Our survey of the league’s most important non-superstar players continues with the Central division, the one division in the Eastern Conference which has a good chance of producing four playoff teams.
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CHICAGO BULLS: NIKOLA MIROTIC
The Bulls need a knockdown shooter, and since Mirotic is not gun-shy about launching threes, a big season and playoff run from the three-point arc would give Chicago exactly what it is looking for. Mirotic’s ability to stretch a defense and give the Bulls a great deal of flexibility in structuring their lineup combinations will have a lot to say about the progression of the regular season. Then comes the postseason, in which Mirotic has to give the Bulls the ingredient they’ve lacked over the past several years: someone who can shoot the ball the way Steve Kerr, Toni Kukoc, John Paxson, and B.J. Armstrong did.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: TRISTAN THOMPSON
If the young man would just sign with the Cavs already and be done with it, he could get to work again and show why his rebounding prowess matters so much to Cleveland. Giving LeBron James and Kyrie Irving extra possessions represents the bulk of Thompson’s value to the roster. It’s not a complicated situation; on this team, with this roster complexion, Thompson can focus on doing what he does best. He doesn’t need an expansive game; his skill set complements his teammates beautifully. If he plays the 2016 playoffs the way he played the 2015 postseason, the Cavs should be in very good shape.
DETROIT PISTONS: REGGIE JACKSON
The Pistons have the hammer with Andre Drummond in the paint, and they have Brandon Jennings as a dazzling ballhandler. In many ways, this leaves Jackson as the mystery and the hinge-point player on the roster. Jackson didn’t want to be a part of the supporting cast in Oklahoma City. He wanted to be a main man in Detroit. Well, you wanted it, Reggie — you got it. Now it’s time to live up to your ambitions and aspirations.
INDIANA PACERS: MYLES TURNER
It’s a lot to ask of a young man who won’t turn 20 until next March, but Turner is replacing Roy Hibbert in the middle in Indianapolis. He can’t expect to do everything, so Turner must focus on his defense and rebounding. He could be a nothingburger on offense, and it wouldn’t matter; as long as his defensive presence and boardwork improve through the season and reach satisfactory levels, Turner will have contributed to the Pacers in a meaningful way. He could use a decent 2015-2016 campaign as the foundation for a highly impactful career in the Association.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS: MICHAEL CARTER-WILLIAMS
For a man who just turned 24 earlier this month, it seems far too early in a career to give up on one’s jump shot. A player no less than Magic Johnson spent a long time polishing his jumper until it was worthy of the league. Not everyone is Magic Johnson, but the instructive point is that Magic didn’t come with that jumper; he had to work to make it a good shot. Everyone can work hard to become better; if Carter-Williams abandons his jumper now, he’s selling himself short. He’s also hurting a Milwaukee team which badly needs perimeter shooting this coming season.
