NBA / Mar 31, 2009 / 6:16 pm
Who is the NBA’s next breakout superstar?
Brandon Roy, Dime #24
Even when the new one has just been crowned, we’re always looking for the next one. After his setting the stage with his Rookie of the Year in ’07 and first All-Star appearance in ’08, Brandon Roy certified his breakthrough this year: officially hitting “multiple-time All-Star” level, an All-NBA candidate, taking over the Blazers as his own, and well on his way to leading them to the playoffs.
In 2008, it was Chris Paul and Dwight Howard who made the leap from future star to just star. In 2009, it was B-Roy.
Who will be the NBA’s next breakthrough star?
Post your answers and we’ll print some of the best in an upcoming issue. (Dime reserves the right to edit submissions for length and clarity.)
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March 31st, 2009 at 6:20 pm
dkhak says:
It very well could be Brandon helping his teammate LaMarcus Aldridge to break out in 2010!
March 31st, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Jordon says:
Granger. Simple as that
March 31st, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Kevin says:
Al Jefferson. He’ll get that All-Star nod he missed this year, make the Wolves somewhat better, and keep averaging 20-10.
March 31st, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Big Sia says:
Derrick Rose will elevate his game to new levels next year i predict.
Durant as well.
March 31st, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Greg W. says:
This was the year Devin Harris took cats by surprise — I wanna see if he can do it next year when they know he’s coming. He can be the next superstar if so.
Also look out for Derrick Rose.
March 31st, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Aaron says:
Kevin Durant
March 31st, 2009 at 6:32 pm
B. says:
Bargnani. Mark it down.
March 31st, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Melo2TDot says:
ur forgettin about D will
March 31st, 2009 at 6:43 pm
jimmyjack says:
Deron Williams is WAY overdue. He got the gold medal. He should’ve been an All-Star 2 years ago. He’s got the playoff stripes. He officially jacked Boozer’s spot as the #1 player on Utah. And nobody talks about DERON ALWAYS BEATS CP3 HEAD TO HEAD but Paul gets the superstar shine. Next year Deron gets on CP’s level or surpasses him in media hype.
March 31st, 2009 at 6:48 pm
craig990 says:
Keven Durant.. or Danny Granger
These guys are already at that plateau.. all they got to do is step up.
March 31st, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Lili says:
monta ellis and the warriors baby with anthony randolph stack jack the list goes on and on
March 31st, 2009 at 7:10 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Thats cold some of you on here saying Kevin Durant… Does anyone realize he 4th behind the big 3 in PPG?? he already is a Superstar.. just no All Star selections and his team is a bottom feeder.. if the Thunder step up next year he will get more recognition but the boy is already bad..
Rose and Devin Harris.. Blake Griffin??
March 31st, 2009 at 7:11 pm
mosduff says:
granger, rondo or… Al Jefferson!
March 31st, 2009 at 7:26 pm
AY says:
durantula, no doubt.
March 31st, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Ian says:
yo peeps
granger
deron
durant
jefferson
are stars
we are looking for the bargnanis or rondos here
March 31st, 2009 at 7:36 pm
K Dizzle says:
Greg Oden…..naw, just playin.
Andrew Bynum
March 31st, 2009 at 7:37 pm
matt says:
Next year, I think D-Will gets some serious media hype, as he will have to carry a team without Boozer as it seems that he is going to opt out.
I think that should the kings get the no. 1 pick, Kevin Martin will get a chance to shine, as he will have Blake Griffin in the low post, and the media will definetely pay attention to Sac-town.
Danny Granger definetly gets mentioned in this survey, and Derrick Rose will get some attention.
Even though he had it this year, when Jameer Nelson gets back next season, if he were to play at that same level as this year or higher, he could possibly reach stardom
March 31st, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Ellie says:
Andrea Bargnani.
March 31st, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Christopher says:
D Rose is almost a given to be an all-star for the next 10 years if he can keep playing at his current level and increase 2-3 assists/game.
