 

[TrillaParticipant]

 I think Stauskas will be the most improved player in this class for sure. He’s going to get ample amount of playing time and he will be allowed to play through his mistakes, something he couldn’t do in SAC. He’ll also get to take a ton of shots and will be allowed to handle the ball more, with the ability to show how good he can potentially be for this team as they grow. He was statistically pretty effective last year when he shared the floor with Boogie, so it seems that him and Okafor will be a good fit when on the floor together.

I also expect Wigs and Lavine to take measurable second year leaps. Noah Vonleh was a player I was high on last year, and he was good in summer league this year. He should be healthy and get plenty of opportunities in Portland (both things he didnt have in Charlotte,) and I think he will prove himslef to be a promising player in the league. 

[NBAjunkie81Participant]

 Sacramento was Crazy to give up on him… The Kings situation is Endemic in the NBA – the Bucks, Celtics, Kings are the latest group of teams that we see Every year that lose their patience w/ rebuilding & make Foolish trades to make the playoffs as a 7 or 8 seed – it’s crazy… Why Draft Willie CAuley Stein over Mudiay if they were going to move Stauskus anyway??? Why take Marcus Smart # 6, then trade for Isaiah Thomas to be a doormat in the playoffs, then turn around & draft Another PG Rozier when Sam Dekker is still on the board…. Staukus could not stay on the floor last year b/c teams immediately attacked him at the other end… W/o a shot blocker, the Kings could not protect him… So when they drafted WCS over clear Star of the Future Emmanuel Mudiay, I figured the Kings were putting Stauskus – a # 8 overall Lottery pick- back in play… But instead they send him to Phila, a team w/ THREE future stars in the low post, Two of them are World Class Rim protectors, for Nothing… Divac was Crazy to make this trade… W/ Okafor drawing a Double team on Every possession & Noel there to protect the Rim, Stauskus will get a steady diet of WIDE open Jump Shots & No One has Ever questioned Stauskus’ ability to shoot…. & that’s not even w/ Embiid on the floor… w/ 4 first round picks next year & 5 Lottery picks already in tow (Embiid, Stauskus, Saric, Okafor & Noel) we could be looking at a Dynasty in Phila in 5 years, I know that sounds crazy but look up how many 1st round picks that team has from 2016 to 2019 – 10, TEN!!!

[NBAjunkie81Participant]

 Sacramento was Crazy to give up on him… The Kings situation is Endemic in the NBA – the Bucks, Celtics, Kings are the latest group of teams that we see Every year that lose their patience w/ rebuilding & make Foolish trades to make the playoffs as a 7 or 8 seed – it’s crazy… Why Draft Willie CAuley Stein over Mudiay if they were going to move Stauskus anyway??? Why take Marcus Smart # 6, then trade for Isaiah Thomas to be a doormat in the playoffs, then turn around & draft Another PG Rozier when Sam Dekker is still on the board…. Staukus could not stay on the floor last year b/c teams immediately attacked him at the other end… W/o a shot blocker, the Kings could not protect him… So when they drafted WCS over clear Star of the Future Emmanuel Mudiay, I figured the Kings were putting Stauskus – a # 8 overall Lottery pick- back in play… But instead they send him to Phila, a team w/ THREE future stars in the low post, Two of them are World Class Rim protectors, for Nothing… Divac was Crazy to make this trade… W/ Okafor drawing a Double team on Every possession & Noel there to protect the Rim, Stauskus will get a steady diet of WIDE open Jump Shots & No One has Ever questioned Stauskus’ ability to shoot…. & that’s not even w/ Embiid on the floor… w/ 4 first round picks next year & 5 Lottery picks already in tow (Embiid, Stauskus, Saric, Okafor & Noel) we could be looking at a Dynasty in Phila in 5 years, I know that sounds crazy but look up how many 1st round picks that team has from 2016 to 2019 – 10, TEN!!!

[TrillaParticipant]

 I think Stauskas will be the most improved player in this class for sure. He’s going to get ample amount of playing time and he will be allowed to play through his mistakes, something he couldn’t do in SAC. He’ll also get to take a ton of shots and will be allowed to handle the ball more, with the ability to show how good he can potentially be for this team as they grow. He was statistically pretty effective last year when he shared the floor with Boogie, so it seems that him and Okafor will be a good fit when on the floor together.

I also expect Wigs and Lavine to take measurable second year leaps. Noah Vonleh was a player I was high on last year, and he was good in summer league this year. He should be healthy and get plenty of opportunities in Portland (both things he didnt have in Charlotte,) and I think he will prove himslef to be a promising player in the league. 

[Captain LParticipant]

 Exum & Hood should both get P T and have good years, if the summer league showed us a pleasing surprise it was Gordon, loved how he shot the ball , if he can keep it up he should have a good yr. Lavine looked very good & should have a good yr.  all of these 2nd yr players should get a good amount of P T and therefore be able to show good improvement.

[Captain LParticipant]

 Exum & Hood should both get P T and have good years, if the summer league showed us a pleasing surprise it was Gordon, loved how he shot the ball , if he can keep it up he should have a good yr. Lavine looked very good & should have a good yr.  all of these 2nd yr players should get a good amount of P T and therefore be able to show good improvement.

