Some are new to the NBA, others are stars in the league with new roles or players rebounding from injuries. Here are 10 players worth watching this NBA season, which tips off Tuesday:
Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers — Oden’s long-awaited debut looms as the largest story out of Portland this upcoming season. The Blazers took the seven-footer with the No. 1 pick in the 2007 draft, much to the elation of their fans, but their excitement was shortlived as Greg Oden had microsurgery on his right knee before the season began and sat out the entire campaign.
Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat — Two years removed from an NBA championship, the athletic guard is finally healthy again and coming off a gold-medal performance at the Beijing Olympics where he was the U.S. team’s top scorer in a passionate performance. He’s bent on making the Heat competitive again, and if he remains healthy, could put up MVP-worthy numbers.
Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers — The seven-foot centre watched from the bench last season as Boston beat the Lakers to capture the NBA title. Bynum went down with a knee injury in January and sat out of the rest of the season. If L.A. could reach the finals without Bynum, what can they do with him?
Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards — Agent Zero finds himself on the sidelines to start the season again after undergoing knee surgery last month, his third procedure in 17 months. The three-time all-star, who played just 13 games last season, is expected to miss at least the first month of the season. Will he return to the lethal sharpshooter he once was, or is he destined to be the next Grant Hill?
Elton Brand, Philadelphia 76ers — The Sixers upped the toughness in the Eastern Conference when they signed prized free agent forward Elton Brand in the off-season. The former L.A. Clippers all-star forward, who was sidelined last season with a torn Achilles tendon, could turn Philly from a seventh-place squad last season to a top team in the East this year.
Ron Artest, Houston Rockets — The tough but volatile forward gets a fresh strart in Houston after he was acquired from Sacramento in a trade. He’ll be flanked by Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, making for a trio that could rival Boston’s Big Three.
Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls — The No. 1 pick in the 2008 draft will feel the glare of the spotlight all season long, with the inevitable debates around his worthiness of the top pick. In the annual pre-season poll of general managers, not one picked the former Memphis point guard to win rookie of the year. But Rose has the tools to be one of the top guards in the league.
Michael Beasley, Miami Heat — The Heat revamped its roster after stumbling to the worst record in the league last season, and Beasley, the No. 2 pick out of Kansas State, is a big piece of the rebuilding puzzle. The rookie has the potential to be a stats stuffer but questions remain about his character as trouble has seemed to follow him since high school.
Danilo Gallinari, New York Knicks — Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni hoped Gallinari would be fighting for a spot in the starting lineup, but instead the Italian rookie, the Knicks’ No. 6 draft pick, hasn’t played since July after injuring his back in the first game of summer league.
Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors — The Spaniard has finally earned the spot as Toronto’s undisputed floor leader after three years as a Raptors backup. Calderon’s performance will be a key factor in the Raptors’ success, but how will he handle the increase in minutes, especially on the heels of a busy summer with the Spanish Olympic team.