The unknown is Tyrus Thomas if he can find a 15-18 foot jumper. The man already can leap out of any gym and gets a lot of blocks based solely off athletic ability. Develop a mid range jumper and learn more about to game so he can get more blocks and rebounds off good position versus just leaping ability like he does now. The man is 22 and nothing but great years ahead of him if he gets the right coach.
March 31st, 2009 at 7:55 pm
the cynic says:
D-Will is already a superstar, just because he’s not on the all-star team doesn’t mean he hasn’t arrived.
Monta Ellis and Bargnani
March 31st, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Jah says:
1. Kevin Durant
2. Derrick Rose
3. Al Jefferson
March 31st, 2009 at 8:27 pm
James Rivers says:
Russell Westbrook. Speed? check. Handles? check. Hoops? check. He will posterize alotta 4 & 5 men. Dude even looks like Bow Wow!
March 31st, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Derik says:
DJ Augustine
March 31st, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Brian says:
D-Will is averaging 19 PPG and 10.6 dimes. CP3 is averaging 22.2 and 10.9. Both of their teams have identical records at this point. Deron demolishes Paul everytime they go head to head. So can someone tell me why CP is mentioned all the time as the best PG in the league while DWill doesn’t even get mentioned as a breakout?
March 31st, 2009 at 9:22 pm
S-SiN says:
gotts to be Sasha Vujacic ya’all!
really though,
Devin Harris will go a level up, so will granger.
most promising young guns out there i think are
D-Rose
Rondo
JR Smith (he can str8 up ball, it’s about time he got consistent with his)
A. Bynum
Stuckey
Rudy Gay
Horford
it’s easy to forget someone.
oh, i wouldn’t sleep on Paul Millsap.
March 31st, 2009 at 9:24 pm
S-SiN says:
yeah, Monta and Westbrook definitely in the conversation.
March 31st, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Celts Fan says:
Big Al – This guy has some of the best post moves in the league and was averaging a double double before the injury. If the Wolves can win some games next year, he’d definitely get the shine he deserves. Definitely shoulda kept OJ though.
Big Sleeper pick: Brook Lopez. I was clowning dude last year too, but the guy’s legit. If he works hard on his offense, the sky’s the limit, cuz the D and boards are already there. Bonus points for looking like Keanu Reeves’ retarded older brother
March 31st, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Biglang Liko says:
I agree with the posts above but i gotta go with this dark horse, Brook Lopez. From what I’ve seen, he has those big man tools (footwork, inside finishes, defense, rebounding). Nothing flashy but very effective. I do hope he breaks through so we’ll have another good big man in the L.
March 31st, 2009 at 10:35 pm
S-SiN says:
agreed. Brook Lopez does have smthn Tim Duncanesque about him
March 31st, 2009 at 10:36 pm
frederick ruger says:
maybe not next year, but russell westbrook and kevin durant are gonna do some damage if they stay together…
i second d. rose and granger…those dudes should blow up next year
as a miami fan, i gotta say beasley and chalmers. chalmers won’t be a superstar, but he’ll establish himself as a legit pg. beasley has been slept on this year cause of pt and the stellar play of dudes like rose and mayo, but i’ve been watching the games and the guy is pure offense. if he gets the rest of his game together, and possibly his head, he’ll be a serious threat
March 31st, 2009 at 10:47 pm
slygerogg says:
of course Von Wafer…
March 31st, 2009 at 10:49 pm
srb says:
Rondo
easyyyy
March 31st, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Biglang Liko says:
Has game, but still needs PT:
Beasley
Bayless
Still not yet that sold on how Stuckey will “replace” Billups but he has time in his hands. I wonder if he’ll be the leader that Chauncey is.
Josh Smith – every year he gets tagged as “next” but still falls below expectations. Borderline star at best.
Gerald Wallace – love the energy and the stats that he puts out, is a long-shot star but is fun to watch.
March 31st, 2009 at 11:32 pm
mavs all the way says:
it’s gotta be….
