Bounce Back: Which Players Have the Most to Prove This Season?

Featuring two chaotic guards, a rare second-year do-or-die, and an odd one out

Every season, fans tend to select one or two youthful players to rip on, declaring them as busts, unplayable, or otherwise. At times, the culprit could be roster construction and lineups that the player plays in, while at others, it could just be that they aren’t as good as you once expected.

Today, I want to take a look at the players who are somewhat on the fence. These are guys that previously showed a lot of potential, have had some missteps (for various reasons, not all of them their own fault), and now have to prove themselves to stay in their key roles.

Some, if they don’t perform, will see themselves significantly demoted in their roles or will be on an out-of-the-league trajectory once their contracts end. Others, however, will be playing for the right to stay with their teams and not be placed on the trade market, which is another situation entirely.

Let’s get right into it, starting with a player who makes it really difficult for me to keep hyping him up…