Every year, there are a few guys that are supposed to step up and help their teams. This year is no different. Here are five players that I think should step up their game this season.
1) Ronnie Brewer - The Utah Jazz drafted Brewer last season and he didn't play much at all. I don't know if it is the fact that Jerry Sloan just doesn't like rookies that much or if he didn't impress with his play. Either way, Brewer has improved tremendously and has won the starting shooting guard job this season. I think he will put up similar numbers to what fellow former Razorback, Joe Johnson in his after his trade to Phoenix. 18 points in the opener is a good start for Brewer.
2) Rajon Rondo - Boston went out and picked up Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen this off season. Now, he has to prove that he can help run the team's offense. He has to improve on his shooting from three point range (21%).
3) Martell Webster - Portland's gamble of drafting the youngster straight out of high school with the 6th pick, looks like he is ready to start producing up to his talent level. He won the starting small forward spot this pre-season and added 21 points in the opener against the Spurs last night.
4) Al Thornton - A lot of the experts were saying that Thornton's age would be a deterring factor to his success in the NBA. I think differently. I think that with age, comes maturity. Thornton has shown this preseason that he can handle the responsibility of learning an NBA style offense very quickly. I look for him to be a major contributor for the Clippers this season.
5) Rashad McCants - He is finally healthy after recovering from micro-fracture surgery. I saw him play against the Pacers in the pre-season and he was moving like he had never been injured. He also had 18 points that night, so his shooting touch is coming back to him. Minnesota will need his ability to shoot this season. I look for him to provide it.
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Comments
Dunleavy's lighting it up!
I'm guessing that's the last time you utter that phrase this season.
Dude shot 50% from the field in the pre season. I think you'll be saying it quite often this season.
A) he was 7-17 from the field last night, B) Dude has shot 43.5% from the field for his career, C) he's never shot over 45.4% in a season....
I'm fairly certain I won't be saying it that often, if at all, this season unless he's taking 25 shots a game.
Dunleavy's lighting it up! Maybe I did underestimate the Pacers.