'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The NBA is home to some of the best basketball players in the world. Legends like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird have all inspired generations to pick up the sport. The aforementioned athletes time and again proved their worth by giving their best on any given night.
However, when you play in a league like NBA, there are some games or even seasons that may not go in favor of a particular player. The same can be said about the players of today's generation.
After ending the 2019-20 NBA season in the Orlando bubble, the NBA returned to playing in regular stadiums in the 2020-21 season. But many players didn't have a great time there. So they will hope for a much-improved performance when they set foot on the court for the 2021-22 campaign.
On that note, here's a look at five such NBA players who need to have great 2021-22 campaigns.
#5 D'Angelo Russell
D'Angelo Russell was touted as one of the next big things when he was drafted second overall by the LA Lakers in 2015. Although Russell has shown glimpses of his prowess, the 25-year-old is definitely capable of more.
He moved from the Golden State Warriors to the Minnesota Timberwolves to play alongside his friend, Karl Anthony Towns. The guard has been averaging 19.6 points per game since his arrival in Minnesota. Having played his first full NBA season there last year, Russell started in only 26 games, averaging 19 points per game at 43.1 % shooting from the field.
His campaign was hampered by injuries, and he also had to undergo a knee surgery that kept him out for a while. Coming into the 2021-22 season, D'Angelo Russell will hope to stay healthy and give his best performance for the team.
The arrival of Anthony Edwards does make the team a lot stronger, So Russell's performance could play a vital role in how the Timberwolves fare in the NBA Western Conference next season.
#4 Julius Randle
Julius Randle had one of the best years of his NBA career last season. He was named the All-Star for the first time since he was drafted. The Knicks forward averaged 24. 1 points, 10.2 rebounds and six assists per game. He was a vital cog in the Knicks team that made their first playoffs in nine years.
Having performed exceptionally well in the regular season, expectations were at an all-time high from Randle for the postseason. Unfortunately, the 26-year-old failed to deliver. He had a poor run in the postseason as the Knicks fell 4-1 to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round.
Randle averaged 18 points per game during the postseason. Although that may sound pretty decent, for a player who was the team's leading scorer during the regular season, he wasn't as efficient as he needed to be. He shot only 29.8% from the field and looked short of his usual best through the series against the Hawks.
The Knicks will need Randle to have a great regular season in 2021-22. After falling short in the playoffs, he will hope to perform better at the business end of the league next campaign.
Also Check Out: Latest NBA News, Rumors and Updates
#3 LeBron James
NBA legend LeBron James has to be one of the most surprising names on the list. Having won everything in the game, the King shouldn't have been on this list. However, every basketball fan would agree that the ceiling for James is to be the greatest player in basketball. And this season could very well bring him closer to accomplishing that.
James is currently the third-highest scorer in the league, and is around 3000 points shy of breaking Kareem Abdul Jabbar's points record. But the four-time NBA champion endured a disappointing campaign last year. For the first time in his career, he was knocked out in the first round of the Playoffs.
LeBron James won't take that loss lightly. He loves to play on the biggest occasions, and will try to help the LA Lakers go all the way in 2021-22.
The Lakers have added some vital pieces like Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony to the team. So it would only makes sense that James bags his fifth title and cement his name as one of the best players to have graced the NBA.
#2 Kristaps Porzingis
Kristaps Porzingis was the no. 4 pick in the 2015 NBA draft. He came into the league as a 7' 3" forward, who could also shoot the ball. That was a unique talent, and he instantly became one of the most sought-after players.
However, an ACL injury kept him out of NBA action for nearly 18 months. Post that, he moved to the Dallas Mavericks for the 2019-20 season, completing that year in the bubble. He had some big performances there. But an injury meant he missed out on some crucial games in the series against the Clippers.
The next year, Dallas once again made it to the playoffs, only to face familiar foes, Clippers in the first round. This time Porzingis disappointed with his performances, though. The Latvian averaged only 13.1 points per game in the first-round series, shooting a dismal 29.6 % from the field.
After rumors of a potential rift between him and Luka Doncic, it seemed he would be on his way out of the Mavericks. But the arrival of Jason Kidd has seemingly changed a few things for Dallas. The former NBA champion met with Kristaps, and made him aware of how important a player he is for the Mavs.
Currently, it looks imminent that Doncic will stay in Dallas. But regardless of what happens, the 2021-22 NBA season is going to be very crucial for him. He has been training hard in the off-season to unleash his best this year. If things go as planned and Porzongis stays healthy, there is no doubt he could have a sensational campaign.
#1 Ben Simmons
Arguably the most predictable name on the list. Ben Simmons has a whole lot to prove during the 2021-22 NBA season. He went from being an All-Star in Philly to the most hated player in a matter of a mere months.
The 25-year-old had a poor outing in the 2021 NBA Playoffs. He has also recently ticked off experts and fans with rumors of him wanting to leave the Philadelphia 76ers.
Simmons is a three-time All-Star and is also regarded as one of the best passers in the NBA. However, there is no hiding from the fact that he hasn't been able to develop a 3 point shot in his four years at the NBA.
It was all fine until it began haunting him in the postseason. The Australian squandered some easy chances in the second-round series against the Hawks last year, which the 76ers eventually lost 4-3.
There is still no certainty about where Ben Simmons is going to end up at for the 2021-22 NBA season. However, whatever happens, starting October 19, he has to make sure he is at his potential best.
Guess the Lakers players!
