Rank #7: JJ Hickson
'12-'13 Season Summary
The first newcomer of the list. Welcome to Denver. For a brief moment during the '09 NBA season, it seemed as if JJ Hickson's success as an NBA player was largely due to LeBron James. As a member of the not-good-enough Cavaliers teams led by the "Chosen One", Hickson was able to propel his energetic style of play into trade value and was shipped off to Sacramento for a first round draft pick. But after an absolutely abysmal 35 games with the Kings (4.7 points per game, 5.1 rebounds a game and 0.37 FG%), his contract was bought-out. Although it was clear his athletic ability was there, it seemed as if his success was drastically helped by playing alongside the best basketball player in the world.
Hickson eventually signed with the Portland Trailblazers in the 2nd half of that same season... and then this happened:
He was immediately cast to the spotlight and the spring in hist step was back. Hickson finished that season with the 'Blazers averaging 15.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg and a 0.543 FG% in 19 games. In short, much better.
Last season, Hickson was able to show that his short half-year success was not a fluke and had arguably his best professional year (12.7 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 0.562 FG%). He was an absolute double-double monster and an iron horse, only missing two games all season long. Not only was he able to bring down rebound after rebound, his hustle and highlight dunks were always huge energizers for a team full of exciting young talent.
For good measure, here is another monster dunk that shows his worth as an energetic physical specimen:
It could be argued that JJ Hickson was the biggest off season acquisition for the Denver Nuggets this past year. He put up amazing stats, brought the house down with jaw dropping dunks and has never been known to disrupt a locker room. So why is he ranked so low? Hickson does not fit in the current roster.
Let's repeat what we've attributed to Hickson: great rebounder, energetic, highlight dunks and fan favorite. Wait, did that just describe Kenneth Faried...?
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| Does Hickson fit with this roster? |
With so many bigmen on the roster, it is a little difficult to see where he will eventually fit. Size will become a huge deficiency in Denver and his ability to pump-up a crowd will inevitably be trumped by his inability to defend and compliment players like McGee, Faried, Randolph, Timofey Mozgov (I still believe in him) and Darrell Arthur (who is not on this list).
But it is intriguing to see what such a player can do in a fast pace offense in Denver. In a run-and-gun style, Hickson can be good for 2-3 fastbreak dunks a game. He also has a solid 17-foot jumper and can stretch the floor a bit for a team that has so many inside options. The question remains whether or not he will be able to mesh well with a team with 4 other people who play his position.
Prediction
JJ Hickson is no doubt one of the more likeable players in the NBA. He is a team player and comes up with highlight reel dunks almost on a nightly basis. It's frustrating that such a player is now on a roster with so much depth at his position. How will Coach Shaw spread the minutes? Will Hickson get enough to be in a groove for the year? Chances are that Hickson will have flashes of brilliance, getting a crowd to ooh and ahh at his physical feats. He will come down with double doubles quite consistently bringing energy and enthusiasm every night. But as the year progresses, it will be clear the this current roster was not created to play together. What does this mean? (A traaaade? I'll expand on this later.)
Rankings:
#10: Andre Miller
#9: Evan Fournier
#8: Anthony Randolph
#7: JJ Hickson
#6: October 25th
#5: October 26th
#4: October 27th
#3: October 28th
#2: October 29th
#1: October 30th
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