As the NBA season winds down I thought I’d take a quick look into next year. I liked guys like Derrick Rose and O.J. Mayo but who didn’t? Therefore, they won’t be on the list. Here are some other players who are looking to have big seasons next year. Great second half numbers in their current seasons’ tend to be a common theme.
Mike Conley – PG – Memphis Grizzlies
This season Conley shook off those who doubted his ability to be a starting PG in the NBA. Since Memphis made the decision to let Conley be the full-time starter it proved to be a wise one. His play was so good the team traded away Kyle Lowry, who was competing for time with Conley. Although just glancing at his overall numbers may not look like a large improvement from his rookie season, they fail to tell the whole story. This season was his coming out party, next season will be his breakout.
Second Half Numbers: 14.8 PPG, 5.8 APG, 3.8 RPG, 46.7 FG%, 85.3 FT%, 46.7 3PT%, 35.42 MPG.
Andrea Bargnani – FC – Toronto Raptors
The former #1 overall pick was one of the main reasons the Raptors got rid of Jermaine O’Neal. Bargnani displayed that he was finally ready to take on some of the responsibilities that come with being drafted first overall. He’s averaging career highs in PPG (15.5), RPG (5.4), BPG (1.2), and FG and 3P % (45.2 & 41.6, respectively).
Second Half Numbers: 20.0 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.5 BPG, 50.2 FG%, 48.2 3PT%, 33.53 MPG
Thaddeus Young – F – Philadelphia 76ers
Young is proving why he left Georgia Tech early and was selected in the lottery. He’s playing 34 minutes per game, up from his 21 he played last year during his rookie season and has supplanted himself into the Sixers’ starting lineup for years to come. Young nearly doubled his PPG average and has shown signs of becoming an elite scorer in the NBA by posting six straight 20+ point performances at one point this season. Despite an ankle injury recently sustained, Young should be back in time for his second trip to the playoffs in his two years in the league.
Second Half Numbers: 18.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.4 STL, 52.0 FG%, 35.42 MPG
Anthony Randolph – PF – Golden State Warriors
Only a rookie but nonetheless still makes the cut. I won’t make any Lamar Odom Hall of Fame predictions here but next year should be a good one for the rookie out of LSU. The lengthy Randolph didn’t see the court as much as he would have like this season but he took advantage of the time he received. He’s currently on a streak of five straight games with double-digit rebounds and is pretty scary when he gets minutes (e.g. 20 points and 15 boards in 38 minutes versus the Hornets). Look for him to get more playing time next season.
Second Half Numbers: 9.7 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.6 BPG, 22.36 MPG
Tyrus Thomas – F – Chicago Bulls
Like Randolph, Thomas is from LSU and is only scratching the surface of his potential. He’s already a freak on the defensive side of the ball (as of last week he was 4th in the NBA in combined blocks and steals). Now that the Bulls seem to be more comfortable going with their young bigs in Thomas and Noah, he should only continue to get better. Like the others on the list, he too is setting career highs across the board.
Second Half Numbers: 12.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.2 BPG, 1.2 STL, 30.30 MPG
no blake griffin? list is flawed, you know hes gonna come in and put up numbers for a scrub team.
Can’t agree enough on Thad! His absence has allowed us to tank, score 67 points in a game and other random nonsense. It’s a shame that we won’t have a good playoff slot because I’d like to win the first round and then lose…it’s a gradual step from last year. Give us two years or so (including picking up a 3-point shooter and a new coach who defends against threes) and we’ll be one of the best teams in the East.
Blake Griffin, most dominant (in my opinion) college player since Tim Duncan!