NBA Breakout Players Making an Impact

RJ Barrett (New York Knicks)

RJ Barrett has always done a little bit of everything since his arrival in the NBA, but that also involved, sometimes, anything, especially in terms of skill and consistency. He has only been able to play 9 out of 14 matches so far, but what we have seen is very interesting. Barrett is skillful (45% overall, 49% at 3 points), productive (more than 20 points per game) and the Knicks have won 66% of their matches in his presence. If he manages to stop missing too many matches, we’ll let you guess what that would mean in terms of rankings if this influence continues to translate into success.

Santi Aldama (Memphis Grizzlies)

The Grizzlies are in a total quagmire, with a host of injuries and questionable performances from some of their executives. On the other hand, in this slump, Santi Aldama seizes rather well the opportunities offered to him to express himself. The Spaniard plays 25 minutes per game and performs to the point that his level was described as “spectacular” by his teammate Desmond Bane after his game with 28 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists against Boston. Aldama has touch and combativeness, like any self-respecting La Roja interior, and the NBA is starting to notice it. The Spaniard is averaging almost 14 points and 6 rebounds. Developing players when things are going wrong always helps.

Mark Williams (Charlotte Hornets)

Amid embarrassing CVs and criminal records at the Hornets, Mark Williams is shining at the start of the season. We understood that last year Charlotte did not play him much to prevent him from winning too many matches and jeopardizing the percentage of chances of drafting Victor Wembanyama. He confirms his potential and his importance by averaging 13.6 points and 10.4 rebounds, with real good qualities as a rim runner and circle protector.

Craig Porter Jr et Max Strus (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Undrafted upon leaving Wichita State, the 23-year-old guard came out of nowhere to find an unexpected place in the Cavs rotation since the end of October. Without complexes, Porter Jr is on a good dynamic with a 23/40 shooting and more than 15 points on average for four matches, increased playing time and even a first start during the defeat against Miami. An example of his recklessness: the way he attacked Joel Embiid near the circle in money time against the Sixers. We would be very surprised if the Cavs did not lock him in contractually until the end of the season.

For Max Strus, we wondered if he would be able to flourish and be effective outside the cocoon of Heat Culture. Since his arrival at the Cavs, Strus is averaging 14 points per game, is more skillful (43.1% compared to 41% overall, 37% at 3 points compared to 35%) and brings a real plus to the Cavs who are regaining form and ready to gradually regain their place in the East.

Derrick White (Boston Celtics)

Tyrese Haliburton recently called him the “best role player in the entire NBA.” We don’t know if this is the case, but he has been an essential pawn on the Celtics chessboard since the start of the season. White defends hard, attacks accurately and does all those little things that also allow others to shine. For now, he hasn’t forgotten to improve his stats compared to last season, since he scores more (13.6 pts/match), makes more passes (4.6) and shoots with more skill (47.4% overall, 42% at 3 points). It seems that shaving your head completely has magical effects on NBA players…

Duncan Robinson (Miami Heat)

After signing his big contract, Duncan Robinson took time to regain the skill and energy that had made him a nice surprise and a valuable element in the bubble in 2020. Since the start of the season, that Jimmy Whether Butler is there or not, Robinson is simply on fire and has regained that confidence that makes him one of the best shooters in the entire NBA. The former Michigan player averages 14.5 points at 43% from 3 points, as part of a Florida team that has won 9 of its last 10 matches. Duncan Robinson is also keen to show that he is not just a shooter, which Erik Spoelstra has understood given the place he now gives him in his rotation.

Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)

The boy is astonishingly consistent and continues to be a candidate for the MIP title, or at least one of the first places. Johnson continues solid performances in scoring and rebounding (14.6 points, 7.7 rebounds), with demonic skill (59% overall, 42% at 3 pts). Quin Snyder was right in making him more responsible this season. The soon-to-be 22-year-old winger will be part of the hard core of the Hawks for years to come and it’s not because he has the most popular first name at the moment among young US basketball players, but also the last name the most common in the United States, that it must be left anonymous.

Lonnie Walker IV (Brooklyn Nets)

The Nets have experienced some health issues among their major players at the start of the season and in these conditions, it is always good for a player to play the super-subs. In Brooklyn, Lonnie Walker took on this mantle perfectly. After his not uninteresting stint with the Lakers last season – the Warriors remember his performances in the playoffs – the former Spurs player seems to have maintained a high level of confidence. Here he is averaging almost 16 points in 22 minutes per game, at 50.7% overall skill and 45.8% at 3 points. Watch out for him as an outsider for the title of 6th man of the year!

Tim Hardaway Jr (Dallas Mavericks)

Casually, the offspring of the king of the crossover is 31 years old and the bottle it takes to be one of the important veterans of the Mavs. Hardaway is benefiting from the much smoother offensive animation in Dallas this season and is posting his highest points average since 2019 with 17.5 pts per game. The fact that he punishes so consistently when he is open (which happens often with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on the team) is an important weapon for the Texans. Defensively, we are not at a very high level, but he has not yet been really penalizing.

2023-11-23 13:52:00
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