Breakout Players Through 1 Month In The NBA
It has almost been one month since the NBA season tipped off, and there have been some major breakouts so far. Proven commodities have taken leaps, and lesser-known role players have become key pieces to their teams. So many NBA breakout players have upped their game, but the ones listed below have stuck out the most.
NBA Breakout Players 1- Tyler Herro, SG, Miami Heat:
Entering his sixth season in the league, it seemed like Tyler Herro had hit his peak, but he has shown this season, that is not the case. After averaging 20 points per game each of the last three seasons, Herro is putting up a career-high 25 points per game so far this season. He is also averaging a career-high 5.3 assists per game, and shooting at career-high clips of 51% from the field and 48% from three. Herro has been the Heats' best player through ten games, and it isn't particularly close. He is coming off the best game of his career, as he put up 40 points and 8 assists with 10 three-pointers vs. the Pistons. Herro looks like a completely new player this season, as he controls the game in a way he never has before, and lets things come to him. If the rest of the Heat's roster can figure things out, they can be a dangerous team with this version of Tyler Herro.
Breakout 2- Norman Powell, SG, Los Angeles Clippers:
Norman Powell has always been able to score the ball at a high level, but this season he has emerged as a go-to scorer for the Clippers, in the absence of Kawhi Leonard and the departure of Paul George. He is averaging a career-high 25 points per game, while shooting an elite 49.5% from three. People wondered how the Clippers would score the ball this season, with George leaving and Leonard dealing with an injury, but Powell has silenced those questions. He is a full-time starter for the first time with the Clippers, and he is playing at an all-star level. It's not often that a veteran player like Powell takes huge leaps this far into their career, but he is doing just that. He is a three-level scorer and tough shot maker and that has been on display all season.
Breakout 3- Dyson Daniels, G, Atlanta Hawks:
When the Hawks traded Dejounte Murray to the Pelicans, everyone thought the draft picks were the prized possession going back to Atlanta, but Dyson Daniels may be the best asset the Hawks got back. After struggling to find minutes in New Orleans the last two seasons, Daniels has been starting at shooting guard for the Hawks, and he has been the perfect compliment to Trae Young. He is averaging career-highs across the board, with 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists a night, but it is his impact on that defense that makes this season so impressive. Daniels is leading the league in steals per game by a wide margin, with 3.6 a game. The defensive potential has always been there, but the lack of opportunity in his first two seasons didn't allow him to show it. Now he has a real opportunity to showcase his skill set, and he is even better than anyone expected. Atlanta has a real opportunity to build a defensive-minded team around Trae Young with Daniels by his side.
Breakout 4- Scotty Pippen Jr., PG, Memphis Grizzlies:
Scotty Pippen Jr. was on a 2-way contract with the Grizzlies last season, and is now one of the better backup point guards in the league. He is averaging 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists per game off the bench for the Grizzlies, and is now starting games with Ja Morant injured. In his first game starting this season, he had an 11-point, 10-rebound, and 11-assist triple-double against the Wizards. Memphis has dealt with so many injuries, and that has caused them to rely on younger players, and Pippen Jr. is one of them. It's not often that a player goes from a reserve on a 2-way contract to a core rotation piece in the span of one off-season, but that is what Pippen Jr. has done. He has developed into a solid defender and playmaker, and that has led to his early season success.
Breakout 5- Gradey Dick, SG, Toronto Raptors:
Gradey Dick was drafted as a three-point specialist out of Kansas, but he has developed into a legitimate three-level scorer. He averaged just 8.5 points per game in his rookie season, while shooting 36.5% from three, but this season he has more than doubled his scoring average. He is scoring 20 points per game this season, while shooting 37.3% from three on 7 attempts a night. He is shooting at around the same level from deep, but he has drastically improved in all areas of the court. He is tall and lanky, and is using his size to his advantage this season. He is also attacking downhill more this season, as he is averaging more than 4 free-throw attempts per game. Players entering their second season are expected to show improvement, but what Gradey Dick has done this season is a complete surprise. People expected a jump, especially as a shooter, but his growth at all levels on the court is extremely impressive, and his ceiling seems to be much higher than it appeared to be.
Breakout 6- Christian Braun, SG, Denver Nuggets:
Everyone expected the Nuggets to have a hard time replacing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but Christian Braun has been everything Denver could have hoped for and more. In his first two years in the league, he was an athletic wing defender who could attack downhill, but his shot was inconsistent. This season he has developed into a true 3-and-D wing, with the ability to attack downhill. Bruan is shooting a career-high 50% from three, and is averaging a career-high 16 points per game; a number KCP never hit during his time with the Nuggets. After a slow start to the season, Denver has been great as of late, and Braun is a big reason why. He is a strong defender who has turned into a reliable offensive player. He has been better than KCP straight up this season, and appears to be a key member of the Nuggets future.
Breakout 7- Tari Eason, SF, Houston Rockets:
Tari Eason had a slow start to the season after returning from an injury that cost him most of last season, but that has changed this month. He has been an integral part of the Rockets 8-4 start to their season due to his defense. This month he is averaging 15 points and 7 rebounds per game, along with 2 steals and 1.6 blocks per game. He is a problem on the defensive end of the court for opposing teams, as he is long, athletic, and physical, and seems to always be involved. The Rockets have a lot of young talent, and they need to figure out who is a part of the future and who isn't. Based on the early portion of the season, it would appear Eason is a key member of the Rockets future. He gets in passing lanes, makes everything tough for opposing players, and is always crashing the glass. After a rough sophomore season due to injury, it is nice to see Eason having a strong start to the year.
Breakout 8- Buddy Hield, SG, Golden State Warriors:
The Warriors will never truly be able to replace Klay Thompson, as he is a franchise great and a fan favorite, but Buddy Hield has been everything Golden State hoped for and more. He is averaging 17.6 points per game, while shooting a career-high 46.7% from three. Hield has been one of the better shooters in the league since entering, and the Warriors system is enhancing his ability even more. He is flying around off the ball, and has the green light to let it fly. Hield also gets to play off of Steph Curry, and that has led to better looks than he has ever had. This was a perfect fit from the jump, and it should only get better as he gets more comfortable in the system. Golden State is currently 9-2, and Hield essentially replacing Klay Thompson's production is a large reason why.
Breakout 9- Bennedict Mathurin, SG, Indiana Pacers:
The Pacers are only 5-6, but without Bennedict Mathurin, they would be even worse. After suffering a season-ending injury last season, Mathurin has returned this season looking better than ever. He is averaging career highs in points and rebounds, with 20 points a night and 6 rebounds a night. He is also shooting a career-best 46.5% from three this season. He has taken a massive leap, and it has been much needed for Indiana. Tyrese Haliburton has struggled compared to expectations this year, and both Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith have been dealing with injury. Someone needed to step up, and Mathurin has done that. He is an aggressive offensive player who likes to get downhill and attack the basket. Indiana lacked shot-creation when it mattered last season and Mathurin has brought that to the team.