NBA 2010-11: Kevin Durant and Nine Other New NBA Superstars
NBA Superstar.
The legends of the game all held the title.
Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and so many more were once considered to be among the NBA's elite: an NBA Superstar.
In today's game, players like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Tim Duncan, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, and a few select others hold that title of an NBA Superstar.
But this article isn't about who is a superstar, or even who has been one.
This is about the players who could emerge as an NBA Superstar this season.
We all know that Kevin Durant took the big leap last season.
Not only did Durant push LeBron James and nearly win the MVP last season, but he became the youngest scoring title winner in NBA history as well.
And this summer Durant put his face on the world map by leading an undermanned Team U.S.A to the F.I.B.A. World Championship gold medal.
Kevin Durant certainly has put together a resume that is worthy of more than just the superstar title.
His resume has put his name among the NBA elite, a path that will one day lead him to being known as the best player in the NBA.
Of course that will be after Kobe Bryant is done dominating the NBA.
So what players are ready to make the leap that Kevin Durant has?
From rookie sensation, to team leader, to NBA Superstar?
Kevin Durant has certainly set the bar high for players expecting to make the leap to NBA Superstar, so when you look at this list, don't compare the players to Durant because that would be unfair.
Durant is an other-worldly talent. Nonetheless these nine players could also be known as an NBA Superstars by the end of the 2010-2011 season.
So as usual....sit back, relax, and don't forget to comment!
Rookies to Watch
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It's not very often that a rookie can make the leap from college superstar to NBA Superstar, but this year's class has a few guys that may challenge for the title at the end of the season.
I wanted to make this list separate from my top nine because these players have yet to play in an NBA game but have a ton of hype after coming out of college.
John Wall, Washington Wizards
Being selected No. 1 overall brings expectations of being an NBA Superstar one day.
Wall is lightning quick, can create his own shot, and electrifies the crowd with his every move.
The 19-year old sensation from Kentucky will bring an entirely new dynamic to the Wizards this season and could be making fans say "Gilbert Who" very soon.
Evan Turner, Philadelphia 76ers
Some people have labeled Turner as the "bust player" in this year's draft.
And some of us watched him play for three years at Ohio State and can tell you he will be far from a bust.
Turner is the special kind of athlete who will stuff a stat sheet.
He has the ability to make the players around him better with his passing abilities, draws double-teams with his ability to create his own shot and penetrate, and has that big game "swag."
9. Eric Gordon, Los Angeles Clippers
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Many people are going to be intrigued by this selection.
I understand that Eric Gordon plays on the same team as last year's No. 1 overall pick Blake Griffin, but pay attention.
If you watched the F.I.B.A. World Championships this summer, you can understand why I like Eric Gordon so much.
He has the ability to be an explosive scorer, he can create his own shot, and he is only 21 years old.
Last season Gordon averaged 16.9 points per game on a Clippers team that lacked options.
With Blake Griffin finally making his debut this season, and the additions that the Clippers have made this summer, it could be Gordon's time for a breakout season.
The emergence of Gordon this season and the possibility of him taking the next step toward becoming an NBA Superstar could be just what the doctor ordered for the struggling Clippers' franchise.
8. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
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Curry is the first of three rookies from last season to make this list, which tells you just how good these kids are going to be.
Curry has the sweet, Reggie Miller-esque three-point shot that makes NBA fans salivate at the mouth.
In his rookie season, Curry averaged 17.5 points and 5.9 assists per game at the age of 22.
Curry has nowhere to go but up this season, especially with the Warriors finally adding a post game with David Lee.
Curry will also probably be in the NBA three-point contest at All-Star weekend this year, and with the spotlight on, Stephen Curry could emerge as an NBA Superstar by the end of that weekend.
On an up and coming Warriors team that features scoring sensation Monta Ellis and newly acquired David Lee, Curry will be the man to lead the team back to the playoffs and possibly even further in the future.
7. O.J. Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies
4 of 10
Most people would expect his max contract carrying teammate Rudy Gay to hold this spot, but I'm going to have to give the edge to Mayo.
O.J. Mayo has the ability to play multiple positions at the NBA level, averaged 17.5 points per game last season, and will probably be taking over the point guard duties for the Grizzlies this season.
Mayo has already proven the ability to score and help his teammates at the shooting guard position in his young career, putting him in a position to have the ball in his hands at all times will only elevate his status and help him become a superstar.
He has excellent scoring and play-making skills and I think this is the year we all finally see O.J. Mayo reach the hype that surrounded him during high school and USC career.
6. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
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Russell Westbrook has the passion, the leadership, the speed, the scoring abilities, and the all-around amazing basketball game to make it to the NBA Superstar level.
