Taking a look at 10 under the radar players to keep an eye on come the 2015-16 NBA season.
As the 2015-16 NBA season slowly approaches, there’s almost too much talent to keep track of. From future Hall-of-Famers such as LeBron James and Kevin Durant, to hopeful young stars like Jahlil Okafor and D’Angelo Russell, there are certain players that every fan – casual or diehard – will have their eyes on.
Year in and year out, some players go relatively unnoticed because the NBA is overflowing with talent. Whether they’re in a small market or their franchise simply can’t contend, there’s always plenty of talent that gets overlooked. Especially when a lesser known player has a perennial All-Star on their team.
When that’s the case, they often won’t get the recognition they deserve. So, in order to bring some players who you may not have been planning to watch to light, it’s time to look at 10 under the radar players you certainly need to pay attention to.
It’s hard to be selective in this process, as there are far more than 10 guys you can argue don’t get acknowledged enough. However, on the occasion you want to read something other than Golden State Warriors hype, or stop learning about what weird clothes Russell Westbrook is wearing, this selection of players could be making a statement with few people noticing.
So, let’s begin with one of the most underestimated centers in the entire league.
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Nikola Vucevic
In a NBA generation that’s lacking in talented centers, Nikola Vucevic of the Orlando Magic stands strongly as a testament against that movement.
There were only four players who averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds per game last season, and Vucevic was one of them. The other three were Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins and LaMarcus Aldridge: three of the NBA’s top All-Stars, and some of the most respected big men in the game today.
Yet, how often do you hear people giving Vucevic credit for putting up those kind of numbers? Probably not nearly as much as you should.
Last season, he averaged 19.3 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, consequently ranking him 16th in scoring and 6th in rebounding. On top of that, he shot a career high 52.3 percent from the floor and made 75.2 percent of his free throws, which puts the likes of DeAndre Jordan and Dwight Howard to shame.
Vucevic continued to demonstrate his skill, too. Rather than relying on offensive put-backs to get easy points, he’s highly effective at spacing the floor and abusing centers who are poor at defending away from the basket. He attempted 25.7 precent of his shots from beyond 16 feet, and made them at a highly effective rate of 46.8 percent. Add on his 47.1 percent shooting from 10-t0-16 feet and his 66.8 percent finishing rate at the rim, and it’s hard to argue with how talented Vucevic is on offense.
However, the inescapable problem with his game is his defense. The Magic allowed 3.2 more points per 100 possessions with Vucevic in the game, and he failed to protect the paint consistently after allowing opponents to shoot 53.7 percent at the rim.
In 2015-16, he’ll continue to go to utilize his skills in the post and his mid-range game, so you can expect him to be a constant threat to score 20 points every night. The area that he must look to improve on, though, is his defense.
Next: Jrue Holiday
Jrue Holiday
When Anthony Davis is on your team, it’s hard to stand out. Although, since becoming an All-Star after averaging 17.7 points and 8 assists per game with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2012-13, Jrue Holiday’s injuries have hampered his rise to fame.
Since joining the New Orleans Pelicans in 2013, Holiday hasn’t been able to play more than 40 games in a season. No matter how much Davis can do, his team simply can’t win if it doesn’t have its point guard. Which is what makes things even more painful for fans, because the injury plagued Holiday can do pretty much everything you want from a point guard when healthy.
He’s patient on offense, reads the floor well, looks to set up his teammates (7.6 assists per 36 minutes last season), makes 37.6 percent of his threes, and runs pick and rolls effectively when either passing or driving to the basket himself.
With Holiday on the floor, the Pelicans are unquestionably a better team. Their offensive rating rose by 4.9 points per 100 possessions with him in the game and he adds another dynamic to the terror of “The Brow”. Holiday even averaged more assists per 36 minutes than All-Stars Kyle Lowry, James Harden and even LeBron himself, which isn’t something many players can say.
Holiday’s opportunity to gain some acknowledgement is only made harder by the plethora of elite point guards in the NBA. But no matter how difficult it is for him to stand out, he still deserves more respect if he’s able to showcase his skills for more than half a season in 2015-16.
Next: Tyreke Evans
Tyreke Evans
Since bursting onto the NBA scene as the 2009-10 Rookie of the Year, Tyreke Evans has never managed to reach the 20.1 points per game he did in his first season. He’s constantly been a dynamic playmaker who can slash to the paint with a sense of wizardry around the rim, but he’s never quite continued the hype train he started as a rookie.
After four years with the Sacramento Kings, Evans headed to New Orleans in 2013 along with Holiday, and managed to have somewhat a comeback year last season.
Evans played 34.1 minutes per game and averaged 16.6 points (the highest numbers he’s recorded in both those categories for three years), whilst shooting 44.7 percent from the floor and increasing his three point percentage by 8.3 to reach 30.4. It’s not his strong suit, but an improved three point shot is essential in a league that’s driven more and more by perimeter shooting.
