Give 'Em the Bust Lable

This was supposed to be NBA Southeast Breakout Players, but then I realized there was a much better list… By Matt Rose
I was sorting through the rosters of NBA Southeast teams in search of the five players most likely to breakout next season; however, I was unable to find many players who were likely to breakout. I was willing to take a chance on Jeff Teague, Kemba Walker, and maybe even Mario Chalmers, but I kept seeing players that made me laugh when I recalled their potential. Therefore, I decided this would be much more fun, both to write and read about. So here it is: the top five busts currently playing in the NBA Southwest.



5. Yi Jianlian (F, Milwaukee Bucks)
Drafted: 6th overall in 2007

Notable Selected Drafted After Him: Joakim Noah (9), Thaddeus Young (12), Rodney Stuckey (15), Wilson Chandler (23), Carl Landry (31), Glen Davis (35), Marc Gasol (48), Ramon Sessions (56).

Why He’s a Bust: In 2007, Yi was the most hyped play to come out of China since Yao Ming. In 2011, his career has about as much life as Yao’s does. After having his best season in 2009-2010 (12.0 PPG and 7.1 RPB), he declined dramatically in 2010-2011. In 17.7 MPG he averaged 5.6 PPG and 4.0 RPG with an embarrassing Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of just 10.13. For his career, he averages 8.5 PPG and 5.3 RPB, with a miserable FG% of 40.5%. The 7-footer has recently signed a contract in China, where he will look to regenerate some momentum for his stagnant NBA career.



4. Tyrus Thomas (F, Charlotte Bobcats)
Drafted: 4th overall in 2006

Notable Players Selected After Him: Brandon Roy (6), Rudy Gay (8), Rajon Rondo (21), Kyle Lowry (24), Paul Millsap (47)

Why He’s A Bust: Thomas came into the league a year before fellow LSU big-man Glen Davis with tremendous hype due to his athleticism. As a freshman in college, Thomas averaged 12.3 PPG, 9.2 PRG, 1.0 SPG, 3.1 BPG, and an impressive 60.8% FG%. Unfortunately, Thomas has not been able to elevate his game at the NBA level. Expected to be a work in progress, he simply never improved the way many thought he would. He is a solid defender, averaging 0.9 SPG and 1.4 BPG, but offensively only averages 8.3 PPG and 5.2 RPG for his career. He has had a hard time cracking the starting five, and does not have the modern mid-range game many teams desire in their power-forward At 25, Thomas has time to progress, and will always be valued for his athleticism and defensive prowess, but he simply has failed to live up to both his potential and expectations.



3. J.J. Redick (G, Orlando Magic)
Drafeted: 11th overall in 2006

Notable Players Selected After Him: Rajon Rondo (21), Kyle Lowry (24), Paul Millsap (47).

Why He’s A Bust: Every year, J.J. is expected to finally earn the starting spot at shooting guard for the Magic. Every year, the Magic find someone better. Five seasons into his career, J.J. has only started 19 games in his career. For his career, he averages 7.7 PPG on 42.8% from the field and a respectable 39.4% from 3-point range. The fact of the matter is, J.J. came into the league as a shooter, and has been unable to create shots for himself. He is a very good shooter, but nowhere near the shooter he was at Duke. He is a defensive liability and useless on offense when he does not shoot—and sometimes when he does shoot. Ultimately, J.J. will be remembered for his colligate legacy and hopefully not his NBA shortcomings.



2. Marvin Wiliams (F, Atlanta Hawks)
Drafted: 2nd overall in 2005

Notable Players Selected After Him: Deron Williams (3), Chris Paul (4), Raymond Felton (5), Andrew Bynum (10), Danny Granger (17), David Lee (30), Monta Ellis (40), Andray Blatche (49)

Why He’s a Bust: I think it is fairly obvious, even without looking at the stats, why Marvin Williams is a bust. Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Danny Granger, and David Lee are All-Stars, and Monte Ellis should be one. Even worse, Williams, Paul, Ellis and Felton are all point guards, which is the position Atlanta is weakest at. Marvin Williams came out of UNC after his freshmen year and was expected to develop quickly, but he averages 11.7 PPG and 5.3 RPG for his career. The fact that he was selected second overall and never has produced is magnified by the plethora of talent that was selected after him. Marvin Williams, who is only 25, will never escape the label of bust. It is not possible.



1. Kwame Brown (C, Charlotte Bobcats)
Drafted: 1st overall in 2001

Notable Players Selected After Him: Tyson Chandler (2), Pau Gasol (3), Joe Johnson (10), Richard Jefferson (13), Zach Randolph (19), Gerald Wallace (25), Tony Parker (28), Gilbert Arenas (30), Brian Scalabrine (34), Mehmet Okur (37)

Why He’s a Bust: Let me start out by apologizing for including Scalabrine in that list. I love the man’s passion and hope that he signs with a team I cover so I can devote an entire article to the legend himself. Speaking of legends, Kwame Brown isn’t one. Brown averages 6.8 PPG and 5.5 RPG for his career, and managed to work his way into the starting lineup in Charlotte last season, which is more of a testament to Charlotte’s failures than Kwame’s success. Brown is slow and useless on defense; he is 6’11’’ an average 0.6 BPG for his career. He was supposed to be the next dominant NBA center. Instead, he is the modern day Sam Bowie. In reality, he is an average role player, but role players are not drafted first overall.