Great Leap: 7 NBA players who could make the leap from good to great this season

Paul George has greatly evolved to become the mainstay of the Pacers Time passes, champions are crowned, MVP awards are won, everyone gets a year older, your favourite players slowly fade into oblivion, and life goes on. But for every star that begins to die down, a new star is born! Every year, a new group of players make a giant leap from good to great. It usually happens between the second and fourth years in the career of a young NBA talent, as the player begins to fully grasp the true potential of his basketballing powers and begins to get comfortable with the pace and systems in the NBA.In recent years, we have seen the likes of Paul George and Jimmy Butler make such a leap, going from solid starters to NBA All-Stars. Here are the players who could make that great leap this season.

#1 Andrew Wiggins

The reigning Rookie Of The Year will look to parlay early success into long term greatness

I’m predicting bright things for the Minnesota Timberwolves this season. They’re blessed with the new number one pick Karl-Anthony Towns, have welcomed a healthy return of Ricky Rubio, and have an eclectic mix of veterans and youth to keep things exciting up in the Twin Cities.

But the biggest reason for my projected T-Wolves jump is second-year swingman and reigning rookie of the year Andrew Wiggins. I believe that Wiggins can take the leap to become one of the best swingmen in the league, and even on tough offensive nights, his ability on the defensive end ensures that he will always earn ample playing time on the floor.

Wiggins was thrust into the eye of the storm last season in the league’s worst teams, but the silver lining was that he got to play major minutes and learn through his mistakes. As the season progresses, watch for Wiggins to blossom into a better player, realize the limitlessness of his own talents, and unleash hellfire on to the rest of the league. The future is very, very bright.

#2 Andre Drummond

Drummond will be one of the league’s revelations this year

Well, the early returns have already been monstrous. Freed of the post spacing constraints that came from playing alongside Greg Monroe, fourth-year big man Andre Drummond has descended to unleash hellfire on the rest of the NBA.

The 22-year-old is averaging around a monstrous 20.3 points and 20.3 rebounds this season and has already had three 20 point-20 rebound games. Drummond’s explosive start has the Pistons off to a surprisingly strong start this season.

He has had a double-double in every game so far this season; at this pace, he seems to be a lock to become an All-Star for the first time in his career and become a strong contender for the Most Improved Player award.

#3 Giannis Antetokounmpo

Coach Jason Kidd says Giannis will play all 5 positions for the Bucks

The better the ‘Greek Freak’ gets, the more people are going to have to learn to spell and pronounce his name.

Two years ago, the athletic rookie showed flashes of his potential to Milwaukee, and took a major leap in his second season to double his scoring output from 6 to 12 ppg while also averaging about 6.7 rebounds per game.

Now, Antetokounmpo is ready to take another jump and continue to develop into one of the most interesting and evolutionary young talents in the NBA. Antetokounmpo has started his third season in style, carrying a larger load on the offensive end (19.3 ppg through six games) while also adding over seven rebounds per contest.

At various times over the last year, Coach Jason Kidd has suggested that he could play the Greek Freak at point guard, Center, and every position in between. The upside is limitless.

And the scariest fact? He’s still only 20 years old...

#4 Rudy Gobert

Kanter’s departure opened the door for Gobert to shine

Many NBA experts are predicting that Utah Jazz to become a surprise entrant in the crowded Western Conference playoff picture this season, and 7’1” Frenchman Rudy Gobert is a major reason why.

Playing as a backup to Enes Kanter for most of his season, Gobert was a relatively unknown quantity outside of small-market Utah. Then, Kanter was traded to the Thunder, and Gobert broke into the starting lineup with a bang. His ability to block shots, protect the paint, and rise to astonishing heights on both ends of the floor had fans mesmerized and excited for the future.

That future is now the present. Gobert is currently third in the league in rebounds and second in blocks, swatting everything in sight and manning the post to help the Jazz get off to a 4-2 record. And if he continues to grow with the same confidence on the offensive end, Utah could become one of the most interesting teams in the league.

#5 Hassan Whiteside

Whiteside is the quintessential “comeback kid”

Whiteside’s unexpected rise and skill-set have been similar to Gobert’s: a big man who has made the most of unexpected opportunity to become a rebounding and shot-blocking threat.

But beyond that, Whiteside’s unique story deviates from nearly every other player in the NBA. The 26-year-old was drafted into the NBA in the second round in 2010, but bounced around between the D-League, China, and Lebanon without finding a solid home for himself. That ‘home’ finally became Miami, as the post-LeBron Heat suddenly began to enjoy breakout performances in Whiteside’s first year of NBA stability.

Now, he’s proving that last season was no flash in the pan. Top five in rebounds, field goal percentage, and blocks (where he’s the leader at 4 bpg), Whiteside has become a major part of Miami’s ambitions to rise as Eastern Conference contenders again. The most surprising stat? His efficiency rating of 23.6, highest in his team and 10th best of all players in the NBA!

#6 Bradley Beal

Beal will have to take on the load of scoring for Washington

Beal has been on a cusp of a breakout for a couple of years, and now, the fourth-year sharpshooter seems to have found his full comfort zone in the NBA to challenge the best shooting guards in the game.

Still just 22, Beal has taken a major leap in scoring for the Wizards early in the season, averaging 22.7 ppg (career high – top 10 in the league) shooting over 48 percent from the floor this season.

John Wall may be the best player in the Wizards for his playmaking abilities, but Beal has taken on the mantle of Washington’s leading scorer. Their development at the backcourt will determine how far they can carry this young team into the playoffs. Beal has already taken and hit some big shots this season (including the game-winner over the Spurs). At this rate, it will not be surprising if he challenges for an All-Star spot in the East.

#7 Harrison Barnes

Barnes continues to make a name for himself on the talent-stacked Warriors roster

In a team that already features a reigning MVP (Stephen Curry), two DPOY candidates (Draymond Green, Andrew Bogut), one of the league’s best shooting guards (Klay Thompson), and the reigning Finals MVP (Andre Iguodala), it seems a Herculean task for Harrison Barnes to find space and fulfill his potential.

In his fourth season now, Barnes is averaging career highs in points (12.7 ppg), rebounds (5.7 rpg), and minutes (30 mpg) for the perfect 7-0 Warriors. Those numbers may seem relatively low compared to the other stars of the game, but Barnes’ upside is way higher than the stats indicate.

He is a perfect player for the Warriors’ dominant system and his versatility makes the entire team more well-rounded on both ends of the floor. Barnes has decided to bet on himself this contract year and I believe that his development this season will give the Warriors yet another dangerous weapon come playoffs time.