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Every NBA season there are a select few players that come onto the court and out-perform greater than expected. They put up numbers that nobody thought possible and not only establish a name for themselves, but a sense of recognition that enables them to improve their game even more. Below is a list of the NBA’s Mid-season Surprises.
1. Devin Harris (PG, NJN)- Devin Harris ended his fourth NBA season averaging 14.78 PPG, 5.77 APG, and 2.70 RPG. Coming into the 08-09 season Harris was expected to put up similar numbers to last years, but boy oh boy did he out-perform those numbers. Devin is now averaging 22.26 PPG (7 more points per game than his career high), 6.43 APG, and 3.09 RPG. He ranks 10th in the NBA in points per game and has exploded from a basic point-guard into one of the most elite scoring point-guards in the NBA today. Devin’s outstanding production has given himself a big reputation throughout the entire NBA and ranks him number one as the NBA’s Mid-Season Surprises.
2. Danny Granger (SF, IND)- Being on a team like the Indiana Pacers, Granger has not received the amount of publicity that he deserves. Danny Granger has skyrocketed this season and is putting up career-numbers in points per game with 26.39 PPG ranking him fourth in the NBA. He has turned into an extremely dynamic scorer and has shown great leadership skills this season knocking down buzzer beater after buzzer beater. Granger has super-star potential written all over himself and definitely deserves to be in the All-Star game this year.
3. Rajon Rondo (PG, BOS)- With the Big 3 getting all the attention in Boston, Rajon Rondo has quietly produced significant numbers this season. Rajon has clearly improved his game averaging career highs in PPG (11.0), APG (7.95), RPG (4.91), SPG (2.21), and FG% (50.5). He has made a name for himself as one of the best point-guards in the league and ranks eighth in the NBA in assists per game and fourth in steals per game. Rajon is only in his third season in the NBA and will continue to improve his game tremendously, turning him into one of the top three point-guards in the NBA in the years to come.
4. Paul Millsap (PF, UTA)- Great players always find a way to shine in any sport, and Paul Millsap is no exception. With Carlos Boozer sidelined for months, Millsap has gotten the opportunity to prove his great potential. Paul has proved to the entire NBA that he can dominate any team in the league dropping 19 double-doubles in a row, including pulling down 16 rebounds in one game and dropping 32 points in another. Millsap has greatness written all over him as he can also shoot the ball, defend, and block anybody in the paint. Paul is only in his third season in the NBA and will shine for the rest of his career. He deserves to make it to the All-Star game as well.
5. Jameer Nelson (PG, ORL)- Many people doubted that Jameer had the ability to take control of a team as the starting point-guard. They thought he was too short and not good enough to put up great numbers and lead his team deep into the playoffs. Coming into the 08-09 season Nelson took in all the negative critisism and shoved it back into every persons face that doubted him. Jameer and the Orlando Magic are currently the best team in the NBA with a 33-8 record. Nelson is averaging 17.08 PPG, 5.36 APG, 3.42 RPG, and has already dropped more three-pointers made this half season than he has in an entire season. Jameer has stepped up for his entire team and is ranked as fifth in the NBA’s Mid-Season Surprises.
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