Dwight Howard and The 25 Best Players Under 25

LeBron is about to turn 26, but there are many ready to step into his role of up and comer. The NBA is on the precipice of entering into a new golden age. There are so many players under the age of 25 that are either on the verge of entering into stardom, or they are already there.  Some have even already joined the elite company. Here are 25 players who will excel in 201--11, but won't turn 25 until at after the start of the sseason. 

25—Rodrigue Beaubois

He might not be the most famous name on the list, but this kid can play. He's only 6' 2" (according to the generous reports) but it's also reported he has a wing span of  6' 10." When you combine that with a 40" vertical, and the fact that he's one of the speediest men in the NBA, you've got the makings of an amazing point guard. Then you throw in that he's 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from the ark, and 80 percent from the stripe, and you've got a guy that can flat out ball. Roddy is the best thing to come from France since Tony Parker. 

24—Darren Collison

When Paul went down, it seemed impossible that anyone could fill in his shoes, let alone rookie Darren Collison. Amazingly, Collison more than vindicated his first round draft status, providing the type of performance you'd expect to see from Paul. Among other things, Collison had a triple double and on another occasion, set the Hornets rookie record with 20 dimes in one night. Collison will be serving up the ball for the Pacers next year, and looks to be the starter. 

23—Brandon Jennings

Jennings woke up the NBA world when he became the youngest player to ever eclipse the 50 point mark. What may be even more impressive than that though  is the 29 he scored in the third quarter. Jennings looks to be just what the Bucks need as Redd's injury problems don't look to be going away. Look for Jennings to top 20 ppg this year, and continue to build on his career. 

22—LaMarcus Aldridge

He might not be a 20/10 guy, but he's the next next best thing, averaging just under 18/8 last season. He continues to improve his all around game each season, and is becoming a steady and consistent presence for the Trailblazers. Steady and consistent aren't a bad when you consider the kind of luck Portland's been having with their big men. Aldridge has only missed 11 games over the last three seasons. 

21—Jeff Green

Jeff Green is the the first of three Thunder to make the list. The kid John Thompson III referred to as the smartest player he's ever coached led Georgetown to a stunning final four run in 2007. As a pro he's been all rookie, and also played for the Sophomores in the Rookie/Sophomore game at the NBA All Star game. Look for Green to have a breakout year this season.

20—Louis Williams

Perhaps of everyone on this list, apart form Rodrique Beaubois, this is the biggest stretch. Williams is placed here based on my sense that he is due for a breakout year. Williams has tons of potential. His PER is actually pretty good at 16.6. For him, it's really  a matter of playing time. If he gets it, look for a breakout. 

19—Rudy Gay

Some will argue that I've got Gay way to low on this list. In all honesty, it's the player I'm the most unsure of how to place. He certainly seems to have skills, but I'm reluctant to place him higher because I have trouble telling if his numbers are a result of playing on a really bad team, or if he's actually worthy of his contract. I do recall a time when Ricky Davis was putting up some pretty gawdy numbers after all. For now, Rudy goes here, but it may be the spot I'm the most wrong about. 

18—Stephen Curry

Yes, he plays in a Don Nelson offense, but that doesn't completely explain away his ability to fill out a stat sheet. It will be interesting to see what Curry can do with newly acquired David Lee. Curry is an outstanding young player and within a couple of years, he could emerge as one of the top  ten players in the league, regardless of age. 

17—Paul Milsap

Paul Milsap filled in for Boozer from time to time over the last two seasons. Ithe' seemed he impssed the Jazz enough they kept Milsap over Boozer. I thought he'd be taking over the starting job until they acquired Jefferson. Honestly, I think they should put Jefferson at Center, and have Milsap and Jefferson as the starters, but that's just me. Milsap would be higher on these rankings if  he were starting. 

16—Andray Blatche

Andray Blatche took over with what only can be described as "aplomb" after Antawn Jamison left averaging over 22 points and 8 boards a game. With a full season as a starter, and with John Wall and the return of Arenas, it is an absolute mystery what we will see from him next year. It could be anything from superstar performance to just another guy on another team. My guess, he'll be a nice guy to have on your fantasy team. 

15—John Wall

Speaking of John Wall. After being the freshmen leader of a remarkable Kentucky team, he became the first player drafted in this year's draft and he's the only rookie in these rankings. In case you're wondering, that's because I'm ranking them according to my expectations from this year. From what he showed in the summer league, Wall looks to inaugurate his rookie season with a splash. 

14—Al Horford

It was tough choosing between Horford and Noah to see who was next. The two former Florida stars and champions both have games that are on the rise, but I feel there's more distance between Noah's superiority on defense than I see in Horford's on offense. They are both excellent young centers though and could be vying against each other for the next several years. 

13—Joakim Noah

Noah is on this list because of his defense and rebounding more than his scoring. I once heard him described as a "human pogo stick" which is exactly what he is. He brings so much energy to the game, (see video to see what I mean.) It will be interesting to see what Tom Thibodeau can do to help him become an even better defensive player. Noah could be the second best defensive center in the game after this year, trailing only Howard. 

