The NBA 2015-2016 Season has started, and many already have their favorites to win it. With the trade movements in the offseason as well as injuries, some of the role players coming off the bench will see significant increase in their minutes and action in the league.
NBA superstars come from small beginnings, and a number of them sprout from just anywhere. Most of these athletes are either rookies and young players, but that is not always the case, according to Bleacher Report.
"Stars emerge each and every year, but sometimes they come from roster members you might not expect," NBA columnist Adam Fronal wrote.
1. Nemanja Bjelica
The 27-year old power forward of the Minnesota Timberwolves will be playing in his first season in the NBA, but he is hardly a rookie to the world of professional basketball. Drafted by the Washington Wizards five years ago, Bjelica spent most of his career overseas, his last stint being with the Fenerbahce Ulker of the Turkish basketball league.
After joining the Timberwolves, Bjelica has shown his potential as a man who can space the floor with his height, passing, and outisde shooting skills.
"He does everything right," remarked NBA.com's Kyle Ratke. "It's not hard seeing him playing 20-25 minutes per game by the end of the season considering he can play both forward positions."
2. Jae Crowder
The Boston Celtics small forward posted 7.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last season and is seen as the team's ultimate workhorse at both ends of the floor. Boston Globe's Gary Washburn is very impressed with Crowder's ability to be an effective athlete as an offensive option or as a defensive anchor.
"He plays really hard and he gives everything he's got," Washburn said in his column. "If he makes a mistake, he usually corrects it and he's the kind of guy you like to have on your team."
3. P.J. Hairston
While his first season with the Charlotte Hornets was far from impressive, averaging 5.6 points and 2 rebounds a game, shooting guard Hairston will see more minutes as he slides in for the injured Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, after the latter tore his labrum and dislocated his shoulder in a preseason game Saturday night against Orlando.
A product of opportunity, Hairston needs to be consistent with the role as a shooter if he wants to latch to chance laid in front of him. Experts believe he is more than capable of doing so.
"I would say P.J. with the first group gives us space shooting and a defender who can guard primary scorers," head coach Steve Clifford in an interview with the Charlotte Observer.
4. Kris Humphries
At age 30, many will likely think that Kris Humphries' opportunity to break out has long gone. The Washington Wizard's power forward has dismal three-point shooting skills, making him a poor choice as a scoring alternative to point guard John Wall.
However, Humphries rebuilt himself as a rebounding force, averaging more than 10 rebounds per outing, according to the Washington Post. It is his monster game at the boards that will make him a valuable piece to the Wizards's 2015-2016 campaign.
5. Elijah Millsap
Although the Utah Jazz shooting guard is not a consistent scoring piece for the team, averaging 5.3 points a game, 28-year old Elijah Millsap is an ace when it comes to defending the opposing team's primary wing scorer.
Instead of having Hayward (Gordon) or Hood (Rodney) expend energy guarding the opposing team's best wing player, Millsap can answer the call and play lockdown defense," Salt City Hoops' Lucas Falk opined.
