5 bounce-back candidates to watch in 2014-15

With so many All-Stars returning to full health, it's easy to tab players like Kobe Bryant, Brook Lopez, Al Horford, Rajon Rondo and Derrick Rose for comeback campaigns.

But what about the lesser known players who are primed to improve after a lost season in 2013-14? Here are five bounce-back players.

Josh Smith

Smith is the classic case of talent in need of a harness. Blessed with mobility, size and boundless athleticism, Smith is basketball's equivalent of a five-tool player.

However, Smith falls prone to frequent bouts of immaturity and, quite frankly, irrationality. Take his 3-point shooting, for example. Over one-fifth of Smith's field goals were attempted from beyond the arc last season and he connected on just 26.4 percent. He simply cannot shoot, but insists on doing so.

Luckily, Smith will be coached by Stan Van Gundy, one of the sternest, most dominating personalities within NBA coaching circles. Van Gundy expects discipline, which is exactly what Smith lacks. Van Gundy plans to put Smith back at power forward and a return to the post should allow Smith to operate where he is most effective.

Larry Sanders

In 2012-13, Sanders was the league's worst-kept secret. Playing on a middling Milwaukee Bucks team, Sanders rose to prominence by posting absurd block numbers. He finished the season averaging 2.8 blocks per game, second only to Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka.

But Sanders' season went to waste last year, owing mostly to Sanders' poor off-court decisions. He injured his hand throwing a glass bottle in a nightclub, which forced him out of action for prolonged stretches. During that time, Sanders' off-court drama continued, including an incident involving animal cruelty. Altogether, Sanders played just 23 games last year.

A fresh start is what Sanders needs. He should be fully healthy to start the season, allowing him a head start in rehabbing his disgraced image around the league. Paired with new head coach Jason Kidd's small-ball system, Sanders will be called upon plenty to do what he does best, which is to protect the basket. The 25-year-old is also squarely in his prime. Expect big things.

Ryan Anderson

Like Sanders, Anderson's season was marred by injury. After landing awkwardly on his back, Anderson was held to just 22 games played. During his recovery, Anderson also suffered a terrible personal tragedy with the passing of his girlfriend.

However, when Anderson did play, he was effective. Serving as a small-ball four, Anderson averaged 19.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while connecting on 40.9 percent of his 3-point tries. His shooting pulled opposing bigs from the paint, creating room for cutters and post players to operate.

With a clean bill of health, both physically and mentally, Anderson should resume his usual level of productivity for what appears to be a very talented New Orleans Pelicans squad.

Tyson Chandler

Nothing went right for the New York Knicks last season. The team was nothing short of a circus all season long, catching headlines for all the wrong reasons. Their inner turmoil was the main cause for a 17-win drop from the season prior.

Most of the troubles with the Knicks stemmed from now deposed head coach Mike Woodson and his curious tactics. For example, he opted for his players to trap aggressively and to switch needlessly, leading to defensive breakdowns and a frustrated former Defensive Player of the Year in Chandler.

An offseason trade sent Chandler back to the Dallas, where he won a championship in 2011. Reunited with Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle, Chandler has the right system back in place to allow him to flourish as a rim-protecting, pick-and-rolling menace.

Jeremy Lin

In all likelihood, Linsanity is a thing of the past, unlikely to repeat itself. What Lin accomplished in his notable 25-game stretch with the New York Knicks in 2011-12 was nothing short of magical, but a return to his numbers as a starter that season (18.5 points, 7.7 assists) is a reach.

However, having been freed from the shackles of playing behind two well-entrenched offensive weapons in Houston, to just one in Los Angeles (unless you're really high on Swaggy P), Lin is finally finds himself holding the reins once again.

What Lin does best is drive to the basket, a tool head coach Byron Scott will surely treasure. Scott is on record in heavy support of going to the paint, going as far as to eschew 3-pointers to bolster his effort. 

Furthermore, without any other realistic challengers at point guard in the wake of Steve Nash's season-ending back injury, Lin will have all the freedom and opportunity in the world to showcase his skills.