Omri Casspi, Gordon Hayward - Players expected to excel in next NBA season: Part 3
Omri Casspi:
Omri Casspi was selected by Sacramento Kings in the 2009 NBA draft. With his debut, he became the first player from Israel to feature in NBA. In the same match, he scored 15 points against Oklahoma City Thunder.
Later in December, he played his first full time game against Washington Wizards and by scoring 22 points in that game, he evened the record for most points scored by a Sacramento’s player in his first full game since 1985.
Last year’s January proved to be fruitful for Casspi. On January 1st, he scored his career high 23 points in a match against Los Angeles Lakers followed by his first double-double the next day when he scored 22 points,
11 rebounds in a loss against Dallas Mavericks. Then three days later, he beat his previous match high score in a crunch match against Phoenix Suns by scoring 24 points.
Despite the performances, his overall average declined than what it was in his Rookie year. Out of total 71 games that he played, he managed to play only 27 full games. However he made a good reputation in the games that he did
play.
Earlier this year, he was traded to Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for J.J Hickson. This move might prove beneficial for him. With new team and Rosters, he will get more time on the court and his productivity might increase as
well.
He showed his defensive skills and ability to shoot consistently from a three point range last season too so if the lockout ends and the season commences, Casspi will be a major threat for every team.
Gordon Hayward:
Gordon was selected by Utah Jazz in the NBA draft of 2009 after he led Butler University to a runner up finish in the 2010 NCAA tournament.
However, the star at college level failed to make an impression in NBA finishing with a modest average of 5.4 points per game. His average was on the low side but he did show shades of brilliance in the later games of the season
when he was included in the starting lineup and played full games.
In Jazz’s stunning victory against Los Angeles Lakers, he outshined Kobe Bryant by playing few breath taking shots at critical times in the game. In that game he scored 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
Later in a game against Denver Nuggets, he scored his career high 34 points. In his last 10 games of the season, he shot outstanding 58 percent from the field which proves that if given a chance, he can score consistently.
This season, he will emerge as a much better player with much polished skills. His average is definitely going to take a big jump if he is allowed to play for more time in the court.
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