Who's Now in the NBA: Top 10 NBA Superstars

Chris Paul deserves to crack my top 10 list of Who's Now in the NBA. The point guard for the New Orleans Hornets was the assist leader in the 2008-2009 NBA season and in the past summer he achieved a Gold Medal at the 2008 Bejing Summer Olympics. He could one day climb the ladder with a championship ring or more endorsments, but until then Paul will have to settle at the ten spot.

Rookie of the Year in 2009 was a high point for Chicago Bulls Point Guard Derrick Rose. With that and an almost improbable upset of the Boston Celtics in the 2009 Playoffs, Rose earned a spot in the top ten. He negatively benefited himself in this list because of allegations with Memphis. Rose was reported as taking the SAT under circumstances that were unfair. None-the-less, Rose was a hot topic throughout sporting news in 2009.

Kevin Garnett was plagued by injuries in the 2009 postseason after a remarkable 2008 postseason. Garnett was in the news mainly because he was obviously the main ingredient in the Boston Celtics 2008 Championship. With forwards Garnett and Leon Powe out for the postseason, the Celtics failed to rebound and have a defensive presence.

Yao Ming was apart of the 2008 Chinese National Team that competed in Bejing at the olypmics. With Tracy McGrady out with an injury, Yao Ming was the focal point of the Houston Rockets in the 2009 postseason. Ming is an international superstar and with some help from teammates, his Rockets almost knocked off the 2009 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers. Unfortuantely Ming went down with an injury and the Lakers topped the Rockets in seven games.

Dwayne Wade who was recently invited to the Cedars Sinai Medical Center's 24th annual Sports spectacular is definitely a 'now" player in the NBA. Wade lead an unproven and youthful team to the playoffs and was also the NBA's leading scorer. As a vidal weapon on the USA Olympic Team, Wade has made the headlines alot in 2009.

After a successful season in 2009 and a Gold Medal in the 2008 Olympics, Carmelo Anthony established a name for himself. Melo was second tier to LeBron and Kobe, but in the Western Conference Finals, Melo proved he can compete with the big guns. Watch out for Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets in 2010.

The aging center for the Phoenix Suns is always making the headlines. Most recently, Shaq has been rumored to be the sidekick to LeBron James. This has the feeling of a potential Shaq and Kobe feeling to it, but the Big Diesel is running low on gas these days. With Kobe Bryant winning the championship without Shaq, O'Neal has been in the headlines alot over the past week or so. Keep an eye on where Shaq will be playing in 2009-2010.

Dwight Howard has now tasted the NBA Finals, but by the look on Howard's face after the loss in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Howard likes what he tasted and is now ready to feast. Howard was also apart of the USA Men's Basketball Team that struck gold in Bejing. Now on the cover of NBA Live 2010, Howard is easily a top three "now" superstar in the NBA.

LeBron James has cemented himself as the new endorsment leader of the NBA. James is apart of the MVPuppets sponsored by Nike. The man is a complete beast in the NBA and cannot be tammed. James who was also a prime piece of the USA Men's Basketball Team, is truly coming into his own. The reigning MVP will look to improve on his dismal 2009 postseason and his poor sportsmanship. LBJ is hot on the market, but has failed to win an NBA Title. Until then...number two.

Kobe Bryant, the Black Mamba, is on top of the world. A gold medal winner in 2008, an NBA Championship and NBA Finals MVP in 2009, Bryant has it all. He is also apart of the MVPuppets for Nike and is loving the Los Angeles Lakers organization. Next for Bryant is being the cover athlete for NBA 2K10. Everything is just falling into place for Kobe Bryant as he could potentially be apart of an NBA dynasty. Kobe Bryant is number one.