NBA: Five Players That Are Beginning To Resurrect Their Careers
Oct 3, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes (40) drives to the basket against the Charlotte Hornets during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Five players that have begun to enjoy career resurgence in new environments
Easter is still a few months away, but lately I’ve been thinking about resurrection. I say that because I’ve been impressed by the number of NBA players who have resurrected their careers in the 2016-17 season.
From players that have seen the highest of NBA highs to the lowest of NBA lows, many on this list know what it feels like to be on either end of the spectrum.
Nevertheless, all five of the players on this list are beginning to find their footing, for better or worse, in the League again.
Particularly, these five players have found comfort in their new homes, possibly changing the narrative on what was once a lost career.
Oct 3, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes (40) shoots over Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) during the first half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Harrison Barnes, Dallas Mavericks
One of those players is Harrison Barnes, a guy who deserves an apology after the way so many of us dogged him last summer. Yes, I’m talking about all the experts who went ballistic when Barnes signed a four-year, $94 million deal with the Mavericks last summer.
How can a guy who was shooting nothing but bricks in the NBA Finals get a fat contract, many of us said. Well, guess what? The dude is earning his paycheck. Yes, this same guy who averaged 11.7 points per game with the Warriors last year, is now up to 20.4 points per game with the Mavs.
So, maybe Barnes is not just the fourth or fifth best guy on a team. Maybe Mark Cuban’s gamble on Barnes was actually worth the risk.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying Barnes will be a franchise player. But I can now see how Barnes can make a big difference if paired with a superstar. That’s definitely not something I would have said before this season.
Nov 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ty Lawson (10) against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. The Clippers defeated the Kings 121-115. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Ty Lawson, Sacramento Kings
As a Sacramento Kings fan, another one of the resurrected players that I have followed closely is Ty Lawson. This 5-foot-11 point guard who averaged 15.2 points per game and 9.6 assists as a Nuggets’ guard in 2014-2015, was traded to the Rockets during the following season. The trade came after Lawson was arrested for the second time on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Lawson played in 53 games for the Rockets, averaging 5.8 points per game. After being released by the Rockets during that same season, Lawson finished out the season with the Pacers and played in 13 games, averaging 4.9 points per game.
Now with the Kings taking a gamble on Lawson, things seem to be back on track. Instead of dealing with problems off the court, Lawson has been coming off the bench to give the Kings a much needed lift at the point guard position.
Jan 18, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Garrett Temple (17) during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Golden 1 Center. The Pacers defeated the Kings 106-100. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Garrett Temple, Sacramento Kings
Believe it or not, Sacramento is looking like the place of resurrection these days. In addition to Lawson, the Kings have also found a home for longtime journeyman Garrett Temple. The six-year guard is averaging 7.7 points per game, but his value goes beyond the numbers.
Temple is a refreshing site for Kings’ fans, who haven’t seen this type of tenacious player since Bobby Jackson in the early 2000s. Like Jackson, Temple comes off the bench and instantly lifts the team with his hustle and defense as well as unselfishness.
It’s still hard to figure out how this type of player has been let go by six teams in six years. With the way he has played in Sacramento so far, maybe Temple has finally done enough to earn a permanent home in the NBA.
Dec 21, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Rockets defeated the Suns 125-111. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets
Meanwhile in Houston, eighth-year guard Eric Gordon is finally enjoying an injury-free season.
*knocks on wood*
Gordon, who hasn’t played in more than 64 games in one season since his rookie year, has already played in 50 of the Rockets’ 54 games.
Now that he is finally healthy, the sharpshooter has thrived under Mike D’Antoni’s face-paced system, averaging 17.3 points per game with a total of 177 three-pointers made. If Gordon stays on the court for the rest of the season, the Rockets will certainly be a headache for their opponents in the postseason.
Nov 12, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (3) pulls up for a jump shot against the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan Anderson, Houston Rockets
Eric Gordon’s teammate, Ryan Anderson, is experiencing his own resurgence in the 2016-17 season. Like Gordon, Anderson was previously hampered by injuries.
In seven of his eight seasons in the NBA, Anderson has not played in more than 66 games. The only time where he almost played a full season was in the 2012-13 campaign, when he played 81 games.
This year, Anderson has already played in 51 games and made 142 three-pointers.
Without the resurrection of Gordon and Anderson, the Rockets would not be where they are. In fact, without Gordon and Anderson, James Harden might not even be among the top NBA MVP contenders.
Resilience is obviously paying off for the five players mentioned above. And it could pay off for many more players in the future. Maybe a Jimmer Fredette comeback is next?
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