Did anybody predict before the season that...
I don't think Asik has ever made a field goal that wasn't a lay-up so he can definitely climb further up the ladder. I think Vasquez won't get too much better than what we are seeing now but he has still exceeded expectations from me. And I would need to see more of Vucevic. Honestly can't remember being bothered to watch a Magic game this year lol.
I was really sad to see Vucevic go as a Sixers fan and probably saw more of him than almost anybody on here but even I didn't think he could rebound at this rate. He always had solid positioning but I thought of him more as an offensive center with nice post moves and a good outside shot. He showed some potential to be a shot blocker and decent rebounder last year but nothing remotely close to what he is doing this year. I was very, very high on him as a rookie but he has exceeded expectations by far in Orlando.
at first glance at the thread title i thought it was going to be about the lakers lol.
but yeah there are always nice surprises like these in every season. players who aren't expected to have breakout seasons that do break out are great stories.
for me its tobias harris' play since the trade. sometimes that's all it takes, a trade to creative opportunity.
Tobias Harris has definitely been a huge surprise averaging 17 a game with a PER over 24 in 5 games with Orlando. They have acquired some good young talent with Vucevic and Harkless from the robbery of the Sixers. I see Orlando as a team that is going to turn it around quickly and despite their awful record they have a lot to look forward to in the future.
Asik was a prime candidate to be at or near the top in rebounding. He had one of the best rebounding rates last yr. He's practically the only good rebounder on that team. Didn't have a clear cut back up C and a couple of the other candidates for the rebounding title started off the yr injured, which eliminated some competition.
Did anybody predict before the season that Greivis Vasquez would lead the league in total assists and Omer Asik and Nikola Vucevic would league the league in total rebounds? I know I didn't. All of these guys have been pleasant surprises this year.