OT What NBA players will "break out" this season?

[PtldPlatypus]

I saw this list today: 5 players poised for breakout seasons

This dude picks:

• Rodney Hood (filling the Gordon Hayward vacuum)
• Norman Powell (several wings gone from in front of him in Toronto)
• Aaron Gordon (uber-athletic back to PF from beginning of season)
• Dejounte Murray (ready to supplant Tony Parker)
• Patrick Beverly (finally gets to be lead guard, run PnR w/Deandre)

Thought that might be an interesting topic for a thread. For those of us who watch more than just the Blazers, what non-rookie do you expect to break out this year?

Unfortunately, my pick is Brandon Ingram. I'm hoping it's an Andrew-Wiggins-style scores-a-lot-but-doesn't-translate-to-wins breakout, but I think he's going to take a huge step this year.

 

[H.C.]

@swish3 this thread needs your musings.

 

[riverman]

I'm going to go with Noah Vonleh and Mo Harkless as well...I think their time is now

 

[dviss1]

Moe. Harkless.

Watch.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

C'mon y'all--of course I want Blazers to break out too, but can't we look outside our own squad?

 

[e_blazer]

I'm actually afraid that Ball is going to be pretty good this year.

Which really peeves me because I want him to fail so badly.

 

[dviss1]

I'm actually afraid that Ball is going to be pretty good this year.

Which really peeves me because I want him to fail so badly.

Did you want him to fail before or after he was a Laker? Tell the truth.

 

[e_blazer]

Did you want him to fail before or after he was a Laker? Tell the truth.

Well, I always thought his dad was a total ass, which was strike one.
He played for UCLA, so strike two.
Now he's a Laker. Strike three.

That third strike is an absolute deal breaker for me because, screw the Lakers. I'm sticking pins in his voodoo doll, but I suspect his talent will overcome my attempts at giving him bad juju.

 

[calvin natt]

Breakout:
Beverly is a good pick. Think he's underrated and an excellent perimeter defender

Ben Simmons
Jonathan Simmons in Orlando
Jabari Parker

 

[riverman]

but can't we look outside our own squad?

I just don't want to even start a buzz that the competition will excel......I have Blazer tunnel vision....I fully expect Durant, Curry and Lebron to suck all season
but to add to the conversation, I think Allen Crabbe might in Brooklyn....

 

[blazerboy30]

Breakout:
Beverly is a good pick. Think he's underrated and an excellent perimeter defender

Interesting...I was going to say that he is the least likely on the list to breakout.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I saw this list today: 5 players poised for breakout seasons

This dude picks:

• Rodney Hood (filling the Gordon Hayward vacuum)
• Norman Powell (several wings gone from in front of him in Toronto)
• Aaron Gordon (uber-athletic back to PF from beginning of season)
• Dejounte Murray (ready to supplant Tony Parker)
• Patrick Beverly (finally gets to be lead guard, run PnR w/Deandre)

Thought that might be an interesting topic for a thread. For those of us who watch more than just the Blazers, what non-rookie do you expect to break out this year?

Unfortunately, my pick is Brandon Ingram. I'm hoping it's an Andrew-Wiggins-style scores-a-lot-but-doesn't-translate-to-wins breakout, but I think he's going to take a huge step this year.

I thought Murray looked really good last year but was totally anonymous in Summer League. He better hope SL doesn't mean anything. I actually think SloMo Anderson has a better chance, but I think that every year. Agree about Powell.

How about Skal Labissiere?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Breakout:
Beverly is a good pick. Think he's underrated and an excellent perimeter defender

Isn't he a bit old?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I'm going to go with Noah Vonleh and Mo Harkless as well...I think their time is now

Hope springs eternal.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

On a side note: I pick Orlando to be the worst team in the NBA.

 

[calvin natt]

Isn't he a bit old?

You can't breakout as a veteran?

 

[BonesJones]

Beverly?? Lmao. Dude has no good offensive skills and it'll show.

