NBA: Ten players who could add a dimension to their game this season
Zion Williamson
It's been three years since Zion Williamson, the most anticipated No. 1 draft pick since LeBron James, arrived in the NBA. But we have seen too little of the phenomenon. Enough for him to be selected in the All-Star Game, but that was mostly because of his aura. Even if that season (2020/21), his performances were incredible, last season was blank, still because of his foot problems. Back, and obviously in shape, the time has come for him to be part of the NBA top 10.
Darius Garland
Last year's All-Star was the first time Darius Garland had ever been an All-Star, but this season he will be under a lot more pressure. The Cavs picked up Donovan Mitchell in an attempt to turn the corner. That means higher collective goals. But individually, Garland is expected to be the leader of this team. Praised for his all-around ability, selflessness and composure, he will have to turn Cleveland's score around in fine fashion, and his reputation will grow as a result.
Jamal Murray
In March 2021, Jamal Murray formed a hell of a duo with Nikola Jokic. Until a cruciate ligament rupture that let the Serbian go away of two MVP awards. But collectively, the results were not there for this Nuggets team, a conference finalist in 2020. On his own, the Joker can't make everyone shine, and Murray, on the rise before his injury, can play the No. 2 role wonderfully. His talent is undeniable, and if he has recovered from his injury, he will be a big threat, like his team, this season.
Pascal Siakam
Toronto was a pleasant surprise last season. As they turned the page on Kyle Lowry, they managed to qualify without going through the playin' field. But one always wonders who is the leader of this team. While Fred VanVleet is steadily improving and Scottie Barnes signed his entry into the league with a rookie of the year award, Pascal Siakam is still a good player. But he needs to become a great player, according to the potential we glimpsed in the 2019 NBA Finals. And finally do what is expected of him, become the true franchise player of the Canadian franchise.
Tyler Herro
This summer, the best 6th man in the league signed a huge contract extension. Reward for his last successful season, but it's time to move on to the next level. This means playing as a starter to have a chance of becoming an all-star, and above all acquiring a form of consistency. It's one thing to spray the ball off the bench, but it's another to defend the man every night to justify his starting spot. He has to turn a corner, and become the face of the franchise for the next 10 years. To be verified during the season.
Shaï Gilgeous-Alexander
Over the past four years, we've seen "SGA" grow, first with the Clippers, then with Oklahoma City, where he became the boss of the team. But this franchise is in reconstruction. The modest results prevent the expected explosion of this star in the making, even more so with the injury of the #2 in the last draft, Chet Holmgren. He will have to carry the team once again on his own this season, and succeed where he has failed so far: playing in the All-Star game.
De'Aaron Fox
Here is another one who has the same problem as the previous player. Very strong in a very weak team. The Kings are the team that hasn't played in the playoffs for the longest time (2006). As a result, his good performances go somewhat unnoticed. But that could change with the arrival of Domantas Sabonis. The Lithuanian will be a perfect partner to improve the Kings' results, and if so, De'Aaron Fox will be particularly highlighted.
R.J Barrett
In the shadow of Zion Williamson at Duke, his arrival in the NBA was overshadowed by that of his teammate. But for the past three seasons, R.J. Barrett has proven that he has the makings of a great player. He's become the first rookie to be extended by the Knicks in a long time. With Julius Randle's decline, he needs to step up to the next level. That would allow him to become the star of one of the NBA's most talked-about franchises, and thus, inevitably, a huge star. It's up to him to take the plunge.
Cade Cunningham
No. 1 in the 2021 draft, we had to wait a few months before seeing his good face on the floor. After an average start to the season, he finished with a bang, but not enough to be crowned rookie of the year. This year, he will be under a little more pressure. The Pistons' rebuilding project must go to the next level, and Cade Cunningham must be the leader. Without necessarily being an all-star, we need to see the full extent of his all-around ability, and especially his ability to make his teammates shine in a young but ambitious squad.
Rudy Gobert
Last but not least. Yes, Rudy Gobert is already a three-time all-star and three-time defender of the year. But his transfer to the Timberwolves is supposed to take him to a new level. Underused on offense at Utah, we've already seen his involvement in that area for his first game. But his arrival should allow his franchise to pass a milestone athletically, and for him to stop the criticism on his one-dimensional side to definitively assert himself as one of the great players of the league.
