Who Needs To Step Up on Your Squad?
Byron Scott isn’t beating around the bush. He wants more from Julian Wright.
“He understands what I want from him,” Scott said this week. “He understands the type of pressure that I am putting on him. It’s all up to him. I’m not going to give him minutes — he’ll have to earn them.”
Even with James Posey coming on board, if the Hornets are to take it to the next level, they’ll need Wright to use his athleticism to exploit the double-teams that Chris Paul and David West both command. And imagine if Wright starts to realize his potential this season – what could that mean for CP3’s numbers? Goodness gracious, it’s scary to think that after putting up 21.1 ppg and 11.6 apg, he could legitimately make a run at Magic Johnson’s 1988-89 season of 22.5 ppg, 12.8 apg.
If Wright is the guy that New Orleans needs to play up to his potential to realize championship dreams, who is it on your squad that needs to take his game to the next level?
Source: Truth and Rumors
September 15th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
gangsta of love says:
As a Knicks fan, I would have to say everybody. Every-damn-body.
September 15th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
A-Slam says:
As a Suns fan- The x-factor is Boris Diaw, the fuck needs to stop bein passive and go back to ‘05-’06 Diaw, no more passing to the corner when you drive or settling for that mid-range jumper, you have some of the best post-skills in the league. USE THEM!!!
September 15th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
justice says:
We need to play some type of inspired ball in the garden the talent is there,but we need eddy to push away from the table,steph to tape is own mouth, and the rooster to play with confidence in the most hostile city in the world
September 15th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
TL says:
Deshaun Stevenson needs to step up this season and back the talk about him being a defensive stopper. He got smoked last year by Lebron and had to have Butler switch on DEF to defend Lebron.
September 15th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Tha Boddy says:
The Wizards need Nick Young to step up. He has already shown he can score but now he needs to be consistent and be at 10-14ppg scorer off the bench and be reliable if Stevenson is slumming. He will get the shots he needs he just needs to make them and get to the free throw line…Can he do it yes,will he??? Only the future will tell
September 15th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
lakeshow85 says:
jordan farmar and andrew bynum both need to step up and play well this season. bynum needs to prove doubters wrong and prove to management that he deserves a big contract extention.
farmar needs to prove that he can take over for derek fisher when he stops being productive as a starter.
September 15th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Joe says:
For the Blazers, it’s Martell Webster. If he can take the next step in his career and become consistent, it will be hige for the Blazers. He will get a lot of open looks from deep with Oden and LMA drawing double teams in the post. If he can knock down the 3 ball and step up his defense, it will make the Blazers a very tough match up for a lot of teams
September 15th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Tha Boddy says:
Sorry lakeshow85 but Farmar looks like a career back up to me…The Lakers look like they are waiting for a good PG via free agency to show up
September 15th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Scott says:
Toronto needs Bargnani to step up in a HUGE way. We know what Bosh can bring us, we know what Calderon, Parker, Kapono, etc are all capable of. Bargs finds himself in a new role, and possibly one he’s more comfortable with.
Oh, and you know, if JO could play like the JO who told the Nets they can’t stop him, that’d be cool too! lol.
September 15th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Tha Boddy says:
Oh and Kobe needs to step up and taste Shaq’s ass HAHA!!!
September 15th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
SayItAintSo says:
I’m going to say that for the Blazers, it’s Sergio Rodriguez. He has the court vision and natural point guard skills to give us the one piece that we’re truly missing now: point guard. I don’t think Blake or Bayless give us a true point and if Sergio would just focus it would help the Blazers mature real quick.
Dudes assist to turnover ratio is golden when he sees decent tick and isn’t trying to prove himself knucklehead style
September 15th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Sam I Am says:
For the Wolves…we are perfect.
No flaws
September 15th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Diego says:
For the Hawks: Marvin Williams and Acie Law.
September 15th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Byrd says:
I’m a Pistons fan. RASHEED WALLACE and CHAUNCEY BILLUPS!!!
I don’t care what they do in the regular season, but they need to put an end to their what seems like annual Eastern Conference finals disappearing act. I still to this day remember how the finals against the Lakers began…. a three from ‘Sheed. If they can consistently step up and play to their potential, motown can schedule the parade…
September 15th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
loganlight says:
Heat – We need D Wright to stop playing like D Wrong. That would go a long way to helping out the swing man trio of Wade, B Easy, and Matrix…
September 15th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Doug West says:
Timberwolves…Corey Brewer and Randy Foye.
September 15th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Simon says:
Props to loganlight…. comment of the day?
September 15th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Jah says:
Miami Heat: Dorrell Wright
LA Lakers: Jordan Farmer
OKC: the frontcourt (Chris Wilcox, Robert Swift, etc.)
September 15th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Three Stacks says:
People are being too hard on Farmar. It was only his 2nd year in the L, first time deep into the playoffs. He had a good regular season and struggled in the playoffs. It’s part of the natural learning curve, I think he’ll be alright.
He was on TV yesterday, part of some Jewish telethon. I almost forgot he was Jewish.
Lakers need Odom to play consistently. And Pau turns the ball over in the paint too much. All Pau should be doing right now is working on 15 ft jump shots, so Bynum can work the paint.
September 15th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Brown says:
Toronto: Bargnani and Joey Graham (I still cringe thinking that pick could/should have been Danny Granger)
Golden State: Brandan Wright (we traded J-Rich for him, he’s gotta show something this year) and since Monta got injured, Marcus Williams.
September 15th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Dagomar says:
Raptors: Bargnani. If the guy can live up to just half his upside and the Raptors avoid injury they can be a force in the East this year (bit like being the straightest guy in a gay bar, but still).
