Edge: JOSH HOWARD.  Ray Allen may have better numbers, but Josh Howard's are not too bad.  Considering that Howard is not alone over in Dallas, he may be able to carry a team more successfully than Ray Allen did.  It is a close call between the two, but Josh Howard just has a little more game than Ray Allen.

96-7: JERMAINE O'NEAL (drafted 17th overall by Portland)- A 6'10" power forward, O'Neal was little to nothing at first, playing backup for a powerful front court, which included Rasheed Wallace and Arvydas Sabonis.  It wasn't until 2000 when O'Neal was traded to Indiana in a deal sending Dale Davis to Portland, when he had his first season as a full time starter as a center-forward.  He was just that, finishing the '00-'01 season with 12.9 points per game, 9.8 rebounds per game, and 32.6 minutes per game.  Each of those stats tripling from the prior season.

03-7: DAVID WEST (drafted 18th overall to New Orleans)- A tough, gritty 6'9" power forward improved every year, becoming a full time starter in '05-'06 when the Hornets played in Oklahoma City.  West had a very impressive '07-'08 season, earning all-star starting power forward honors, over many incumbents, and teaming up with Chris Paul to lead New Orleans to a division title and a run for even more that ended in game six of the conference semis, losing to perennial powerhouse, San Antonio.

Edge: DAVID WEST.  The numbers say it all.  West has made a lot more progress than O'Neal did in five years.  He helped turn a very dismal team into a NBA finals contending team.  Something that O'Neal, who joined an already strong team that didn't make much more progress, wasn't able to do.

96-8: ANTOINE WALKER (drafted sixth overall by Boston)- A strong 6'8" forward withthe ability to shoot, rebound, and defend, Walker inherited a team that was headed downhill very fast.  With the loss of premier player Dino Radja, Walker had very little supporting cast on a team that managed 16 wins, second worst in the NBA, in his first season.  Walker was quick to become an All-Star.  With help of eventual front court partner Paul Pierce, Walker was able to gradually improve and rebuild the remains of what once was a mighty dynasty.  In '00-'01, Walker had 8.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.70 steals per game.

03-8: CARMELO ANTHONY (drafted third overall by Denver)- A flashy, dynamic 6'8" small forward that took just one year to lead Syracuse to a NCAA title, Carmelo was an immediate impact player who led Denver to a rare playoff experience where they were immediately bounced by top seed Minnesota in five games.  Carmelo was very impressive, giving LeBron James a run for rookie of the year honors.  His numbers stood out from the get go, finishing his rookie year with 21 points, 6 rebounds and a steal per game.  The 25.4 points per game he averaged this past season are misleading because many see Carmelo up there with the best in the NBA, but in reality he is not a reliable franchise player.  The only impressive thing that he has done is show that he can put points on the board.  He is a go-to guy down the stretch that you can give the ball to for that big shot at in the last play of the game, but it takes more than offense to even have a chance to win the game at the end.

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