NBA Superstars: The Next Generation
The NBA has always had its superstars by generation. Eventually, the torch has to be passed down for younger talent to take the lime light. My generation’s superstars had the torch passed to them as well. For example, Shaq to Dwight, Malone to Duncan, Magic and Isiah to J-Kidd and Steve Nash and MJ to Kobe are all transitions that have been made. The NBA can be assured success with the talent pool of upcoming superstars. Let’s take a look at some names that you should grow accustom to.
Wall may be on his way to a Rookie of the Year award, photo courtesy of infosport.onsugar.com
John Wall – John Wall has lived up to the hype so far. Some consider him the new Jason Kidd. Through his first seven games, Wall is averaging 18.4 points, 10.3 steals, four rebounds and 3.3 steals a game. Wall has already recorded his first triple-double against Houston with 19 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists and six steals. He is the real deal, and he will be mentioned amongst many of the new emerging point guards.
Blake Griffin – After a long awaited year, Griffin took his debut on the hardwood this season for the Clippers and showed everyone why he was the first overall pick in the 2009 draft. Even though the Clippers have struggled, Griffin has been playing great. He’s averaging 16.6 points and 10.9 rebounds. Griffin will be a career double-double guy. He has the type of tenacity and hunger for the ball like a young Kevin Garnett.
Russell Westbrook – Westbrook has started this season on an absolute tear so far. So far Westbrook is putting up 24 points, eight assists and six rebounds this year, which is up from his 16-8-5 averages from last year. Westbrook has proven that he can be a great scorer and passer and will give point guards around the league trouble.
Team USA has really helped Love's game, photo courtesy of everyjoe.com
Kevin Love – Kevin Love has taken the step up this season after playing for the national team this summer and proven he is one of the best rebounders in the league. Love just recorded the first 30-30 game in 20 years since Moses Malone. Love is averaging 18 points and 15 rebounds. Unfortunately, he is only getting about 30 minutes a game, but it is clear if he plays more, he can be a 20-10 guy every night. Somebody tell the Wolves to play Love, it’s not like they have any better options.
Stephen Curry – Don’t let Curry’s size fool you, he is a pure shooter. This year, he is shooting almost 50 percent from the field, averaging 21 points and seven assists a game. Curry is also a good defender with about two steals a game. Curry will become one of the best shooters in the game once he hits his prime.
Tyreke Evans – Evans isn’t your standard point guard. Evans can score the ball, averaging about 20 points a game. He passes and rebounds well, getting six dimes and about five boards a game as well. Evans is a physical guard and knows how to attack the basket. If Evans can improve his three-point shot, he can become a real scoring threat.
Brook Lopez – Good centers in the league are hard to come by. Lopez has shown signs that he can be a solid center in the league. He’s had his struggles this season, but he will rebound (hopefully, since rebounding has been the issue). Last year, Lopez was putting up 19 points, nine rebounds and almost two blocks a game for the Nets.
Roy Hibbert – No center has improved over the last three years like Hibbert has. Hibbert’s numbers so far this year have been stellar, averaging 16 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks, up from last year’s 12 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks. Hibbert is an absolute stud and a steal for a 17th overall pick.
Kevin Durant – Durant will soon be the best player in the NBA. He already won the scoring title last year, and if he can lead his Thunder to a top four seed in the West, this year, he will also be the MVP. Durant is an absolute beast with one of the quickest releases in the league. The best part of Durant is his attitude; he doesn’t have the diva qualities that most superstars do.
Rose is Chicago's franchise player, photo courtesy of ambasketball.com
Derrick Rose– If you’ve seen Rose play, you know exactly what he is capable of doing. He is another Calipari guard that can dominate a game. Rose is a prolific scorer, and he’s the best thing in Chi-city since 2-3. He’s also dropping 24 points and 10 assists on your team this year.
Joakim Noah – You don’t have to like the way he plays, you don’t have to like his face, you don’t have to like what he says to the media after game, but you have to respect him. Noah has become an absolute beast, and his stats have been climbing up the last four years. Noah is at career highs with 16 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks.
Brandon Jennings – Young Buck Brandon Jennings has revived basketball in Milwaukee. He also led his team to the playoffs last year, something the other coveted rookies of last year were unable to do. Jennings has a solid nucleus of players with him, and he is doing his part by putting up 15 points, six assists, and four rebounds.
The future of the NBA is safe because of the guys listed above. The up-and-coming talent in the NBA has basketball junkies licking their chops. This league is in good hands for at least the next 15 years.
This is just an opinion…so please, Pardon My Bias.
