In the ever-evolving landscape of the NBA, identifying the next breakout stars can be a daunting task. Players’ growth trajectories are far from linear, making it difficult to anticipate who will shine in the upcoming season.
Jalen Green’s Quest for Efficiency
Jalen Green, the electrifying shooting guard of the Houston Rockets, has already demonstrated his scoring prowess in his early NBA career.
His trajectory from averaging 17.3 points per game in his rookie season to an impressive 22.1 points per game in his sophomore year is indicative of his potential. However, beneath these impressive scoring figures, a discerning eye reveals a need for improvement in Green’s efficiency.
The Impact of Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks
The recent acquisitions of Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks by the Houston Rockets have raised intriguing questions about their influence on Jalen Green’s development. These additions bring a wealth of experience and a unique set of skills to the team.
Of particular interest is VanVleet’s role as a floor general, orchestrating the offense and creating opportunities for his teammates. For Green, who faced challenges with his field goal percentage near the basket in the previous season, the presence of VanVleet could be transformative. With VanVleet’s ability to set up plays and create open looks, Green may find himself in more favorable scoring positions.
Mark Williams’ Emergence in Charlotte
Mark Williams, the towering 7’1″ center for the Charlotte Hornets, experienced a significant surge in his role during the previous season. His journey from a limited role to becoming a starter was marked by impressive statistics: nearly 12 points and 10 rebounds per game in just under 27 minutes of play.
This transformation showcased Williams’ latent potential and hinted at what might be in store for him.
Obi Toppin’s Transition to the Pacers
Obi Toppin, renowned for his acrobatic dunks and athleticism, is embarking on a new chapter in his career with the Indiana Pacers. After spending three seasons in a reserve role with the New York Knicks behind Julius Randle, Toppin is set to spread his wings in a different environment. Toppin’s transition to the Pacers is intriguing, given the team’s up-tempo style of play and a proficient point guard leading the charge.
The Pacers, who ranked second in the league for wide-open three-point attempts, are likely to leverage Toppin’s three-point shooting abilities. Although Toppin’s career-long three-point shooting percentage of 32.5% falls below the league average, he has shown promise when given open looks, converting nearly 38% of such attempts in the previous season.
Tom Brady Has Returned to the Buccaneers and has Denied Being on ‘The Masked Singer’
During the NFL training camps of the last few weeks, a big story revolving around Tom Brady has become one of the most talked-about topics. The story goes that the reason for his unusual leave and absence from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers camp is that he was filming for the anonymous singing competition show known as The Masked Singer. The theory floated around Reddit and Twitter and became a dream to cling on for many fans.
Tom Brady Will Not Be on The Masked Singer but Back on the Field
As sad as it may be for the many Tom Brady fans, he has debunked the hilarious but intriguing theory that he will appear on The Masked Singer. He did so by tweeting an advertisement for his upcoming apparel brand in which he stated that he wasn’t on the show but was wearing a mask. The advertisement was a short video of a biker who was riding a motorcycle with nothing but his underwear, helmet, shoes, and gloves.
Tom Brady Has a Technical Apparel Brand Called Brady
While “Brady” is still nothing more than a clothing brand, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback has trademarked his name across many other product categories. These include clothing, furniture, workout equipment, skincare products, and more. For now, though, he is focusing on what’s already out and promoting his clothing products.
Tom Brady stepped away from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 11 days this preseason, stating that he was going to attend to personal matters. It seems that those personal matters did not have anything to do with The Masked Singer. While he had short absences during past preseasons, this is the first time in his career he has taken such a big portion of time off during preseason or training camp, which probably sparked the various rumors.
The Buccaneers will open their regular-season campaign with a match against the Dallas Cowboys on 11 September. While Brady led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns last season, he is going through 2022 without Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen who suffered a knee injury.