Handicapping How Many Titles Every Young NBA Star Will Win

LeBron James has failed to win a championship after nearly a decade in the NBA, an unfortunate feat a multitude of young stars will try to avoid.

It's extremely difficult to predict how many titles will be won by the league's premiere youngsters; ask anybody eight years ago and they would have already had at least one ring on James' fingers by now.

Who's poised to follow in his footsteps and who's poised to begin collecting Larry O'Brien trophies sooner, rather than later?

That's what we are here to figure out.

Note: To qualify, players must be under 25 as of May 11, 2012.

Marcus Thornton

Age: 24

Marcus Thornton will be almost 30 by the time he is eligible to leave the Kings, and that's a problem.

Thornton will not be winning a title while in Sacramento. 

And while his high-scoring tendencies will be appreciated elsewhere, ultimately, he will live the game without a ring to his name.

Prediction: Thornton never wins a championship

Tyreke Evans

Age: 22

Tyreke Evans' stock isn't as high as it was after his rookie season.

Though Evans still finds a way to put points on the board, he struggles to create for his teammates and has yet to proven he can hang with the NBA's elite point guards.

The point guard will eventually move on from Sacramento, but his inability to step up as a leader will hold him back his entire career.

Prediction: Evans never holds championship hardware

Mike Conley

Age: 24

Despite a solid showing in his first five season, Mike Conley has a long way to go.

The point guard still makes questionable decisions with the ball and lacks the killer instinct necessary to truly separate himself from the rest of the back.

Conley's superstar potential is evident, but it's unlikely he fully taps it in time to lead, or even help a team, claim a championship.

Prediction: Conley won't win a title

Brandon Jennings

Age: 22

Brandon Jennings has put on quite a show over the last three seasons, but he has yet to fully embrace the traditional point guard role.

While Jennings improved his shot-selection this past year, his ability to lead a team continues to be questioned. 

The point guard may be a star in his own right, but not the kind who will lead a team to a championship.

Prediction: Jennings goes ringless for his entire career

Nicolas Batum

Age: 23

The Trail Blazers have to be kicking themselves for not offering Nicolas Batum an extension when they had they opportunity.

Subsequently, Portland will pay handsomely this summer for its transgressions when they are forced to throw even more money Batum's way.

And while his stock is on the rise the Blazers suddenly seem light years away from contention, which doesn't bode well for his window.

Prediction: Batum takes home zero championships

Paul George

Age: 22

Paul George is an athletic freak, but that may only take him so far.

With only two NBA seasons under his belt, it's unclear whether George will develop into a player a team can build around or will merely serve as a complimentary contributor with insane hops.

The answer to that could determine if he wins a championship or not, but for now, it's unlikely.

Prediction: George won't win a title

Brook Lopez

Age: 23

After an injury-riddled season at such a young age, you get the sense that Lopez will be battling similar abrasions for the rest of his career.

Big men with Lopez's scoring touch are in high demand, but his defensive deficiencies make him easy to exploit.

More likely the not, expect Lopez to make a living out of putting up gaudy point totals on various sub-par teams.

Prediction: Lopez won't win any championships 

Stephen Curry

Age: 24

Stephen Curry has promise, but a nagging ankle injury has already limited his development.

Though the point guard is still incredibly young, he is also incredibly raw. His facilitating skills need refining as does his anticipation on the defensive side of the ball.

Writing Curry off this early in the game is a mistake, but there is a legitimate possibility that he never reaches his full potential, failing to claim a championship in the process.

Prediction: Curry will not win a single championship

Darren Collison

Age: 24

Many still have high hopes for Darren Collison. I am not one of those people.

Collison has proven inconsistent and nearly lost his starting job earlier in the season.

That said, I believe he eventually takes a backup role to deepen the rotation of a contender, winning a championship that way.

Prediction: Collison wins one title

Jeff Teague

Age: 23

Jeff Teague's quest for a title officially expired Thursday night when the Hawks were eliminated from the playoffs by the Celtics.

Teague has improved a great deal over the past two seasons, and it's unlikely he has reached his ceiling yet. He's a persistent penetrator with above-average court vision who rarely gives up his dribble.

Teague will win a championship. Not many, and perhaps not in Atlanta, but his grit is exactly what contending teams are made of.

