These guys are a mix of the best, worst, newest or oldest and they are the players that are going to determine the course of the 2009-10 NBA season.
10. Gilbert Arenas, Wizards guard
Don’t get distracted by his decision to talk to the press or not. The focus is on Arenas’ left knee and whether it is indeed finally healed. If so, Agent Zero will thrive — and then some — under new head coach Flip Saunders. If Arenas leads Washington to the turnaround their capable of, the Wizards have a real chance to upset the balance of power in the East.
9. LeBron James, Cavaliers forward
Impending free agency for King James next summer should take a back seat to the Cavaliers rip-roaring through opponents again this season, especially given the reinforcements brought to Cleveland this summer. The most interesting challenge for James will be dealing with Shaquille O’Neal: Managing his taste for the spotlight as well as his need to be ready to defend Dwight Howard.
8. Kevin Durant, Thunder forward-guard
Can the third-year superstar from Suitland really have a breakout season if he was already averaging 25.3 points and 6.5 rebounds? When he makes his assault on first team All-NBA, the answer will be yes. The Thunder still may stink but the only way to prove that it is Durant’s fault is to find a general manager who wouldn’t take him. We’re waiting …
7. Richard Jefferson, Spurs forward-guard
Chemistry is not a problem in San Antonio, which is nice for Jefferson, who played runaway groom before becoming one of two offseason steals for the Spurs. (The other swipe was rookie DeJuan Blair, who was passed on by the Wizards.) Jefferson (19.6 ppg) is a versatile, all-star caliber talent that makes one of the West’s toughest teams even better.
6. Vince Carter, Magic forward-guard
The Orlando Magic were so satisfied with making the 2009 NBA Finals that they blew up the team. Carter was brought in to “fix” the situation with his 20.8 points a night, not exactly a recipe for delicate chemistry. With Dwight Howard, the Magic are still formidable, but either Carter or the Magic need to redefine themselves for another deep postseason run.
5. Dwyane Wade, Heat guard
This season won’t be about whether Wade will again put up MVP-type numbers and perhaps lead the NBA in scoring. Instead, because the Heat didn’t give him significant help in the offseason — and Michael Beasley remains an enigma — the clock is ticking on how long it will be before Wade gets disgruntled and starts shopping himself for the 2010 free agency bonanza.
4. Ron Artest, Lakers forward
Speaking of moves that, for the Wizards’ sake, will hopefully implode rather than help, how about Artest? His defense should be a clean swap for Trevor Ariza, who will fill Artest’s void in Houston, if he stays “medium.” Just add him to the challenging players that Phil Jackson has handled over the years. Think it will be easier than dealing with Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian?
3. Rasheed Wallace, Celtics forward-center
We promise not to talk about Rasheed Wallace being a lightning rod for technical fouls. Forgive us, as it’s the only tantalizing prospect given what he provides for Kevin Garnett’s crew. Actually, Garnett will make sure ’Sheed keeps his act in line, making him a huge addition, given his all-purpose game and shooting ability. We’d still prefer he sulks his way through the year.
2. Blake Griffin, Clippers forward
The number one overall pick was a star in Las Vegas — it took no time for him to be nicknamed “Amazin” — and he executed the best poster of the preseason, delivering a facial to D.J. Mbenga. The next step for what many believed was the only legitimate prospect in the draft is to finally turn around the dreadful Clippers franchise.
1. Deron Williams, Jazz guard
The saga of Carlos Boozer’s contract — to opt out or not to opt out — dominated the Jazz offseason, but this is Williams’ team. He averaged 19.4 points and 10.7 assists last year, and there’s little doubt he won’t achieve those numbers again and lead Utah to another 60 victories. The question is, can he get them out of the first round in the West?