 

[Minstrel]

How are we defining "breakout?" Increased stats or taking one's game to a higher level? I don't think Beverly is going to take his game to a new level, but I think his numbers will increase as the primary initiator.

 

[calvin natt]

I realize scoring to some is the end all be all but I am curious to see Beverly play starters minutes and his impact on a game. He's a vocal and high energy guy who defends. Not every player just thinks ppg is what determines how good they are

 

[PtldPlatypus]

How are we defining "breakout?" Increased stats or taking one's game to a higher level? I don't think Beverly is going to take his game to a new level, but I think his numbers will increase as the primary initiator.

I think it's a nebulous term, which is part of the intrigue of the discussion. For me, it basically means they reach a level where opposing coaches have to game plan for them, a status which I don't think is necessarily reserved only for franchise players, but doesn't apply to 4th/5th options. Could come as a result of increased minutes, altered role, or improved skills--any one can lead to a breakout season.

IMO, Dame, CJ, and Nurk are all at that game-plan status. If either Mo or Noah also reach that level (as riverman has predicted), then we are a 50+ win team. I'd be shocked if either of them really broke out this year.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Pat Connaughton - one way or another. Either he finally steps out of Allen Crabbe's shadow and shows what he can do, or he doesn't and leads AA ball in strikeouts per 9 innings.

BNM

 

[riverman]

Derrick Rose has a breakout season every season...I blame fried foods and soda pop...but he could have a good season playing in Cleveland.

 

[dviss1]

I just don't want to even start a buzz that the competition will excel......I have Blazer tunnel vision....I fully expect Durant, Curry and Lebron to suck all season
but to add to the conversation, I think Allen Crabbe might in Brooklyn....

I said it before and I'll say it again. When you can't:

Dribble to save your life,
Finish strong at the basket,
Rebound for shit,
Play anything that looks remotely like Defense,
Create your own shot,
Create ANY offense for anyone else,
and then teams game plan for your weaknesses for the first time in your career,

How the hell is 4-5 extra minutes gonna help you "break out" when you have 1 basketball skill?

Even his per 36 numbers don't say he's gonna break out.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Noah
Vonleh

 

[Trackjack]

I think Vonleh better have break year because Swanigan or Collins going to be breathing down his back.

 

[Orion Bailey]

I think Vonleh better have break year because Swanigan or Collins going to be breathing down his back.

And this is my reasoning behind this. HE has others on his heels, but then he looked really good next to Nurk. Combine the two and I think he is going to be a 14/8 guy for us this year. and possibly our best overall defender.

We talk about needing more two way Player,s I think other than Nurk, he has the best chance of being our best 2 way player.

 

[Boob-No-More]

And this is my reasoning behind this. HE has others on his heels, but then he looked really good next to Nurk. Combine the two and I think he is going to be a 14/8 guy for us this year. and possibly our best overall defender.

We talk about needing more two way Player,s I think other than Nurk, he has the best chance of being our best 2 way player.

Hopefully, long term, Collins has the most potential to develop into an above average player at both ends.

Vonleh is entering his 4th season. With the additions of Collins and Swanigan, Vonleh needs to up his game on the offensive end. He's already a solid defender and rebounder, but he needs to become a legitimate scoring threat. Last year he had the lowest scoring average of any player to start at least 41 games. He doesn't need to become a great scorer, just solid enough that defenses can't ignore him. That means shooting open jumpers with confidence and posting up players in single coverage, especially when a smaller player switches onto him. He basically needs to become a legitimate pick and pop, pick and roll player.

BNM

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Can I vote for Nurk? He semi "broke out" after the trade, but the injury stopped a full fledged "break out" season.

 

[e_blazer]

Carmelo may eventually break out of NYC, but that's probably not what you were going for.

 

[Minstrel]

I think Tatum's going to be a big part of the Celtics as a rookie. Someone opposing teams need to gameplan for.