Bored on a Plane: Breakout Players

[Merv]

Here we are once again! Bored on a plane!!! You had to know this was coming when I said I was at the airport on the podcast. Somehow I ended this on exactly 10 by accident!

Breakout Players

1. Luka Doncic - 36.6 / 9.6 / 12.3 / 1.7 / 0.5 / 2.9 (.511 / .429 / .820)

Yeah, you probably thought he’s already broken out, and you’d be right. But Luka has surpassed super star status to arguably the best player in the league status. Insane efficiency, elite rebounds, and strong positional defense. Sheesh. Luka has seen his PPG jump by 6, rebounds up 1.1, FG% up 3% and FT% up 3.4%. Oh, and he’s in year six at the age of 24. So this probably only gets worse for us. Thank god Steven only signed him for 3 seasons.

2. Isaiah Stewart - 4.3 / 7.4 / 1.0 / 0.6 / 1.4 / 1.0 in 24 mpg (.471 / .500 / .824)

Beef stew is probably thriving a bit off of small sample size, but his butt is finally rounding into form. You know, just in time to get paid in FA. Maybe Tong got rid of Domas because Isaiah Stewart needs more minutes

3. Terence Davis - 25.6 / 6.6 / 3.2 / 1.4 / 0.2 / 2.1 (.471 / .470 / .873)

I love TD. He took a starting role by force this year after resigning to a friendly four year deal. After last year’s super sub role, he’s increased his output 5.7 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 0.5 SPG, and 0.3 less TOV while maintaining ridiculous efficiency and 3-point volume.
4. Jalen Green - 24.9 / 5.2 / 3.2 / 1.7 / 0.2 / 2.7 (.470 / .419 / .868)

Another high scoring SG breaking onto the scene. Jalen supplanted former Top 3 SG in SLN as some have said, Josh Okogie. Jalen took off with an extra 14.2 PPG and his FG% rising from 44.5 to 47.0%. He turns it over a bit and isn’t the best rebounder, but there’s no denying he can score the rock

5. Pascal Siakam - JK, he still sucks. Love you Mike!

6. Lonnie Walker - 27.8 / 5.4 / 2.4 / 1.3 / 0.4 / 1.9 (.470 / .413 / .888)

Sensing a trend with these scoring SGs? Lonnie Walker had a pretty wild TC, got marketed by Skillz, and since traded for Anfernee Simons and what looks like some juicy picks including one projected top 10 2024 BOS FRP. Lonnie is fortunately signed for another 2 seasons after this and can hopefully help right the ship in Boston. For Lonnie, he’s seen his efficiency go up 3.7% FG%, 8.6% 3FG%, and 1.4% FT% spurring a 7.2 PPG bump.

7. Jalen Suggs - 23.1 / 4.8 / 4.4 / 2.0 / 0.5 / 2.8 (.468 / .373 / .830)

Haven’t seen anyone talk about Suggs or really anyone on the Sixers for that matter. Brandon Miller could probably use some additional minutes. Suggs comes to SLN after a couple just fine years in the NDL and already looks like he’s going to have a role for a while. A really strong defensive PG albeit a bit high on the TO side. With more good TCs, DMo might have his PG of the future.

8. Dereck Lively II - 5.2 / 9.4 / 1.8 / 0.6 / 2.0 / 1.0 (.401 / .000 / .628)

This big butt looks like he can live up to his lofty pick status already. Looking surprisingly solid in just his rookie year. Steven nailed this pick it seems and if this is the floor for Lively, he’s gonna have a HUGE ass

9. Shabazz Muhammad - 34.0 / 7.6 / 2.6 / 1.6 / 0.2 / 2.3 (.513 / .455 / .954)

This has been pretty talked to death on two pods but Shabazz has turned into what the recruiting folks thought he was IRL. He’s currently at career bests in PPG, RPG, APG, FG%, FT%, and 3FG%. The key to the Blazers success. He’s been a monster this year, easy Most Improved Player to me.

10. Obi Toppin - 20.0 / 7.0 / 1.4 / 0.6 / 1.0 / 1.1 (.470 / .468 / .856)

Obi is about the lone bright spot in H-town. He basically reads exactly like a guy Tyler is gonna make 4 different sign and trade offers for this FA to put in his inside offense at SG/SF. There’s a nice efficiency to him and he’s low turnover. The rebounding is a serious issue that may keep him from being a good big but there’s something useful to work with. Obi has seen his PPG rise 4.7 and efficiency leap up 4.4%!


I know this felt a bit light with breakout guys in the West, but honestly it felt like a lot of the breakouts were last year or the year before. So this sums up bored on a plane as we’re about to land. Thanks for joining us on this great discovery of breakout players around the league. Maybe trade for one? Trading is fun, at least Jesse tells me it is!

[Merv]

P.S. Bonus Bored on a Runway! Isaiah Jackson was an accidental omission for this list. I think I skipped the Raptors in error.

6.2 / 10.7 / 1.2 / 0.8 / 2.2 / 1.3
(.410 / .333 / .797)

This man skinny IRL but a huge ass in SLN. And he’s expiring. The RFA tag likely keeps him from Looney 2.0, but if he doesn’t resign cheap, it puts a wrench into that cap sheet.

[jwoo]

P.S. Bonus Bored on a Runway! Isaiah Jackson was an accidental omission for this list. I think I skipped the Raptors in error.

6.2 / 10.7 / 1.2 / 0.8 / 2.2 / 1.3
(.410 / .333 / .797)

This man skinny IRL but a huge ass in SLN. And he’s expiring. The RFA tag likely keeps him from Looney 2.0, but if he doesn’t resign cheap, it puts a wrench into that cap sheet.

Who is this?

[mantypas/CavsCzar]

we took a swing and it didnt work, but you know what, thats ok, you miss 100% of the shots you dont take

[nolan]

aint no stoppin!!

[heimer]

but his butt !!

[GX.]

Anyone else's mind go to this song when reading the title? Now i cant get it out of my head

[Joe]

Grade: 300RP