One year ago, nobody had more on the line than LeBron James, who was looking to deliver on his promise to bring a championship to the city of Cleveland. Nobody will ever forget how the Cavaliers clawed their way back from a 3-1 hole with a pair of road wins including game seven against the Golden State Warriors. LeBron delivered the title he promised and with that he will remain a legend in Cleveland for eternity. So who has replaced LeBron as the superstar with the most pressure on him heading in to a new year? Here is a look at the NBA superstars with the most on the line heading in to the 2016-17 season.
PG: Stephen Curry, Golden State
The reigning two-time MVP will have to share the rock even more in 2016-17 now that the 2014 MVP Kevin Durant has joined an already loaded Warriors’ roster. Curry has insisted his game won’t change but the addition of Durant will undoubtedly require adjustments. Curry is coming off an inconsistent NBA Finals that had some doubting whether or not he deserved all of the accolades he has received and while it doesn’t make sense to stain his reputation based on one series there is no doubt that a player like LeBron would be torched by the public if Cleveland had blown a 3-1 series lead with two losses at home. Curry will have to deal with the pressure of expectations both in terms of matching last year’s historic 73-win season and chasing another championship and with a much different dynamic this season it will be interesting to see how he handles the burden for Golden State.
PG: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City
Westbrook’s insertion on this list is testament to the impact of the Durant trade, with major changes for both the Warriors and Thunder. There is no longer any doubt that Oklahoma City is Westbrook’s team and he will now be asked to lead the Thunder’s championship journey without Durant. Westbrook still has a solid cast around him with Victor Oladipo, Steven Adams, Enes Kanter and Ersan Ilyasova so it will be interesting to see how Oklahoma City responds with the pressure squarely on Westbrook’s shoulders this season.
PG: Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have failed to live up to expectations in each of the last three seasons under Doc Rivers and while some will point the finger at the coaching staff the reality is that his players haven’t gotten the job done when it matters the most. That includes one of the best point guards in the NBA in Paul, who has been the best player in the team’s formidable core. Paul has consistently put up solid numbers during the regular season but both he and his teammates have failed to elevate their level of play once the postseason has rolled around. The pressure will be on the Clippers to deliver a championship run in LA this season and it is Paul with the most on the line.
PF: Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
While Paul is the Clippers best player and leader on the floor, Griffin will be asked to hold his own as a secondary option that needs to bring more to the table. Griffin is coming off a disastrous 2015-16 season in which he was sidelined with a hand injury and ultimately suspended for punching a team trainer. He enters this year with an option to opt out of his contract next offseason and he needs to prove he is a superstar worth a heavy investment whether it’s in Los Angeles or elsewhere. This could be the final year that the Clippers have Paul, Griffin and DeAndre Jordan together on the same team so the pressure is on to deliver.
SF: Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
The Knicks decided to go all-in this offseason with the additions of Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Courtney Lee to enhance a roster that already featured Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis and Brandon Jennings. The pieces are in place for New York to contend for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference so now it’s on them to deliver on expectations. No player will have more pressure on him than Anthony, the veteran small forward that has openly criticized his lack of help in the past. Anthony will have no excuse this season. Factor in his outspoken attitude towards bigger issues outside of basketball this offseason and there is no doubt Anthony will be in the spotlight as a superstar with a lot on the line this season.
