Fansided

NBA: 10 under the radar players to look out for in 2015-16

By Tom West

Dec 30, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans point guard Tyreke Evans (1) celebrates with teammate point guard Jrue Holiday (11) after hitting a shot to take the lead with 1.2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the New Orleans Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Trail Blazers 110-108. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans point guard Tyreke Evans (1) celebrates with teammate point guard Jrue Holiday (11) after hitting a shot to take the lead with 1.2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the New Orleans Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Trail Blazers 110-108. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 23, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) is defended by Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) during the first half of their NBA game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) is defended by Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) during the first half of their NBA game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

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

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