NLL Insider - Breakout Players!

by spudspace, updated on Thursday, December 08 2016, 06:13 pm EST

This article is focusing on guys that will or need to have a breakout season for their team.  There are a number of reasons for guys to have a breakout season; finally getting the minutes they deserve, on a contract year, ratings updates, change of location.  Each guy has a different reason why they will have a big year.  A breakout season doesn’t always mean being an all-star either, a guy can have a breakout year and that means going from a no-name to a rotation player, so don’t think that breakout means scoring 30 points a game!  That said, the Breakout Player of the year is a 30 point a game player.  This is just projections for the end of the year, but have a look at your team and comment on if you agree or disagree!

Breakout Star of the Year - San Antonio’s Anthony Davis

This name may seem odd to some people, but changing to 2k16 has worked wonders for the MVP to be.  He’s literally doubled his points and is leading the charge for the best team out West.  He’s even somehow shooting almost 50% from 3 this year…What?  Also known as “The Brow”, he’s always ben a force on the defensive end, but he’s now tops in the league in that too.    Do you want to guess how many things he’s in the top 10 in the NLL right now? 7 categories!  That’s insane, and that includes #1 in Points and #1 in Blocks.  He may be the best player in the league now, and GM Leeroy’s patience has finally paid off.  There have been rumors that he paid off Wizkid to make sure 2k16 was used so he could get Davis away from the defensive moniker.  I don’t know who’s having a better season in the league right now.

Atlanta - Andrew Nicholson

Nicholson was released into free agency in the offseason, and picked up by the Hawks for a pretty good contract.  He worked his way into the starting lineup and has performed well so far averaging 16 points and 7 rebounds a game.  This guy can shoot the 3 ball and provides that stretch 4 that everyone is always looking for.  He’s never going to be an all-star type player, but he may turn into a valuable starter on a playoff bound team.

Boston - Michael Beasley

Beasley has bounced around the league for years, and sadly, this is the first guaranteed contract he’s had to start a season in a number of years.  He can sure score though!  He’s coming off the bench as Boston’s 6th man right now and averaging over 10 points a game.  He needs to work on that 3 point shot, but at this point in his career, he is what he is.  What can he do this year, well I’d say a valuable 6th man on a playoff team is a pretty good season.

Brooklyn - Glenn Robinson III

So far he hasn’t gotten a lot of playing time, but he is going to work his way up the depth chart for the Nets.  He can shoot the 3, is super athletic, and is getting better on defense.  Right now the Nets have some injuries and he’s only getting 6 minutes a game, so he might have to prove himself more before Wiz gives him some more time.

Charlotte - Myles Turner

There aren’t a lot of guys to choose from on this team as they are all so young.  My prediction is that Myles has a big year.  He’s started off a little slow, but with Kristaps next to you, it will be hard to shine through.  He’s a big defensive force for them, and doesn’t demand a lot of shots in the post, so that will be huge for this team.  This guy has future all-star written all over him!

Chicago - Robin Lopez

Robin has always been a steady big man in the league, but now he’s anchoring a surprisingly good Bulls team with his defense and rebounding.  He’s averaging 12/12 while being that defensive stopper everyone needs.  He a reliable jump shot away from being a 20/10 type of player.

Cleveland - Brandon Jennings

Jennings is finally getting a chance to start in Cleveland after Tony Parker got injured.  There have been rumors that he may be the PG of the future in Ohio.  He’s trying to work his way into a long term contract, so you can bet he’s going to be playing his best.  This week will be a test week, but there is a good chance he keeps this spot and can ride LeBron to the playoffs.

Dallas - Nikola Mirotic

This one was easy as the Macs let Dirk walk knowing they had another sharp shooting Euro waiting in the wings.  He’s already had a breakout season, and I see know reason why it won’t continue.  He’s shooting 8 3’s a game to lead the league as the premiere stretch 4 in the league right now.  If he continues this type of play, he will work his way into a huge contract next year.

Denver - Kent Bazemore

Kent got his big contract in the offseason, and he’s gotten the starting nod over J.J. Reddick.  The results have been so-so as of yet, but he’s averaging 14 a game, which is double his career average.  He’s not shooting so well right now, but as he grows in his confidence with this team, he will probably fit in better.  He still has a bright future, and will probably help the Nuggets make the playoffs this season.