His bounce-back performance didn’t stop there, though. Evans recorded a career best 7 assists per 36 minutes, which helped spark the Pelicans’ offense to score an entire 6.8 points more per 100 possessions when he was on the floor. He also added some range to his aggressive, drive based offense, as he made a career best 39.1 percent of his shots from 16 feet out.
Again, the shooting isn’t incredible, but the fact Evans improved so many areas of his game indicates we may be able to expect even more growth in the 2015-16 NBA season.
Next: Derrick Favors
Derrick Favors
As Rudy Gobert continues to terrify players and fans alike with his monstrous rejections, Derrick Favors is still emerging as the offensive force in the Utah Jazz’s frontcourt.
They may have only ranked an average 15th in offensive efficiency last season, but that doesn’t mean Favors isn’t doing his part. With a career best average of 16 points in only 30.8 minutes per game, he was able to utilize his expanding range and increased efficiency in the paint to serve the Jazz as their offensive workhorse. He even added 8.2 rebounds per game, which, alongside the 9.5 rebounds of Gobert, went a long way to helping Utah lead the league in rebounding rate with 52.8.
Armed with a solid hook shot (47.8 percent last season), increasing range (40.1 percent from 10-16 feet), and powerful finishing inside (74.5 percent shooting within three feet) Favors keeps on developing into the perfect offensive weapon to compliment Gobert.
In addition to his offense, Favors demonstrated his timing and aggression on defense as well, averaging 1.9 blocks per 36 minutes to contribute to the Jazz’s rapidly improving defense.
Now that the Jazz have emerged with a highly resilient defense, Favors and Gobert can continue to develop as one of the league’s best young frontcourts.
Even though Gobert is far from polished offensively, Favors is still delivering emphatic plays on offense and aggressive blocks at the other end of the floor, too.
Next: Greg Monroe
Greg Monroe
This offseason, Greg Monroe caused quite a reaction when he chose to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks instead of the Los Angeles Lakers. A player choosing a small market over the grandeur of the Lakers is something no one in the basketball world is very used to seeing.
Even though it’s a worthwhile story that he chose the Bucks over the flash of L.A., and that he was a sought after free agent due to the Lakers’ desperation to sign a new big man, the talent that Monroe possesses isn’t always acknowledged. He may not be the best defender after players shot slightly higher than normal against him last season, yet he’s a tenacious rebounder and versatile scorer.
Plus, as a member of the Bucks, who ranked 2nd in defensive efficiency, Monroe should fit in just fine to give their offense a reliable low-post option.
Despite a slight decrease in his playing time to 31 minutes per game, Monroe is coming off his best season in the NBA after averaging career highs in rebounding (11.9) and points (18.5) per 36 minutes. He’s aggressive when attacking the basket, finds good position when moving off the ball, and is definitely capable as a go-to option in the post.
Efficiency is an issue at times, as 61.3 percent finishing inside three feet isn’t the strongest mark for a 6’11” big man. However, in Milwaukee, where he can forget about the offensive issues that Brandon Jennings and Josh Smith created in Detroit, Monroe may be able to operate even more effectively with a big role in the team’s offense.
Next: Tobias Harris
Tobias Harris
Weighing in at 6’8″ and a sturdy 226 lbs, Tobias Harris has the build of a prototypical NBA combo-forward. With the likes of LeBron, Durant and Carmelo Anthony around, it’s hard for other small forwards to come anywhere near their reputation as elite scorers. Obviously Harris doesn’t belong in that conversation, yet his versatile scoring abilities are still rarely discussed.
From Harris’ career best 36.4 percent three point shooting to his reliable 68.7 finishing at the rim, he has emerged as a versatile weapon on the perimeter and in the paint. Even though his midrange game is still relatively inconsistent, the fact that Harris has acquired a smooth stroke from deep while maintaining the ability to post-up shows how diverse his offensive skill set is.
In 2014-15, he put everything together to record a career best 17.7 points per 36 minutes. Counter in his rebounding to the equation (7.5 per game for his career), and you can see that his unique set of attributes will be a valuable part of the Magic’s rebuild.
There’s no question that Harris is talented, but as a B-class small forward in a league so overloaded with elite scorers, playing for a team that won a mere 25 games last season, it’s not surprising that Tobias Harris receives little attention. However, the potential is there.
On a young Magic roster full of young talent, surrounded by Elfrid Payton, Aaron Gordon, Mario Hezonja and Nikola Vucevic, Harris may be able to step more into the spotlight as Orlando slowly increases its win total.
Next: Zach LaVine
Zach LaVine
There’s only one thing most people think of when it comes to Zach LaVine: dunks. Because of that, you’re probably thinking he isn’t remotely under the radar. Which is correct in terms of his fame, but not necessarily accurate in terms of his ability.
He soars through the air with such effortlessness it can make any amateur give up their dream of trying to dunk. It’s just disheartening to see LaVine throw down such creative, difficult dunks with zero effort. That’s what he does best, though, so we might as well just leave him to it.
If we put LaVine’s dunk prowess aside for a second, though, it’s clear that there’s far more to his game than throw-downs alone.
