Seven More Players To Watch Out For in Disney World

As a follow up to the article my fellow BIDW writer, Caleb Otte wrote just a few days ago, I decided to take my own spin on it, using 7 more players that he didn't think of, that you should also watch out for when the NBA returns in Disney World.

Some of these players are going to be guys that I think could look to make a name for themselves in Orlando, breaking onto the scene, and potentially upping their value for a trade, new contract, or just in general, whereas the other group of players is more or less going to be stars (or borderline stars) looking to change their narrative for the Playoffs, and just prove a point to the rest of the league. Let's get right into it!

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Potential Breakout Players:

Markelle Fultz:

Via: New York Times

Markelle Fultz came into the season with something to prove, and will be looking to keep that same chip on his shoulder as he comes into Orlando. A shoulder injury that has sidelined the formed number one pick for that majority of his career up to this point is seemingly totally gone, and while his jump shot isn't totally back to what it was for Fultz in college, he's improved himself into quietly being one of the brightest young athletic guards in the league.

Fultz still hasn't been able to produce at the level expected of him as the number one pick, over current All-Stars like Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, and Bam Adebayo, but he's been taking baby steps towards those expectations since landing in Orlando, earning the starting spot from DJ Augustin, and managing to keep it for the rest of the season. His efficiency over all has gotten better, even if his three point shot isn't there yet. His true shooting has improved greatly due to his improvement from the field and the free throw line, going from 43.7% in Philadelphia to 52.3% in his first season in Orlando. I believe that with the return of the season in Orlando, we could continue to see Fultz break out, and prove doubters wrong.

2019-20 Stats: 12.1 points, 5.3 assists, 1.3 steals

Tyler Herro:

Via: The Rookie Wire

Tyler Herro was definitely one of the better rookies of this season for the Miami Heat, having a couple huge games, and coming up clutch in several occasions at just 20 years old. Coming off the bench behind All-Star, Jimmy Butler, and fellow sharpshooter Duncan Robinson, Herro's been allowed to do mostly whatever he wants on offense for the Heat, taking defenders off the dribble in the pick and roll, going into isolations, and even taking shots from deep behind the line occasionally, proving that he's more than the spot-up shooter reputation he gained playing for Coach Kal in Kentucky.

In Orlando, now fully healthy after suffering an injury towards the end of the season (prior to the shutdown), Herro should be a huge offensive punch off of the Heat's bench, and could help them become a more surprising team, potentially making a deeper Playoff run than we expected them to. The 2019 lottery pick has a flair for the fantastic when it comes to scoring, and could be a huge candidate to break out during the 2-3 month stretch he has in Orlando.

2019-20 Stats: 12.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists

Royce O'Neale:

Via: DraftKings

Royce O'Neale probably falls more into the "Potential X-Factors" category rather than the "Potential Breakouts" category, but nonetheless, I think he could be a huge difference maker for the Jazz in the season's return. As the fourth seed in the West, the Jazz are likely to go against a team with a great guard rotation in the Oklahoma City Thunder, with their three-headed monster of Chris Paul, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Dennis Schröder. Royce could be the difference between a win and a loss in that series.

To put it simply, Royce O'Neale has clamps, and is extremely versatile with his defense on the perimeter. While he isn't an explosive athlete whatsoever, he's an extremely fluid one, with long arms, insane toughness, and great positional awareness. Alongside Conley and Mitchell, with no Bojan Bogdanovic, Royce is pegged to start at forward for the Jazz, where he could make up one of the best defensive trios on the perimeter, in the return to Orlando. Royce also is able to contribute on the offensive end with his jump shot, shooting a very, very respectable 38.9% from behind the arc this season, providing value despite his lack of a handle, or all-around offensive game.

2019-20 Stats: 6.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists

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Players With Something to Prove:

Paul George:

Via: VBETNews

The nickname of 'Playoff P' has been a monicker used to mock Paul George over the last couple of years following his two consecutive first round exits with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017-18 and 2018-19. However, Paul George has always been someone who does a very good job in the Playoffs. His points per game average in the post-season over the last 4 years of 27 points per game is, to say the least, elite. Along with that he's been able to post those points very efficiently, with a true shooting percentage over that stretch of 58.1%. This scoring, coupled with his All-Defensive caliber play on the offensive end makes it so that Paul has never really been a Playoff "choker", despite groups of people attempting to make him out as one.

