Nash started out in Phoenix as Jason Kids back up. After he was traded to the Mavs a lot of people thought Robert Pack was better. He had trouble staying healthy his first couple of years in Dallas. He finally broke out in Dallas after 4 years being nothing more than a journeyman. Steve Nash definitely qualifies.
Active players: Al Jefferson Joe Johnson Hall of Fame/Past All-Star players John Havlicek (statistically, that is only because the Celtics weren't quite as deep and dominant in the 70s, as they were in the 60s) Gilbert Arenas Other Sports: First All Pro season at 31 years old. First All Pro season at 28 years old.
Plenty players even lottery picks ARE NOT starters and stars from day 1, and have to work lower down the rotation and have to climb up the ladder. Sometimes its just part of the orientation. And coaches get comfortable keeping players in a "slot". Kobe Bryant came off the bench his first 2 years. He of course isnt mediocre talent, but lesser players might get unfairly seen as "mediocre" simply cuz they didnt get early minutes. The "MEDIOCRE talent" to me means - they DON'T have much talent, physical "upside". (Bruce Bowen, Brad Miller) - Or they have some physical tools but are RAW coming in (DeAndre Jordan, Jermaine O'Neal, Gerald Wallace) But then they work hard and MAKE themselves into a player. Some part "overachiever" / some part just growth - Jeff Hornacek (I dont like the guy but.... ) low 2nd round pick, started out bench player. Then became typical complementary "shooter". Then in his 6th season he's putting up 20/5/5. Last year only Russell Westbrook, KOBE BRYANT and LEBRON JAMES averaged that - "Thunder" Dan Majerle, another Phoenix connection. Started out typical rotation player that couldnt shoot much. Then a decent 6th man. He improved his 3 point shot a lot out of nowhere and was bombing away. Makes All-Star team next 3 out of 4 years (This is what the Chandler Parsons backers hope happens) - Ben Wallace was mentioned, but thats a great example of "Who IS THIS GUY?" surprise stardom But yes there are talents who ARE SCRUBS cuz they play like it at first. Like Chauncey Billups
Mid-career improvement seems to happen more in baseball than in other sports. For a variety of NATURAL factors. Even LATE career inprovement (which is, yeah, red flag there). But in baseball some players can go up to age 31 with the "potential" label still on them.
I think Alex English was a good player but exploded the moment he joined a team with a high octane offense (Nuggets). Same for Dale Ellis, with the difference that he got much more playing time once he went from Dallas to Seattle. Dumars came about quite slow, I think. And one of my favorite players, Fat Lever, only got untracked in his 5th season. A 6'3, 180 lbs. point guard, averaging 9 rebounds, along with 8 assists and 19 points. Crazy.
Dale Ellis This guy was a nobody with the Mavs in his first four years. After he got traded to Seattle, he went on a rampage. Rocket fans can attest to this.
I can't believe I forgot Stockton. Maybe it's because his mid career lasted over 15 years. Stockton barely averaged 8 point his first three years in the league. He only shot 18 percent from the 3 point line also. He then became the second best point guard to ever play the game starting in his 4th season and became a career 38 percent 3 point shooter. He's probably in the top 5 smartest basketball players since he had very little physical talent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZNffTKg0Qw not many people know this, but he used to have a normal swing. something just went wrong, way wrong throughout the years.
How about his ex-teammate, Detlef Schrempf. He was used as a three point specialist off the bench in Dallas, and then exploded as an all-around, multiple 6th man of the year winner/candidate after being traded away. One year, he averaged over 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists.
