NBA: Top 5 Players Under the Most Pressure This 2015-16 Season
The 2015-16 NBA season officially tipped off. It's anyone's game now. we've got a long season ahead of us, and a lot of notable superstars face huge pressure to deliver this year. Either these players have failed in the past, or they simply have incredibly high expectations to live up to.
These five players face the most pressure this year.
5. LeBron James
He's the only player on this list that has won multiple NBA Championships. However, he is the best player in the league, and most NBA experts are predicting he will win the Most Valuable Player Award. It comes with the territory. James is in fact the best player in the league, and he has led his team to an NBA Finals appearance the last five consecutive years. He has a stacked roster around him, he plays in an extremely weak Eastern Conference, and he is expected to end the Cleveland professional title drought of 1964.
4. LaMarcus Aldridge
What a signing by the San Antonio Spurs. LaMarcus Aldridge joins a loaded roster with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Kawhi Leonard, and a squad who can hit their perimeter shots led by Danny Green. Aldridge has never been in a spot like this before. Aldridge never did make it to the Western Conference Finals with the Portland Trail Blazers, but he knows what's like to lose to the Spurs in the playoffs. Hopefully for his sake, he'll be on the winning side this time. Aldridge will never be on a more stacked team then this one.
3. Rajon Rondo
This one may surprise people, but Rajon Rondo is under huge pressure this year because of how last season ended. Constant disagreements and clashes with coaches and teammates led to him being traded from the Boston Celtics to the Dallas Mavericks last year, and he was eventually benched by head coach Rick Carlisle. Rondo only signed a one year deal with the Sacramento Kings this offseason meaning he is playing this season for a new contract. Rondo is by far under the most pressure financially to succeed this year. He's a terrific passer and a champion, but lack of a jump shot and constant free throw issues continue to keep general managers skeptical.
2. Chris Paul III
There's really no more excuses for Chris Paul III, or the Los Angeles Clippers for that matter. It's not very often the Clippers are actually the best basketball team in Los Angeles. Paul is viewed as the best pure point guard in the NBA, and rightfully so, but it's time to deliver when it matters most. The Clippers roster is stacked with big talent yet again for a championship run. DeAndre Jordan shocked everyone and turned down the Mavericks offer, and the Clippers even got veteran Paul Pierce to join the team. 'CP3' has never even made it to the third round of the NBA playoffs in his career.
1. Carmelo Anthony
Even if the New York Knicks haven't won a title since 1973, there's always big pressure on their best player. Just ask Patrick Ewing. Anthony has always been a good scorer, but let's face it, he's never won anything meaningful in the NBA. In his 13 seasons in the league, Anthony has only won a playoff series three times. For perspective, James won three playoffs series last year alone. Anthony has received everything he wanted, and more. He still needs to improve upon his passing and defense skills if he wants to be the best player in the East.
Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1