The NBA has never had so much young talent
Brandon Roy (photo. Aaron Hewitt)Why will this be the best season ever?
THE NBA HAS NEVER HAD SO MUCH YOUNG TALENT
For those of you who follow a team that’s in the rebuilding phase, or who root for players just coming into the League, or who (like me) look forward to the day when your city gets it own team (again), know this much: However far ahead you’re looking into the future of the NBA, David Stern has his eyes fixed well beyond that.
With that in mind, The Don has to appreciate what his league could look like around the time NBA Live 2016 hits shelves. I’m not talking about expansion teams in Europe or rule changes that would allow somebody like T-Mac to average 40 points a night easy; I’m talking about how after the current torch-bearers like Kobe, Garnett, Duncan, Nash and Shaq have stepped away, the NBA will remain in the capable hands of the deepest collection of talent we may have ever seen.
LaMarcus Aldridge, Carmelo Anthony, Leandro Barbosa, Andrea Bargnani, Jerryd Bayless, Michael Beasley, Andris Biedrins, Andray Blatche, Andrew Bogut, Chris Bosh, Corey Brewer, Ronnie Brewer, Aaron Brooks, Andrew Bynum, Mike Conley, Luol Deng, Kevin Durant, Monta Ellis, Jordan Farmar, Ray Felton, Rudy Fernandez, Randy Foye, Danilo Gallinari, Rudy Gay, Daniel Gibson, Ben Gordon, Eric Gordon, Danny Granger, Jeff Green, Donte Greene, Devin Harris, Al Horford, Dwight Howard, Andre Iguodala, LeBron James, Al Jefferson, Amir Johnson, David Lee, Kevin Love, Kyle Lowry, Kevin Martin, Jason Maxiell, O.J. Mayo, Rashad McCants, Paul Millsap, Joakim Noah, Greg Oden, Chris Paul, Kendrick Perkins, Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose, Brandon Roy, J.R. Smith, Josh Smith, Amare Stoudemire, Rodney Stuckey, Tyrus Thomas, Al Thornton, Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams, Louis Williams, Marvin Williams, Brandan Wright, Julian Wright, Nick Young, Yi Jianlian … on Opening Night of the ’08-09 season, each were age 25 or younger.
From East to West, Chicago to China, championship contenders to Lottery regulars, superstars to glue guys, point guards to centers, scorers to creators to defensive walls, they are the future. And the future looks good.
Who will be the standard-bearers among the NBA’s current crop of young talent?
The New “Best Season Ever”
1. Chris Paul will win MVP…
2. …but Paul Pierce will prove he’s the best player in the world
3. The Clippers are alive
4. Ron Artest will get some MVP votes
5. Vince Carter will give a damn
6. The return of rivalries
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November 6th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
George W Kush Sr says:
Sheeeeet. Thats alot of young blood.
November 6th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
GEE...Big Brotha Almightyyyy! says:
It’s a good look for the L to have young stars. Now require the rest to help the college game.
Oh yea I gotta a feelin this season might beast the last season.
Now you’ve officially been ch ch chopped and screeewwwwwwwwed!
November 6th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Amar says:
Robert Swift is going to start a fire and/or cut himself because he did not make that list.
November 6th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Austin Burton says:
@Amar — I imagine Swift being a 7-foot version of one of the goth kids on South Park.
“Whatever…conformist.”
November 6th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
SayItAintSo says:
Why isn’t Coby Karl on that list?
November 6th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
dmitry of jersey says:
maybe because he’s not even in the L at this moment?
November 6th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Tony says:
anyone wanna take a stab at how Yi’s career plays out? role player? border-line all star? back in china?
November 6th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Conner says:
Completely agree, best talent pool the league has had in a long time. Loving the fact that the Wolves actually have some players on that list. Now if McHale can stop from screwing things up.
November 6th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Jayo says:
Where is Bassy Telfair?
November 6th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Jayo says:
and Trevor Ariza!!!
November 6th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Jayo says:
Dont sleep on Marcus Williams!! He WILL rise from the ashes!!
November 6th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
tim says:
You forgot Aaron Afflalo…granted he doesn’t jump out, but he’s a talented solid player.
November 6th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Deywannaknow says:
dont sleep on carl landry
November 6th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
JDigiac says:
im pissed as shit. No Thad Young but Danilo Gallinari and Andray Blatche
November 6th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Amar says:
eff that . . . Mateen Cleeves, bitches! (his career mins suggest that his legs are at least under 25 still)
November 6th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
ac says:
DWade is not the list…are you for real?
November 6th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Austin Burton says:
D-Wade is 26.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:36 am
doc says:
Take off Iggy for T-Young and Reese Speights
March 19th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Rudy says:
Trevor Ariza is an ass-clown.