5 Players With The Most To Prove In 2016-17

Here are five players playing with monumental chips on their shoulders in the 2016-17 NBA season.

Nov 5, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) dribble the ball around Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half at the United Center. The Bulls won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

As is the case before every NBA season, fans and media critics alike enter the 2016-17 go-round with a litany of questions surrounding the game’s elite players.

Will Kevin Durant be the powerhouse piece that catapults the Golden State Warriors into the dynastic conversation?

Can reigning Finals MVP LeBron James overcome this newly-formed juggernaut to deliver another title to the city of Cleveland and add to his legend as one of the greatest of all time?

Will the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry or Al Horford be able to lead their teams to dethrone either one of them atop their respective conferences?

These are some of the pressing questions on the minds of the league’s avid followers this summer.

However, five players stand out among the rest when it comes to uncertainty surrounding their upcoming season and their future in general.

These players have humongous chips on their shoulders from being written off and dismissed by folks like us and by fans nationwide and are looking to silence the critics with their performances this year.

Here are the five players with the most to prove to fans and critics in 2016-17.

Next: New Team, New Responsibilities