September 15th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
urban library says:
chicago: Tyrus and Luol…i don’t think Deng deserved that much money and should have been traded last year for Pau Gasol or another decent post player. Tyrus has too much damn potential for him to have so many splinters in his ass. should never have traded L.A. for this guy but we did so itz time for him to live up to his draft status or get him the hell out of town
September 15th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
miamiVIS3 says:
This is kind of a wierd situation since both are rookise but Mario Chalmers and Mike Beasley are going to be pivotal for the Heat this year.
September 15th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
miamiVIS3 says:
rookies
September 15th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Richard from Cleveland says:
danny ferry needs 2 step u and get somemore talent around king James and quit dickin around and playin wit himself
September 15th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
dukesman2000 says:
Boom Dizzle! Yes, I am calling out Baron Davis. He needs to take it to the next which only a few of us know he is capable of. Davis definitely quieted a lot of critics when he and the Warriors made that historic run in the playoffs, knocking the number 1 seed Dallas. But I think he needs to say hungry and healthy and play hard every night (dude is known to not only take nights off but seasons). Believe me, BD playing up to his potential will put CP3, Tony Parker, and Williams to sleep…no questions asked.
September 15th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
loc says:
Bargnani, its all been said already. He has every tool available and he needs to develop into a legit ballplayer. Get rebounds, play D and only take those 3s when he’s open!
September 15th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Jeffrey says:
As a Rockets fan, I would say everybody taller than 6′7 and can play power forward
September 15th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Celts Fan says:
(shaking my head and repeatedly punching myself in the face as I say this) The guys we need to step up this year for the Celtics to repeat are… Darius Miles and Patrick O’Bryant.
September 15th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
it aint easy being green says:
as a celtics fan imma say perk from the startin 5. he needs to stop bringing the ball down to his fuckin shoes before he goes back up with it, and become more of a force down low offensivly. from the bench, i wanna see more out of eddie house. yea, he’s a great spot up shooter but he’ll need to be able to handle the ball under pressure, which as seen in the playoffs, could be an achilles heel despite our chip.
September 15th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Joseph (Idaho) says:
For Utah, AK47. The mans our highest played player. If he starts knocking down shots we will be unstoppable
September 15th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
I Hustle says:
As a bulls fan….Kirk Hinrich needs to accept the inevitable, moving to the two-guard.
September 15th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Young Money says:
Golden State…Not Brandan Wright, but… Al Harrington…The guy shows up once every 3 games and his role has become strictly as a 3pt gunner… Needs to pick it up and become the all around player we know he is.
September 15th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
deeds says:
Hey you know who needs to step up? Bargnani….I don’t think that has been said yet, lol
September 15th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
craig990 says:
Houston Rockets!
Luther Head… enough said!
September 15th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Arrogant says:
My Team is the Bulls. We need Kirk to step up and we also Need Tyrus Thomas to turn potential into points and plays. hopefully 1Rose can get them involved…
September 15th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
jay rich says:
Hawks-marvin williams
Lakers-lamar odom
September 15th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
GrizzFan says:
As a Grizzlies fan I have to say Mike Conley Jr. Needs to step up and just prove he is going to be the main man at the point for the Grizz. And im not saying he has to be an all-star in his 2nd year but he just needs to make a leap to put himself way ahead of Lowry and J-Critt who would want nothing more but to take his staring role or even Mayo might want to take that lead PG role he has said he wants.
Or and this is for the last chance for Darko as well. If he doesnt get traded then he has probably his last time to prove he can be a solid player, he had some nice games last year but his head just doesnt seem to be in the game. Id love to see him prove that he can play the 4 and become the Grizzlies starting PF at some point even though I never see that happening. I just like Darko and would love to see the dude finally step up and play.
September 16th, 2008 at 1:00 am
Mark says:
Hilton Armstrong. If he doesn’t get better, it might just mean the end of his NBA CAREER. Without question, if Tyson doesn’t play sm_rt, the 5 is our weakness.
JuJu should be relatively decent, although as Scott says, expectations are greater. I’m hoping for a Marquis Daniels’ rookie season from JuJu or better, which is realistic.
September 16th, 2008 at 5:49 am
karan says:
i’m a knicks fan, so i think dolan needs to step up for my squad
September 16th, 2008 at 7:49 am
bsteezy3 says:
Magic Fan here–Dwight needs to step up on the FT% (cuz you know they will hack-a-howard him), Jameer WILL step up this year, Hedo needs to maintain what he’s doing, but the #1 player on the Magic that needs to step up is ANY SHOOTING GUARD!!! That position has been so-so the past few years! That’s what we’re missing. We have SGs on the team, someone needs to step up and claim the spot for his own!
September 16th, 2008 at 9:39 am
karizmatic says:
The Lakers need Odom to play like the 7′0 versatile player he is supposed to be and not be so soft. Take it to the basket hard and play inspired defense.
September 16th, 2008 at 11:47 am
P_Dizzle says:
Carlos Boozer and AK47
September 16th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
A.R. says:
Lamar Odom needs to step it up for the my Lakers. He actually is a very good player but consistency and confidence in his ability is what he needs to succeed.
September 16th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
sans says:
Wally World, Ben Wallace, JJ Hickson, Mo Wiliams, Delonte West, Boobie, Z, Varejao, Lorenzen, Darnell Jackson, and Tarence KInsey. Those are the players that need to step it up on my team.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Luigi says:
My Wizards include the likes of GILBERT ARENAS!!!!!!!!!!!!
and Nick Young