Superb Sophomore's: The NBA's Best Second Year Guys

            Not every rookie to join the NBA experiences his breakthrough year right away. Often players who are drafted for their upside require a few years to realize their potential, at other times the young bloods may be held back by a clustered depth chart. Some situations are simply too poor to help young players to develop, while other franchises introduce a winning culture and offer them a chance to succeed at the highest level. For instance, Kawhi Leonard was a young talent, a ball of energy with lots of athleticism. The knock on Leonard was that he had little to no developed offensive game, two years later, Kawhi is a reliable three point shooter who can create his own shot, as well as the face of the famed "3 and D" group of wing players. If Kawhi Leonard had ended up in say, Charlotte, or perhaps, Sacramento, would he be the same player? I doubt it. Some rookies need a change of scenery, new staff, bigger role, or simply another year to turn into that player their capable of becoming. The five players listed all struggled to varied degrees last year, but are all very capable of having successful sophomore campaigns.

5. John Jenkins  

            Jenkins wasn't particularly bad in his debut season, but the second year player from Vanderbilt received inconsistent playing time from then Coach Larry Drew, and didn't live up to the potential that he could have. John shot 45% from the field last season, and a solid 38% from 3, suggesting that the prolific Commodore shooter could develop into a marksman at the next level. Given more court time to develop his game, Jenkins could morph into a solid NBA role player.

4. Patrick Beverly

            Beverly absolutely didn't struggle in his first real season in the NBA. A second round pick from Arkansas in 2009, Beverly bounced around Europe and the D-League before finally landing a spot with Houston, he would not disappoint. Patrick put up solid shooting percentages, but what really set him apart was his outstanding defense and rebounding given his size. What makes this year so compelling for Beverly is the signing of Dwight Howard. The best way to utilize Howard is to spread the floor with shooters, increasing the space he has to work with in the paint. Current starter Jeremy Lin is much more of a slasher, and doesn't seem to fit with the ideal system Coach Kevin McHale will want to run. Rumors of Lin and Omer Asik trades make Beverly a tantalizing starter, and his ability to defend at a high level could be key in an improving Rockets defense.

3. Thomas Robinson

            Unfortunately, Thomas found himself in the black hole of NBA potential. Sacramento has the sheer inability to develop players with upside. Former King Tyreke Evans managed to actually get worse over the course of his four seasons, and DeMarcus Cousins may never turn into the beast so many people thought he could become. Robinson was quickly moved after no consistent playing time to Houston, who also failed to realize his value as an asset. Currently residing in Portland, it seems for now that Robinson has landed in a stable place where he may grow and mature as a player behind all-star LaMarcus Aldridge. Robinson has explosive athleticism and a high motor; it would be shocking if he failed to develop into a stud post player.

2. Andre Drummond

           Andre Drummond is freaking big. At 6'10'' 270, Drummond has unparalleled athleticism given his size. Perhaps the most athletically dominant and imposing force in the league today, Drummond has been held back mainly by his incredible inability to hit free throws at an even poor level. Drummond's free throw shooting is unspeakably awful on a Voldemort level scale. Elementary kids who play in rec leagues who grow up to be salesmen and accountants shoot at the same level as he. Drummond shot 37% from the line last season. To put that in perspective, 65 NBA players shot better percentages from the three point line than Drummond shot from the charity stripe. If Andre can iron out this major flaw, he will be dominant. One threat to his development could be the arrival of Rajon Rondo. With Rondo, Drummond may never see the floor. The combined free throw shooting of Rondo, Drummond, and Josh Smith could single handedly topple an otherwise solid Pistons team. Time will tell if Drummond can fix his shooting stroke in time to establish a great career.

1. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

        The difference between Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Kawhi Leonard is like the difference between an assault rifle that is loaded compared to a similar assault rifle that is not loaded. Both are beautiful pieces of machinery, but only one can shoot. Clearly I am a master of comparisons. In all legitimacy, the one thing holding Kidd-Gilchrist back from becoming an impact player is his shooting ability. Michael was wretched from everywhere that wasn’t within arms reach of the rim last year, and without a formidable shooting stroke, opponents had the ability to sag into the paint to disallow him from using his greatest strength. The Bobcats have signed all time great shooter Mark Price to sure up MKG's shooting stroke, an improvement which would turn Gilchrist into one of the league's premier small forwards. Michael Kidd Gilchrist headlines a list of players hoping to break out, but like the rest of them, time will determine whether or not he is deserving of his potential.