Players Poised for Breakout Seasons

Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia 76ers, PG

This will be Holiday’s second season and look for him to step it up big.  New appointed head coach, Doug Collins, already expects Holiday to play like an All Star caliber point guard this season.  Will he live up to Collins’ expectations?  I believe he will.   I’m not saying he will be an All Star, but he will be a point guard to reckon with.   At 6’4, Holiday can be a mismatch for smaller point guards.  Not only will his size cause mismatches, but he has the quickness and athleticism to really give an opposing team fits.  Holiday was really inconsistent last season, but I believe he will improve drastically.  He is officially the starting point guard this season, as he was in and out of the lineup last season.  Look for Holiday to fill up that stat line, not only with assists, but also with rebounds and steals.  He has the physical abilities to be a really special player in this league, but will he have the mental toughness?

Terrence Williams, New Jersey Nets, G/F

Talking about athleticism, T-Will is a freak.  He is just a flat out playmaker on the basketball court.  What makes him even better is his versatility.  Hell, he can even play the point if he wanted with his ball handling skills.  He too is in his second year as he was very sporadic last season.   He has the ability to get into the paint, but he still needs to work on his outside game.  If he polishes his outside jumper he can be a deadly player. Look for Terrence to gain some more consistency and be that big playmaker off the New Jersey bench.

J.J. Hickson, Cleveland Cavaliers, PF

With Shaq and Big Z gone J.J. will have to up his game to the next level.   He has shown a lot talent and I do believe he will lead the Cavs in points in the paint.  Jamison will be too busy living at the three point line.  Even though Hickson is undersized he is very aggressive.  He finds ways to score.  With him getting all the minutes, look for him to post impressive numbers.

Darren Collison, Indiana Pacers, PG

When CPIII went down, Darren had to grow up fast.  He had some really big shoes to fill as a rookie and he did not disappoint.  He was putting up some ridiculous state lines that not even vets can do.  He has All Star written all over him.  Now that he has the reigns to lead the Indiana Pacer offense, look for him to continue throwing up solid numbers.  He should be racking up the assists with a scorer like Danny Granger and center Roy Hibbert on his team.  Tab him for your fantasy basketball team.

C.J. Miles, Utah Jazz, G/F

With Ronnie Brewer, Wesley Matthews and Kyle Korver all gone, look for Miles to make the most of his minutes.  Miles played well in the playoffs last season and look for him to build off that.  With one of the best point guards in the league on his side and Jefferson and Millsap in the paint, Miles will have plenty of wide open jump shots.

Others to Watch:

Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers, C

He is a very solid, defensive center that is starting to become an all around player.  His size gives him abilities to alter and block shots.  His only downfall is he can never get enough minutes because of foul trouble.  If he can stay on the court look for him to be a solid player.

J.J. Redick, Orlando Magic, G

J.J. is finally showing signs of becoming an all around player as he has improved his ball handling and driving skills.  With Vince Carter on the decline look for J.J. to only get better.  Look for him to help spread the floor with Dwight in the paint.

Ramon Sessions, Cleveland Cavaliers, PG

Sessions has always put of solid numbers when given the minutes.  Now he has an opportunity to start due to Mo Williams’ injury and personal problems.  There have even been discussions that Mo may see some time at the two.  Either way Ramon will get minutes and will produce.