Prediction: Teague wins one championship. 

Jeremy Lin

Age: 23

Jeremy Lin may be an overnight sensation, but how true of a sensation he actually is remains to be seen.

The sample size to go on with Lin is small, incredibly small, and his run could merely be a product of lackluster opponents. Or it could be the beginning of something incredible.

Either way, Linsanity has earned Lin a home essentially anywhere he chooses. That bodes well for his title prospects.

Prediction: Lin is a member of one championship team

DeMar DeRozan

Age: 22

I see so much of Nick Young in DeMar DeRozan that it scares me.

DeRozan can put up points in a hurry, but he is far from dependable at this stage.

Even though I don't see him staying in Toronto for more than three more seasons, I also don't see him ever being a starter, or even a consistent contributor, on a championship caliber team.

Prediction: DeRozan fails to win even one championship

Jrue Holiday

Age: 21

Jrue Holiday can put up points in a hurry.

On any given night, he's James Harden-esque on the floor, which is never a bad thing.

His ability to play both guard positions coupled with the progress he has made already are telltale signs of a future All-Star, one who will snag a ring, though probably not this year.

Prediction: Holiday captures one championship

O.J. Mayo

Age: 24

O.J. Mayo is an enigma.

After two seasons of superstar level basketball, Mayo's production has tapered off quite a bit.

His role within the Grizzlies' system has been in a constant limbo, and you cannot help but wonder if he is anywhere near establishing an identity as a player.

Mayo appears best suited coming off the bench for a contending team, which should allow him the opportunity to don at least one championship ring.

Whether or not that ring is won with the Grizzlies is a different story.

Prediction: Mayo scores one championship  

Ricky Rubio

Age: 21

There wasn't a defense Ricky Rubio couldn't break down before he got injured.

Though Rubio's torn ACL is of concern, the Spanish phenomenon has been proving people wrong since making the jump to the NBA.

Rubio's superior court vision and and basketball IQ are instrumental, and before his career is out, he'll turn those strengths in an NBA championship.

Prediction: Rubio grabs one title

Kyrie Irving

Age: 20

Kyrie Irving is no LeBron James, but after only one season of action, it's clear he has a long and prosperous career ahead of him.

The point guard will most definitely need an array of outside options to defer to in order to actualize his championship cause, but that's something that will be arranged in due time.

Expect to see Irving not only win a title, but accomplish what James couldn't, and win one in Cleveland.

Prediction: Irving claims one championship ring

Eric Gordon

Age: 23

If it wasn't for his season-damning injury, Eric Gordon may have already been an All-Star.

The combo-guard is a premier scorer, sound passer, willing defender and bona fide game-changer.

That said, there's a better than good chance he winds up going back to New Orleans, where he will waste some of the best years of career.

Like Chris Paul, though, he'll plan his escape at some point.

Prediction: Gordon nabs one championship 

Danilo Gallinari

Age: 23

After four season's it's clear that Danilo Gallinari will never match Dirk Nowitzki's effectiveness.

Although this comes as a bit of a let down, put the Italian alongside an established All-Star, and you have the foundation for a championship caliber team.

Gallinari will never be an MVP, but he's got the tools necessary to propel a franchise to a ring as a member of its supporting cast.

Prediction: Gallinari wins one NBA title 

Ty Lawson

Age: 24

Ty Lawson has blossomed into a dominant offensive force for the Nuggets.

Not only has the point guard taken complete control of the offense, but he's become a vocal leader for his teammates. His defensive awareness has improved quite a bit as well.

Whether or not Lawson is the type of player you want to build your team around remains to be seen. What is certain, though, is given the right weapons to defer to or feed off, he will not fail to win himself a championship.

Prediction: Lawson obtains one championship ring

Kevin Love

Age: 23

Kevin Love is a stud, no doubt about it.

He can score from anywhere on the floor, rebound in his sleep and has taken great strides toward becoming a strong defensive player.

The problem? Love plays for the Timberowolves, who outside of Ricky Rubio, will struggle to put together quality talent around their cornerstone on a yearly basis.

Prediction: Love wins just one championship

Greg Monroe

Age: 21

Just two years out of college, and Greg Monroe is already dominating in the low post.

