James Harden, Ricky Rubio and 10 NBA Players on the Verge of Becoming Stars

This article will look at 10 current NBA players who are on the verge of becoming stars.

As you might imagine, all of the players on this list are of the younger variety. I have selected four rookies, one sophomore, three three-year players, one four-year player and one player who just started his sixth NBA season.

So, which current players will be making All-Star teams in the future and/or helping teams make deep playoff runs? Let’s take a look.

10. Klay Thompson: Golden State Warriors

I had the privilege of watching Klay Thompson in person last Friday night when the Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Golden State Warriors. I was not only impressed with his shooting touch (6-of-8, 14 points), but also his poise. The rookie seemed confident as ever playing in the Staples Center against Kobe Bryant.

I consider Thompson to be the best pure shooter in this season’s draft class. I look for him to have a long NBA career draining the long ball, a la Glen Rice.

9. Kenneth Faried: Denver Nuggets

After leading the nation in rebounding last season hauling in over 14 boards per game playing for Morehead State, the Denver Nuggets selected Kenneth Faried with the 22nd pick in last June’s Draft.

The rebounding machine, known as “Manimal” has only appeared in two of the Nuggets’ first 11 games. But in only nine minutes per contest, Faried is averaging three points and four rebounds.

Faried obviously has a nose for the ball. Don’t expect this to change making the big jump from the Ohio Valley Conference to the NBA.

I fully feel Faried will be mainstay in the team’s rotation by season’s end and a perennial All-Star down the road.

8. Jeff Teague: Atlanta Hawks

After coming out of nowhere during last spring’s postseason, Jeff Teague is now the Atlanta Hawks’ full-time starting point guard.

Teague averaged 11 points and over three assists during last season’s playoffs, after he averaged only five points and two assists during the regular season.

After inconsistent stints with Mike Bibby and Kirk Hinrich as their starting point guard, it appears the Hawks have found their floor leader for years to come.

7. DeAndre Jordan: Los Angeles Clippers

I am sure there are a percentage of NBA fans who already think DeAndre Jordan is a star, but I think the best is yet to come from the Los Angeles Clippers’ man in the middle.

While Blake Griffin and Chris Paul are going to receive the lion’s share of attention in coming months and years, I look for Jordan to emerge as the Clips’ ultimate measuring stick.

When he plays well, Los Angeles’ second-best team is going to be very tough to beat.

6. DeMarcus Cousins: Sacramento Kings

DeMarcus Cousins has the chance to be one of the better post players in the in the league. Up to this point, however, despite the obvious talent, Cousins is best known for his poor attitude.

If Cousins is able to shape up on his own and/or find a tough, proven coach to keep the youngster in the grindstone, Cousins has the chance to make multiple All-Star teams.

5. Jrue Holiday: Philadelphia 76ers

Jrue Holiday is one of the big reasons the Philadelphia 76ers are off to such a hot start this season. The former UCLA Bruin is second on the team in points (14.8) and first in assists (4.9).

Philly has a young, talented team, capable of competing in the Eastern Conference for many years. If they do indeed end up a force in the East, Jrue Holiday will be playing a big role, if not the biggest one.

4. Kyle Lowry: Houston Rockets

One of the early surprises of the 2011-12 season has been the play of Houston Rockets point guard Kyle Lowry. Lowry, who has raised his scoring and assist average each of the last two seasons, is currently second in the league in assists per game, playing without the benefit of an All-Star teammate.

Therefore, Rockets fans can now only wonder what he would do playing alongside one of the league’s stars. Maybe they can lure one of these stars via trade or free agency now that they have a budding superstar in Lowry.

The reason Lowry is ranked fourth on this list is because Lowry is arguably already a star. The three players ahead of him are still “on the verge.”

3. Kyrie Irving: Cleveland Cavaliers

The number one overall pick in last summer’s draft is having a good start to his rookie season. Through his first 10 NBA games, Irving is averaging 15 points, five assists and three rebounds a contest, but what stands out to me more than his stellar numbers is the way Irving carries himself.

The 19-year-old certainly doesn’t resemble most rookies on the court, looking and acting more mature than some of the league’s veterans.

While it may take a while, I fully expect Irving to make Cleveland Cavaliers a formidable NBA team again.

2. Ricky Rubio: Minnesota Timberwolves

Originally drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2009, Ricky Rubio, to the delight of basketball fans around the globe, made his NBA appearance this season.

In my opinion, he is already one of the league’s best passers, averaging eight assists through the team’s first 10 games.

Thanks to Rubio, Kevin Love and rookie Derrick Williams, fans in Minnesota have something to cheer about for the first time since Kevin Garnett was snarling his way to winning the MVP award nearly a decade ago.

1. James Harden: Oklahoma City Thunder

James Harden is currently the third banana on an Oklahoma City Thunder team headed by Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

In the first 11 games this season—10 of which Harden has served as the team’s sixth man—he is averaging 17 points (he averaged nine and 12 the last two seasons, respectively), four rebounds and three assists.

As of right now, Harden is my pick to win the Sixth Man of The Year. If he continues to elevate his game, which I fully expect him to, it’s only a matter of time before other teams start chasing Harden to come play more of the “star player” role for their franchise.