However, now in Los Angeles, Paul George is put in a position to succeed like he's never been in before. Paired with Kawhi Leonard, he makes up one of the best two-way pairings in the entire NBA, and doesn't have to carry the scoring load for the team to succeed like he has in the past with Indiana, and most recently last season with the Thunder. With the Clippers, Paul George is on one of the true Championship favorites in the league, and should be in a position to shift the narrative surrounding his success in the Playoffs.

2019-20 Stats: 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists

Carmelo Anthony:

Via: CBS Sports

Now, Carmelo Anthony hasn't been a star this season for the Blazers, filling in more as a role player next to Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum on an extremely injured roster, especially at the forward position, filling in depth lacked by the injuries to Mario Hezonja and Zach Collins. However, Carmelo has been extremely solid for the Blazers in his limited time there, starting every game he's played for them.

Melo's success in the Playoffs over the last few years hasn't been something to write home about, and with the Blazers that isn't likely to change a lot, but even if Melo can play a role in getting them into the 8th seed, that's a great step in the right direction for him. In terms of what he's doing for the Blazers this season, it's not what you'd expect if your last recollection of Melo in the league was his brief stint with the Rockets. He's been one of their most active defensive players on the roster, tied for second on the team in defensive win shares, which is extremely impressive for the short time he's been on the team, and is shooting the ball very well from three at a 37.1% clip.

2019-20 Stats: 15.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists

Chris Paul:

Via: NBC Sports

Chris Paul has been one of the league's most valuable players in the league with the Thunder this season, bouncing back from his last season with the Rockets in a way I don't think anyone expected him to. He's been the leader of a Thunder team that has actually improved since the losses of Russell Westbrook and Paul George, garnering the fifth seed in the extremely stacked Western Conference.

However, despite always being able to put up great numbers in the Playoffs, Chris Paul has yet to really do much of anything in terms of team success, having yet to make the Finals in his 15-year career. In a best case scenario, I think Paul makes a return to the Western Conference Finals, as if one of the Lakers and Clippers don't make it, the second spot in the Western Conference Finals is completely up for grabs. Being able to lead such a young team after a complete shake up in the off-season, would do wonders for Chris Paul's trade value and legacy in the Playoffs.

2019-20 Stats: 17.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists

Giannis Antetokounmpo:

Via: NBA.com

There isn't much less that Giannis Antetokounmpo really has left to accomplish in the NBA at just 25-years-old. He's won the Most Improved Player award, made several All-Star teams, been selected to All-NBA and All-Defensive teams several times, won an Most Valuable Player, and is likely to add another one of those, along with the Defensive Player of the Year award as well this season. However, a Championship ring is something that isn't in Giannis's trophy case yet, and he will be looking to add one of those to his trophy case in Orlando once the season resumes.

Giannis's Playoff run in 2018-19 had its ups and down, with one of the most lopsided series against the Detroit Pistons in round one, a five-game series against Boston, where they won four-straight, after the infamous quote from Paul Pierce after game one: "I think it's over", after the Celtics were able to affectively wall off Giannis in game one. However, going into the series against the Raptors was a little different than the other two. It was the first time they were playing against another superstar caliber player in Kawhi Leonard, along with the Raptors defense, which had come up huge for them in a seven-game series against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Bucks won the first two games, but then proceeded to lose four straight as the Raptors, like the Celtics in game one, were effectively able to wall off Giannis. In 2019-20, being able to break down this wall, will be a huge part in Giannis's Championship aspirations.

2019-20 Stats: 29.6 points, 13.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists

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Thank you all for reading! This is my first article on this website, so I'd appreciate any and all feedback and support. If you feel the need to contact me regarding any questions you have, email me at loganpadams@gmail.com.