It is no secret that Western Conference teams have been lighting up the scoreboard in recent years. This was met by many Eastern Conference teams countering with a ferocious defense that they hoped would keep points off the board. That experiment has largely failed, which has left many clubs scrambling to develop a strong group of guards on their own to run a more potent offense. That began showing dividends last year with Kyrie Irving and the Cavaliers being able to put up the points required to stay with the Warriors (a stifling defense didn’t hurt much either!). Now, other Eastern Conference teams stand to benefit from some guard power of their own. So let’s a take a look at three that are emerging and should be on our radar entering the 2016 season.
Emerging NBA Guards in the Eastern Conference
Isaiah Thomas
Perhaps overlooked for a few seasons because of his famous name and lack of height, Thomas has emerged on the scene as a guard who can direct an offense. Playing in all 82 games last year for Brad Stevens and the Celtics, he was able to average 22 points and 6.2 assists last year. He has grown in confidence and should develop into an on-the-court leader this year that can rival any in the NBA. What he lacks in physical size he makes up for with quickness and basketball IQ. He is a key reason that the Celtics should make a solid postseason run in 2016.
Jeremy Lin
While Lin has bounced around amongst the conferences the past three seasons, he is poised to really develop into an on-the-court leader in his own right. He played in 78 games for the Hornets last season and was able to average 11.7 points and 3 assists per game. While these are not spectacular numbers, they illustrate a gradual improvement every season. Look for Lin to emerge in a big time way with the Nets in 2016, or he could find himself being quickly forgotten and relegated to a bench role in the future.
Isaiah Canaan
The Philadelphia 76ers brought in Isaiah Canaan last season to try to get them out of the basement. He was able to average 11 points and 1.8 assists on a guard heavy team, but things did not work out and he is now with the Bulls. Canaan has been slowly developing through the years, so this is his opportunity to shine in Chicago. For their part, the Bulls will likely be looking to Canaan to fill a supporting role, so this will give him the confidence that he needs to take his game to the next level.
Combined with the likes of Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Irving, Bradley Beal, John Wall and others, these three emerging guards in the NBA’s Eastern Conference prove that offense is once again becoming king. There are certainly other guards to look out for in the conference, but these three should provide an immediate spark to their teams come the tip off of the 2016 season.
