5 Players to Keep an Eye on in Orlando
- Tramaine Griifin
- Jul 14, 2020
- 5 min read
As everyone know, the NBA was put on hold due to an ongoing pandemic that is currently affecting our world. However; the NBA is slated to make its return from its hiatus on July 30th. Of course, there will be a lot of ‘star power’ (LeBron, Kawhi, Giannis, Harden) on display in Orlando.
We know most of the stars that will take center stage and to watch-out for in Orlando, but I will name a few players who I believe you should keep an eye on in Orlando. These players aren’t on title contending teams, or aren’t big-name stars like the names I listed above, or even necessarily ‘stars’ yet. However; these players could breakout and arrive on the national radar sooner than expected in Orlando.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Guard, Oklahoma City Thunder:
I think we all can say that the Thunder has been the surprise team of the year. A large of that is due to three-headed in the backcourt. The trio of Chris Paul, Dennis Schroder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a beauty to watch. At this point of the season, we all know that Chris Paul is the team’s closer. However; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the key to the Thunder success in Orlando. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a lanky-combo-guard, that is able to both create his own shot off the bounce and has a respectable shot from three. He’s also a shifty and effective scorer at the rim. He leads the Thunder in scoring at 19.3 points per game, while shooting 47.3% from the field and an efficient 51.4% effective field goal percentage. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a perfect example of having a ‘sophomore jump’, as he’s been better than advertised during his second season. Thanks to the mentorship of Chris Paul, it seems like the Thunder have a franchise cornerstone in place and the future of the Thunder looks good. If the Thunder want to continue to be the surprise team of the year in Orlando and cause some major problems in the playoffs, then look for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to impact the playoffs in a major way sooner than later.
Caris LeVert, Guard, Brooklyn Nets:
This is pretty much a lost season for Brooklyn. With KD and Kyrie not returning until next season, Cavis LeVert could raise his stock significantly. He has an opportunity to step up and prove to be the third star (currently averaging 17.7 points per game) in Brooklyn or they could use him as a ‘trade asset’ to get a third star in Brooklyn. With, DeAndre Jordan, Wilson Chandler, and Spencer Dinwiddie also not going to Orlando. Caris LeVert will have the task of leading this group and will have to do a lot of heavy lifting, if Brooklyn wants to be competitive in Orlando. Brooklyn’s last 10 games before the season was suspended, we were seeing the best of Caris LeVert, which included a 51-point game. As he averaged 24.0 points, 5.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals while shooting 45% from the field and 38.9% from three. Orlando will be a key stretch for not only Caris LeVert, but for the Brooklyn organization. Depending on the play of Caris LeVert in Orlando, this could determine how Brooklyn will look (outside of KD and Kyrie) over the next few years.
Dejounte Murray, Guard, San Antonio Spurs:
It seems more likely than ever before that the Spurs are heading towards ‘rebuilding mode’. During the layoff, Murray voiced his opinion, on how the young guys are ‘earning their stripes’ among the veterans and coaching staff of the Spurs and he put an ‘emphasis’ on how everyone hasn’t seen the best of him or the ‘young core’ of the Spurs nor they’ve been fully un-leash yet. Over his last 11 games before the season was suspended, Murray was coming around offensively and was one of the best perimeter defensive guards. As he averaged 14.2 points per game, 6.2 rebounds per game, 5.4 assists per game, and 2 steals per game, while shooting 50% from the field. As their playoff streak (22 consecutive seasons) seems to be coming to end and as their franchise point-guard, now would be the time to see what he can fully do. While nobody gives the Spurs a chance in making the playoffs, you should keep an eye on Murray in Orlando. As the Spurs are heading towards a ‘new era’ of Spurs basketball. If the Spurs want to have any chance in making the playoffs, then Murray will have to take that next step in his game.
Michael Porter Jr., Forward, Denver Nuggets:
Denver biggest ‘secret weapon’ in my opinion. Everyone knows the sheer offensive talent that Michael Porter Jr. has at his disposable. We all know the amount of hype he had in high school. His path hasn’t exactly been smooth since he came into the league, and a large part of that is due to his back injury. With this layoff, he should be coming into the Orlando bubble healthy, Michael Porter could make an impact while in Orlando and in the playoffs (which would be his first playoff appearance). Before the layoff, Michael Porter was averaging 7.5 points per game while shooting an efficient 49.5% from the field and 42.2% from three in only 14 mins per game. However; per 36 minutes, he is averaging 19.2 points per game. If you look past the box score, you can see just how talented he truly is. Michael Porter has the length, the touch, and the handle to get a shot off pretty much over any defender or get by a defender. It’s somewhat understandable as to why Mike Malone has been stringy with his minutes throughout the season. I expect his minutes to increase and with more time on the court, Michael Porter could potentially emerge as the third scorer and in some scenarios the secondary scorer that Denver desperately needs if they want to be ‘title contenders’ in Orlando.
De’Aaron Fox, Guard, Sacramento Kings:
De’Aaron Fox, has become somewhat of a forgotten player, among the group of the up-and-coming rising stars. He has certainly become one of the most underrated players in the league (especially among the group of the young rising stars). He’s one of the fastest players in the league, very good at creating for himself and for his teammates, crafty handles and finisher at the rim, and one of the better perimeter defenders in the league. Not a lot of people were paying attention to this, but before the NBA went on hiatus, the Sacramento Kings was one of the hottest team in the league. Going 7-3 over their last 10 games only the (Lakers and Thunder) had better records over their last 10 games. While this season hasn’t gone the way that the Sacramento Kings hoped it would’ve, De’Aaron Fox has been the only consistent player on this team. He has made improvements to his game year after year, he just hasn’t gotten the necessary help that he deserves. De’Aaron Fox averaged 20.4 points per game, 6.8 assists per game, 4 rebounds per game, and 1.4 steals per game, while shooting 47.5% from the field. I know a lot of fans believe that it’s only a three-team race between Memphis, Portland, and New Orleans. However; a lot of people are sleeping on De’Aaron Fox and the Sacramento Kings. This team could surprise a lot of people and cause a stir-up in the race for the final playoff spot. If the Kings wants to make some noise in Orlando, then keep an eye on De’Aaron Fox and expect him to take that next step in his game.
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