NBA Breakout Players

1)      Chris Douglas-Roberts (NJ) – Now that Vince Carter is playing for the Orlando Magic, many people think that Courtney Lee will be the player to pick up Carter’s scoring. Lee is a very talented shooting guard, but Douglas-Roberts is the guard that will have a breakout season. The former Memphis guard was fourth in scoring this preseason, averaging 18 points a game. Preseason games don’t count, but you can tell that Douglas-Roberts is a completely different player. Devin Harris, Lee and Douglas-Roberts are one of the best backcourt trios in the NBA.

2)      Jeff Green (OKC) – The former first-round pick had a strong second season, averaging 16.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and shot 45 percent from the three-point line. Kevin Durant is my dark horse pick for MVP and the Thunder added talent that should take pressure off of Durant and Green. Green should average 20+ points, eight rebounds and might be the second Thunder player to make the All-Star team.

3)      Javale McGee (WAS) – The Wizards had one of the best off seasons in the NBA and coach Flip Saunders will turn this team into a playoff team. Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood are close to being 100 percent and this team has a strong bench. Haywood is the starting center, but the athletic McGee will be the starter by the end of the season. McGee has the potential to be one of the best shot-blockers in the NBA and he will average 10+ points, seven rebounds and around two blocks a game this season. Antawn Jamison is battling a shoulder injury and McGee will pick up some of the scoring and rebounds if Jamison misses any games.

4)      Anthony Randolph (GS) – The former LSU forward looked like one of the most improved players this summer. If he stays healthy, Randolph should be the starting power forward for the Warriors. Randolph left school too early, but he is finally starting to mature into an NBA player. Expect Randolph to average 15 points and eight points this season.

5)      Joakim Noah (CHI) – The former Florida center was a whole different animal in the postseason. Noah averaged 10.1 points and 13.1 in the playoffs. The Bulls drafted forwards Taj Gibson and James Johnson and these two players should help keep Noah fresh. Expect Noah to help lead the Bulls back to the playoffs and he will finish in the top-five in rebounds this season.