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NBA's Breakout Stars
NBA's Breakout Stars
Devin Harris
<i>(All stats and records are through Feb. 8)</i><br><br>A first-time All-Star, Harris leads all point guards in scoring (21.8) and has joined with Vince Carter to form the most prolific backcourt in the league. Harris, one of the NBA's quickest guards and best slashers, also ranks fifth in free-throw attempts, despite missing six games.
Kevin Durant
After an uneven rookie season, Durant has become a much more efficient shooter and improved his rebounding (the latter in part because of his switch from shooting guard to small forward after Oklahoma City's early-season coaching change). The No. 2 pick in the 2007 draft is averaging 25.5 points (on 48.1 percent shooting) and 6.6 rebounds.
Danny Granger
Granger emerged as a budding star last season, but he's reached another level this season in being named an All-Star reserve in a vote by Eastern Conference coaches. The fourth-year small forward is on pace to become the first player in NBA history to raise his scoring average at least five points in three consecutive seasons (from 7.5 to 13.9 to 19.6 to 25.6).
Jameer Nelson
Before sustaining a potential season-ending shoulder injury, Nelson made the All-Star team for the first time thanks to career-high marks of 16.7 points, 50.3 percent shooting from the field and 45.3 percent shooting from three-point range.
David Lee
Playing in Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo, stat-friendly system has helped, but even so Lee has impressed with his consistency and efficiency. Lee, a restricted free agent after the season, is second in the NBA in double-doubles with 39 (one behind Dwight Howard) and ranks sixth in shooting (56.3 percent). Since becoming a full-time starter after the Nov. 21 trade of Zach Randolph, Lee is averaging better than 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Rajon Rondo
Rondo answered a lot of questions with his solid play during Boston's championship run last season. But he's playing at a near-All-Star level now, leading all guards in shooting (50.4 percent) while averaging 11.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 2.0 steals. Imagine how effective he would be if his jump shot became an asset.
Paul Millsap
After Carlos Boozer went down with a quadriceps injury in late November, Millsap stepped into the starting lineup and ripped off 19 consecutive point-rebound double-doubles. In 33 starts, the 6-foot-8 Millsap is averaging 16.4 points and 10.4 rebounds. He is setting himself up for a nice payday as a restricted free agent in the offseason.
Nen&#234;
A year removed from having surgery for testicular cancer, the Brazilian center leads the NBA in shooting (60.9 percent) and is averaging career highs of 14.9 points and 8.2 rebounds for the division-leading Nuggets. The seven-year veteran is in line to play more than 70 games for the first time since 2003-04.
