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**Aurelino** · 10-14-2003, 02:33 PM

Quote:

NBA.com posed questions to the league's general managers to learn what the men who make the personnel decisions in the NBA really think.

Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2003-04?

Mehmet Okur, Detroit 14.3%
Yao Ming, Houston 14.3%
Eddy Curry, Chicago 14.3%

Others receiving votes: Lamar Odom, Miami; Richard Jefferson, New Jersey; Nenê, Denver; Vladimir Radmanovic, Seattle; Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland; Kenyon Martin, New Jersey; Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix; Jason Richardson, Golden State; Kwame Brown, Washington; Corey Maggette, L.A. Clippers; Shawn Marion, Phoenix

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Given that Okur, Yao and Curry each got 14.3% votes, RJ ranks very highly on that list. He has grown more accustomed to the starting role now and with an improvement in shooting and passing, he should have a break out year. It is heartening to know that a lot of NBA GMs think the same way we do. K-Mart also makes an appearence on the list. Having averaged almost 17/8, a breakout year would mean 20/10 atleast. Definitely possible if his midrange shooting improves.

Just the thought of *both* RJ and K-MArt having a breakout year makes me speechless. Throw in a possibility of Zo and little Zo having a good season and Kidd remaining healthy and I will faint!!

NYCbballFan · 10-14-2003, 02:49 PM

Makes sense.

Even above passing, I think RJ would be best served with an improved handle, a consistent jumpshot and increased range. But I think his biggest obstacle last season wasn't a lack of skills, it was hitting a sophomore wall as far as endurance. He got tired transitioning from bench energizer to starter, which shouldn't happen in his 3rd year.

K-Mart couldn't have a better set-up for a break-out year. He's in his contract year, in the 4th year of a career in which he's steadily improved, and he's playing with (hopefully the whole season) an elite C who complements him. For K-Mart, he still has some room to grow with his skills, but a break-out season will be more a matter of consistency than skills improvement, and that's just up to how much K-Mart wants to bring it every night.

Of course, both are still playing with Jason Kidd. Add a reliable perimeter scorer who gives RJ and K-Mart more room to do their thing mid-range -> in and more opportunities to crash the boards and work weak-side, and they both would have everything they need to set them up for break-out years.

ToddMacCulloch11 · 10-14-2003, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by <b>NYCbballFan</b>!
Makes sense.

Even above passing, I think RJ would be best served with an improved handle, a consistent jumpshot and increased range. But I think his biggest obstacle last season wasn't a lack of skills, it was hitting a sophomore wall as far as endurance. He got tired transitioning from bench energizer to starter, which shouldn't happen in his 3rd year.

K-Mart couldn't have a better set-up for a break-out year. He's in his contract year, in the 4th year of a career in which he's steadily improved, and he's playing with (hopefully the whole season) an elite C who complements him. For K-Mart, he still has some room to grow with his skills, but a break-out season will be more a matter of consistency than skills improvement, and that's just up to how much K-Mart wants to bring it every night.

Of course, both are still playing with Jason Kidd. Add a reliable perimeter scorer who gives RJ and K-Mart more room to do their thing mid-range -> in and more opportunities to crash the boards and work weak-side, and they both would have everything they need to set them up for break-out years.

Very, very true. I hope both of them have good years. If Kmart earns a big contract with his play, I'd be happy to give it to him. And playing with zo will help him a real lot to get there. Zo is a force around the basket, and he can spread some of that knowledge to zo. As for RJ...I just really want him to get a shot. If he could develop a good jumper, it would be really good for the team.

**Petey** · 10-15-2003, 04:06 AM

I think better prepared for the length of the season and a starting job, that will help RJ improve alone.

Martin has been improving yearly too, no reason to expect he has peaked yet.

-Petey

DownUnderWonder · 10-15-2003, 08:37 AM

Martin+Jefferson+Jumpshot=Scarey.

Like Mos Def said, its mathematics

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