5 NBA greats looking to bounce back from a miserable last season

This past off-season saw a lot of player movement as compared to the recent years, majority of which were a part of the domino effect after LeBron James made his decision to re-sign with his home state franchise of the Cleveland Cavaliers.The surprising part wasnt that much about the player movement as it was about the number of veterans who were part of the jersey change. Caron Butler, Vince Carter, Paul Pierce and Pau Gasol are a few at the top of the list which has many more.It isnt anything new for veterans to flock to strong championship contending teams in order to get a ring or two before they retire however from the players perspective contributing on the title run even as a role player is extremely important. The last thing you want the papers to say is that you were a liability rather than an asset with experience and talent.So as part of a new team or not here are 5 greats of the game who will be desperate for a good year after a terrible past season.

#5 Caron Butler-Detroit Pistons

Caron Butler

Caron Butler has had a rough last couple of seasons which he spent playing for three teams the Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks and the Oklahoma City Thunder. For a talented and versatile forward like him, it is surprising to know that he has played for 8 teams in his 12 year NBA career.

As a player it is extremely tough to find stability in your game when your constantly changing teams and courtesy of injuries Butler hasn’t had the smoothest ride in recent years. Out of the 8 teams he has played for in his career,he has played for five of them in the last five years. Nonetheless not all hope is lost for the 12 year veteran as he has recently signed a 2 year deal with the Detroit Pistons for 9 million dollars.

With assured minutes for a couple of years in a team where his experience and talent could be very handy, Butler would love the opportunity to have a great season and rebound from the injuries and bad form.

#4 Vince Carter-Memphis Grizzlies

Vince Carter

You guys remember the Vince Carter who made the audiences stand off their seats with his incredible dunks?

Well that Carter was gone half a decade ago however there is still a jump shooting version of him playing in the NBA. Last 4 years, the Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic and Dallas Mavericks had employed the talents of this jump shooting Carter but to no avail. He has been traded from team to team whether he is a good fit to the team’s system or not.

He has had a decent last couple of seasons with the Mavericks but by his standards expecting more from him wouldn’t be a crime. This off-season he signed a multi year deal with the Memphis Grizzlies who brought him in for Mike Miller who signed with James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Carter fits right into the rugged defensive minded system of the Grizzlies. He gives them the right amount of perimeter shooting to complement their bigs of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph in the paint.

#3 Paul Pierce-Washington Wizards

Paul Pierce

After a 15 year stint with the Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce was traded to the Brooklyn Nets last season which ended up being the first year since he entered the NBA that he averaged less than 15 points per game. 15 points per game might be a figure role players might be happy with but not a former NBA Finals MVP.

He recovered by signing a two year deal with the Washington Wizards, a team that was looking for a Small Forward to replace Trevor Ariza who signed with the Houston Rockets. Pierce and Wizards could go on to share a mutually benefitting partnership which would help bring Pierce back to the level of play many have come to expect from him.

Pierce bringing his Playoff and championship experience to the young locker room of the Wizards makes him a perfect fit with the franchise, who seem serious title contenders in a year or so.

#2 Dwyane Wade-Miami Heat

Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade had a all stat down season last year with almost every stat including his minutes were down from the year before. Still the stand out fact about last season was his field goal percentage. Creaking knees made him play lesser minutes which eventually led to smarter decisions not just on shooting but also on passing and so on whenever he was on the floor.

The knees also forced the coaching staff to rest him every second game. Wade could afford the rest because the then league MVP James was on the floor leading the Heat to a win most times. With the latter now with the Cavaliers, Wade must spend more time on the court and take the center stage on both ends of the floor with Bosh.

The 2006 NBA Finals MVP has already made it clear during the off-season that he has worked double time to come out stronger this season. His play in the pre-season has been impressive so far and could only help the Heat rise above the bar of low expectations everyone has set on them after James’ departure.

#1 Kobe Bryant-Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant

The Black Mamba Kobe Bryant has had a frustrating last 18 months to his career having to recover from two injuries on the trot. One was an anchilles tear in his right foot which he sustained in April of 2013 and the second was a lateral tibial plateau fracture in his left knee which he suffered just six games after returning from the earlier injury.

The six games he played last season he was given ball handling duties with all the point guards of the team at the moment being injured and that explains why his assist average from last year was a career hight. Barring that category, Bryant averaged 13.8 points and 4.3 rebounds in the six games.

His play in the pre-season so far has been impressive to say the least. In limited minutes he has been able to balance his scoring and his passing very efficiently. His most recent contract extension makes him the longest playing player for a single franchsie at 20 years. The drive he has had over the last 18 seasons is sure to push him to thrill the crowds and leave his all on the floor even if he can’t will his Lakers into the Playoffs.