March 31st, 2009 at 11:34 pm
mavs all the way says:
…kurt thomas! dude still has 20years left in his career.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:24 am
Gunner J. Matthews says:
Don’t sleep on Aaron Brooks, Danny Granger & Rodney Stuckey
April 1st, 2009 at 12:25 am
Billy Hoyle says:
not Chris Bosh , cause he’s shit
April 1st, 2009 at 1:24 am
weng santos says:
Durant. Granger. D-Rose. Monta. Al Jefferson.
That’s a bad ass starting five right there.
April 1st, 2009 at 3:01 am
thomasmmm says:
LOL @mavs all the way
d-rose. someone just needs to fix the bulls rotation, add a good, positive veteran.
nice to see a lot of the up-and-comers are guards with all-around games, but can they twitter?
April 1st, 2009 at 3:15 am
snoop_robb says:
Aaron Brooks, the next Tony Parker is coming… fast..
April 1st, 2009 at 3:20 am
S-SiN says:
Aaron Brooks?? Ya’all setrious?
From what i’ve seen he just gets his drives swatted like twice a quarter and that’s about it
April 1st, 2009 at 5:30 am
Kingsley says:
1. Danny Granger
2. Kevin Durant
Baring injury, both men will not only rise to stardom in real life next season, but are also pretty much assured a top 10 draft position in Fantasy Basketball next season.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:13 am
nasirjones says:
watch out for thaddeus young in 2-3 years, he’s gonna be gooooooooood
April 1st, 2009 at 9:44 am
shake&bake says:
Eric Gordon and Rudy Gay.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:51 am
Brown says:
Thad Young and Russell Westbrook.
OKC is looking very good, and with a high draft pick, could take a step to the next level next year. Durant is a legit superstar, he just hasn’t been widely recognized for it yet. If they can get a big man…watch out.
April 1st, 2009 at 11:02 am
Sanpitch says:
D Will
Granger
April 1st, 2009 at 11:46 am
Rizwan says:
Louis Amundson!!!!!!!!!
April 1st, 2009 at 11:58 am
flavur says:
I say Jeff Green and Durant (the MJ and Scottie of our generation) will get recognized next year along with lil sheed(lamarcus aldridge) so will Al Thornton, Eric Gordon, Derrick Rose, OJ Mayo, Andrea Bargnani, Monte, Rudy Gay, and nobody sleep on Von Wafer he’s a stud I think the rockets will either trade TMAC during the offseason or during the season and Von Wafer will be a starter and Andre Iguodala WILL BE AN ALL STAR.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Poppi GEE...doesn't want diaper duty! says:
Wow perhaps I overlooked it but Nate Robinso is on that path.
He has many young fans with the dunk contest, NY fans love dude, and then you just have other fans in general that have their various reasons.
He is easy to market, has the place to be marketed, has charisma and can really play.
I would say he needs to calm down with the Napoleon complex but other than that, again he is on that path.
Blake Griffin is gonna do damage.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Chainfire says:
Andrea Bargnani, Gerald Wallace
April 1st, 2009 at 3:12 pm
rell says:
Based your criteria, I think Durant, Big Al, and Granger will breakthrough from future star to just star.
April 1st, 2009 at 6:43 pm
doc says:
T-Young,D-Rose,Mayo,Love,Gordon,Bayless,Augustine,Beasly,Chalmers.As u can see Im up on this draft class.
April 1st, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Luigi says:
OJ Mayo or Danny Granger…
Durants alredy a stud
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:41 am
e says:
ERIC GORDO IS A STAR IN THE MAKING WHEN HE ADDS MUSCLE AND CONTINUES TO GET MINTUES WATCH OUT ONE OF THE FEW YOUNGINS I ENJOY WATCHING PLAY
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:17 pm
nobs6669 says:
rookies shouldn’t be included.coz its their 1st year. and as what mentioned it is about breakout years.
my thoughts from some guys being mentioned here. no rookies
rodney stuckey – piston give him all the time to shine. but with some 40 points game. o i guess only 1. it doesn’t mean he had a break out year. he is the man in piston if you watch how they use him there but what does he do about it.
danny granger, kevin durant, al jefferson or any other nba player you think – stat line. worthy of the recognition. game impact as what you should expect from them as they are the star of their team at the begining of the training camp. but over their team doesnt win it means their improvement doesn’t effect the team. except from granger at least they improve but not enough.
devin harris – the star that surprise us. the center piece of the nets this season. if not with the injury and the downfall of his game at the end of the season. clearly the perfect guy to be mention.
the perfect person to be mentioned on this thing.
