NBA is a tricky business. With near about 400 players playing in the league every year, it becomes extremely difficult for a player to leave a mark on the Association. Even then, there exists some players who consist of more talent and greater skill set than the others and thus dominate the league becoming the “Mambas” and “Kings” in the world of Basketball.
There also exists a different category of people – those players who have seen highest of successes just to fall into the realm of mediocrity due to injuries, being traded to the wrong team or even due to the joining of other players who take away the spotlight.
Here are 5 NBA players who need a comeback in the 2016-17 season:
#1 Derrick Rose, New York Knicks
The Rookie of the Year (2008) and the youngest MVP in the history of the league, Derrick Rose is a player with unique talents. This 6’3’’ Point Guard has the greatest hops and can sore to the rim. Mix that with deadly crossovers, killer speed, and an excellent court vision and you have yourselves the “Windy-City Assassin”.
Rose was considered to be the heir to Michael Jordan’s throne in Chicago. A lot was expected (reasonable expectations, keeping in mind his talents) out of Rose. He was seen as the leader of the team that will bring back the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship trophy to Chicago. One season after his MVP year, his downfall took the first step when he tore the ACL in his left knee in the 2012-13 season.
The next blow came when Rose injured his right meniscus which caused him to miss the remainder of the 2013-14 season. Ever since, Rose hasn’t been the monster he can be on the court. To add a cherry on top, during Rose’s recovering period, the city of Chicago turned to a young and athletic Jimmy Butler as the leader of the Chicago Bulls, making Rose more of a sidekick than the Superhero he once was.
In June 2016, the Bulls traded Rose to the New York Knicks. Now, in a team surrounded by experienced superstars like Carmelo Anthony and young raw talents like Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick Rose has the best (and probably his only) chance to re-emerge and shine brightly, maybe become one of the greatest.
#2 Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
The 2011 Slam Dunk Champion, Blake Griffin was earlier known only for posterizing elite big men like Pau Gasol and Timofey Mozgov. With age, Griffin evolved his game and added a mid-range jumper to his arsenal and thus became deadlier than ever. The 2015-16 season was shaping up to be his best one till date until he suffered a torn quad that put him on the shelf for months.
He then punched one of the assistant equipment managers that led to him breaking his hand and drawing a suspension from the team for the incident, thus somehow managing to convert one of the best seasons into a dreadful nightmare. But the clippers still managed to enter the playoffs, where Blake again got his quad injured during their clash with the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round.
The Clippers franchise has one of the most versatile players in Blake Griffin. Although Griffin is often found as a part of various trade rumours, it is safe to say that the Clippers won’t be willing to give him up anytime soon. As far as Blake is concerned, he is currently playing in his prime and it must be getting pretty frustrating for him to reach the playoffs every year just to be eliminated by other teams. Griffin must have a comeback and that too a strong one, this coming season.
#3 Joakim Noah, New York Knicks
Noah, the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year, is an elite defender. He is known for his continuous beef with LeBron James and of course his super weird free-throw shooting style. Although Noah had a rough start in the league, he eventually became a two-time NBA All-Star. He is one of those notorious players whom you would love if he were in your team. If not, you would despise his presence around you. Noah has gotten into trouble a lot of times due to mouthing off to the referees but has proved his worth with his hustle and heart for the game.
However, when Fred Hoiberg became the Head Coach for the Bulls, Noah lost his starters position first to Nikola Mirotic and then to Pau Gasol. He suffered a sprained ankle and then an injured left shoulder that ruled him out for the entire 2015-16 season.
According to many sources, Noah was not happy with the limited role he was given under Hoiberg and thus wanted out from his contract with the Bulls. Eventually, he signed with his hometown team, the New York Knicks in July 2016, joining forces with his former teammate Derrick Rose and of course Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis. The 2016-17 season should be all about Noah’s road to renewed success as one of New York’s own Superstar!
#4 Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
The 3x NBA All-Star, New Orleans Pelicans’ Power Forward, Anthony Davis was selected to represent USA in 2012 Olympics alongside LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and other bigshots of the game and it was only his rookie year. Davis is that good!
This 2012 1st overall pick is a pool of talent. He is unstoppable in the post and is exceptional on defense. During the summer of 2015, Davis also added the ability to shoot 3-pointers to his options as well! What more does a team want! A 6’10” leader with the utmost potential!
Well, there is one area in which Davis couldn’t keep up until last season – injuries. Ankles, shoulders, knees, back, you name it. Davis has been injury-prone throughout his career. During the 2015-16 season, Davis was ruled out for the rest of the season in March due to an injured left knee and a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
Davis is still young but with his frequent encounters with so many injuries, his career may have been cut short for a great extend. With Buddy Hield coming to Pelicans, Davis has a stronger more resourceful team and he must come back better, stronger than ever.
#5 Serge Ibaka, Orlando Magic
Serge Ibaka has created a feeling of terror in the hearts of the opponents under the rim. His unmatched timing and presence of mind had led him to become one of the best shot-blockers the league has seen in a long time. With hard work, Ibaka was able to become a starter for the Oklahoma Thunders starting alongside superstars like Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. This 2x NBA Blocks Leader is the dream for any organization that requires some work on their defense.
In what is considered to be one of the most shocking trades during the summer of 2016, Ibaka was traded to the Orlando Magic in exchange of Victor Oladipo. Ibaka openly admitted that the trade was as surprising to his as it was for the rest of the NBA fans. He also let the OKC franchise know about his disappointment in them for trading him.
However, this decision may be a blessing in disguise for Ibaka. A new city and a new start for this defensive anchor can make Orlando “Ibaka’s Team”. Following the footsteps of one of the other defensive monsters in Dwight Howard, who played his best years in Orlando when he beat Lebron James’ Cavaliers in the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals.
Guess the Lakers players!