Detroit - Bradley Beal

The recently acquired Beal is a bright spot on the surprising Pistons team that has started the season off with some good wins.  He is in the top 5 in points per game right now, and is shooting an amazing 50% from the field and from long range.  This likely won’t keep up, but man is that impressive.  He is going to make the all-star team this year and if he can keep the Pistons near .500 for the year, he’s gonna get MVP votes.  This is light years ahead of his oft-injured past, so hopefully he remains healthy.

Golden State - Joffrey Lauvergne

He’s finally getting a chance to start after being a backup in OKC.  He’s making the most of it by averaging a double-double so far this season on a current playoff team that is surprising a ton of people rightnow.  He’s doing it all for them, almost 2 blocks per game, shooting over 50% from the field, and also over 90% from the free throw line.  These type of stats are why so many people were after him in the offseason.  He has what it takes to be a long term starter in the league, and help GS be a contender.

Houston - Luke Babbitt

This is the year that Luke finally will get a chance to make a contribution.  He’s stepped into the rotation well after many years of not getting a lot of time.  He has NBA starter ability if he just gets the time to do it.  He can shoot the 3 ball, and be a stretch 4 when needed.  Hopefully he continues to see playing time and remains a rotation player on this GM-less team.

Indiana - Sean Kilpatrick

This guy is blowing up in the NBA right now, and he was a cheap pickup for the Pacers last year.  He’s going to work his way up the rotation, and rumor has it that the Pacers are looking to move Crawford to start Kilpatrick.  If this happens, he’s going to start averaging double figures and be another one of those undrafted guys that makes it into the NLL.  

Clippers - Clint Capela

He’s blowing up on the Clippers roster, he’s #2 in rebounds per game right now, and he’s quite a finisher with a 69% field goal percentage.  He’s getting the chance to start, and he’s proving he’s up to the challenge.  Many questioned what the Clippers were doing when they traded Whiteside last year, but Andrew has a nack for finding big men and developing them.  He’s a sure-fire all-star if he keeps this kinda play up.

Lakers - Jonathon Simmons

This was hard because everyone on the Lakers team has been proven and they have won championships.  Simmons is the guy that is blowing up in the NBA, and even though he’s not getting minutes on the Lakers roster, he may get traded into a better situation and get some minutes.  He’s super athletic, can shoot and play defense.  You know that he’s going to be good since he’s on the Lakers.

Memphis - Sauce Castillo

Joking, but Nik Stauskas is getting a chance to have the start for good this year with not a lot of better options anywhere.  He’s still 23, and has shooting ability.  Memphis has some amazing rookies in the frontcourt, and really only one old guy in the starting lineup in Wes.  Hopefully this group of young kids can grow together and Sauce will live up to the nickname.

Miami - D.J. Augustin

This is another team with a lot of guys that have proven themselves, so it’s hard to find someone who will “breakout.”  He got a chance to start without Rondo, and he’s doing great, shooting 50% from long range and dropping dimes.  He’s going to be a great backup for them this year, and will hopefully help guide Miami back to the playoffs.

Milwaukee - Jusuf Nurkic

This guy was shopped all last season, but he ended up staying with the Bucks due to a very high asking price.  He’s finally getting a chance to start, and he’s doing alright so far.  He’s not getting all the minutes of a normal starter due to the horde of big men that the Bucks have.  He’s gonna be a great player for a good Bucks team, not much more you could ask for!

Minnesota - T.J. Warren

He’s back with the Wolves again, but is injured right now.  He’s going to get the chance to backup Paul George this season and hopefully helps the 2nd unit in Minnesota.  Right now he’s shooting an astounding 67% from the field and hasn’t missed a 3… I’m not sure that will continue, but he can be a great scoring presence of the bench for the wolves.

New Orleans - Jahlil Okafor

He’s already having a big year, but this play needs to continue for the 3rd overall pick.  He’s had some injury concerns, and is by no means KAT, but he is already one of the best low post scorers in the game.  He’s now averaging 22 and 10, which are all-star numbers.  If he can stay healthy and continue playing this way, he will help NOLA stay above .500 on the season.

New York - Kyrie Irving

I know, this guy has been playing at an all-star level for years, but he’s averaging 28 points and 10 assists while playing alongside Mr. Ballhog James Harden.  He’s nearly doubled his assists from last year, and is averaging 10 more points a game.  He’s in the MVP conversation, which is a first for him.  The Knicks may be the best team in the league, and Kyrie’s improvement is a big reason why.

