Eric Bledsoe (Phoenix Suns)
35mpg, 45% fg, 32% 3pt, 5rpg, 6apg, 17ppg, 13.0 pie, 0.5 +/-
A disappointing season for Bledsoe and the Suns. ThBey had visions of making the playoffs at the beginning of the season, but things just didn't work for them. Bledsoe had another solid season.
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings)
34mpg, 47% fg, 13rpg, 4apg, 24ppg, 18.0 pie, 1.1 +/-
Talk about disappointing seasons. The Kings started the season hot and looked like they could contend for a playoff spot in the West. Then Cousins got sick, the coach got fired, and it all fell apart. The Kings went out and hired a hall of fame coach, but many believe that he will not fit well with Cousins, so it will be curious to see how things work out next year. Cousins is now considered one of the best big men in the NBA, but until the Kings can start to win he'll never be looked upon the way Anthony Davis is already being viewed as someone who can play a critical part on a winning team.
Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans)
36mpg, 54% fg, 10rpg, 2apg, 24ppg, 19.2 pie, 3.9 +/-
When Davis came into the League there were quite a few who said he would be good enough to bring his team into the playoffs. They were right. There are some people who believe Davis is now the best player in the NBA. I'm not sure if he's there, but the fact that he was able to lead the Pelicans into the playoffs is pretty incredible.
Archie Goodwin (Phoenix Suns)
13mpg, 39% fg, 2rpg, 1apg, 6ppg, 6.5 pie, -4.0 +/-
Goodwin got a lot more playing time toward the end of the season. That's a good thing for Goodwin who hopefully can stick.
Chuck Hayes (Toronto Raptors)
9mpg, 2rpg, 1apg, 5.2 pie, 1.3 +/-
Who knows how many years Hayes has left in the NBA, but he's had a good career and now gets to go the playoffs.
Terrence Jones (Houston Rockets)
27mpg, 53% fg, 35% 3pt, 7rpg, 1apg, 12ppg, 11.3 pie, 2.4 +/-
It's been a tough year for Jones who has struggled with his health. When he's played he played well and the Rockets really need him in the playoffs. Hopefully he can stay in the lineup.
Enes Kanter (Oklahoma City Thunder)
29mpg, 52% fg, 9rpg, 1apg, 16ppg, 12.4 pie, -0.4 +/-
Kanter has been a big story the second half of the season. It's easiest to see why when you look at his Per 100 possession stats. At Utah Kanter had a ORtg of 104 and a DRtg of 106. After going to OKC his ORtg is 122 and Drtg is 106. Honestly 106 is not that bad of a DRating. I've never heard anyone knock Cousins as a defensive player and his DRtg when he was 22 years old was 106. That's the age Kanter is now. And 122 is the same ORtg that Anthony Davis has for the season. If Kanter can be around 120 on ORtg and get into the 104 range on DRtg he'll be thought of as one of the best big men in the NBA. No reason to think he can't do it he's still so young. Of course despite his improved offensive play the Thunder were not able to make the playoffs. But with Durant returning hopefully next season, and Westbrook playing at such a high level Kanter will add an interesting weapon to their team.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Charlotte Hornets)
29mpg, 47% fg, 8rpg, 1apg, 11ppg, 11.0 pie, 1.3 +/-
It was a very disappointing season for Charlotte, and I wonder what they think of Kidd-Gilchrist. He's an offensive liability and so he doesn't get the kind of playing time a regular starter gets in the NBA. His ORtg has improved each season he has a rating of 106 this year and a DRtg of 103, but those are not necessarily the numbers you'd like to see from the number 2 pick in the draft. Still he's a solid player and should have a good career in the NBA, it's just that if he's ever going to have a big impact he'll have to improve is offensive play.
Brandon Knight (Phoenix Suns)
32mpg, 42% fg, 39% 3pt, 4rpg, 5apg, 17ppg, 12.9 pie, -1.3 +/-
Poor Knight he was having a great season in Milwaukee and was a key part of their improved play. But they didn't want to pay his contract coming up this next season and so they traded him to Phoenix who was hoping Knight could help them make a run. Well he was struggling with the transition from point guard to shooting guard and then he got hurt. Not sure what will happen with him in the off-season.
Jodie Meeks (Detroit Pistons)
24mpg, 42% fg, 35% 3pt, 2rpg, 1apg, 11ppg, 8.7 pie, -1.6 +/-
After signing a big contract Meeks struggled this year in Detroit. He was injured to start the season and that is being blamed for his disappointing season, but they will be looking for big improvement next year.
Nerlens Noel (Philadelphia 76ers)
31mpg, 46% fg, 8rpg, 2apg, 10ppg, 10.8 pie, -5.7 +/-
In Cousins rookie season he had an ORtg of 94 and a DRtg of 105, that compares to Noel's rookie season of ORtg 96 and DRtg 99. That shows some major promise. Noel will probably always be seen as a defensive first option, but still he has shown offensive imrovement as this year has progressed and should only get better.
Patrick Patterson (Toronto Raptors)
27mpg, 45% fg, 37% 3pt, 5rpg, 2apg, 8ppg, 9.9 pie, 3.1 +/-
Patterson has been solid for Toronto this season and seems to be settling in as a bench player in the NBA. He needs to improve his defensive play but has been very affected offensively this year. Maybe he can make some noise in the playoffs.
Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons)
24mpg, 44% fg, 46% 3pt, 4rpg, 2apg, 8ppg, 8.9 pie, -2.2 +/-
I'm assuming this is Prince's last season, but one never knows. If he can shoot threes at 46% he may find a home somewhere next year if he wants to.
Rajon Rondo (Dallas Mavericks)
30mpg, 43% fg, 6rpg, 8apg, 9ppg, 10.8 pie, -0.8 +/-
Things have not gone well for Rondo in Dallas and unless he really does something in the playoffs it is assumed he will be going to another team next year. The big question is who wants him. He has become a real offensive liability and has become inconsistent on defense.
John Wall (Washington Wizards)
36mpg, 45% fg, 30% 3pt, 5rpg, 10apg, 18ppg, 15.1 pie, 3.5 +/-
In many ways this was a disappointing season for Wall and the Wizards. They started so hot and people thought they could contend for the Eastern Conference title, but then it all fell apart. They were a sub .500 team over the second half of the season and just never seemed to be the same team. It's assumed they will have a new coach next season, but it many ways it looks like this team peaked out last season. Hopefully Wall can have a good playoff and the Wizards can make some noise.
James Young (Boston Celtics)
11mpg, 35% fg, 26% 3pt, 1rpg, 3ppg, 5.0 pie, 0.1 +/-
Young had a pretty common rookie season for late first round picks these days. He spent much of the season in the D League and with his youth and size, it is likely he'll spend a good chunk of time there again next season. He'll need to improve his shooting and defense if he hopes to stick so a lot of work will be needed this summer.
I'm ready to get my playoffs on. I'm rooting for a 'Zards-'Cans final.
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