Breakout Watch: Two Players Making the Most of Increased Opportunities (And Whether They're Real)

Featuring everyone's favorite Nuggets hypothetical and a Jazz Benchman

Every season, there are players who put together breakout stretches that make us wonder whether they really had it in them in the first place. Linsanity, the Austin Reaves tear from earlier this season, and Kawhi’s Toronto playoff run — though he was already elite — are good examples. We’ve had quite a few guys put together some interesting stretches this year, largely due to increased opportunities (read: injuries to teammates or teams are tanking).

Today, I want to go through two guys who have caught my eye due to increased opportunity, and debate whether or not it’s for real — can they be winning players and consistently do what they’re doing, basically.

Let’s just get right into it for brevity’s sake; we’re starting with a guy who seems to be keeping the Jokic-less Nuggets afloat…