And he's only 21 years old.
Westbrook often becomes the forgotten man playing alongside Kevin Durant, but it won't be long before people start recognizing him for his own abilities as well.
The Westbrook-Durant combo will not only dominate this league in the future, it will make for one of the deadliest superstar combos in the league.
Last season Westbrook averaged 16.1 points and eight assists per game. Those numbers are sure to go up as teams focus more defensive pressure on stopping Kevin Durant this season.
So as you marvel at the other-worldly abilities of Kevin Durant, don't forget to check out the show that his point guard sidekick is putting on at the same time.
5. Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks
6 of 10
Any time a player drops over 50 points in a game, people take notice.
Do it during your rookie season and people start making comparisons to some of the greats.
When Brandon Jennings scored 55 points as a rookie in only his seventh regular season game, I immediately thought this is the next coming of Allen Iverson.
With all due respect to Iverson, Jennings is going to be better.
At the age of 20, Jennings led a team that nobody expected to do anything last season to the playoffs.
Not only did they make it to the playoffs, they nearly won their first round matchup against the Atlanta Hawks.
Now at the age of 21, Jennings is poised for an even bigger season in year two.
The Bucks have surrounded him with more talent, which means he is ready to improve upon the 15.5 points and 5.7 assists that he put up in his rookie season.
So when you are checking ESPN to find out how many points LeBron and D-Wade scored in Miami, don't forget to check out the Jennings highlight reel in Milwaukee.
4. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics
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Rajon Rondo confuses me.
He has the natural abilities, the blazing speed, and the right cast around him to become a superstar.
And then he goes and takes himself off Team U.S.A for "personal reasons."
One amazing summer alongside Kevin Durant could have certainly propelled Rondo to the top of this list, but instead it left people questioning his leadership and dedication to the game.
But luckily for Rondo, he is way too talented to not make this list.
Once the "Big Three" have left Boston, he will be the only star left on that team.
He has a ring, a ton of playoff experience, and the abilities to continue to lead that team in the future.
And at the age of 24, he has yet to hit his prime.
Rondo averaged 13.7 points and 9.8 assists per game last season, and I can say with certainty that as the "Big Three" gets older, his scoring numbers will only go up.
Let's just hope that he remains dedicated to the game long enough for NBA fans to take notice of his superstar abilities.
3. Brook Lopez, New Jersey Nets
8 of 10
In just his second season in the NBA Brook Lopez averaged 18.8 points and 8.6 rebounds per game for the worst team in the league.
That was a five point improvement from his rookie season.
Lopez is the future of the NBA at the center position and he will be an NBA Superstar very soon.
The only thing holding Lopez back would be if the Nets continue to lose at the pace they did last season.
At only 22 years of age, Lopez has nowhere to go but up in this league. As the Nets continue to put the right pieces around him he will only excel even more.
One of those right pieces has been linked to the Nets through trade talks.
You may have heard of him, his name is Carmelo Anthony.
The addition of another superstar would only push Brook Lopez into the spotlight even more and fast-track him in becoming an NBA Superstar.
2. Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings
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Rookie of the year, check.
Member of an elite group as a rookie, check.
Putting your team back on the NBA map as a rookie, check.
The NBA hasn't seen someone do what Evans did as a rookie since LeBron James revitalized basketball in the city of Cleveland in 2003.
Tyreke Evans averaged over 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists as a rookie: a feat that has only been accomplished a handful of times in NBA history.
This 21 year old WILL be an NBA Superstar very, very soon.
His abilities remind me of those of LeBron James when he came into the league.
He may not be as big and strong as LeBron, but he makes up for it in other aspects of his game.
When James came into the league, people said this is a once in a generation athlete, but I think Tyreke Evans can be the "second" in that generation.
Evans will continue to wow people, make them pay attention to the Kings, and just may lead them back to the playoff promise-land very soon.
1. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
10 of 10
Like there was going to be anyone else at the top of this list.
Derrick Rose is as dynamic an athlete as we have in the NBA today.
He can blow past you with his speed, penetrate the basket with the best of them, and he's only 21 years old!
Things are looking better than they have in Chicago since some guy wore No. 23 for the Bulls.
And the main reason for this is the amazing talent of Derrick Rose.
If he has developed his outside shot as much as people have said this off-season, Rose will be a superstar by the end of October.
The Bulls have put more pieces around him with the addition of Carlos Boozer, made their team better, and are viewed as one of the Eastern Conference favorites in the eyes of many people.
All of those things and more are reasons why Derrick Rose will emerge as an NBA Superstar this season.
So whether you are a Chicago fan or not, don't forget to watch as Derrick Rose blossoms right before your eyes in the 2010-2011 NBA Season.
