There are many great, good and exciting players in the NBA today, but only a few carry the title of elite player. The likes of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Chris Paul are all currently elite in my opinion. Then there are the guys who are extremely close to being called elite like James Harden, Anthony Davis, Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook. The list of close calls goes on and on. There are the disrespected old men of the game, who still play very well game in and game out, but are not currently considered among the NBA’s elite because of their age. Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki and Dwayne Wade all still have it, the only thing holding these legends back is their age.
Players who could shock the world and become elite this NBA season
The NBA is becoming a young man’s game, and that is what my article is all about. I’m not going to give you the obvious names you would associate with the tag ‘elite’, I’m going with four surprise picks, and these are the four NBA players who could shock the world and put themselves up there with the likes of James and Durant, and become house hold names.
DeMar DeRozan – Guard/Forward – Toronto Raptors
One of the best athletes in the NBA, DeMar DeRozan is one of my favorite players in the league. He averaged 20.1 points per game last season; he can score, dunk and defend very well and plays on a team full of talented players. That leads me to believe that this is the year DeMar DeRozan takes not only the next step but becomes a superstar. DeRozan, 26, is a contender for MVP in my opinion, mainly because of his ability to do it all, DeRozan’s all-round game is key to the Northern Nation making and going deep into the playoffs. Toronto can win it all this season they have the pieces in place to do it, and DeRozan is definitely the key to winning. If he has the season I’m expecting, Toronto will be a top three seed in the east. So if DeRozan shows the world his full potential he will become an elite player in the NBA, whether or not he does that, we will just have to wait and see.
Andre Drummond – Center – Detroit Pistons
One of the most physically dominant centers in the NBA, with Andre Drummond it’s all about power. One of the strongest players in the paint, Drummond can easily become as good or better than the likes of Demarcus Cousins and Marc Gasol this season. His potential is limitless, and with players like Reggie Jackson, Brandon Jennings and rookie Stanley Johnson, Drummond has some support to reach his ultimate goal of being the best center in the NBA. It will be very hard for Drummond to achieve his goal, but I’m not going to be the guy who says he can’t. Drummond is incredibly driven and will not stop till he reaches his target. Drummond averaged 13.8 PPG and 13.5 Rebounds per game, plus the big-man had 1.9 Blocks as well. Very good numbers that I only expect to rise this coming NBA season. He can be elite.
Goran Dragic – Point Guard – Miami Heat
When you think of the Miami Heat the first thing you think of this year is Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. This year, though, it will be all about Goran Dragic. The silky smooth point guard has seven years of NBA experience and is definitely a late bloomer in the NBA. The best is yet to come for Dragic. The Heat didn’t pay Dragic for nothing; he’s the real deal even at the age of 29. Goran Dragic can be elite, especially with players like All-Star Bosh, veteran Wade, the improving Hassan Whiteside and the young gun Justise Winslow. To have players of this quality around him is a real luxury for Dragic, and he will use that to his full advantage. I expect Dragic’s numbers to rise this season. He averaged 16.3 PPG and 4.5 Assists; I believe these numbers will rise to around 20 to 21 PPG and near to 8 or 9 Assists. It’s very hard to become elite at Dragic’s age but I really believe he can do it.
Kawhi Leonard – Small Forward – San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are my pick to win the NBA Championship this year, and one of their best players Kawhi Leonard will be key, but he really doesn’t get the respect he deserves. Leonard averaged 16.5 PPG and 7.2 Rebounds per game, great numbers for a player whose main priority is defense. His numbers will not only go up, but Leonard will become an absolute superstar. Kawhi Leonard is the best player on the Spurs roster, you may not agree, but think about who the most influential player on the team is, when you narrow it down you always come back to Leonard. I don’t think Kahwi Leonard will become elite, I know he will. And this is why; I was asked this question about five months ago. “If you could take one player from another NBA team and put him on your team (the Lakers) who would it be?”
My answer was Kawhi Leonard… It really is as simple as that.
