Realistic Nba Player Challenges for the 2019-2020 season

Many basketball players in the National Basketball Association, want to strive for excellence and hone their game. Even the best player in the league such as Damian Lillard, James Harden, and Kawhi Leonard all want to improve the way that they play. For most players, this means improving their mindset or hitting the gym more in the off-season, but for others, this means going to the next level.

Which is why today we discuss what certain challenges I believe current basketball players can accomplish in the incoming season. If there is not a certain player in here that you would like to be in here, comment below and there is a strong chance they will be put in.

The guy who for most teams brings the ball up the court is a focal point of any team in the league. Most teams have a decent point guard but for this section, only elite point guards will be discussed as there would be no point in going through all thirty of them.

The point guards that we will be setting up goals are:

• Stephen Curry
• Damian Lillard
• Russell Westbrook
• Kyrie Irving

Stephen Curry- Win MVP. With Kevin Durant leaving for free agency and Klay Thompson being injured for most in not all the season, Curry will need to go back to his ways during the 2016 season and put in insane numbers.

Damian Lillard- Lead his team to a division win. With Lillard receiving a massive contract extension in the offseason, many Blazer fans expect Lillard to bring them to the promised land. With the Jazz making major moves, expect there to be a major competition between the two respective teams.

Russell Westbrook- Average 35% or higher from three. Westbrook struggled on much of his shots last season, only making around 29% of his shots from three-point land. With a new team and a top-three player in James Harden, Westbrook should be able to shoot the ball much better.

Kyrie Irving- Play 75 or more games. Irving has not had the best health since entering the league in 2011, averaging about 64 games per season. If he can stay healthy this upcoming season, I do see him leading the Nets on a deep playoff run.

The partner in the backcourt to the point guard is known as a person who can shoot the ball and play lockdown defense for when the point guard needs help. There is a good star quantity of shooting guards in the league, but we will look at the elite ones. The shooting guards that we will be setting up goals are:

• James Harden
• Bradley Beal
• Donovan Mitchell
• Jrue Holiday

James Harden- NBA Championship. With the Rockets acquiring a top-five point guard in the league, it seems that the Rockets will be title contenders. In his career, Harden has made one finals appearance all the way back in 2012 and needs a title to cement his legacy.

Bradley Beal- Average 27+ points. With his fellow star John Wall injured with a torn Achilles for next season, Beal will have to elevate his game to the next level. Recently the Wizards offered him an insane extension, and that price might rise if he plays better.

Donovan Mitchell- All-Star. Mitchell has grown into a young superstar in the NBA, already leading his team to two straight playoff appearances. Now, in a wide-open Western Conference, there is a strong possibility Mitchell gets the all-star nod.

Jrue Holiday- MIP. While Holiday is already almost thirty years old, there is still a lot left in him to play well. He is a tremendous defender and can get 22 points a night easily.

The guy who can do anything for your team as he is right in the middle of being a guard or a big man. He can pass the ball nicely, or even get a good chunk of rebounds. There are few elite small forwards, so we will talk about these individuals and set up goals for the small forwards that we will be setting up goals for are:

• Lebron James
• Kawhi Leonard
• Paul George
• Jimmy Butler

LeBron James- Finals appearance. To attempt to cement his legacy over Michael Jordan, he is going to need more than what he has right now. With newly acquired Anthony Davis who is arguably the best big man in the league, it seems that he could be on the right way to another finals appearance.

Kawhi Leonard- All-NBA First Team. There is much controversy with Leonard joining a new team after winning a championship, but it is his decision. With Leonard just entering his prime, there is a strong chance he can achieve this goal.

Paul George- DPOY. George got snubbed last season for the award, but after being traded to Los Angeles much more people will see what he has to offer. This could raise his popularity and get him that award.

Jimmy Butler- Lead Heat to a division win. The Miami Heat were stuck in a limbo phase after LeBron left them, but with Butler, they are going in the right direction. He gives you that veteran locker-room presence and a good all-star level player on your team.

The guy who is known for posting him in the paint and knocking down small shots. There are also other power forwards who are adapting to shoot the three-ball as well. we will talk about the elite power forwards and set up goals for them. The Power Forwards we will be discussing are:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Blake Griffin
• LaMarcus Aldridge

Giannis Antetokoumpo- NBA Finals Appearance. With the Bucks losing to the Raptors in six with Kawhi Leonard on their team, they are out for revenge. With Leonard leaving the Raptors the Bucks could easily make it to the finals.

Blake Griffin- All-NBA Second Team. Many people called Griffin injury-prone due to how young and reckless he was, but he has completely changed his playstyle. Now shooting the three-ball and not dunking as much, he could be a guy who elevates his game for the upcoming season.

LaMarcus Aldridge- Average 23 and 11. Now, this doesn't seem much of a challenge for other people, but Aldridge put up 21 and 9 last season at 33 years old. Most players won't be able to put up 23 and 11 at 34 years old, so this is why it is a challenge.

The big man who does the jump ball, block shots and play tremendous defense. Some other Centers have been developing a playmaking ability and have been passing the ball more recently. The Centers we will be setting up goals for are:

• Joel Embiid
• Rudy Gobert
• Nikola Jokic

Joel Embiid- Be healthy. When Embiid plays, he is awesome, but that is not for all 82 games of the season. He usually goes down for a good 25 games per season, and a big amount of time.

Rudy Gobert- All-Star. Last year, Gobert was arguably the biggest snub from an all-star game, and it made him mad. With Rudy putting in the off-season work there is a high probability he is an all-star this upcoming season.

Nikola Jokic- Average Triple Double. One of the best passers in the league and the best center who passes Jokic should be able to get the goal. he passes and dribbles like a point guard but only he is seven feet.