Image via WikipediaWhat's the best way to look back on the summer and forecast the future? By determining which players are most likely to accomplish certain feats followed by some traditional yearbook-style superlatives, of course.
Most Likely to Improve Team Offensively: LeBron James
Let's not forget that before LeBron James struggled in the playoffs and made a series of questionable decisions this summer, he had one of the most impressive regular seasons of all-time averaging 29.7 points, 8.6 assists, and 7.3 rebounds. Going through this list, James could win or contend for nearly every category. Each of James' moves have been heavily scrutinized this summer but he's still one of the most dominant scorers in the NBA.
Honorable Mention: Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer, Amar'e Stoudemire
Most Likely To Improve Team Defensively: Trevor Ariza
He averages nearly two steals per game and has developed a reputation as a lockdown defender. In Houston, he was expected to score more and let Shane Battier handle the tougher defensive assignments but now that he's with the New Orleans Hornets, he'll be able to get back to his old ways and bring some much needed athleticism and defense to the team.
Honorable Mention: LeBron James, Matt Barnes
Most Likely To Fill The Glue Guy Role Perfectly: Kirk Hinrich
Kirk Hinrich is the player who always gets the job done, brings the locker room together, and sets the right tone. On a Washington Wizards team, he'll be the veteran who leads by example with his work ethic and selfless play.
Honorable Mention: James Posey, Matt Barnes, Keyon Dooling
Most Likely To Succeed: Kevin Durant
The league is now Kevin Durant's for the taking. Sure, the Miami Heat are going to be difficult to compete with but when it comes to individual accolades, Durant is about to fill up his trophy case. With James, Wade, and Bosh likely cancelling each other out during Most Valuable Player voting and taking on the role of villains, the stars have aligned - both figuratively and literally - for Durant to take home award after award while becoming the face of the NBA. Would it have happened sooner or later? Probably. His image is squeaky clean, he's a terrific scorer, and he's already become a fan favorite. After inking a five-year extension with the Thunder this summer, everything is in place for Durant to take over the NBA.
Honorable Mention: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh
Most Likely To Jump Out of The Gym: John Wall
While most of this list has featured players that found their way onto new teams via free agency or trades, it's impossible not to mention the rookie when talking about the most athletic player. No superlatives list would be complete without naming the best athlete and John Wall may take the cake. His numbers at the Combine were astounding – 42" max vertical, 10.83 in the lane agility drills, and 3.14 in the 3/4 court sprint – and he put on a show during the Las Vegas Summer League and most recently, at the Boost Mobile Elite 24 game in California.
Honorable Mention: Rudy Gay, Shannon Brown
Most Likely to Breakout: Anthony Morrow
With a starting role all but won and a clearly defined role in place, Morrow has been expanding his game and could emerge as more than just a sharpshooter in New Jersey.
Honorable Mention: Kelenna Azubuike, Shaun Livingston, Hakim Warrick
Most Likely to Become Famous: Amar'e Stoudemire
If he turns the team into a legitimate contender and has them competing in the playoff each year, he steals the limelight and New York once again has something to cheer for in Madison Square Garden. If he can't come through, he'll be recognizable but it'll be because he's constantly being ripped to shreds on the back page of the tabloids. But with more endorsement opportunities than ever and a possible movie role in the works, Stoudemire's Q score has already skyrocketed. What happens next is up to Stoudemire.
Honorable Mention: Chris Bosh, Steve Blake, Courtney Lee
Biggest Flirt: Chris Bosh
"So it's like, well, in my case, I'm going to have fun with it. I'm going to play with people's emotions. I'm going to be high and low. It's entertaining to see people react to your real emotions because if it wasn't fun I wouldn't do it," Chris Bosh told the New York Daily News last month. Being a technology lover, Bosh chose to toy with his followers on Twitter.
Honorable Mention: LeBron James
Most Dramatic: LeBron James
"It's gotten ridiculous, I think," Stan Van Gundy told reporters during the AirTran Airways Pro Summer League. "I mean it's almost like a parody of itself, this whole situation now. Come on, an hour long? OK, it takes 15 seconds to say, 'I've decided to stay in Cleveland. But we've got another 59 minutes and 45 seconds to, what, promote LeBron James?
Honorable Mention: Anthony Tolliver
The Best Couple: LeBron James and Dwyane Wade
Chris Bosh may have been following Dwyane Wade around "for two weeks like a lapdog," according to Stan Van Gundy but at the end of the day, they don't form the best duo to watch in Miami. Love them or hate them, James and Wade are poised to be one of the most exciting and talented tandems in league history. Pat Riley was the matchmaker in this situation and now the rest of the league can just hope for an ugly breakup.
Honorable Mention: Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, Raymond Felton and Amar'e Stoudemire
The Odd Couple: Kobe Bryant and Matt Barnes
While both players respect each other now, it would have been hard to imagine Kobe Bryant and Matt Barnes joining forces last season. After pump fakes to the face and exchanging words after nearly every possession during last season's showdown in Orlando, the two have put the past behind them and teamed up in Los Angeles. This is the second offseason that the Lakers have brought on one of Bryant's biggest adversaries after adding Ron Artest to the roster last summer. After watching the emotions from this matchup spill into the locker rooms during postgame availability, it's surprising to say the least that Barnes and Bryant will now wear the same colors.
Honorable Mention: Kwame Brown and Michael Jordan
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