A look at the season's breakout Ballers after the preseason games

This upcoming NBA season looks promising in terms of bringing new stars to the public’s attention. The preseason gives us an early look into those players.

Although Preseason games get the same amount of interest as summer games, they do hold some importance. While the regular stars will obviously put up a good show, it’s more interesting to focus on the mid-level names or the young up and comers who are hinting at break out seasons.

Let’s take a look at the youngsters and a few vets who will surprise the basketball world this season.

1. Victor Oladipo; Orlando Magic

Four Games: 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists

He was last year’s most surprising college player and he shows no signs of changing that in the NBA either. The No. 2 draft pick has been showcasing a very impressive all round game so far.

He was thought of as a good defensive stopper with very little offensive potential. Oladipo has proved that wrong with consistent performances offensively. He has shot a respectable 44% from the field in these four games. He also played as a Point Guard for the Magic against the New Orleans Pelicans and dropped 9 dimes while being on the court for 25 minutes.

Extrapolating for around 28 minutes, this guy could have one heck of a rookie season and will definitely be in contention for Rookie of The Year.

2. Anthony Davis; New Orleans Pelicans

Four Games: 24.5 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1.8 steals

Two things stopped Davis from winning the Rookie of The Year award last time around: Injuries and Damian Lillard. This time however, he seems ready to blow things up.

He’s having a brilliant offseason so far, never scoring less than 21 points while playing at an average of 28 minutes a game. He averaged 8.2 RPG last season and it’s safe to say that will go up this season.

He’s shooting over 55% from the field. Last season he averaged around 50% which in itself was pretty good. However, over .55 from the field will push him into a whole other level. Expect Davis to produce an average of 20-10 this season.

3. Chris Kaman; Los Angeles Lakers

Four Games: 12 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3 assists

Chris Kaman is doing everything he can to replace Dwight Howard as the Los Angeles Lakers’ new starting center. The Lakers are giving Kaman a chance to prove he still has it, while not sacrificing their cap flexibility for next summer. However, Kaman has outplayed this opportunity in the preseason, throwing up a pair of double-doubles and scoring in double figures each night.

He’s shooting .512 from the field and has been a respectable presence on defense. The most impressive part has been his ability to gel with Pau Gasol. The two have good coordination and have set up quite a few of each other’s baskets too.

Add on 8-10 minutes per game to these preseason numbers and Kaman could potentially become a 15-10 player, something which the Lakers would love to get, considering that they paid just $3.18 million for him.

4. Andre Drummond; Detroit Pistons

Four Games: 14.5 points, 9 rebounds, 57.5 percent shooting

Andre Drummond may be making the leap even sooner than imagined for the Detroit Pistons.

The preseason, so far, has shown that Drummond can still put up sizable numbers with limited minutes. The acquisition of Josh Smith will mean Drummond’s PF minutes will reduce, but the numbers listed above were achieved in just 24 MPG.

Excluding his recent dud, 1-of-7 for five points, Drummond was shooting 66.7 percent from the field. He has also done a decent job getting to the line, where he is 66.7 percent, a major improvement over last year.

If Drummond improves his free-throw shooting, there is a good chance for him to have a breakout season, even if he is the third big in Detroit.

5. Evan Turner; Philadelphia 76ers

Four Games: 19.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists

Given the fact that there’s absolutely no talent whatsoever on the Philadelphia 76ers roster, a big season is expected out of Evan Turner.

He is averaging 19.8 points on 46.6 percent shooting, in addition to 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He is adding some scoring punch to an already solid all-around game.

While he still hasn’t appeared to develop a three-point shot, Turner’s game has been on a slight rise in each of his three seasons. This could be the year he puts a lot of it together and breaks out. At least, The Pistons will definitely hope so.

Unfortunately, it will be on a very poor team and go largely unnoticed for much of the regular season. So, let’s pay respect here, to one of the best players in the preseason.

6. Isaiah Thomas; Sacramento Kings

Three Games: 13.7 points, 6.7 assists, 53.8 percent shooting

It’s very hard for a Point Guard to mesh with a whole bunch of new teammates. That’s the predicament faced by Isaiah Thomas in a nutshell at Sacramento.

Thomas is now dealing with Greivis Vasquez and Jimmer Fredette. Luckily for Thomas, neither Vasquez nor Fredette have been fully healthy or available this preseason. The two have played in just one game each. Thomas has played in all three, and he has played well consistently.

Thomas is seeing 27 MPG, and has averaged 13.7 Points and 6.7 assists with 53.8 shooting from the field. But everybody knows he can score. The question is whether he can be what the team needs him to be: A facilitator. That will decide who the starting point guard for the Kings will be.

Thomas’ 6.7 assists are a good number at this stage of the preseason. They are an improvement over the four he averaged last year, but there is still room for improvement with starter’s minutes. That is, if he starts. But the chances look good at the moment.

7. Kelly Olynyk; Boston Celtics

Six Games: 9.8 points, 4 rebounds, 53.2 percent shooting

While Kelly Olynyk may not have been starring in the preseason, he has done enough to garner some attention.

Despite putting up stellar college and summer league performances, Olynyk has had more than his fair share of detractors. He played in a mid level conference and as we all know, summer league is nowhere near NBA basketball. However, the preseason is here and Olynyk is still putting up good numbers.

The detractors sure seem to be less now.

If he continues this into the regular season, he is a sure bet to be one of the league’s top rookies. He’ll have the playing time to do so on a poor Celtics team, and he has repeatedly put up good numbers despite increasingly talented competition.

The above numbers are deceiving as he barely got to play during the first two games. In the last four games, however, he is averaging 12.8 points, 5.3 rebounds on 59.5 percent shooting in 24 minutes a night.

Olynyk has passed the summer league AND the preseason test with flying colours and he seems ready for his rookie/ breakout season.