Pressure is a constant in the NBA and it comes in many fashions. While many of the players on this list are quite accomplished, the reality is that all that matters is what has been done lately. It will be an important season for the following four guys as they enter the year with various types of pressure on their backs.
Ty Lawson, Houston Rockets
The Rockets gambled that Lawson can get his personal life in order and become a star in Houston where he undoubtedly has the potential to be a key piece on a potential championship contender. Lawson has been tagged with multiple DUI arrests in the past year and is getting help for his off-court issues.
However, he agreed to modify his contract as part of the trade that sent him to the Rockets and now the final year of his deal is no longer guaranteed. Lawson has the potential to thrive in Houston this season and earn himself a massive new deal but he needs to avoid issues away from the floor and stay focused on becoming the best possible basketball player he can. This is a guy who finished third in the NBA in assists with 9.6 per game, so we know he’s capable. Regardless, there’s pressure on him to deliver in a make-or-break type year for his career.
Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
There has been a lot of talk about the additions of LaMarcus Aldridge and David West, and the Spurs being the favorites on paper to win it all, but that will require the team’s veteran core to step up as well. Parker struggled to stay healthy last season and it resulted in his scoring numbers taking a dip. However, the real problems came in the playoffs where he looked like the team’s second-best point guard with Patty Mills getting a lot more playing time. The stakes are high in San Antonio this season and while the entire team will feel the pressure, it is Parker who is on the hot seat as he looks to prove he is still the team’s best point guard. The Spurs need him but he’s got to do better than 14.4 points, 4.9 assists and 1.9 free throw attempts per game.
Rajon Rondo, Sacramento Kings
Sacramento was reportedly interested in making a deal with the Denver Nuggets for Lawson around the time of the NBA Draft but nothing materialized. Instead, they signed Rondo to a one-year, $9.5 million deal. Both sides are banking on Rondo bouncing back from last year’s disastrous season when he fell out of favor with the Mavericks coaching staff and was ultimately benched for the playoffs.
The Kings have already had their fair share of offseason issues with DeMarcus Cousins reportedly being unhappy with head coach George Karl’s desire to trade him. If Sacramento struggles early on in the year, it could lead to some major fireworks. Rondo and the Kings both gambled that he can bounce back. If he does and he’s the catalyst that carries the Kings to playoff contention, that’s a big win. If not, his value will continue to decline.
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Jeff Teague, Atlanta Hawks
Lawson has dealt with issues away from the floor, Parker has been slowed by injuries and age on the floor and Rondo has deal with a bit of both, so it might seem like a stretch to put a talented All-Star like Teague on the same list as the rest considering he has thrived both on and off the floor. However, the Hawks are in a very tough position after losing DeMarre Carroll in free agency as they don’t have as much money as some of the other big market teams and that could force them to make tough decisions.
Teague still has an affordable contract but 21-year-old Dennis Schroder showed signs of being close to becoming a legitimate starting point guard in the NBA last season. If he continues to push for playing time, it could be at the expense of Teague. Atlanta’s window to contend for a title could get a lot smaller after this season and with the team dealing with salary concerns as well as the fact that Schroder is set to take another step forward, it seems as though Teague is on the hot seat this season.
