NBA Offseason 2013: Sophomore Surge

Apr 14, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Portland Trailblazers guard Damian Lillard (0) during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

60 players were selected in the 2012 NBA draft. The lucky ones went to rebuilding teams with plenty of minutes and touches, without a superior (or favored) veteran blocking them. They played in systems tailored to their strengths, with the freedom to experiment and develop. Perhaps most critically, they stayed healthy.

Not every rookie was so fortunate. The good news is that the NBA calendar flips in June, not January. It doesn’t matter what they did last season, only what they can do right now. These sophomores dominated Summer League; expect them to build on that momentum and seize larger roles in the season to come.