Future NBA Stars: The All-Under-Three-Years-Experience Team
In the past few years, we've had some oddly mixed standout players. In 2007, the rookie of the year was the second pick. In 2008 and 2009, the second pick was a draft bust. Last year was the draft of the point guard. There have been several star players selected in the late first round and in the second round.
So with all of these players, there comes some bright futures for certain teams. So at each position, here are the "All Three Years Experience or Under" team.
Point Guard: Derrick Rose
1 of 5
Drafted: First Overall in 2008
The only player from the 2008 draft to play in an All-Star Game was clearly the best player from the draft. Maybe that's why he was the first overall pick that year.
A career 18.7 points per game is very impressive for such a young player, and that goes alongside six assists, and nearly four rebounds per game. But Derrick has more importantly risen as the team leader for the improving Chicago Bulls club, who will look to build on a playoff squad after adding Carlos Boozer.
Second Place: Aaron Brooks
Honorable Mention:
- Stephen Curry
- Brandon Jennings
- Russell Westbrook
Shooting Guard: Tyreke Evans
2 of 5
Drafted: Fourth Overall in 2009
It's easy to put Rookies of the Year these teams. Tyreke was clearly one of the standout players of last year, and was crowned accordingly for it.
He put up over 20 points per game last season, and was the fourth player in history to ever average at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in his rookie year. The others? LeBron, Michael Jordan, and Oscar Robertson. No big deal though, right?
Now Tyreke will lead a young squad with lottery pick DeMarcus Cousins at center. Building around last year's stars Carl Landry and Omri Casspi, the Kings should have a solid future with Evans leading the way.
Second Place: OJ Mayo
Honorable Mention:
- Corey Brewer
- Eric Gordon
- Courtney Lee
Small Forward: Kevin Durant
3 of 5
Drafted: Second Overall in 2007
Was there any debate on this one? Kevin Durant is one of the best players in the league right now, and is by far the best player drafted since 2007. So it was a clear choice to pick Durant for this position, especially considering the competition he was given at the bottom...
Durant is currently the team leader of the up and coming Thunder squad that are picked for next season by many to challenge the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. Disclaimer: That's not going to happen.
Second Place: Danillo Gallinari
Honorable Mention:
- Wilson Chandler
- Jonas Jerebko
- Thaddeus Young
Power Forward: Kevin Love
4 of 5
Drafted: Fifth Overall in 2008
This one was one of the harder ones to pinpoint. On the one hand, there aren't any standouts. No All-Stars, no award winners, no really statistical leaders. But Love is one of the few players that made Team USA, led the league in rebounds per 48, and is the team leader on his squad. Love is someone who improved drastically in his second year, and will continue to become one of the top power forwards in the league.
Love is on the ever changing Timberwolves, but the recent move of Al Jefferson tells me he'll be there to stay for a while. As he enters this season as the best player on the team (for now), he'll really be judged early as to how good he can really be.
Second Place: Carl Landry
Honorable Mention:
- Michael Beasley
- Jeff Green
- Anthony Randolph
Center: Al Horford
5 of 5
Drafted: Third Overall in 2007
Horford Proved himself last season when he was selected to his first All-Star game. While he was most people's question mark, he was one of the best centers in the East at the time.
Horford is still just the third best player on his Atlanta Hawks squad. Not many teams these days count on their center though, so having a guy like Horford on a team is just what most people would want. Horford will take on a bigger role when the Hawks start to shift around their players in a few years, and should see more of a role as well.
Second place: Joakim Noah
Honorable Mention:
- Marc Gasol
- Brook Lopez
- Greg Oden
