Ten Things: Blow Up Edition (Part 2)

 5) Andrew Bynum, C (LAL): Isn't this picture funny? I once wrote a very long post about how these two centers should trade teams and it would benefit both teams because let's be honest, Dwight Howard is leaving the Magic after this season, and I really don't think Kobe likes Bynum that much. Did you know that this is Bynum's 7th season and he's only 24?? Since Dwight isn't arriving in Tinseltown this year, Bynum will have to be a big part of the Lakers this season if they want to get back to championship form. Bynum has gotten better every season thanks in large part to Kareem Abdul-Jabar and his ability to bulk up from a skinny 270 to a strong 285. However, he hasn't been on the court enough to produce for the Lakers. Knee injuries have bothered him almost every year (he averages only 55 games a season, played only one entire season) and because of that, it usually takes him some time to get adjusted to his role. This season, Bynum will have to be more of a focus in the offense with both Kobe and Pau Gasol a year older, he will have to be an enforcer in the paint with Gasol on defense, and he will have to return to his 2009-10 form and be even better if the Lakers want to have a chance at returning to championship glory. The key to Bynum having a breakout season is just staying healthy and hopefully this lockout will give him enough rest so us basketball fans can see his true potential come into fruition.  

4) Serge Ibaka, F (OKC): Air Congo is one of the most perplexing players in the league for me to evaluate when I watch him. Since his rookie season I've thought to myself, if this guy can put it all together, he will be one scary player. However, I see him as a guy that just won't ever get there. He'll be super athletic but I don't think he'll ever round out his game. In year two, the promise he showed was even greater, and once again I was second-guessing him fully reaching his potential. Ibaka became a starter in the second half of last season, and he showed a nice touch from 15 feet, would've led the league in blocks if he had started from game 1, and he is definitely going to be a part of the KD/Westbrook (maybe CP3 instead?) wrecking crew for many years to come. I'm convinced that Ibaka can reach an all-star level and if the Thunder are to get to the Finals this year, he will have to be great. All he's done to prove himself is work hard this summer as well. He played with the Gasol brothers (I pray to the basketball gods hoping he learned a Gasol hook shot, please!) and the Spanish national team and he's currently playing with Real Madrid in Spain. Ibaka is playing against the best competition possible right now and hopefully he'll be ready to take his game to the next level in you guessed it...year 3. 

 3) James Harden, G (OKC): Is there an Oklahoma City Thunder bias for ranking Ibaka fourth and Harden third? Absolutely, but the two have been playing this summer just as much as their team leader, Mr. Durant, and Harden has looked real good. Harden has been a big part of the Drew League and other all-star games this summer, where he's put up numbers like 29, 48, and 51. He is a lethal scorer and he's only started 5 games in his career...5 games?? No knock on him, but Jodie Meeks who was in the same draft class has started 64 games in his career...That's ridiculous! If Scott Brooks doesn't start Harden this year he needs to be fired. While everyone was busy complaining about Russy taking too many shots in the playoffs and criticizing the poor interior defense of Perkins & Ibaka against Z-Bo & Dirk, they failed to notice Harden's brilliance and how important he is to the team when he's on the court (Game 4 against the Mavs last year). He can run the offense (Thunder's biggest weakness), he spaces the floor with his 3-point shooting which allows Westbrook & Durant to play 1-on-1, and he can create his own shot. Is he a liability on defense? Yeah, but that's why they acquired Perkins and have Ibaka to protect the paint. Harden averaged 12 ppg in 27 mpg last year. If he gets 10 more minutes per game, boom squared can definitely average 18 a game, possibly 20. Do the right thing Scotty Brooks and start Harden and that sexy beard, please.     

2) Tyreke Evans, G (SAC): For the 2010 Rookie of the Year, 2011 was a year he'd probably like to forget. Like most NBA players, he went through the so-called "Sophomore Slump" but in large part it was due to a plantar fasciitis injury that plagued him all season. Tyreke looks healthy again and I truly believe this will be the year we see 23-7-6 from him. Tyreke will also be taking on a much bigger role this season and most likely that will be at the point guard position because Marcus Thornton is still on the team and with the arrival of The Jimmer, Evans will have to run the offense. It shouldn't be a problem though because he has been a more productive player in his career as a primary ball-handler, and he'll have plenty of weapons on the wings and the post (DeMarcus Cousins, J.J. Hickson, & Jason Thompson) to help him thrive. The shooting guard position has been on the decline in the last few years with only Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade being the only superstar shooting guards in the league, but who's next? Manu Ginobili? Too old. Monta Ellis? Still too one dimensional. It used to be Brandon Roy, but his injury has dropped him out and I believe in Tyreke's third season he'll be ready to claim that status as the 3rd best shooting guard in the league. His jumper will be better, he'll have to become a playmaker, and could he possibly mold himself into the new Penny Hardaway? I think so. He will be an all-star this season and Mr. Euro-Step will be the leader in the revival of the cow bells in Sacramento. Look out for him to "Reke Havoc" this year.

1) John Wall, G (WSH): Last season, we saw one of John Calipari's point guards blow up on his way to his first MVP and this year will be the blow up for another one of his past point guards, the Dougie King, John Wall. Unlike Mr. Rose however, I believe that Wall will reach his superstar status a year earlier. Wall is one of those new breed of point guards in the league that is slowly starting to revolutionize the point guard position. Last year we saw Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose use their incredible athleticism and speed to fill up the stat sheet on a nightly basis, and Wall will follow suit. If Blake Griffin wasn't a rookie last season, Wall would have been the rookie of the year, and his solid season (16-5-8) wouldn't have been overlooked. This summer Wall has looked excellent playing in the NC Pro-Am League and the numerous all-star games set up by the players which included a 50-point effort. He's improved his jump shot immensely and that incredible athleticism hasn't gone anywhere. The Wizards team has gotten better as well with the addition of the man with the most swag on draft night, Jan Vesely, and the best defender of the draft, Chris Singleton. JaVale McGee is a year older and hopefully better, Jordan Crawford is a nice prospect, and hopefully Andray Blatche and Nick Young learn the concept of team basketball. They also have Rashard Lewis who is expendable and if he stays on the team can spread the floor. With all his weapons, Wall should have an amazing season (I say...22-7-10) and if he can get the Wizards to the playoffs I predict a possible all-NBA team. Who doesn't want to see him dougie after dunking on Chris Bosh in the first round of the playoffs?