[T Rex]

 Marcus Smart, Kyle Anderson, Nurkic, LaVine.

They’re all going to jump into borderline star territory this year.

 

 

 

[T Rex]

 Marcus Smart, Kyle Anderson, Nurkic, LaVine.

They’re all going to jump into borderline star territory this year.

 

 

 

[mgreener_34Participant]

It should be interesting, because we saw a lot of players excel at certain aspects of the game, and if they improved upon their areas of work they could take the next step in their progression. 

Exum and Smart both showed elite defensive potential, scored sometimes, but were not as consistent on that side of the ball or playing PG for that matter. If both of these guys can continue to play good D while improving their offensive game/running a team, than the Jazz/Celtic are going to be very pleased. 

I think Wiggins/Payton/Clarkson all exceeded expectations, proved that even in their firsts years they could be solid starters, and played well beyond their years. This was indicative of all of them getting some kind of recognition in the ROTY race. If these players can stay consistent, slow down on bad decisions, and learn to be leaders than I think you have a couple budding all-stars on those teams. 

I honestly don’t know what else to expect from this class though, because like the OP mentioned, so many players just didn’t play. Jabari, Randle, Saric, Embiib, Gordon, and others barely played because of injuries or other cercumstances, and other great prospects didn’t get time because they were on stacked teams like McBuckets, Vonleh, Warren, Capela. 

I think the player though who is going to break out the most is TJ Warren. I loved him coming out, and think he has the potential to be a 20 ppg scorer in this league. He just knows how to put the ball in the basket, and should get more of an opportunity to showcase his abilities this year in PHX. He played fantastic in the SL, and I think he’s going to carry it into the season and carve out a nice role off the bench for the Suns. 

Another improved player I see making a jump is McDermet. Having a coach like Hoiberg who is only a year removed from seeing what he could do in college is going to help, and add to the fact that he isn’t a coach who runs out the same lineups all day, and uses a space and pace offense, you can expect a shooter like McDermot to get some PT this year. I expect him to do exactly what Mirotic did for the Bulls last year, and prove a sharp shooter off the bench for the Bulls. 

Those guys are my biggest picks for improvement, but I could see Smart, Hood, Gordon, and Lavine all taking a step up from where they were last year and become bonafide starters in this league. 

[mgreener_34Participant]

It should be interesting, because we saw a lot of players excel at certain aspects of the game, and if they improved upon their areas of work they could take the next step in their progression. 

Exum and Smart both showed elite defensive potential, scored sometimes, but were not as consistent on that side of the ball or playing PG for that matter. If both of these guys can continue to play good D while improving their offensive game/running a team, than the Jazz/Celtic are going to be very pleased. 

I think Wiggins/Payton/Clarkson all exceeded expectations, proved that even in their firsts years they could be solid starters, and played well beyond their years. This was indicative of all of them getting some kind of recognition in the ROTY race. If these players can stay consistent, slow down on bad decisions, and learn to be leaders than I think you have a couple budding all-stars on those teams. 

I honestly don’t know what else to expect from this class though, because like the OP mentioned, so many players just didn’t play. Jabari, Randle, Saric, Embiib, Gordon, and others barely played because of injuries or other cercumstances, and other great prospects didn’t get time because they were on stacked teams like McBuckets, Vonleh, Warren, Capela. 

I think the player though who is going to break out the most is TJ Warren. I loved him coming out, and think he has the potential to be a 20 ppg scorer in this league. He just knows how to put the ball in the basket, and should get more of an opportunity to showcase his abilities this year in PHX. He played fantastic in the SL, and I think he’s going to carry it into the season and carve out a nice role off the bench for the Suns. 

Another improved player I see making a jump is McDermet. Having a coach like Hoiberg who is only a year removed from seeing what he could do in college is going to help, and add to the fact that he isn’t a coach who runs out the same lineups all day, and uses a space and pace offense, you can expect a shooter like McDermot to get some PT this year. I expect him to do exactly what Mirotic did for the Bulls last year, and prove a sharp shooter off the bench for the Bulls. 

Those guys are my biggest picks for improvement, but I could see Smart, Hood, Gordon, and Lavine all taking a step up from where they were last year and become bonafide starters in this league. 

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

Really excited for Parker, Randle, and Embiid…oh wait…

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

Really excited for Parker, Randle, and Embiid…oh wait…

[sitlbitoParticipant]

 It’s still a deep draft to me. Rodney Hood,Clint Capela showed flashes at the end of the year. Jusuf Nurkic started well and was stopped by injuries. I see Adams being in the Grizzlies rotation this year,and leaps from Mcgary,Vonley,Gordon,Payton and Exum.

[sitlbitoParticipant]

 It’s still a deep draft to me. Rodney Hood,Clint Capela showed flashes at the end of the year. Jusuf Nurkic started well and was stopped by injuries. I see Adams being in the Grizzlies rotation this year,and leaps from Mcgary,Vonley,Gordon,Payton and Exum.

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