The big man can do it all on either end of the floor and his surprisingly agile for someone his size.

Detroit is nowhere near title contention, but Monroe has the luxury of being able to bide his time. Once the Pistons become relevant again, he'll propel his team to the promise land.

More than once.

Prediction: Monroe picks up two championships

Blake Griffin

Age: 23

Blake Griffin still has plenty of maturing to do, but he is already one of the most athletic players in the game.

The highlight-reel machine already has a prolific partner in Chris Paul, who taken much of the Clippers' burden off the power forward's shoulders.

As long as Paul, or any other All-Star point man, is in the picture, Griffin will remain a threat to win a string of NBA championships.

Prediction: Griffin will win two NBA titles 

Serge Ibaka

Age: 22

The Thunder have so much homegrown star talent on their roster that it's clear it will catch up with them eventually.

There's some serious doubt as to whether Oklahoma City can afford to keep both James Harden and Ibaka moving forward, and if they do, in fact, have to choose, the big man will be cut loose first.

Ibaka's impenetrable defense and improving offensive game won't go unrewarded, though. He'll make the most out of his time with the Thunder and perhaps even help anchor in the middle for a championship team elsewhere.

Prediction: Ibaka winds up with two championships

John Wall

Age: 21

John Wall is a fantasy owner's dream, but the state of the Wizards has read more like a nightmare for the pass two seasons.

While the point guard needs to improve perimeter shooting, he has shown he can balance creating for his teammates with getting to the rim.

Nene is unlikely to be the driving force that pushes Washington into title contention, but his experience is a good start, and a blessing for Wall.

Prediction: Wall wins two NBA championships

DeMarcus Cousins

Age: 21

DeMarcus Cousins has plenty of growing up to do, but if this past season was any indication, the volatile big man is destined for greatness.

Cousins is a stat-line machine. He can score, rebound and even put on a show defensively.

Playing within the confines of Sacramento won't help his championship cause, but take me seriously when I say he'll embrace the opportunity to leave at some point.

And that's when he'll receive his shot at a title.

Prediction: Cousins wins two championships, but not in Sacramento

Derrick Rose

Age: 23

LeBron James' and Kevin Durant's sheer existence impedes Derrick Rose's future title aspirations a great deal, as do his injury woes.

That said, don't expect the former MVP to go down without a fight; Rose will not retire without a championship ring.

In fact, barring a career-threatening injury and a sudden inability for the Bulls to maintain a strong supporting cast, expect Rose to walk away with multiple titles to his name.

Prediction: Rose is crowned an NBA champion twice

Andrew Bynum

Age: 24

After more than half a decade of mediocrity, Andrew Bynum appears ready to embrace the role of a superstar.

Some already Bynum pegged as Kobe Bryant's successor as the Lakers' cornerstone. If this past year was any indication, the center is finally up to the task.

That said, two or more of Bynum's seasons will eventually be spent picking the pieces up from Bryant's retirement, leaving him with a smaller championship window than most realize.

Don't expect the rings to pile up for Bynum the way they did Shaquille O'Neal, he has already won most of his.

Prediction: Bynum finishes his career with three championships to his name 

Russell Westbrook

Age: 23

Russell Westbrook has evolved into a potential top 10 player in the span of a year.

The point guard receives flack for not passing enough, but there's no denying that he generates points.

Though Westbrook and Kevin Durant form one of the most formidable tandems in the league, I just can't shake this feeling that they'll wind up parting ways eventually.

But not before winning a few championships.

Prediction: Westbrook ears three NBA titles

James Harden

Age: 22

James Harden is a star in his own right, but he's also the perfect complimentary player.

While there is a good chance that Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant go their separate ways, it's doubtful Harden does the same for quite some time.

Look for the newly crowned Sixth Man of the Year to win more than a fair share of championships.

Predictions: Harden walks away with four titles

Kevin Durant

Age: 23

Few players in the NBA can score as well as Kevin Durant can.

The small forward remains an unstoppable force on the offensive end, has taken his defensive efforts to the next level and plays alongside the most talented supporting cast in the league.

Durant is going anywhere anytime soon, and neither are the Thunder.

In fact, he could win the first, of many, championships as early as this year.

Prediction: Durant snags five championships  

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