Something to Prove in 2009-10

Let's take our attention for a moment off the NBA playoffs and look ahead to the 2009-10 season. It was a tough year for several players around the league. So tough, in fact, that they'll have some bouncing back to do next year.

Here are five players – and a sixth man -- who should have the most to prove in 2009-10:

--Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets. Technically, a team with McGrady on the roster – this year's Rockets – advanced to the second round of the playoffs. That would be a first. Except we all know McGrady didn't play in the postseason and wasn't around down the stretch for Houston.

McGrady's reputation took a further hit because by the looks of things the Rockets were a better team without him than with him. Houston was 20-15 when McGrady played, and 33-14 when he didn't.

Those should be worrisome numbers to McGrady. And, of course, there's the little matter of getting to the second round, which the Rockets did without him.

McGrady has one more year remaining on his contract at more than $22 million. That makes him an intriguing player heading into 2009-10. The Rockets could easily look to move McGrady in an attempt to revamp their team a little bit.

Or, they could simply keep McGrady for another year and simply have him come off their cap at season's end. Either way, if McGrady wants another payday, he'll have to prove he can stay healthy and help a team.

--Baron Davis, L.A. Clippers. What a nightmare season for Davis, who was injured at times and unable to make an impact for the Clippers. There are legitimate questions about whether or not Davis can ever thrive in a system run by coach Mike Dunleavy.

The good news – or bad news, depending – for Davis is he has four more years to show he can get his game back. Davis played 82 games in 2007-08 for the Warriors but only 65 this past season.

There are many out there who don't think Davis will ever again play a full season, let alone play a full season as effectively as he played for the Warriors a couple of years back.

Davis is the only one who can prove those people wrong.

--Elton Brand, Philadelphia. For most of his career, Brand has been praised for being a double-double guy and one of the most effective low-post players in the NBA. But he's now been injured in back-to-back seasons, and there are questions about whether he'll ever return to past form.

The thing about Brand is that regardless of how solid or how consistent he's been during his career, he's never made a significant impact in terms of winning or losing.

Brand has been in the league 10 seasons, with only one playoff appearance: 2005-06 with the Clippers.

Bottom line is Brand has never been a difference-maker, and that could be a real problem for a player set to earn $65 million over the next four seasons. Especially a guy playing in Philly.

--Gilbert Arenas, Washington. Will Arenas ever be the same player he was a few years back? That's the only real issue surrounding Arenas, who averaged more than 25 points per game for three consecutive seasons before injuries hit.

Arenas played just two games this season because of knee surgery, and that was on the heels of a 13-game season in 2007-08. What makes Arenas a special type of player is his ability to make outside shots combined with a quick first step and ability to finish at the rim.

Comes down to this: Will Arenas' explosiveness return?

--Allen Iverson, Detroit. It will be very interesting to see where Iverson ends up this offseason and how much he gets paid. Is it realistic for Iverson, a free agent, to think he'll get more than the mid-level exception?

Forget the money for a moment, Iverson needs to reclaim his basketball reputation. It took a beating this year after he was traded from Denver to Detroit for Chauncey Billups, and the Nuggets went skyward and the Pistons went downhill.

The proving Iverson must do in 2009-10 has nothing to do with stepping up his game or once again showing he can be one of the pre-eminent scorers in the NBA. That's not what it's about for him.

In fact, it's about the opposite ... Can Iverson be a big enough man and a big enough player to accept being a role player? If he can't, there's really no use in going out and signing him.

--Greg Oden, Portland. There is still much to learn about Oden, his game and what he'll eventually offer in the middle. Unfortunately, what we do know is that injuries may be a factor in the big fella's career.