Oklahoma City - Dennis Schroder

He’s trying to earn himself a big contract and prove to everyone that he is worth max money.  There is a chance he is the future at point guard in OKC, but he’s gotta prove he can do it off the bench first.  Many have projected OKC as one of the top teams in the West this year, and Dennis needs to take a step forward in order for this to happen.  He’s got all the talent to be a 6th man candidate, so we will see if he shows his true colors this season.

Orlando - Shabazz Muhammad

After such hope and being drafted so high, he has disappointed in the 3 years he’s been in the league so far.  When given the chance to start he was playing pretty well for the Magic, but was deemed to be stealing shots from DeMar.  This is a key year for Shabazz, as a poor performance will doom him to a bad contract next season.  He needs to pick up his game and prove he can start in order to earn that payday.  I expect to see him back in the starting lineup soon and helping Orlando win.

Philadelphia - C.J. McCollum

He’s getting the chance to be “the man” as the starting 2 guard in Philly.  He won’t get the chance to jack up quite as many shots as I’m sure he would like, but he is also another guy trying to earn that big contract.  His talent in undeniable, so there is no doubt that he’s going to get signed, but with Philly having some huge contracts come up next season, he needs to prove he’s going to be there long term.  So far, shooting 50% from the field will make a GM smile all day long.

Phoenix - Jon Leuer

He was given a big contract in the offseason even though he’s essentially a backup big man.  He is trying to prove doubters wrong and show he is worthy of that money.  He filled in well for Al Horford during injury, but now is backing him up.  A breakout season for him would be to average double figures off the bench, and being a bright spot for a otherwise lackluster Suns bench.

Portland - Tyler Johnson

Tyler was pried away from NY in free agency, and is finally getting a starting job.  This guy has worked his way from nothing after being undrafted a couple of years ago.  He’s got speed, can jump outta the gym, and can shoot the long ball.  You would think on a team like Portland he’d get ample opportunity to shoot and grow as a young player.  I see him eventually averaging 20 ppg by the end of the year and being a quite surprise for a young Trailblazers team.

Sacramento - Dwight Powell

Dwight is getting a chance to fill Kevin Love’s shoes in Sacramento, and his GM is already in love with him.  He’s averaging 15 and 10 on 53% shooting.  This is everything you want in a PF and he is a good free throw shooter to boot!  He’s already broken out, and he will likely be a starter in this league for years after proving he’s this capable.  If he just works on that jump shot he can be lethal.

Toronto - Jae Crowder

Jae is on the best contract in the league, making less in 4 years what most big names make in a year.  He’s a defensive beast, but he’s getting a chance to play big minutes this season.  He’s trying to make this Toronto team his own.  He is never going to be a guy that looks to score 30 a game, but instead gets great open looks and takes high percentage shots.  He’s the guy every coach wants on his team and you can bet many GMs will try to pry him away from GM Carl.  If Carl knows what’s good, he needs to hold on tight to this guy and let him blossom into a potential all-star.

Utah - Bojan Bogdanovic

He’s a born scorer, and can shoot from anywhere on the court.  He just needs the trust of his coach to allow him to shoot more.  It’s going to be hard to find shots with Wiggins, Gordon, Oladipo and Rose in his backcourt too, but maybe Utah is looking to move someone to make room for Bojan.  He is just waiting for his moment to get shots and prove he belongs in someones starting lineup.  I know many a GM that would love to have a scorer at that price off their bench.

Washington - Marcus Morris

Morris has never been the same since he was separated from his twin, but he’s turned into a good role-player in the league.  At his contract, he’s one of the best steals in the game.  He’s got to share a role with Carmelo Anthony, so you know he’s not going to see a lot of the ball.  Marcus will make the most of his opportunity this year and possibly help the Wizards be a playoff team.  He’s a great fit for their team because he and Melo can move between the 3 and the 4 depending on defensive matchups.  His breakout season won’t be measured in points, but in Wizards wins this year.

Archive

· Week 3: POTW and ROTW Announced!

· Draft Busts - An NLL History

· Week 3 Recap

· Glitched Out

· Breakout Players!

· Week 2: POTW and ROTW Announced!

· Week 2 Recap

· Week 1: POTW and ROTW Announced!

· Shopping Time!

· Week 1 Recap