5 players primed for a breakout year

Sometimes, it's circumstance. Sometimes, it's simply maturation. And sometimes, it's a new twist added to a player's game that changes everything. Whatever the cause, every season there are breakout players—those who manage to go from middling to mint almost overnight. This season will be no different. Andrea Bargnani, C, Raptors. Bargnani benefited from a coaching switch. In his third season, he thrived with coach Jay Triano after wilting under the criticism of Sam Mitchell, who wanted Bargnani—a 7-footer with a great 3-point shot—to play more like a traditional center. "The thing with Andrea —I think you have to let him be who he is," Triano says. "You would like more rebounding, more defense, more of those things. But you have to emphasize the positive, too." Mike Conley will lead the way in Memphis under new coach Lionel Hollins Mike Conley, PG, Grizzlies. Conley never found his way during his rookie year and still...