Sometimes the marked improvement of a player is less of a reflection of a player’s increased skill level, and more dependent on the capitalization on opportunities. This is not to say that a player’s solid performance isn’t largely in part to the hours they’ve put in at the gym, but in the NBA, everybody who has made a roster can play. But most players who aren’t household names tend to need the appropriate situation, both in system and personnel, to truly let their talents shine. Here are a handful of players who are playing above and beyond their pre-season expectations:
Danillo Gallinari, New York Knicks - While the Knicks were high enough on Gallinari to take him 6th overall in the 2008 draft, he only appeared in 28 games last year due to lingering back issues and averaged a mere 6 ppg. Gallinari has blossomed into one of the leagues deadliest threats from long range. Shooting at an impressive 45% from long range has helped Gallinari to a league-leading 62 3-pointers made. Gallinari’s smooth stroke and a clear boost in confidence from last season has led to the Knicks using him in their starting lineup 17 out of 23 times this year. While Gallo (as they like to call him) has spiked his scoring average up to 14 ppg this season, the Knicks are hoping to see him add some versatility in his overall game to complement his outside shooting touch.
Carl Landry, Houston Rockets - With the loss of Yao Ming, no Tracy McGrady and an otherwise limited frontcourt, Carl Landry has given the Rockets a much needed spark off of the Rockets’ bench this season. While he hasn’t started a game this year, he has averaged 16 points per game (7 ppg higher than last year) and has cashed in 20 points or more in nine games this year. He has honed his mid-range game, and has leveraged his tenacious offensive rebounding skills to pick up easy buckets around the rim and make his way to the foul line. Landry is a huge reason for the overachieving Rockets, who are off to a 13-9 record – good for fifth in the West. Not too shabby for a team we all thought would be associating themselves with the other clear-cut bottom feeders this year.
Ersan Ilyasova, Milwaukee Bucks – My guess is the only reason you may have heard of Ersan Ilyasova is because you bought into the Brandon Jennings hype machine and accidentally caught a glimpse of this game-changing Turkish forward. What you will notice right away about Ilyasova is that he plays hard and with passion. Either that, or his striking resemblance to Josh Hartnett. He’s not afraid to mix it up with the best of them, and he’s scrapped his way to 7.5 rpg this season. Ilyasova has also given the Bucks some versatility in the frontcourt, as he is tough enough to compete at the four, but has enough the athleticism and shooting range to be a serviceable small-forward. He has improved enough to start 13 games already this season, and play 10 more mpg than last year. The Bucks have a keeper in Ilyasova.
Channing Frye, Phoenix Suns - After a promising start to his career with the Knicks, Channing Frye was traded to the Blazers and quickly became a fan favorite during his time in Portland. Unfortunately, it was more due to his eccentric personality and approachable nature than anything he did on the court. Frye had found himself buried on the Portland bench, and was gradually being pushed further and further out of Nate McMillan’s rotation. I had nicknamed him “Charmin” Frye because of his double-quilted softness that is useless when it comes to banging in the paint. But then Frye signed with the Phoenix Suns this off-season, a team that would cater to his strengths as a big-man – getting up and down the court quickly and knocking down mid-range shots. Steve Kerr declared that he wanted to see Frye develop into a three-point shooting threat this season. I laughed at his (what I presumed to be) blind ambition and homerism. But oh was I ever proved wrong. Frye has been sensational from downtown this season, knocking down 56 threes (second only to Gallinari) at a stellar 44.4% clip. Now, I won’t stop calling him Charmin, but I will say that he has stepped his game up and turned out to be a great fit with the Suns.
Who have you been the most pleasantly surprised with this season?
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