DWAYNE WADE – we all know he is this good. but all the things that happen to him. have we imagine he would be this great this season. he single carry the miami to be a play off team. if you knew nba as well. how would you imagine a player even lebron can carru a team with a line up that dwayne wade at the start of the season
April 2nd, 2009 at 6:48 pm
AB_40 says:
tony parker… oh wait he just doesn’t get any attention
It depends on how the offseason go’s for indiana (granger) and oklohoma city(durant) I could also post minnesota (al jefferson) too many sorry guards and forwards or sacramento(too many sorry ss bigs) but they won’t do the trick. rudy gay… memphis far too many waisted draft picks and draft bustst combined.
Danny Granger is having a break out year this season, he’s been injured but now he’s starting to heat up again, if he has his running mate back on track next season (mike D) they could very well be a team that sneaks in for a 7th or 8th seed next season.
OKC is a very promising young team who play so so defence and ok offense, kevin durant this year is a stud but to take his game and his team to the next level he needs to gain the famous 15 pounds of muscle this summer and D up. call bruce bowen your manager has his number and ask him a few questions about not being stronger but smarter on D. If he start’s playing tough D get his 25 8 4 2 2 on that team could be very well be the next ‘IT’ team in the nba. with great young pieces and a few scrappy vets ( who I’m sure they’ll sign this offseason).
Josh Smith is my darkhorse pick but he’ll probably wow everyone in the playoffs again this year so we all forget about him playing a so so regular season.
I could also say al thornton but 1. he’s on the clippers!?! and 2. he’s over a year older the lebron so his game won’t grow leaps and bounds in off seasons.
Ramon Sessions next season with redd and bogut back he’s gonna have a great season for a team that should win 45/50 games next season, in the east that’s a big breakout hehe.
greg oden 15 9 and 2 next season after that 20 and 10 beast but next season is gonna be his and the blazers year taking the number 1 or 2 sport in the west.
ps. there is absolutely nothing tim duncan esque about brook lopez.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Grissy says:
Granger, Harris and Bargnani (dude has averaged like 19 and 6 over his last 40+ games)…
April 4th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Skeeter McGee says:
I’m going to say Al Jefferson and Rajon Rondo, just got a feeling about Rondo for some reason because once one of the big 3 breaks down physically Rondo will step his game up and be an All-Star caliber point guard…
April 5th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
jc says:
JR Smith. The Nuggets as the next powerhouse team.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:44 am
dhod says:
for real…monta ellis is the future…a second round pick who is the fastest player in the league and other than rip and joe johnson has the best mid range game. he is the most underated player in the league and will be a star next year
April 8th, 2009 at 10:27 am
B-Balla#1 says:
Kurt Rambis… the man is coming out of retirement to show all these cats how its DONE!
April 9th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
does anyone care? says:
LaMarcus Aldridge. This guy has made a mockery of almost every teams interior defense all year, and he has more athleticism than almost any one-on-one matchups he faces.
He is averaging 18.4 ppg and 7.5 rpg for the season, and is averaging 20.5 ppg and 8.8 rpg since March during the playoff stretch.
B Roy and LaMarcus have put the Blazers in a position to get the number 3 seed in the WEST not the EAST mind you, all while most thought they would be missing the playoffs or fighting for the 8th seed at best.
L.A. is the next Superstar, case closed.
May 7th, 2009 at 4:07 am
Cain says:
Eric Gordon, Danny Granger and Carmelo Anthony. Maybe Bargnani.