It took quite a few months for LaVine to explode offensively, yet it finally happened near the end of the season. And to make it even better, it was a 37 point explosion against the Warriors and their league best defense (sorry the video thumbnail makes him look high. He was far from a joke in that game).
Alongside Andrew Wiggins, LaVine is still the lesser of two explosive wing players. Although, after racking up 24.7 minutes per game in his rookie season, making 34.1 percent of his threes, a highly accurate 84.1 percent of his free throws, and averaging a respectable 5.1 assists per 36 minutes, LaVine has shown signs that he can ignite the Timberwolves’ offense from time to time off the bench.
He won’t be used for much more than 25 minutes a night, but for a team consisting of himself, Wiggins and first overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns, LaVine can be a valuable piece as this young core tries to make the Timberwolves look respectable.
LaVine’s assist percentage of 24 shouldn’t be overlooked either, as it shows he can do more than dunk. Even if that’s what we’d all rather see instead.
Next: Rudy Gay
Rudy Gay
There aren’t many 21.1 point per game scorers that no one talks about in the NBA, but Rudy Gay of the Sacramento Kings is one of them.
At 6’8″ with a 7’3″ wingspan and tremendous athleticism, Gay has the physical tools to be an elite perimeter defender. Either by using that length to bother smaller power forwards or by diving into passing lanes, Gay should be able to have more of an impact defensively than he has during his career. Though seeing as that hasn’t been the case so far, Gay is often overlooked due to being perceived as a one-way player.
Yes, he’s never reached his defensive potential, but there are other areas of the game where Gay excels and rarely receives any credit for doing so. He was somewhat of a star during his tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 19.3 points from 2007 to 2013. Yet since being traded to the Toronto Raptors and then the Sacramento Kings, Gay has never been able to bring his new teams to contention.
However, his offensive performance reached a new level last season.
Gay averaged 21.1 points per game on 45.5 percent shooting while making 35.9 percent of his shots from beyond the arc. It was the highest scoring output of his nine year career, but no one gave him a second glance as the Kings lacked the overall talent to win more than 29 games.
As Sacramento look to move forward with the force that is DeMarcus Cousins and a questionable new point guard in Rajon Rondo, the outlook for Gay’s 2015-16 season is uncertain. If he and Rondo are able to gel together and connect on offense, Gay can put up 20 points a game with ease. If the experiment with Rondo doesn’t work, though (much like it failed in Dallas), Gay could face a slight decline.
Now, it’s up to him to try and step his game up at both ends of the floor to help lead the Kings away from the depths of the Western Conference. He has the talent, now he just needs to right situation for him to elevate his game even further.
Next: Al Jefferson
Al Jefferson
When Lance Stephenson joined the Charlotte Hornets, most of us thought he’d make a huge difference as an exciting young playmaker with the capability to go-off for a triple double at any moment. Then he put together a horrific shooting performance and the Hornets fell straight out of the Eastern Conference Playoff picture after only scraping together 33 wins.
Saying that things didn’t work out and that he was detrimental to the team would be an understatement. The Hornets were never a contender, but they were at least worthy of an eighth seed. With Al Jefferson dominating opponents the year prior, Charlotte seemed to be on the rise.
Instead, Jefferson’s production fell from 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game in 2013-14 to just 16.6 points and 8.4 rebounds last season. So when you remember that he was entering the discussion for being a top five MVP candidate just over a year ago, it hardly seems likely that Jefferson doesn’t have it in him to turn things around.
He has the ability to make any top defensive center look helpless at times. With his up-and-under move and patented hook shot, Jefferson can still carry the offensive load for any team. Especially a team with limited options like the Hornets.
Maybe now that he’s free from the curse that Stephenson seemed to bring to Charlotte, Jefferson can prepare himself this summer for a major comeback in the 2015-16 NBA season.
Next: Harrison Barnes
Harrison Barnes
By no means is Harrison Barnes forgotten about. He was a key part of the Warriors team that won an NBA championship this year and dominated their opponents all year long with a win differential of +10.1. However, did the growth of Barnes’ game get as much attention as the praise surrounding Klay Thompson, Steve Kerr, and reigning MVP Stephen Curry? No.
As the Warriors brought small-ball to the forefront of the NBA, the 6’8″ Barnes played a vital role in their historic 67 win season. His versatility was on full display after splitting his time between power forward, small forward and center. Due to his hard work at both ends of the court, strength to hassle players like LeBron as he did in the Finals, improved shooting and fierce athleticism, Barnes was far more important to the Warriors than some may realize.
If it wasn’t for the Splash Brothers, maybe that wouldn’t be the case. However, Barnes still did all that Kerr could have asked of him.
He emerged as another 40 percent three point shooter for the Warriors, shot a career best 48.2 percent from the floor, as well as averaging career highs in points (10.1) and rebounds (5.5). Of course, he won’t be a star in Golden State when there’s so much competition, and where every player has a role and they stick to it. As is often the case, though, certain players steal all the attention.
If it wasn’t for Barnes, the Warriors would have had a far harder time winning 67 games. Furthermore, if Barnes continues his upward trajectory, the end result after another year or two is exciting.