12—Kevin Love

Boozer goes to Chicago, and Utah replaces him with Jefferson. Jefferson gets replaced in Minnesota with Love. Does that mean Love=Boozer? Love has a very solid game, he's strong inside, he's a decent post player, he has a very nice midrange jumper, he's solid defensively. He's not that athletic, but that's not his game. Love will never be Garnett, but he's the player that the Timberwolves will be building around.

11—Greg Oden

Oden is so athletic for his size that it's almost cheating. He's 7' and strong. He's got skill on both sides of the ball. He's also got a history of injury problems and 3 other high quality big men, and one of the better small forwards in th game on his team. If he were the primary option he'd be higher on the list but for now he's just missing the top ten. 

10—Andrew Bynum

Bynum is perhaps the NBA's most unappreciated player two reasons. First, every time he starts to show what he can do he injures something, and second, he's on a virtual NBA All-Star team. After you get past Kobe, Lamar, Pau and Artest, you get to Bynum. Of course the fact that he's surrounded by that much talent and still posts a PER of 20.2 should give you a measure of how good he really is. If he were healthy and on a team where he was the first or second option you'd see a 20/10 player. He has both offensive and defensive game, and he's only 22. Don't be surprised if Drew becomes an MVP candidate in a few years after Kobe retires.

9—Tyreke Evans

The reigning Rookie of the Year ave averaged over 20 points, 5 boards and 5 assists in his first season,s joining Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson and LeBron James in that company. The best part of his game is what he does when he's handling the ball. He breaks down defenses, creates shots, passes well, and possesses some amazing moves. Sure,.he still needs to work on his jump shot and defense, but his potential is very high. Consider how the others turned out. 

8—Russell Westbrook

Westbrook was one of the more improved players in the NBA last year, and it is arguable that his maturation as much as Duran'ts was the reason the Thunder were the improved team last season. Westbrook is developing on defense, and is a threat both as a passer and as a shooter, but the best part of Westbrook is his work ethic. He won't be the #1 option for the Thunder, but he'll be the engine that makes the team run. 

7—Brook Lopez

Brook Lopez looks to be the player that the Nets are going to build around, and you could do a lot worse. Sometimes players benefit from a lack of talent around them. Lopez actually will put up better numbers next year because there is more talent around him. With Troy Murphy and Andrew Morrow on the team, he shouldn't be facing double or even triple teams so much of the time. Look for Lopez to have a 20/10 season and possibly even make his first All Star game. 

6—Josh Smith

Josh Smith  is long, athletic as all get out, and has one of the most complete games in the NBA. In the history of the game, there have only been four quadruple doubles. Of those playing today, Smith may have the best chance of getting one. His problem is on the mental side. He can lose focus at times. If he wants to develop his game further, he has to develop that aspect of his game more than anything else. If he does, he could be an MVP caliber player. All the physical tools are there. 

5—Rajon Rondo

Rondo turned the Big Three into the Big Four last year. He's emerged into a bona fide star and entered into the conversation for best point guard in the game. It will be interesting  this season to see if he can continue to raise his game or if he's topped off. While he's an accomplished passer, he's not the scoring machine the other point guards ahead of him are. 

4—Derrick Rose

Of all the players on this list, the on primed the most for improvement is Derrick Rose. I say that for several reasons. First, his assists should see a nice improvement since he has Boozer and Korver to dish to, inside and out. Second, he's got a new drive and shoot offense, designed with him around it. Third, he's been working on his two biggest weaknesses this summer, 3 point shooting and defense. Finally he (along with a few others on the list0 is playing on team USA. All of those things suggest a step up into the next level, which for Rose means the elite. He could very well be entering into the MVP conversation in the next two two years and may even be in it this year. 

3—Chris Paul

Chris Paul is the most skilled point guard in the game today, period. When he is at his best, he's pretty close to the Bryant/James/Wade category of elite. However there's things that are at play that put him down to three here. He's coming back from injury, and he's not happy with the Hornets. Either of those things can keep from being his best. He could have an MVP year, or he could drop down to "mere mortal" status, depending on how he holds up mentally and physically. Let's hope he does because he is amazing to watch when he's on. 

2—Dwight Howard

Still only 24 Dwight Howard is already the best defensive player in the game. The one "wiseakness" in his game is that his offense isn't what it could be considering his size and athleticism. Enter summer 2010 and Hakeem. Word is that Dwight is getting some coaching from the Hall of Famer for is offense. If there's a "Dwight Dream Shake" to go with his already superb defense, it's not inconceivable that he'd enter the GOAT. conversation before he retired

1—Kevin Durant

Last year's scoring champ could very well be this year's MVP. Kobe and LeBron, the perennial favorites are now both surrounded with better teams, meaning that Durant's "v" should go up. Add to that that he's the leader of the best "up and coming" young team in the NBA and you have an easy sentimental favorite. Whether he wins or not, I think he's answered the question of whether he's "too small" for the NBA.