Players to watch

[Tammo29@xxxxxxx]

This is a bit dated, but includes the names of sme players that have been 
kicked around here.




October 16, 2003
Players to Watch 



Joe Schaller



A mainstream website recently posted their NBA all-breakthrough team for the 
coming season. Their top 3 names are Zach Randolph, Michael Redd and Andrei 
Kirilenko. Heck, I've been raving about these guys for years! They're old news 
fer cryin' out loud!

nba.com had the same idea with their all-breakout selections of Curry, Redd, 
Crawford, Kirilenko, Randolph, Chandler, Prince, Ming, Jaric and Okur. Fact 
is, breakout seasons are very difficult to predict. How could we have predicted 
Mat Harpring's or Erick Dampier's amazing breakouts last year? Appropriate 
names for such a list would include slow developers and underachievers such as 
Marcus Fizer, Kwame Brown or Joe Johnson.

The mainstream media is a little slow on the uptake when it comes to 
recognizing talent. Here's why; instead of reading boxscores they watch highlights and 
listen to other pundits. When they do get around to reading stats they 
usually misinterpret them. Sportswriters who are mathematically challenged or poor 
at analysis requiring logic may be quite good at telling stories however are in 
the wrong profession.

Anybody who's followed my websites over the past 6 years knows I was the 
first guy in the universe to glorify Zach, Redd and Andrei as well as Tracy 
McGrady, Brad Miller, Carlos Boozer and many more.

My "Players to Watch" include some rising stars, some veterans on new teams 
and generally all may be pivotal to their club's success or failure.


Michael Sweetney NY: Could have an immediate impact as a monster inside 
presence. But do the Knicks want to invest their time developing young talent? With 
the signing of Deke it seems not.

Marcus Fizer Chi: The 3 C's, Curry, Chandler and Crawford already broke 
through with very impressive performances last year. Fizer started the season on 
fire only to succumb to injury. The Bulls in the playoffs will be no surprise.

Carlos Boozer Cle: As a rookie he clearly outperformed Amare Stoudemire- not 
even close! He will likely be the Cav's MVP this season.

Dan Fortson Dal: Jamison gets the spotlight however Fortson may be a perfect 
fit in Dallas if he can keep his non-rebounding game in control. As a 
rebounder there are none better, even Big Ben.

Nene and Marcus Camby Den: If Camby stays healthy this power combo could be 
one of the best and the Nugs one of the surprise teams.

Chauncey Billups Det: Rip gets the attention however this club is all about 
Chauncey and Ben. As one of my players to watch last year Chauncey's signing 
with Detroit was barely mentioned by the mainstream after his breakout season in 
Minnesota. Make no mistake, Billups is as valuable as Allen Iverson.

Eddie Griffin Hou: The guy the Nets traded for Richard Jefferson on draft 
day. Two very different players of equal value. Griffin is definitely on the rise 
but recent events may indicate another NBA "head case".

Austin Croshere Ind: Easily outperformed Al Harrington yet sat on the bench. 
His scoring, ballhandling and rebounding could have saved the club from all 
those fourth quarter collapses. Will Carlisle appreciate his value? Isiah sure 
didn't.

Chris Wilcox LAC: Should have opportunities this year to display and develop 
his tremendous athleticism.

Stromile Swift Mem: If he can cut down on the turnovers he will be an 
allstar. He is already an excellent scorer, rebounder and disruptive defender.

Travis Best Dal: There's no reason he can't be as valuable as Van Exel and 
certainly more consistent. Speaking of Nick I've been reading about his value as 
a clutch player as evidenced by his playoff performance. How soon we forget 
about his playoffs worst stinker performance from the previous year's playoffs.

Eric Piatkowski Hou: The Polish Rifle becomes the Polish Rocket and should be 
the perfect compliment to slashers Francis and Mobley. The sheer invigoration 
of playing for a contender could ignite a career season.

Sam Cassell Min: You can talk all you want about Spre' and 'Kandi, Sam's the 
man who will team with KG and lead the club to their first playoffs success 
with a first round victory over the defending champs.

Darrell Armstrong NO: Born to be a sixth man with plenty left in the tank.

Charlie Ward and Kurt Thomas NY: Talk about underappreciated and not only 
that, underpaid. At under $5 million per year these guys are a bargain. Thomas is 
more valuable than Mutombo and Ward is more valuable than Van Exel, but 
Knicks management as well as the spin doctors are blind.

Mike Bibby Sac: In the Olympic qualifying tournament Iverson got the media 
spotlight however it was Bibby's stellar play which caught my eye. I had my 
doubts but Bibby has now earned his Olympic team spot.

Zach Randolph Por: He's been on my "Players to Watch" the last 3 years. This 
year he will be as valuable as Rasheed Wallace.